Recently, the Emmy's released every person and show eligible in all of their categories for the 2014 Primetime Emmy's for their nomination ballot. This post is dedicated to everything related to Outstanding Lead Actress in both the comedy and drama series categories. It will be both who I think will actually earn a nomination as well as who I think deserves to earn a nomination. However, there is one main ground rule- I have to go off of the actual Emmy nomination ballot. Which means that if the actress isn't actually eligible to earn a nomination in real life, she's not eligible to be mentioned in this post. Makes sense, doesn't it? Let's begin!
DRAMA
WHO I THINK WILL GET AN EMMY NOMINATION:
- Claire Danes (Homeland)
- Connie Britton (Nashville)
- Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men)
- Kerry Washington (Scandal)
- Kerry Washington (Scandal)
- Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex)
COLD HARD LOCKS: Danes, Britton, Moss, Dockery, Washington
STRONG EDUCATED GUESS: Lizzy Caplan
WHAT I'M PROBABLY WRONG ABOUT: No Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) or Robin Wright (House of Cards)
Last year both Farmiga and Wright earned an Emmy nomination, and yet this year I do not think so. My reasoning for this is that a) while there were 7 nominees last year in this category, I think there will only be 6 this year as that's the norm and b) I think the Emmy's reward Masters of Sex with acting nominations because it won't get any other nominations. This is a crowded field and the Emmy's have Little Brother Syndrome with the movies that it doesn't seem like a good idea to go against an Oscar nominee (Farmiga) and the former superstar (Wright). However, the Emmy's also make decision on who they truly believe is the best, and I think with a gun to their head (or a deadline to meet) they end up leaving out both Farmiga and Wright. Last year was a wide open field that saw the introduction of these ladies as well as Kerry Washington and Connie Britton. That's just not the case anymore.
As for the others, Claire Danes is a two-timer winner in this category, and she's still the favorite to win it all again this year. Michelle Dockey is also a two-time nominee and the obvious Downton Abbey star to earn a nomination. I think it's a fool's errand to think the Emmy's love for the show has waned. Kerry Washington didn't earn a nomination for Scandal in her first year of eligibility, but did earn a nomination during her second year and if Claire Danes doesn't win it all in 2014, it's because of Kerry Washington and America's love for Scandal and Shonda Rhimes. Elizabeth Moss was in danger of not earning a nomination for the sixth consecutive year because Mad Men didn't give anything for Peggy Olson to do, but with the release of Season 7a's penultimate episode "The Strategy", Moss is another lock in this category. Lastly, we have Connie Britton. She's an Emmy darling earning two nominations for her work as Mrs. Coach on Friday Night Lights, one for her work on American Horror Story, and she earned a fourth one last year for her work on Nashville. I'd be surprised if she didn't get another nomination this year as well.
As for the others, Claire Danes is a two-timer winner in this category, and she's still the favorite to win it all again this year. Michelle Dockey is also a two-time nominee and the obvious Downton Abbey star to earn a nomination. I think it's a fool's errand to think the Emmy's love for the show has waned. Kerry Washington didn't earn a nomination for Scandal in her first year of eligibility, but did earn a nomination during her second year and if Claire Danes doesn't win it all in 2014, it's because of Kerry Washington and America's love for Scandal and Shonda Rhimes. Elizabeth Moss was in danger of not earning a nomination for the sixth consecutive year because Mad Men didn't give anything for Peggy Olson to do, but with the release of Season 7a's penultimate episode "The Strategy", Moss is another lock in this category. Lastly, we have Connie Britton. She's an Emmy darling earning two nominations for her work as Mrs. Coach on Friday Night Lights, one for her work on American Horror Story, and she earned a fourth one last year for her work on Nashville. I'd be surprised if she didn't get another nomination this year as well.
IF I HAD AN EMMY BALLOT:
- Claire Danes (Homeland)
- Diane Kruger (The Bridge)
- Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men)
- Diane Kruger (The Bridge)
- Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men)
- Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife)
- Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex)
- Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black)
POTENTIAL OBVIOUS SNUB: Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black)
Just ask The Internet last year when Maslany "got snubbed". Nobody who watches Orphan Black could possibly leave Maslany off of their personal list. The problem is that only T.V. critics watch the show. You will have to fear the wrath of God if you fail to nominate Tatiana Maslany!
- Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex)
- Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black)
POTENTIAL OBVIOUS SNUB: Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black)
Just ask The Internet last year when Maslany "got snubbed". Nobody who watches Orphan Black could possibly leave Maslany off of their personal list. The problem is that only T.V. critics watch the show. You will have to fear the wrath of God if you fail to nominate Tatiana Maslany!
COMEDY
WHO I THINK WILL GET AN EMMY NOMINATION:
- Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)
- Anna Faris (Mom)
- Anna Faris (Mom)
- Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)
- Lena Dunham (Girls)
- Taylor Schilling (Orange Is The New Black)
ACTRESS WHO COULD PLAY SPOILER: Emmy Rossum (Shameless)
ACTRESS WHO COULD PLAY SPOILER: Emmy Rossum (Shameless)
COLD HARD LOCKS: Poehler, Falco, Dreyfus, Dunham
STRONG EDUCATED GUESS: Taylor Schilling
WHAT I'M PROBABLY WRONG ABOUT: Anna Faris getting the wide open sixth spot
2014 is a wide open field in terms of comedies, especially in this category. Last year, the six nominees were Tina Fey (30 Rock), Laura Dern (Enlightened), Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie), Amy Poehler (Parks and Rec), Lena Dunham (Girls), and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep). The latter four are still eligible again and I am confident they will earn Emmy nominations again in 2014. However, the former two, Tina Fey and Laura Dern, aren't eligible again, which means their spots are completely wide open.
One of those "empty spots" is going to go to Taylor Schilling from Orange Is The New Black. In fact, I think Schilling is so good and the show itself is going to make huge waves this Emmy season, that I'm declaring Schilling the winner right now. Julia Louis-Dreyfus may be the favorite because she's won the past two years, however it is extremely difficult to win three in a row. I think 2014 is OITNB's year.
As for the sixth spot, I truly have no idea who will get that nomination. Almost everybody who writes on this subject believes that Anna Faris is going to get it, but I'm dubious. I also haven't seen more than bits an pieces of Mom so who I am to judge. Melissa McCarthy (Mike and Molly) is a former winner in this category and Zooey Deschanel (New Girl) is a former nominee and both could possible sneak their way back into a nomination, but I'm still putting my money on Faris.
IF I HAD AN EMMY BALLOT:
One of those "empty spots" is going to go to Taylor Schilling from Orange Is The New Black. In fact, I think Schilling is so good and the show itself is going to make huge waves this Emmy season, that I'm declaring Schilling the winner right now. Julia Louis-Dreyfus may be the favorite because she's won the past two years, however it is extremely difficult to win three in a row. I think 2014 is OITNB's year.
As for the sixth spot, I truly have no idea who will get that nomination. Almost everybody who writes on this subject believes that Anna Faris is going to get it, but I'm dubious. I also haven't seen more than bits an pieces of Mom so who I am to judge. Melissa McCarthy (Mike and Molly) is a former winner in this category and Zooey Deschanel (New Girl) is a former nominee and both could possible sneak their way back into a nomination, but I'm still putting my money on Faris.
IF I HAD AN EMMY BALLOT:
- Abbi Jacobson (Broad City)
- Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)
- Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)
- Ilana Glazer (Broad City)
- Taylor Schilling (Orange Is The New Black)
- Zooey Deschanel (New Girl)
POTENTIAL OBVIOUS SNUB: Abbi Jacobson/Ilana Glazer (Broad City)
Comedy Central is just killing it of late with original programming. Starting with Key & Peele to Review to Inside Amy Schumer (BTW, Amy Schumer should be eligible in this category and not in the supporting actress category like she's actually eligible in) to Broad City, the network is on a roll. Produced by Amy Poehler, Broad City has an odd sense humor and is on a "non-prestigious" network so there's no way in hell either Jacobson or Glazer has a realistic shot of earning a nomination, but they and the show they're on are hysterical and great.
- Zooey Deschanel (New Girl)
POTENTIAL OBVIOUS SNUB: Abbi Jacobson/Ilana Glazer (Broad City)
Comedy Central is just killing it of late with original programming. Starting with Key & Peele to Review to Inside Amy Schumer (BTW, Amy Schumer should be eligible in this category and not in the supporting actress category like she's actually eligible in) to Broad City, the network is on a roll. Produced by Amy Poehler, Broad City has an odd sense humor and is on a "non-prestigious" network so there's no way in hell either Jacobson or Glazer has a realistic shot of earning a nomination, but they and the show they're on are hysterical and great.
WHICH LEAD ACTRESS DO YOU THINK GAVE THE BEST PERFORMANCE LAST YEAR? LET US KNOW ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!
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