While many awards shows (like anything on MTV) make a habit of rewarding mediocrity,  much like Fan Voting on All-Star ballots. Often times the most deserving candidates are ignored for more popular or recognizable choices. However the new “Critics’ Choice TV Awards” seem to more on target. Today they released a list of nominees for the June 20th Award Show. Here is a list minus the ‘Reality TV’ bullshit, along with who I think should win in RED, and who I think will win in BLUE. If the choice is the same, it’ll be GREEN. Pretty simple.

BEST DRAMA SERIES

“Boardwalk Empire”
“Dexter”
“Friday Night Lights”
“Fringe”
“Game of Thrones”
“The Good Wife”
“Justified”
“The Killing”
“Mad Men”
“The Walking Dead”

I don’t watch Mad Men anymore, and I fricking love Game of Thrones, to be honest, I really like all these  shows. This is an excellent list. And while Justified is my favorite show on TV, critics typically like the period stuff. So I think Boardwalk Empire has the best chance here…

BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire”
Kyle Chandler, “Friday Night Lights”
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
William H. Macy, “Shameless”
Timothy Olyphant, “Justified”

 It’s hard for me to not pick Olyphant here, but I skip him only because, in season 2, as good as he was, he was out-shined by Walton Goggins. Kyle Chandler on the other hand carried FNL for years and deserves some recognition. The reason however I’m predicting Macy for the win is his history of love from the critics, and Shameless being such a departure from his normal role. Plus, they over looked Emmy Rossum for ‘Leading Actress’, so this could be their make-up.

BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Connie Britton, “Friday Night Lights”
Mireille Enos, “The Killing”
Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”
Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”
Katey Sagal, “Sons of Anarchy”
Anna Torv, “Fringe”

How Emmy Rossum got skipped over here is beyond me. She would’ve been my pick to win it, but as she’s not an option I had to look elsewhere. I went to the FNL well again as the final season really focused on Coach and his wife. The show would lack credibility however if Mad Men went winless, so they’ll give it to Moss.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES

Alan Cumming, “The Good Wife”
Walton Goggins, “Justified”
Shawn Hatosy, “Southland”
John Noble, “Fringe”
Michael Pitt, “Boardwalk Empire”
John Slattery, “Mad Men”

This one should be over before it begins. Walton Goggins has to be the winner here or this Awards Show will be a joke. Goggins took what was a great character in season  1 and somehow stepped it up a notch. Put a bow on it, Boyd Crowder is winning this one…

 

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES

Michelle Forbes, “The Killing”
Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men”
Margo Martindale, “Justified”
Kelly Macdonald, “Boardwalk Empire”
Archie Panjabi, “The Good Wife”
Chloë Sevigny, “Big Love”

This one is another slam dunk for me. Like with Walton Goggins, I had my winner here picked before I even saw the nominees. ‘Mags Bennett’ is one of the best villains to come on TV in years.

If you need proof: CLICK HERE

BEST COMEDY SERIES

“Archer”
“The Big Bang Theory”
“Community”
“Glee”
“Louie”
“The Middle”
“Modern Family”
“The Office”
“Parks and Recreation”
“30 Rock”

It would appear Modern Family is their darling, receiving 6 nods, and while I love that show, I would say it’s really only 3rd best on this list behind Parks and Recreation and Community.

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
Steve Carell, “The Office”
Louis C.K., “Louie”
Charlie Day, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”
Joel McHale, “Community”
Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory”

Seems like it’d be a perfect ‘Swan Song’ for Steve Carell here, but The Office isn’t the show it once was. And I for one would love to see It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia get some much deserved love.

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Courteney Cox, “Cougar Town”
Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
Patricia Heaton, “The Middle”
Martha Plimpton, “Raising Hope”
Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation”

Amy Poehler seems like a shew-in for this award. 30 Rock has taken a bit of a slide this last season, and Cox and Falco just feel like long shots. My pick here would be Martha Plimpton and her career resurgence with Raising Hope. Show is greatly under-rated, admittedly I might be a bit partial since she was a Goonie, but there it is. Live with it.

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Ty Burrell, “Modern Family”
NPH, “How I Met Your Mother”
Nick Offerman, “Parks & Rec”
Ed O’Neill, “Modern Family”
Danny Pudi, “Community”
Eric Stonestreet, “Modern Family”

This might be the greatest collection of nominees ever. There isn’t a single character on this list I don’t love. But as much as it pains to again pick against Community, there really is only one choice here. Ron F–king Swanson – The best character on Television.

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Julie Bowen, “Modern Family”
Jane Krakowski, “30 Rock”
Jane Lynch, “Glee”
Busy Philipps, “Cougar Town”
Eden Sher, “The Middle”
Sofía Vergara, “Modern Family”

I hate Glee, but the critics don’t. For my money though I’d have to give it to Happy Gilmore’s girlfriend Julie Bowen.  I bet you were expecting me to pick Sofia Vergara here just so I could justify putting up her picture. Well guess what, Julie Bowen is beautiful too! Jane Lynch not so much…

There is also the fact that it’s my website and no one can stop me from ALSO posting a picture of Vergara…

So we’ll check back in and see who wins once it’s announced, I’m sure my predictions will be way off!

Ron Swanson Approves!

What are you’re picks for each category? Please comment below…