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With How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris suiting up to host Sunday’s Emmy Awards (airing 8 p.m. ET on CBS), expect lots of laughs – and possibly a musical number. But aside from NPH and the fabulous (and inevitably not-so-fabulous) Emmy fashions that will be striding down the red carpet, there are the actual awards to look forward to. Check out our predictions for who should win – and who’ll likely take home the gold statues in the major categories. Chime in with your own suggestions below – and for a reminder of who’s nominated, get up to speed with our slideshow!
Outstanding Drama Series
Who Should Win: Lost. Each episode of the ABC show’s penultimate season was filled with unexpected twists, nail-biting action and long-awaited revelations.
Who Will Probably Win: Mad Men. Stylish, sexy and smartly written, this ‘60s-era AMC series has a strong chance at a back-to-back win.
Outstanding Comedy Series
Who Should Win: How I Met Your Mother. The witty CBS show has remained under the radar for too long. Can’t Neil Patrick Harris put in a call?
Who Will Probably Win: 30 Rock. With 25 total nominations this year and two previous best comedy wins, Tina Fey’s wacky NBC show within a show is the sitcom to beat.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Who Should Win: Jon Hamm for AMC’s Mad Men. Aside from nailing the brooding and mysterious ad man Don Draper, he’s also a shoo-in for Best Lead Actor in a Suit.
Who Will Probably Win: Either Gabriel Byrne for his therapist-we’d-all-like-to-visit character in HBO’s In Treatment or Bryan Cranston for AMC’s Breaking Bad. Emmy voters love veteran actors playing intense yet darkly humorous roles.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Who Should Win: Elisabeth Moss for Mad Men. Her performance as Sterling Cooper’s sole female copywriter Peggy Olson is filled with quiet strength and determination.
Who Will Probably Win: Either Glenn Close for FX’s Damages or Holly Hunter for TNT’s Saving Grace. They’re reliable actresses who consistently give fierce yet nuanced performances.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Who Should Win: Jim Parsons for CBS’s The Big Bang Theory. Geeks prevailing at the Emmys would just be too awesome for words.
Who Will Probably Win: Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock. His turn as network chief Jack Donaghey never fails to elicit laughs, gasps and moments of speechlessness.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Who Should Win: Sarah Silverman for Comedy Central’s The Sarah Silverman Program, mostly because she’ll likely give the most entertaining acceptance speech (that will have to be bleeped about a half-dozen times).
Who Will Probably Win: Tina Fey for 30 Rock. The trials and tribulations of Liz Lemon never fail to amuse – with Tina Fey making her one of the most likable female characters on TV. Toni Collette also has a good chance at winning for United States of Tara. A role playing a woman with multiple personalities is just begging for Emmy gold.
Watch the Emmys live on CBS on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. ET.
