GGR’s 2013 Emmy Recap

From Geek Goes Rogue TV Editor Zach W. Lorton, who is finally feeling like all those years investing in Breaking Bad has paid off…

So, I caught the Emmy awards Sunday night, and there wasn’t much to go on about.  Jimmy Fallon’s presentation was one of the simplest, yet most well-performed gags of the night, only to be capped off by Will Ferrell, who came out on stage with his three kids, dressed in vacation duds, and turned his presentation of the Best Comedy Series and Best Drama Series awards into a trip in the car.  Both brilliant bits.

But I have a feeling there were some upsets and surprises, and I’m going to be paralleling my rundown with the predictions put forth by the folks over at Paste magazine.  Some good stuff, some head-scratchers (seriously, automated blog editor, how can “scratchers” be a word that’s not in your dictionary?), and some just desserts are found here.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Paste’s Prediction — Kerry Washington, Scandal
Paste’s Should-Winner — Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Actual Winner — Claire Danes, Homeland

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Paste’s Prediction — Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Paste’s Should-Winner — Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Actual Winner — Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
Cranston has already won the Emmy 3 times, and season 4 didn’t include his best performances.  But I think a lot of people were puzzled as to why Jeff Daniels won when there were so many other great performances by other actors.  Jon Hamm?  Kevin Spacey?  Come on…

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Paste’s Prediction — Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
Paste’s Should-Winner — Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones
Actual Winner — Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
Completely appropriate, and very deserving, given Gunn’s performance in last season.  Frankly, it’s high time.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Paste’s Prediction — Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Paste’s Should-Winner — Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Actual Winner — Bobby Cannavale, Boardwalk Empire
I was really hoping Jonathan Banks would have been graced by Emmy.  His slow, smoldering portrayal of Mike Ehrmantraut was one of the highlights of Breaking Bad.  “YOU are NOT the guy.”

Oustanding Drama Series
Paste’s Prediction — Breaking Bad
Paste’s Should-Winner — Breaking Bad
Actual Winner — Breaking Bad
Yup.  Told ya.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Paste’s Prediction — Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Paste’s Should-Winner — Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreations
Actual Winner — Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Veep
Go find the video of her acceptance speech online and watch it.  Fantastic.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Paste’s Prediction — Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Paste’s Should-Winner — Louis C.K., Louie
Actual Winner — Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
I love TBBT, but I was a little surprised at this one.  I was kind of thinking Louis C.K. would take the prize, but I guess it’s gonna take another season or two for the academy voters to realize what they’ve got.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Paste’s Prediction — Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Paste’s Should-Winner — No one that was nominated
Actual Winner — Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie
Merritt Wever’s acceptance speech was the best of the night (“Thanks so much, thank you so much.  I gotta go.  Bye.”).  However, I’ve not seen episode one of Nurse Jackie, but Wever added her own flavor to New Girl as Elizabeth, an old flame of Schmitt’s whose romance rekindles.  She’s hilarious.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Paste’s Prediction — Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Paste’s Should-Winner — Tony Hale, Arrested Development
Actual Winner — Tony Hale, Veep
It’s great to see Tony Hale get such a deserving award, especially since he spent so long as part of a show as unique and beloved as Arrested Development.  Thank God Veep has given him the right vehicle.

Outstanding Comedy Series
Paste’s Prediction — 30 Rock
Paste’s Should-Winner — Louie
Actual Winner — Modern Family
Modern Family?  Really, academy?  Really?  REALLY??

Zach W. Lorton is a media producer and professional DJ/MC by trade, and a comedian, actor, and musician by default.  His debut music project is set to begin recording in 2014, and will likely take the world by storm, possibly in the form of a Sharknado.