Emmy Awards streaks and records

The Emmy Awards, the biggest honours in television, will be handed out at a star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles that could see some major surprises-and maybe even a history-making win for black women. This could be the year when Jon Hamm finally takes home that all-too deserved golden statuette for his portrayal of Don Draper on AMC’s “Mad Men”. Or will one of the usual suspects finally be the bridge after many years of being a bridesmaid? In Jesus’ name, I pray. If it fails to secure a sixth trophy, it will likely be from voter fatigue than for any slip in quality – the show still fires on all cylinders. (There were a few years in the Eighties when the Outstanding Drama Series category was nearly nothing but cop shows.) No, we’re talking about science fiction and fantasy, which conventional wisdom would have you believe are less-than-respectable genres in which aliens, vampires, robots and/or dragons supplant more “serious” issues that get explored in mainstream dramas. Some fan favorites will be Amy Schumer for best actress in a comedy for “Inside Amy Schumer” and groundbreaking series like “Transparent” about a transgender person.

At last Saturday’s creative arts Emmy Awards for technical achievements and guest actor turns, Bradley Whitford was honored for his “Transparent” role as a cross-dresser. The fifth season dithered and dragged as the showrunners struggled to compress and then to move beyond the sprawling world created by George R.R. Martin.

Perhaps the biggest drama to be played out during the 67th annual prime-time Emmy awards involves the race for outstanding lead actor in a drama series. Based on “House of Cards“‘s third season, fuggedaboutit.

Will win and should win: Tituss Burgess, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt“. Previously, a small number of the academys 18,000 members watched DVDs of the nominated best comedy and drama series and voted by paper ballot, said ONeil, author of “The Emmys” reference book.

There are six streaming stars up in the various supporting actor and actress categories; my favorite is Ben Mendelsohn as the vulnerable but cagey black sheep in “Bloodline“- but good luck to him, because he’s going up against Jonathan Banks as the invulnerable and cagey Mike Ehrmentraut on “Better Call Saul“.

We are providing media with a special HBO VIP account to stream the Emmy-nominated “Olive Kitteridge”, “Bessie” and “Nightingale” for a limited time. Yes, I’m being disrespectful to all of the other talented folks who passed in the previous year , but I’m always curious to see whose career the Television Academy deems the most meaningful.

What say you? Leave your thoughts about this or your own Emmy handicapping in the comments below. Or now that “Orange is the New Black” falls under the drama category instead of comedy (about time), will that show be the victor ?

The award for the funniest show on TV shapes up as a three-way tie.

Still, a loss won’t diminish the accomplishment, and, let’s face it, some of the most important performances in TV history were not recognized by Emmy.

Henson told Entertainment Weekly that she was praying for a win for either Davis or herself at Sunday’s ceremony, to be hosted by comedian Andy Samberg.