Emmys 2015: Schedule, nominees, victor predictions for 67th Annual Primetime

The show slipped a little in Season 3, but this nomination is for its stellar second season last summer. Even favorites like Modern Family, House of Cards and Orange is the New Black have been slipping.

The Emmy Awards have been criticized in the past for rewarding the same shows and actors year after year. That leaves Netflix’s chillingly brilliant “House of Cards“, probably the most likely obstacle for “Mad Men.”When it comes down to it, all seven series are superb”.

Should win: “Mad Men“.

Who do you think will win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy? “The deck is stacked with comedy in the room, a lot of which is due to them including the sketch comedy category in the primetime show this year, which is great”. Letterman is nominated for his final year as host of CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman, capping a 33-year career in late-night television. The magnificent Olive Kitteridge from HBO has 13 nominations, and the most recent season of American Horror Story has 19.

If you’re tempted to place some “sure thing” Emmy bet, consider this Sherlock repeat that won Emmys for Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman and writer Steven Moffat over heavy favorites from The Normal Heart and Fargo.

The pool of nominees for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy is a rich one, with each deserving of the award in their own way.

Jon has been nominated for 12 Emmys over the years, but up to now has always left the ceremony empty handed. The field is wide-open here.

“Transparent” star Jeffrey Tambor could earn the first Emmy for portrayal of a transgender character.

Two other first-timers round out the category: Anthony Anderson for Black-ish and Will Forte for The Last Man on Earth.

It was easy picking the victor in the aforementioned categories, but choosing the outstanding lead actress in a drama is simply too close to call.

The ABC comedy will compete for the honor this year with “Louie“, “Parks and Recreation“, “Silicon Valley“, “Transparent“, “Veep” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt“.

Outside of the three new guys, the rest of the nominees shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise – they’ve all been up for this Emmy before. The prediction for this category is that the victor will be Amy Poehler. The Outstanding Variety Talk Series category may have more competition than any other race. He will square off against Kyle Chandler for “Bloodline“, Jeff Daniels for “The Newsroom“, Bob Odenkirk for “Better Call Saul”, Liev Schrieber for “Ray Donovan” and Kevin Spacey for “House of Cards“.

Last year, “Breaking Bad“, about a chemistry teacher turned drug lord, won the lion’s share of awards.

As the whole world knows, Hamm has never won an Emmy for “Mad Men“.

Uzo Aduba (Orange Is the New Black), Christine Baranski (The Good Wife), Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones), Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey), Lena Headey (Game of Thrones), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men).

History could be made if Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder) or Taraji P. Henson (Empire) take home the trophy.

The challenge for the team behind the telecast is to preserve the tradition of the Emmy Awards while making it fresh enough to keep viewers watching.