Why This Year’s Emmys May Go To Some New Names

Not sure anything can stop this series, even a fire-breathing dragon.

With the awards returning to ABC in 2016, Kimmel joins the Emmys for his second stint as host, following fellow comedians Andy Samberg (who hosted on Fox in 2015), Seth Meyers (on NBC in 2014) and Neil Patrick Harris (for CBS in 2013). Can it win? It would take a lot to overcome the popularity of “GOT”, but stranger things have happened. She won the Emmy on her 17th try for best comedy series guest actress alongside Tina Fey for their stint hosting the Christmas episode of “Saturday Night Live”. Might the quirky ginger actually unseat last year’s champ? It’s a favorite of the TV Academy, and its viewers are still laughing. It’s Maura’s second Emmy nomination – she scored her first in 2001 for her role as nurse Abby Lockhart in “E.R.” – and a win here would definitely be characterized as an upset.

Rami Malek has earned growing support for a best drama actor prize for his lead role in “Mr. Robot”, but he will have to beat out perennial contender Kevin Spacey, Bob Odenkirk from the “Breaking Bad” spinoff “Better Call Saul”, Kyle Chandler of “Bloodline”, Matthew Rhys of “The Americans” and Liev Schriber of “Ray Donovan”. Most are calling them the favorite, but Mr. Robot and The Americans are breathing down their necks. Here’s hoping it happens.

Russell is running third in the betting for tightest race of the night, with Robin Wright (House of Cards) expected to just about pip last year’s victor Viola Davis (How to Get Away with Murder).

As anticipated in a highly competitive year for laffers, the Outstanding Comedy Series category is a toss-up.

And while GoT looks to maintain its record-smashing pace for bringing home Emmys, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime are in the hunt for more awards to further cement their place among broadcasting’s elite.

Both Hank and Amy will be on hand to hand out trophies tonight.

Who will win: Jeffrey Tambor, “Transparent” – As last year’s victor in this category, Tabor has a lot going for him in this race.

That nod went to Taraji P. Henson in the best actress in a drama category for her portrayal of family matriarch Cookie Lyon. He is followed closely by Master of None’s Anziz Ansari (+250) and Anthony Anderson (+400) of Black-ish.

Who will win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”.

That time of year when we realize we don’t actually watch very much current, critically acclaimed television. In the category of Outstanding Drama series, oddsmakers bet on Game of Thrones to take the top spot, however, as we’ve seen in so many recent years, it could be anybody’s game.