TV critics weigh in on Emmy contenders

By Addie Morfoot

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Every year, critics bemoan the fact that the best examples of quality television are trampled beneath the boots of shows watched by the masses.

It's an annual struggle of highbrow expectations versus perceived lowbrow mass media, with the winners determined in just one night -- during the Primetime Emmy Awards on September 21. Nominations will be announced on Thursday.

But this year, critics are optimistic, noting that the Hollywood writers strike sidelined many series and gave some lesser-watched programming (translation: HBO's "The Wire," AMC's "Mad Men") a wider audience -- perhaps comprised of key Emmy voters.

The Hollywood Reporter ventured into the war zone, tracking down TV critics for their Emmy prognostications. There was a profound cynicism about the TV academy and its voters, but also plenty of passionate belief that this year, things might be different.

DIANE WERTS -- CONTRIBUTOR, NEWSDAY

Drama series pick: "Dexter" (Showtime)

"The academy tends to pick the same shows over and over again. I would love to see them start spreading it around, but I am not going to hold my breath. I hope that 'Dexter' gets nominated. Maybe now that it (was) on CBS (to fill a programming gap caused by the writers strike), people will be more aware of it. I think that it is a really unusual show that tackles very difficult subjects very sensitively."

Comedy series picks: "The Office" and "30 Rock" (NBC)

"Comedy is a weird thing this year because there was not that much of it. It will be interesting to see if the standard studio half-hours are able to break in at all. 'The Office' and '30 Rock' are exactly the kinds of shows that the Emmys are now recognizing in comedy. It is interesting that there is a real split there between the audience and the academy, because the ratings for those shows are not that great compared to CBS' Monday night lineup, which is standard studio audience comedies."

Lead drama series actor/actress picks: Michael C. Hall ("Dexter," Showtime), Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad," AMC), Glenn Close ("Damages," FX)

"Michael C. Hall in 'Dexter' because I really feel like he was overlooked last year for the amazing work he did. I thought Bryan Cranston's performance was unbelievably great. I would be stunned if Glenn Close is not nominated. It's her show and she is a movie star, so obviously she is going to be nominated."

ED BARK -- WRITER, UNCLEBARKY.COM; FORMER TV CRITIC AT THE

DALLAS MORNING NEWS

Drama series picks: "Pushing Daisies" and "Lost" (ABC), "Friday Night Lights" (NBC)

"Among the new series, 'Pushing Daisies,' if it's entered as a drama, will likely get nominated. Hopefully, the beneficiary of this lackluster year will be 'Lost,' which has really been overlooked by the academy. This season has really delivered, especially since the show has come back after the strike. 'Friday Night Lights' absolutely, positively should be nominated. There is long-overdue recognition for that series."