Emmy Week (2013): HBO Cleans House at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards with Behind the Candelabra, and Boardwalk Empire, Plus Netflix Scores their First Emmy Awards

Once again HBO is the big winner at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards, the television film Behind the Candelabra was the big winner of the night with 8 wins, Boardwalk Empire was the big winner of the night in the drama categories taking home 4 trophies.  The only problem is Empire was widely ignored in the larger categories this year leaving this race wide open once again.

30 Rock took home its first Emmy win in three years winning Outstanding Casting in a Comedy Series, the shows final season could take home many trophies next Sunday, my thought is that Tina Fey could be honored for writing and acting.  Another winner in the casting category was the Netflix series House of Cards, the show claimed the prize for Outstanding Casting in a Drama Series.  Cards took home two Emmy awards, and proved the power of Netflix.

On the acting side of things The Good Wife took home the Outstanding Guest Actress trophy in a Drama series for the second year in a row, last year it was Martha Plimpton this year it was Carrie Preston, both are great recurring characters on the series.  Dan Bucatinsky surprised providing Scandal with its first win, but Bucatinsky is no stranger to the Emmy Awards; he won for the Special Class Program Web Therapy.

The biggest news of the night is that Bob Newhart, who has never won an Emmy, and i repeat has never won an Emmy, won for his guest role on The Big Bang Theory, all I have to say is finally. Oscar winner Melissa Leo won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her hilarious guest work on Louie.

One of the other big surprises of the night was that the Outstanding Reality Talk Show Host went to Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum, Klum had been nominated before but never won, this was Gunn's first nomination.  The two were nominated together and won together.

ORDER OF EMMYS BESTOWED AT CREATIVE ARTS  

Casting for a Drama Series: "House of Cards"
Casting for a Mini/Movie: "Behind the Candelabra"
Animated Program: "South Park"
Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: Melissa Leo ("Louie")
Short-Format Animated Program: "Disney Mickey Mouse Croissant de Triomphe"
Children’s Program: "Nick News with Linda Ellerbee"
Achievement in Animation: (6 honorees announced earlier) "Adventure Time," "Disney Mickey Mouse Croissant deTriomphe," "Disney Mickey Mouse Croissant deTriomphe," "Disney TRON: Uprising," "Dragons: Riders of Berk," "The Simpsons"
Art Direction for Multi-Camera Series: "Master Chef"
Art Direction for Variety or Nonfiction Programming (Tie): Olymphic Games, "Saturday Night Live"
Art Direction for a Mini or Movie: "Behind the Candelabra"
Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series: "Boardwalk Empire"
Stunt Coordination for a Comedy Series or a Variety Program: "Supah Ninjas"
Stunt Coordination for Drama series, Movie or Mini: "Revolution"
Picture Editing for Reality Programming: "Deadliest Catch"
Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming: "Mea Maxima Calpa: Silence in the House of God"
Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series: "Breaking Bad" ("Gliding Over All")
Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series: "The Office" finale
Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series: "How I Met Your Mother"
Single Camera Picture Editing for a Mini or Movie: "Behind the Candelabra"
Picture editing for Short-Form Segments and Variety Specials: "Daily Show"
Hairstyling for a Mini or Movie: "Behind the Candelabra:
Hairstyling for a Multi-Camera Series or Special: "Saturday Night Live"
Hairstyling for a Single-Camera Series: "Boardwalk Empire"
Guest Actor in a Drama Series: Dan Bucatinsky ("Scandal")
Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special: Grammy Awards
Sound Mixing for Nonfiction Programming: "History of the Eagles"
Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour): "Boardwalk Empire"
Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or Movie: "Behind the Candelabra"
Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half Hour) and Animation: "Nurse Jackie"
Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or a Special: "Behind the Candelabra"
Makeup for a Miniseries or a Movie (Non-Prosthetic): "Behind the Candelabra"
Makeup for a Single-Camera Series (Non--Prosthetic): "Game of Thrones"
Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or Special (Non-Prosthetic): "Saturday Night Live"
Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special: "American Horror Story: Asylum"
Sound Editing for a Nonfiction Programming (Single or Multi-Camera): "Men Who Built America"
Sound Editing for a Series: "Boardwalk Empire"
Special Visual Effects: "Game of Thrones"
Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role: "Banshee"
Voice-Over Performance: Lily Tomlin, "An Apology to Elephants"
Costumes for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special: "Behind the Candelabra"
Costumes for a Series: "The Borgias"
Costumes for a Variety Program or a Special: Grammy Awards, "Portlandia," "Men Who Built America" (juried award)
Music Direction: Tony Awards
Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score): "Downton Abbey"
Music Composition for a Miniseries or a Special (Original Dramatic Score): "World Without End"
Original Music and Lyrics: Tony Awards
Original Main Title Theme Music: "Da Vinci's Demons"
Main Title Design: "Da Vinci's Demons"
Outstanding Commercial: "Inspired," Canon
Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: Bob Newhart, "The Big Bang Theory"
Cinematography for Reality Programming: "The Deadliest Catch"
Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series: "House of Cards"
Cinematography for a Miniseries or Movie: "Top of the Lake"
Cinematography for a Nonfiction Programming: "Anthony Boudain: Parts Unknown"
Guest Actress in a Drama Series: Carrie Preston, "The Good Wife"
Direction for Nonfiction Programming: "American Masters"
Writing for Nonfiction Programming: "Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God"
Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking: "Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God"
Documentary or Nonfiction Special: "Manhunt: Inside Story of the Hunt for Bin Laden"
Documentary or Nonfiction Series (Tie): "American Masters," "Inside the Actor's Studio"
Informational Series or Special: "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown"
Special Class Programs: Tony Awards
Special Class Programs - Short Format Live-Action Entertainment Programs: "Children's Hospital"
Special Class - Short-Format Nonfiction Programs: "Remembering 9/11"
Interactive Program: "Night of Too Many Stars"
Creative Achievement in Interactive Media: Original Interactive Program: "Lizzie Bennet Diaries"
Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series: "How I Met Your Mother"
Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Series: "The Big Bang Theory"
Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special: Tony Awards
Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Series: "The Voice"
Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety Special: Super Bowl Halftime Show
Directoring for a Variety Special: "Kennedy Center Honors"
Writing for a Variety Special: "Louis C.K.: Oh, My God"
Variety Special: "Kennedy Center Honors"
Reality Host: Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn
Reality Program: "Undercover Boss"

Emmy Week 2012: Game of Thrones Comes out on top at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards

Last year Boardwalk Empire walked away winning the most awards ever at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards with seven wins.  This year last years most snubbed series at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards Game of Thrones came out on top this year with six wins.  Of the other Outstanding Drama Series nominees Boardwalk Empire won three, Homeland won two, Downton Abbey won two, Breaking Bad and Mad Men went home empty handed.  Going home empty handed at this part of the award show is not a bad sign.  Boardwalk Empire only won the Outstanding Direction award last year, and lost the Drama series award to Mad Men, and come on who would not have voted for Martin Scorsese. The Emmy Awards always like to surprise.

The Emmys did surprise in three of the four Guest Acting categories, specifically in the both drama categories.  Martha Plimpton won for one of my favorite guest starring roles on The Good Wife; she had a small part this season, and that was why she was not one of the favorites.  Although I should have seen this coming people do not often repeat wins in this category, this was her first Emmy win.  Jeremy Davies from Justified upset favorites like Mark Margolis from Breaking Bad, and Michael J. Fox from The Good Wife, this was also Davies first Emmy.  After 9 nominations and 0 wins at the Emmy Awards Kathy Bates finally triumphed playing ghost Charlie, a role I am not shocked Emmy voters ate up.  Jimmy Fallon was the easiest to predict, his return hosting gig to SNL, was one of the best episodes of the year.

Of the Outstanding Comedy Series nominees Girls took home one win, Curb Your Enthusiasm took home one win, and Modern Family took home one win, 30 Rock, Veep, and The Big Bang Theory went home empty handed.

Upsets also happened in the Outstanding Animated Program where The Penguins of Madagascar beat The Simpsons and Futurama, and So You Think You Can Dance lost the choreography award to Smash.

Here is a full list of the winners:

Casting in a Drama Series | Homeland (Showtime) 
Casting For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special | Game Change (HBO) 
Casting For A Comedy Series | Girls (HBO) 

Guest Actress In A Comedy Series | Kathy Bates, Two and a Half Men 
Guest Actor In A Comedy Series | Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live 
Guest Actor In A Drama Series | Jeremy Davies, Justified 
Guest Actress In A Drama Series | Martha Plimpton, The Good Wife 

Directing For A Variety Series | Saturday Night Live (NBC) 
Writing For A Variety Series | The Daily Show (Comedy Central) 
Outstanding Variety Special | The Kennedy Center Honors (CBS) 

Prosthetic Makeup For A Series, Miniseries, Movie Or A Special | The Walking Dead (AMC) 
Makeup For A Single-Camera Series (Non-Prosthetic) | Game of Thrones (HBO) 
Makeup For A Miniseries Or A Movie (Non-Prosthetic) | Hatfields & McCoys (History) 
Makeup For A Multi-Camera Series Or Special (Non-Prosthetic) | Dancing With the Stars (ABC) 

Costumes For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special | Masterpiece: Great Expectations (PBS) 
Hairstyling For A Miniseries Or A Movie | American Horror Story (FX) 
Hairstyling For A Multi-Camera Series Or Special | Saturday Night Live (NBC) 
Choreography | Smash (NBC) 

Reality Program | Undercover Boss (CBS) 
Music Direction | The Kennedy Center Honors (CBS) 
Music Composition For A Series (Original Dramatic Score) | Downton Abbey (PBS) 
Music Composition For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special (Original Dramatic Score) | Hemingway & Gellhorn (HBO) 
Original Music And Lyrics | The 65th Annual Tony Awards (CBS) 

Art Direction For A Multi-Camera Series | 2 Broke Girls (CBS) 
Art Direction For A Single-Camera Series | A tie: Boardwalk Empire (HBO) and Game of Thrones (HBO) 
Art Direction For Variety or Nonfiction Programming | A tie: The 54th Annual Grammy Awards (CBS) and The 65th Annual Tony Awards (CBS) 

Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Drama Series | Homeland (Showtime) 
Single-Camera Picture Editing For A Comedy Series | Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) 
Multi-Camera Picture Editing For A Comedy Series | How I Met Your Mother (CBS) 
Picture Editing For Reality Programming | Deadliest Catch (Discovery) 

Animated Program | The Penguins of Madagascar (Nickelodeon) 
Short-format Animated Program | Regular Show (Cartoon Network)  
Voice-over Performance | Maurice LaMarche, Futurama (Comedy Central) 

Special Visual Effects | Game of Thrones (HBO) 
Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role | Boardwalk Empire (HBO) 
Stunt Coordination | Southland (TNT) 

Main Title Design | Masterpiece: Great Expectations (PBS) 
Original Main Title Theme Music | Masterpiece: Page Eight (PBS) 

Sound Editing For Nonfiction Programming (Single Or Multi-Camera) | Paul Simon’s Graceland Journey: Under African Skies (A&E) 
Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) | Game of Thrones (HBO) 
Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) | Modern Family (ABC) 
Sound Mixing For A Miniseries Or A Movie | Hatfield & McCoys (History) 
Sound Mixing For A Variety Or Music Series Or Special | The 84th Annual Academy Awards (ABC) 
Sound Editing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special | Hemingway & Gellhorn (HBO) 
Sound Mixing For Nonfiction Programming | Frozen Planet (BBC/Discovery) 
Sound Editing For A Series | Game of Thrones (HBO) 

Cinematography For A Multi-Camera Series | Two and a Half Men (CBS) 
Cinematography For A Single-Camera Series | Boardwalk Empire (HBO) 
Cinematography For A Miniseries Or Movie | Masterpiece: Great Expectations (PBS) 
Cinematography For Reality Programming |  Deadliest Catch (Discovery)  
Cinematography For Nonfiction Programming | Frozen Planet (BBC/Discovery) 

Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control For A Series | Saturday Night Live (NBC) 
Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety, Music, Or Comedy Series | So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety, Music, Or Comedy Special | The 54th Annual Grammy Awards (CBS) 

Outstanding Nonfiction Series | Frozen Planet (BBC/Discovery) 
Outstanding Special Class Program |  The 65th Annual Tony Awards (CBS) 
Outstanding Special Class Program Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program | Childrens Hospital (Cartoon Network)

Emmy Award's Drama Series Submissions (2011-2012)

I posted the Comedy Series submissions over a week ago, but the drama categories have not fully released their episodes.  I am tired on waiting to hear what Mad Men has submitted in the Drama series category, so here I go with my thoughts/predictions at this moment.

Best Drama Series

BOARDWALK EMPIRE * Season 2 * HBO  
Tape A: "21" & "Ourselves Alone"
Tape B: "Peg of Old" & "Two Boats and a Lifeguard"
Tape C: "Under God's Power She Flourishes" & "To the Lost"

BREAKING BAD * Season 4 * AMC
Tape A: "Box Cutter" & "Salud"
Tape B: "Problem Dog" & "Crawl Space"
Tape C: "End Times" & "Face Off"

DOWNTON ABBEY * Season 2 * PBS
Tape A: "Episode 1"
Tape B: "Episode 6"
Tape C: "Episode 7"

GAME OF THRONES * Season 2 * HBO
Tape A: "What is Dead May Never Die" & "Garden of Bones"
Tape B: "The Old Gods and the New" & "A Man Without Honor"
Tape C: "Blackwater" & "Valar Morghulis"

HOMELAND * Season 1 * SHOWTIME
Tape A: "Pilot" & "Grace"
Tape B: "The Good Soldier" & "The Weekend"
Tape C: "Marine One"

MAD MEN * Season 5 * AMC 
Tape A: "Signal 30" & "Far Away Places"
Tape B: "At the Codfish Ball" & "The Other Woman"
Tape C: "Commissions and Fees" & "The Phantom"

I grew tired of waiting for Mad Men's tape submissions, but this four time winner is in the game no matter what they submit.  While I agree Mad Men is the most accessible of the shows  I do not think it will become the most winning show of all time after an underwhelming season.  Breaking Bad is currently airing, and the episodes are on fire, Mad Men used to have this during the Emmy voting, and it help them incredibly.  I think Breaking Bad or Downton will take the crown.  Downton is an an incredibly impressive show, and feels so important, the same way Mad Men does.  This is a tight three way.
UPDATE: Mad Men submitted incredibly well!!  They truly have a great shot at breaking the record and winning their fifth trophy in this category.

1-Downton Abbey
2-Mad Men
3-Breaking Bad
4-Homeland
5-Boardwalk Empire
6-Game of Thrones

BEST DRAMA ACTOR: 
Hugh Bonneville - Downton Abbey ("Episode 7")
Steve Buscemi - Boardwalk Empire ("Two Boats and a Lifeguard")
Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad ("Crawl Space")
Michael C. Hall - Dexter ("Nebraska")
Jon Hamm - Mad Men ("The Other Woman")
Damian Lewis - Homeland ("Marine One")

Cranston for the fourpeat with a great episode, and no Kelsey Grammer I think he has this one locked up again.  Damien Lewis could be a spoiler; he has a great tape, and could carry the popularity of one of the few shows in their first year to be successful.  The rest of the men have outside shots, last year's winner Kyle Chandler was a shock, although his tape was great and won the writing award. Everyone but Hall has a shot because he submitted the worst episode of Dexter EVER!

1-Bryan Cranston
2-Damien Lewis
3-Steve Buscemi
4-John Hamm
5-Hugh Bonneville
6-Michael C. Hall

BEST DRAMA ACTRESS:
Kathy Bates - Harry's Law ("Onward and Upward")
Glenn Close - Damages ("I've Done Way Too Much For This Girl")
Claire Danes - Homeland ("The Vest")
Michelle Dockery - Downton Abbey ("Episode 7")
Julianna Margulies - The Good Wife ("Parenting Made Easy")
Elisabeth Moss - Mad Men ("The Other Woman")

I think Danes submission is a weak one, and she has always been the favorite to win this award this past year, in my opinion.  Look out for David E. Kelley's Emmy machine to potentially steal Kathy Bates her first ever Emmy.  Kelley produces Emmy magic for his stars, but her show was cancelled, which can work against her.  The only other threat to Danes is Marguilles, but this is not her year.

1-Claire Danes
2-Kathy Bates
3-Julianne Marguilles
4-Glen Close-Damages
5-Elisabeth Moss
6-Michelle Dockery

BEST DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTOR:
Jim Carter - Downton Abbey ("Episode 2")
Brendan Coyle - Downton Abbey ("Episode 7")
Peter Dinklage - Game of Thrones ("Blackwater")
Giancarlo Esposito - Breaking Bad ("Hermanos")
Jared Harris - Mad Men ("Commissions and Fees")
Aaron Paul - Breaking Bad ("End Times")

A fight between the Breaking Bad guys and Jared Harris.  Of the tapes I would say Aaron Paul has the best tape, one interesting statistic stands in his way, no person has repeated a win in this category in 16 years!  Do the voters know this, probably not as well award show gurus.  Esposito was the talk of the season and he has a great tape as well, so I think he has a better shot than Paul, but there is one other factor, Jared Harris.  Harris is a first time nominee for the show, and has a much better story line than John Slattery ever had.  It would be ironic if Harris were the shows first win because he is no longer with the show.  

1-Giancarlo Esposito
2-Jared Harris
3-Aaron Paul
4-Brendan Coyle
5-Peter Dinklage
6-Jim Carter

BEST DRAMA SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
Christine Baranski - The Good Wife ("Alienation of Affection")
Joanne Froggatt - Downton Abbey ("Episode 7")
Anna Gunn - Breaking Bad ("Cornered")
Christina Hendricks - Mad Men ("The Other Woman")
Archie Panjabi - The Good Wife ("The Dream Team")
Maggie Smith - Downton Abbey ("Episode 1")

After watching the tapes (which help) look at Margo Martindale's win this race is down to two women.  Joanne Froggatt, and Christina Hendricks.  Factor in the other anomalies of this category like Blythe Danner winning two years in a row, and Diane Wiest winning, and you have to throw in Maggie Smith, and Christine Baranski.  How do the dice shake up?  Will Hendricks score Mad Men's first win?  This is one of the tougher categories on the drama side to predict, with so many variant factors.  Smith is great, and she did win last year I could see this counting against her; she also never shows up, which does not effect things most of the time, but watching Froggatt's excitment she will be campaigning. Hendricks has one of the best tapes she has ever had.  Right now my gut and heart is going with Hendricks, but Froggatt and Smith (by name) are nipping at her heals.

1-Christina Hendricks
2-Joannne Froggatt
3-Maggie Smith
4-Christine Baranski
5-Anna Gunn
6-Archie Panjabi

BEST DRAMA GUEST ACTOR:
Dylan Baker - The Good Wife ("Marthas and Caitlins")
Jeremy Davies - Justified ("Coalition")
Ben Feldman - Mad Men ("Dark Shadows")
Michael J. Fox - The Good Wife ("Parenting Made Easy")
Mark Margolis - Breaking Bad ("Face Off")
Jason Ritter - Parenthood ("Politics")

The Good Wife men will square off in the battle of who will win this award, my money is on Michael J. Fox, I think he will win here (Fallon in Guest Comedy).  Look out for Dylan Baker he is nipping on his heals, and Mark Margolis could be a spoiler.

Prediction: Michael J. Fox-The Good Wife

BEST DRAMA GUEST ACTRESS:
Joan Cusack - Shameless ("Can I Have a Mother")
Loretta Devine - Grey's Anatomy ("If Only You Were Lonely")
Julia Ormond - Mad Men ("The Phantom")
Martha Plimpton - The Good Wife ("The Dream Team")
Jean Smart - Harry's Law ("The Rematch")
Uma Thurman - Smash ("Tech")

Patricia Clarkson is the only actress who has won this award for playing the same character, and her win came 4 years a part from each other.  Can Loretta Devine break this pattern; she has a great shot.  Truth be told as a Good Wife junkie I would love to see Plimpton and Fox win together, but that won't happen.  David E, Kelley is an Emmy machine so look for Jean Smart another Emmy favorite to be a strong possibility, in fact I am predicting her at the moment.  

Prediction: Jean Smart-Harry's Law

BEST DRAMA SERIES DIRECTING
Tim Van Patten, "Boardwalk Empire" - "To the Lost"
Vince Gilligan, "Breaking Bad" - "Face Off"
Brian Percival, "Downton Abbey" - "Episode 7"
Michael Cuesta, "Homeland" - "Pilot"
Phil Abraham, "Mad Men" - "The Other Woman"

Despite the fact that "Blackwater" from Game of Thrones was snubbed, I think that this is a fight between Vince Gilligan's "Face Off" and the Homeland "Pilot."  Mad Men has shockingly never won this category, but this is not going to be their year here.  I think I am going to give the slight edge to Breaking Bad, but watch out for Homeland, this is a tight race.

Prediction-Breaking Bad "Face Off"

BEST DRAMA SERIES WRITING
Julian Fellowes, "Downton Abbey" - "Episode 7"
Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon, and Gideon Raff, "Homeland" - "Pilot"
Semi Chellas and Matthew Weiner, "Mad Men" - "The Other Woman"
Andre Jacquemetton and Maria Jacquemetton, "Mad Men" - "Commissions and Fees"
Semi Chellas and Matthew Weiner, "Mad Men" - "Far Away Places"

Mad Men had won this award for its first three seasons, but lost last year for one of their best written episodes ever, The Suitcase.  "The Other Woman" has the best shot here the help them reclaim this category, but I think Fellowes will claim the writing category again this year in the drama series race.

Prediction-Downton Abbey "Episode 7"