Experts weigh in with their picks for the 2016 Emmy Awards
Who Should Win the Emmys?
THE DRAMA WRITER:The Americans.
Finally, the best drama on TV is nominated.
ILLUSTRATION by LÆMEUR for EW
Mercifully,Downton Abbeynever will be again.
THE ACTRESS:Game of Thrones.
It’s like watching an epic every week.
Helen Sloan/HBO; Eric Liebowitz/FX; Stephan Rabold/Showtime; Nick Briggs/Carnival Films/PBS
It’s never long enough, though.
It ends and you’re like, “What?
I want another hour.”
Lacey Terrell/HBO
THE LEGEND:Downton Abbey.
They delivered their final season with grace and power.
It’s a comedy that makes me laugh.
USA Network; Patrick Harbron/FX; David Giesbrecht/Netflix; Saeed Adyani/Netflix; Michael Desmond/Showtime
THE DRAMA WRITERI dreaded the showrunner change onVeepthis season, but they didn’t miss a beat.
Stop nominating non-comedies for best comedy (I’m looking at you,Transparent).
The writing is so clever!
Ken Woroner/BBC AMERICA; Craig Blankenhorn/FX; Chuck Hodes/Fox; David Giesbrecht/Netflix
You know half the people in government are nowhere near as smart as we think they are.
So when I watch this show I feel like, “Oh, I understand politics.”
Lead Actor, Drama
THE COMEDY WRITER:Mr.
John P. Johnson/HBO; Kelsey McNeal/ABC; Jennifer Clasen/Amazon Studios
Robot’s Rami Malek, by a mile.
Every actor in this category is terrific, but Malek is doing something I’ve never seen before.
His tortured stoic face, his mumbled monotone, and his intensity create an astonishing and unique performance.
Macall Polay/Comedy Central; Eric Liebowitz/Netflix; Lacey Terrell/HBO
THE DRAMA WRITER:Matthew Rhys.
You could also talk me into Bob Odenkirk forBetter Call Saul.
THE VETERAN PRODUCER:Kevin Spacey forHouse of Cards.
I think he deserves it because he’s one of America’s greatest actors.
And secondly, we don’t want any more talking-cat movies, so give him the Emmy.
THE ACTRESS:It’s a toss-up between Kyle Chandler and Kevin Spacey.
Kyle deserves an Emmy forBloodline.
But I can’t get enough ofHouse of Cards.
THE LEGEND:Liev Schreiber is fantastic as Ray Donovan.
He effortlessly balances his roles as the villain with the caring husband and father.
Lead Actress, Drama
THE COMEDY WRITER:Orphan Black’s Tatiana Maslany.
THE DRAMA WRITER:Keri Russell.
THE VETERAN PRODUCER:Taraji P. Henson, because she can carry off that wardrobe and dialogue onEmpire.
He said, “Let the costumes do the talking!”
Taraji is the greatest at that.
THE ACTRESS:Robin Wright.
I could eat her up.
She is so good, and I love that she directsHouse of Cardsepisodes.
She is a badassa woman to be reckoned with.
If anybody could run our country, God knows it could be her.
Lead Actor, Comedy
THE COMEDY WRITER:I’m going withSilicon Valley’s Thomas Middleditch.
A character who could be a colorless center instead has a wonderful, self-conscious charm.
THE DRAMA WRITER:Black-ish’s Anthony Anderson.
Jeffrey Tambor, who’s a hall of famer, needs to be in the drama category forTransparent.
THE ACTRESS:Tambor’s acting is so brilliant.
The problem is, it’s hard for me to seeTransparentas a comedy.
It’s like how they put The Martian in comedy [for the Golden Globes].
It makes no sense, and it’s weird for everyone.
THE LEGENDTambor’s performance is astounding.
Lead Actress, Comedy
THE COMEDY WRITER:This is a toughie.
There are too many good choices!
Let’s give it to [Amy] Schumershe’s doing variety, and I miss variety.
THE DRAMA WRITER:Ellie Kemper.
THE VETERAN PRODUCER:Veep’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
I love hearing every single word written for her, and the way she delivers them is flawless.
She is the one genius on that list of nominees.
THE ACTRESS:Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
She wins all the time, but come on, Julia!
The s— that comes out of her mouth just blows my brain.
THE LEGEND:Julia Louis-Dreyfus, of course.
