During the 2009-2010 television season, “Glee” brought the world of high school show choir melodrama to life, “Lost” created a parallel timeline and solved its final mystery, “True Blood” introduced werewolves, “Modern Family” went to Hawaii and “Mad Men” took viewers to the ’60s. On Aug. 29, the Emmy Awards will celebrate a great year of television by selecting the Outstanding Comedy and Drama of the year.
The nominations for Outstanding Comedy are: “Glee,” “Modern Family,” “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Nurse Jackie.”
Even though “30 Rock” won the 2008 and 2009 Emmys, it is unlikely the academy will once again award the NBC show the statue again, especially with several new shows competing against it.
“The Office,” another peacock comedy nominated, was not exceptionally funny and closed this season without producing many exceptional episodes.
While “Curb Your Enthusiasm” featured a “Seinfeld” reunion, it’s in its seventh season and three freshman series are up against it. “Nurse Jackie,” “Modern Family” and “Glee” are the three most likely comedies to win Outstanding Comedy, simply because all are new and the academy has a pattern of rewarding new series that show potential.
Because of the cultural phenomenon and success of “Glee,” it is most likely to take the award home. However, “Nurse Jackie” or “Modern Family” may win the Emmy instead.
“Lost,” “Breaking Bad,” “Dexter,” “True Blood,” “Mad Men” and “The Good Wife” have all been nominated for Outstanding Drama. Even though “True Blood” was nominated, it is doubtful it will win because most of the time, Emmy voters do not favor drama shows.
“Mad Men” is unlikely to repeat its success, especially after winning two years in a row. While “Breaking Bad” was critically acclaimed, and “Dexter” was praised for taking great storytelling risks when the season closed, it is unlikely either will win this year, either.
The Emmy voters this year are likely to give “Lost” the statue simply as a tribute for the past six years. It hasn’t won the Emmy since its first season and will likely win here as well. After all, the Emmys are about honoring the shows that made remind us why television is able to draw in the audience emotionally.