Emmy Winners to Be Same Old, Same Old?

The Emmy nominations were made up of typical favorites like "Mad Men" "Modern Family" "Glee" and "30 Rock." Given that only a few relatively new shows like "Boardwalk Empire" "Game Of Thrones" and "Parks and Recreation" made a splash on nomination morning, it doesn't bode well for new blood to actually win the Emmys on Sept. 18. However, there are some cases where the same old, same old might not win everything.

"Mad Men" is still favored to win its fourth Best Drama Emmy in a row, yet both "Boardwalk Empire" and "Game of Thrones" can't be counted out with their HBO pedigree and smash freshman seasons. But if the voters want to be more traditional, they can let a network show win for the first time in years and pick "The Good Wife" to reclaim the throne for CBS.

There is probably less room for "Modern Family" to be upset for Best Comedy, although "Glee" will take a shot for the second year in a row. Yet "Parks and Recreation" and "The Big Bang Theory" represent the new blood in comedy as the two rising shows broke into the mix for the first time.

At the least, there will be new winners in the acting categories, especially since Bryan Cranston isn't eligible for his fourth straight Best Actor Drama Emmy. This means that long suffering nominees like Jon Hamm, Hugh Laurie, Michael C. Hall and Kyle Chandler could finally have a shot, with Hamm as the likely favorite - although Steve Buscemi may wind up disappointing them all again in his first shot for "Boardwalk."

Both Best Actress and Supporting Actor Drama don't even have last year's champions nominated, with Kyra Sedgwick snubbed and Aaron Paul ineligible. This leaves Julianna Margulies and Elisabeth Moss to battle it out for Best Actress, while a slew of Supporting Actors like Peter Dinklage, Alan Cumming and Andre Braugher are bunched together.

The most long suffering contender of all is Steve Carell as he takes his last shot at an Emmy victory for "The Office." But since it is his final opportunity, Carell is heavily favored to knock off past winners Alec Baldwin and Jim Parsons. As for Best Actress Comedy, defending champ Edie Falco may be knocked off by another multiple Emmy-winning actress on a Showtime 'dramady' - in this case Laura Linney from "The Big C."

Although there may be a new winner in Best Supporting Actor Comedy, it will probably be from the same show as "Modern Family's Eric Stonestreet takes on three of his co-stars. And although Jane Lynch should have an even better chance to win again now that she is the host, even that might not be enough to stop the phenomenon that is Betty White.

But order may be preserved in other categories as "The Daily Show" and "The Amazing Race" go for even more Variety and Reality Show wins, and HBO looks to maintain control of the miniseries awards with "Mildred Pierce."

The Emmy nominations are usually controlled by past winners and nominees, with token recognition for hot newcomers and shows. But by the time the awards are given out, there is even less room for new blood to break through. Yet the likes of "Mad Men" "Modern Family" Cranston and Baldwin were newcomers once too, so maybe a few new Emmy dynasties can begin starting at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

Sources

Huffington Post- "2011 Emmy Nominations List"