Emmys 2018: Who will win, who should win on TVs biggest awards night

The Americans

The Crown

Game of Thrones

The Handmaid's Tale

This is Us

Stranger Things

Westworld

Game of Thrones will take the crown this time after sitting out for a year. That small delay has already paid a great dividend if we are to look at the Creative Arts Emmys handed out last week. There is simply no denying the magnanimity and the intensity of the drama. Like they the Academy has given great send-offs to a lot ending the show, The Americans may get their hands on a few other trophies but this one looks beyond their reach. This Is Us, Stranger Things, Westworld will have to wait until the season finale of Game of Thrones.

Possible upset - The Handmaid's Tale 

Atlanta

Barry

Glow

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Black-ish

Silicon Valley

Donald Glover's creation Atlanta enamoured everyone with the first season and the subtlety of the second season only ensured more nominations at this time around as well. But not Best Comedy Series. The sheer brilliance of  The Marvelous Mrs Maisel is hard to miss. That old-timey charm, cracker of dialogues, and the uplift might give them a slight upper hand. 

Possible Upset - Atlanta

Genius: Picasso

Godless

Patrick Melrose

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

The Alienist

Ryan Murphy's anthology series is back to sweep the limited series categories. The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story has every potential to achieve what People vs OJ Simpson: American Crime Story did. The detailing, nuanced acting by Darren Criss has got the series 18 nominations already. They also did fairly good at the Creative Emmys. Benedict Cumberbatch's Patrick Melrose and Netflix' Godless are posing a good threat.

Possible upset - Patrick Melrose

Fahrenheit 451

Flint

Paterno

The Tale

USS Callister (Black Mirror)

Just look at the lineup. Nothing comes close to the twists and turns of Black Mirror episode USS Callister. Smart move by Netflix to enter the episode in this category. The Tale starring Laura Dern may have created a soft corner given the subject of the story. But USS Callister's all-around emotional turmoil plays out better on so many levels.

Possible upset - The Tale

Jason Bateman - Ozark

Sterling K Brown - This Is Us

Ed Harris - Westworld

Matthew Rhys - The Americans

Milo Ventimiglia - This Is Us

Jeffrey Wright - Westworld

This category's undisputed king is Sterling K Brown. His Randall is amazing and the way Brown comes for your hearts is unparalleled if we are to take a close look at other nominees. Milo Ventimiglia may have some advantage thanks to the crockpot controversy, but he won't win over his on-screen son.

Possible upset - Matthew Rhys for The Americans

Claire Foy - The Crown

Tatiana Maslany - Orphan Black

Elisabeth Moss - The Handmaid's Tale

Sandra Oh - Killing Eve

Keri Russell - The Americans

Evan Rachel Wood - Westworld

As much I want this trophy to go to Sandra Oh for Killing Eve, to my dismay and completely to the actress' acting prowess, it will be picked up by Elisabeth Moss. She has already bagged Golden Globes for her portrayal of the protagonist in the drama series and awards season equation tell us that she will win this category. Claire Foy's Queen reached more maturity and Keri Russell is bidding goodbye to the show, but none of it matters in front of the powerhouse that is The Handmaid's Tale.

Possible upset - Sandra Oh for Killing Eve

Alexis Bledel - The Handmaid's Tale

Millie Bobby Brown - Stranger Things

Ann Dowd - The Handmaid's Tale

Lena Headey - Game of Thrones

Vanessa Kirby - The Crown

Yvonne Strahovski - The Handmaid's Tale

Yvonne Strahovski's Serena Joy evolved into the most complicated character in the second season of The Handmaid's Tale. Strahovski made that transition look smooth and harrowing at the same time. Ann Dowd has already won in this category, maybe it's time to make way for Strahovski.

Possible upset - Millie Bobby Brown for Stranger Things

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau - Game of Thrones

Peter Dinklage - Game of Thrones

Joseph Fiennes - The Handmaid's Tale

David Harbour - Stranger Things

Mandy Patinkin - Homeland

Matt Smith - The Crown

Give this one to Prince Phillip. Matt Smith was astonishing as he aristocrat, evolving while adjusting to the demands made of the egotistical man to perpetually stay under the shadow of his wife and queen. The pain Smith showed with that hunched posture and piercing gaze, is simply exquisite.

Possible upset - David Harbour for Stranger Things.

Viola Davis - Scandal

Kelly Jenrette - The Handmaid's Tale

Cherry Jones - The Handmaid's Tale

Diana Rigg - Game of Thrones

Cicely Tyson - How To Get Away From Murder

Samira Wiley - The Handmaid's Tale

The weight Viola Davis' name carries could get her this award. It also doesn't help that the votes for The Handmaid's Tale will be split three ways. Diana Rigg as Queen Olenna in Game of Thrones maybe just take it from under everyone's noses.

Possible upset - Diana Rigg for Game of Thrones

F Murray Abraham - Homeland

Cameron Britton - Mindhunter

Matthew Goode - The Crown

Ron Cephas Jones - This Is Us

Gerald McRaney - This Is Us

Jimmi Simpson - Westworld

Look at the category closely and tell me the stand outs.  Cameron Britton from Mindhunter and Ron Cephas Jones from This Is Us stand out. Rest feel lost in the story than then make an effort to make you see their characters. Britton's creepiest serial killer in Mindhunter made my skin crawl and that is why he should win here.

Possible upset - Ron Cephas Jones for This Is Us.

Anthony Anderson - Black-ish

Ted Danson - The Good Place

Larry David - Curb Your Enthusiasm

Donald Glover - Atlanta

Bill Hader - Barry

William H Macy - Shameless

This is a no brainer. Donald Glover for Atlanta will take this one home.

Possible upset - Bill Hader for Barry

Pamela Adlon - Better Things

Rachel Brosnahan - Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Allison Janney - Mom

Issa Rae - Insecure

Tracee Ellis Ross - Black-ish

Lilly Tomlin - Grace and Frankie

Never seen a category with this clear winner. Rachel Brosnahan will win for The Marvelous Mrs Maisel.

Possible upset - Allison Janney for Mom 

Zazie Beetz - Atlanta

Alex Borstein - Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Aidy Bryant - Saturday Night Live

Betty Gilpin - Glow

Leslie Jones - Saturday Night Live

Kate McKinnon - Saturday Night Live

Laurie Metcalf - Rosanne

Megan Mullally - Will and Grace

This mix makes it a bit difficult to just pick one winner. Alex Borstein's moxie and her acerbic comedy pushes to win this one, but we will be making mistake if we are to discard Kate McKinnon's performance in Saturday Night Live. Zazie Beetz was given opportunity to shine in second season of Atlanta. Betty Gilpin's performance in the second season of Glow made her the darling of the show, but maybe not enough to win the award.

Possible upset - Kate McKinnon for Saturday Night Live

Louie Anderson - Baskets

Alec Baldwin - Saturday Night Live

Tituss Burgess - Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Brian Tyree Henry - Atlanta

Tony Shalhoub - Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Kenan Thompson - Saturday Night Live

Henry Winkler - Barry

This one will go to comedy veteran Henry Winkler for Barry. Don't fight me on this. He is one of the only three funny people on that show. 

Possible upset - Kenan Thompson for Saturday Night Live. Have you seen his Les Miserables singing lobster?

Tina Fey - Saturday Night Live

Tiffany Haddish - Saturday Nigth Live

Jane Lynch - Marvelous Mrs Maisel

Maya Rudolph - The Good Place

Molly Shannon - Will and Grace

Wanda Sykes - Black-ish

Give it to Jane Lynch for Marvelous Mrs Maisel.

Possible upset - Tiffany Haddish for Saturday Night Live.

Sterling K Brown - Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Bryan Cranston - Curb Your Enthusiasm

Donald Glover - Saturday Night Live

Bill Hader - Saturday Night Live

Lin-Manuel Miranda - Curb Your Enthusiasm

Katt Williams - Atlanta

This will be a fight among Atlanta co-stars. It could be Donald Glover for Saturday Night Live of Katt Williams for Atlanta -- the very show created by Glover. But do not underestimate the battle of wits Sterling K Brown and Andre Braugher put on display in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode.

Possible upset - Sterling K Brown for Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Antonio Banderas - Genius: Picasso

Darren Criss - Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Benedict Cumberbatch - Patrick Melrose

Jeff Daniels - The Looming Tower

John Legend - Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert

Jesse Plemons - USS Callister (Black Mirror)

This category has presented some tough choices in front of the voters. But Darren Criss's crazy Cunanan comes across as most impressive of the lot. Jesse Plemons also poses some threat but for Television Academy there is nothing more enticing than an actor's evolution from a singing student in Glee to a serial killer in an anthology.

Possible upset - Benedict Cumberbatch for Patrick Melrose

Jessica Biel - The Sinner

Laura Dern - The Tale

Michelle Dockery - Godless

Edie Falco - Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders

Regina King - Seven Seconds

Sarah Paulson - American Horror Story: Cult 

This category is usually ruled by Sarah Paulson. But for Emmys 2018, this one could go to Jessica Biel for The Sinner.

Possible upset - Michelle Dockery for Godless

Sara Bareilles - Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert

Penelope Cruz - Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Judith Light - Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Adina Porter - American Horror Story: Cult

Merritt Wever - Godless

Letitia Wright - Black Museum (Black Mirror)

Penelope Cruz's perfect portrayal of all mannerisms of Donatella Versace should dazzle the voters. There is a possibility of a split because of Judith Light owning every scene she part of in this series. But Cruz's stardom should help her get ahead.

Possible upset - Merritt Wever for Godless.

Jeff Daniels - Godless

Brandon Victor Dixon - Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert

John Leguizamo - Waco

Ricky Martin - Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Edgar Ramirez - Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story​

Michael Stuhlbarg - The Looming Tower

Finn Wittrock - Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story

Confession time. I have not watched Waco, so couldn't possibly comment on John Leguizamo's performance. But out of remaining, Brandon Victor Dixon might just get the benefit of split votes for American Crime Story. But that will happen only when voters fail to see Jeff Daniels's brilliance in playing an outlaw in the Old West in Godless. The veteran actor should bag this one.

Possible upset - Brandon Victor Dixon for Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert.

Amazing Race

American Ninja Warrior

Project Runway

RuPaul's Drag Race

Top Chef

The Voice

RuPaul's Drag Race has had some brilliant episodes put out. They should take this one home.

Possible upset - The Voice

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

Full frontal with Samantha Bee

The Late Late Show with James Corden

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Last week tonight with John Oliver

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

There is no way Television Academy's love affair with John Oliver will end anytime soon. The handling of the show, touching upon unique subjects, staying relevant with the Trump jokes, and Oliver's British zing make it a must watch the show on HBO. Stephen Colbert has a chance and Trevor Noah's fresh perspective has some chance to. I would love Samantha Bee to pick this one up because she is smashingly funny and something not a lot of people can digest. But it will be Oliver one more time.

Possible upset - The Lage Show with Stephen Colbert.

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown

Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath

My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman

StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson

Vice

Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown will win this category.

Possible upset - none.