Emmy Winner Predictions

Beyond the red-carpet looks and the tag team of reality-TV hosts heading up the broadcast, the big story for the 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (Sunday, Sept. 21, 8 PM EST) is, of course, who will win the night's biggest prizes. See our faves here, and who might pull out a surprise victory. For all that's holy in awards-show office pools, don't fill out your ballot without us. <i>-- By Maggie Furlong</i>

Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Drama Series

<b>Who Will Win:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/mad-men/1342134/main' target='_blank'>'Mad Men'</a> <b>Dark Horse:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/dexter/989582/main' target='_blank'>'Dexter'</a> With a 50/50 chance of winning, our weight's behind the nominated cable gems. Newcomer 'Mad Men' has the most critical support, but you should never turn your back on a charming serial killer.

Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Comedy Series

<b>Who Will Win:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/30-rock/942767/main' target='_blank'>'30 Rock'</a> <b>Dark Horse:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/curb-your-enthusiasm/99931/main' target='_blank'>'Curb Your Enthusiasm'</a> Liz Lemon and Co. get such huge laughs, it almost feels like a cable show -- in a good way. But if voters decide to go with an actual non-network comedy, Larry David's 'Curb' would be our underrated pick.

Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Actor, Drama

<b>Who Will Win:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/jon-hamm/301544' target='_blank'>Jon Hamm</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/mad-men/1342134/main' target='_blank'>Mad Men'</a> <b>Dark Horse:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/hugh-laurie/40810' target='_blank'>Hugh Laurie</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/house/113097/main' target='_blank'>'House'</a> Laurie's been nominated for playing the cantankerous doc three times, but has never won an Emmy, so this could be his year, but you can't deny the buzz behind the leading man of 'Mad Men' -- will he be the one to end <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/james-spader/67051' target='_blank'>James Spader</a>'s reign?

Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Actress, Drama

<b>Who Will Win:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/glenn-close/13725' target='_blank'>Glenn Close</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/damages/1274934/main' target='_blank'>'Damages'</a> <b>Dark Horse:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/kyra-sedgwick/64284' target='_blank'>Kyra Sedgwick</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/the-closer/417678/main' target='_blank'>'The Closer'</a> Close had the stand-out performance of the year, playing the unscrupulous Patty Hewes to riveting effect, but this is Sedgwick's third nom for her 'Closer' role (and she won the Golden Globe last year), so the race is neck and neck.

Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Actress, Comedy

<b>Who Will Win:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/tina-fey/336261' target='_blank'>Tina Fey</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/30-rock/942767/main' target='_blank'>'30 Rock'</a> <b>Dark Horse:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/christina-applegate/2003' target='_blank'>Christina Applegate</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/samantha-who/1342103/main' target='_blank'>'Samantha Who?'</a> In an extremely talented pool of women, Fey is the strongest swimmer this year -- but could Applegate's turn as a delightful amnesiac cause voters to forget all about the competition?

Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Actor, Comedy

<b>Who Will Win:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/alec-baldwin/3515' target='_blank'>Alec Baldwin</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/30-rock/942767/main' target='_blank'>'30 Rock'</a> <b>Dark Horse:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/lee-pace/352548' target='_blank'>Lee Pace</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/pushing-daisies/1342106/main' target='_blank'>'Pushing Daisies'</a> Baldwin has all the advantages here -- including the fact that his show has aired more than nine episodes -- but Pace's knockout performance (and delightfully low media profile) deserves the win in our book.

Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Supporting Actor, Drama

<b>Who Will Win:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/ted-danson/16938' target='_blank'>Ted Danson</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/damages/1274934/main' target='_blank'>'Damages'</a> <b>Dark Horse:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/zeljko-ivanek/34685' target='_blank'>Zeljko Ivankek</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/damages/1274934/main' target='_blank'>'Damages'</a> Not to damage any <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/lost/113094/main' target='_blank'>'Lost,'</a> <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/mad-men/1342134/main' target='_blank'>'Mad Men'</a> or <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/boston-legal/219089/main' target='_blank'>'Boston Legal'</a> egos, but these standout dramatic roles on FX's riveting drama both deserve the win. We wonder what the odds are for a tie ...

Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Supporting Actress, Drama

<b>Who Will Win:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/chandra-wilson/298433' target='_blank'>Chandra Wilson</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/greys-anatomy/426427/main' target='_blank'>'Grey's Anatomy'</a> <b>Dark Horse:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/sandra-oh/197286' target='_blank'>Sandra Oh</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/greys-anatomy/426427/main' target='_blank'>'Grey's Anatomy'</a> This is Oh's fourth nomination for 'Grey's,' with no win so far, but is her role destined for always-a-bridesmaid status? While we'd love to see Cristina Yang's go-getter attitude prevail, it's more likely that her co-star will take home the prize.

Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy

<b>Who Will Win:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/neil-patrick-harris/30665' target='_blank'>Neil Patrick Harris</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/how-i-met-your-mother/152522/main' target='_blank'>'How I Met Your Mother'</a> <b>Dark Horse:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/jeremy-piven/57008' target='_blank'>Jeremy Piven</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/entourage/99659/main' target='_blank'>'Entourage'</a> Harris' Barney Stinson is what legen -- wait for it! -- dary TV characters are made of. Plus, the Academy had him announce noms <i>and</i> host the Creative Arts Emmys. Then again, voters never seem to tire of watching Piven scream and preen.

Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Supporting Actress, Comedy

<b>Who Will Win:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/kristin-chenoweth/290127' target='_blank'>Kristin Chenoweth</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/pushing-daisies/1342106/main' target='_blank'>'Pushing Daisies'</a> <b>Dark Horse:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/amy-poehler/273694' target='_blank'>Amy Poehler</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/saturday-night-live/62573/main' target='_blank'>'Saturday Night Live'</a> She sings, she dances, she's so cute you want to put her in your pocket -- Chenoweth's charm has huge pull here, but Poehler fits the same bill <i>and</i> she's got the novelty of an 'SNL' win behind her.

Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Reality Host

<b>Who Will Win:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/heidi-klum/278408' target='_blank'>Heidi Klum</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/project-runway/75956/main' target='_blank'>'Project Runway'</a> <b>Dark Horse:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/howie-mandel/44979' target='_blank'>Howie Mandel</a>, <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/deal-or-no-deal/84789/main' target='_blank'>'Deal or No Deal'</a> In reality, you're either in or you're out, but this year's new category nominees are also hosting the show -- whose case will be holding the big prize and who be Auf-ed? It's anyone's competition.

Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Reality-Competition Program

<b>Who Will Win:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/the-amazing-race-12/1350998/main' target='_blank'>'The Amazing Race'</a> <b>Dark Horse:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/project-runway/75956/main' target='_blank'>'Project Runway'</a> History tells us that 'Race' is unbeatable, but with Bravo series still cranking out the must-watch seasons (and one very publicized 'Project' move to Lifetime), we think it's time a more stylish winner is crowned.

Emmy Winner Predictions

Best Variety - Musical or Comedy

<b>Who Will Win:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart/54979/main' target='_blank'>'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'</a> <b>Dark Horse:</b> <a href='http://television.aol.com/show/the-colbert-report/81533/main' target='_blank'>'The Colbert Report'</a> Stewart is king of late night in our estimation -- could you imagine an election year without him? -- but the cult-like following of the younger sibling and offshoot of 'Daily Show' might just give 'Report' the Colbert bump.