The 42nd Emmy Awards are almos t upon us. The nominations are set to be revealed just a few hours from now at 8:30 AM Pacific Standard Time. "So You Think You Can Dance" host Cat Deely and "Orange is the New Black's" Uzo Aduba will be making the announcements. To whet your appetites, here's a quick breakdown of some of the names you can expect to be called later today.
OUTSTANDING DRAMA
Perhaps the most hotly contested category. With several heavy hitters all vying for the trophy. All eyes will be on AMC's 60's period piece Mad Men, which just aired its final season this year, to see if it cap off it's historic run with a record 5th best drama award. It won't be easy though, as HBO's fantasy hit Game of Thrones and Netflix's duo of Orange is The New Black and House of Cards are all strong contenders as well. Fox's Hip Hop saga Empire is the newcomer with the biggest chance of nabbing the award.
OUTSTANDING ACTOR - DRAMA
Mad Men once again gets most of the attention here. Leading Man Jon Hamm is trying to nab the award for the first time, after falling short on seven previous occasions. He's the sentimental pick. However big names like Kevin Spacey (House of Cards), Dominic West (The Affair), and Terrence Howard (Empire) will be looking to spoil Hamm's swan song.
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS - DRAMA
A more wide open field then the actor category. The Good Wife's Juliana Marguiles, House of Cards' Robin Wright, Homeland's Claire Danes, and newcomer Viola Davis from How To Get Away With Murder will be in the picture for sure.
OUTSTANDING COMEDY
A tale of extremes. Fresh newcomers like Transparent and Jane The Virgin will try to nab the award from the long running dominant forces of the category: Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory. HBO's Veep is also a strong choice.
OUTSTANDING ACTOR - COMEDY
Big Bang's Jim Parsons is the one to beat as usual. Can he score a repeat or will newcomers like Jeffrey Tambor and Anthony Anderson take the award this year?
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS - COMEDY
A wide open race similar to the Drama field. Comedy legend Julia Louis-Dreyfus of Veep is the biggest name. But likeable choices like Ellie Kemper and Gina Rodriguez as well as sentimental pick Amy Poehler all have a shot.
