COMMENTARY | If my Emmy predictions were any more wrong, I would have gotten at least one right. Earlier this summer, I chalked my poor nominee guesses up to my cloudy crystal ball, and made some picks from the narrowed field.
I didn’t do very well even with one-out-of-six odds. So since I cannot crow about being right, as I really, really wasn’t, here instead is my breakdown of the Comedy Category.
Where I was Right and the Emmy Voters Were Wrong
Steve Carell. Come on, Academy, the man created a character who will forever be a part of pop culture. His subtle details of Michael Scott, from the tiny expressions that said everything to his always managing to make the conversation both awkward and funny to that air of undefeatable hopefulness, Carrell deserved an Emmy. And with this nomination being his last chance to win for “The Office,” the voters got it completely wrong.
Where We See Eye to Eye, Even Though I Was Wrong
Melissa McCarthy. She is absolutely hilarious, when she’s scripted and when she isn’t scripted, and anyone who hasn’t seen “Bridesmaids” is committing a crime against comedy. I’d backed Amy Poehler for her oddly lovable parks director Leslie Nope on “Parks & Recreation,” and I still think that with the growth she’s given her character, she deserved the award.
But Best Actress in a Comedy was a tough category this year; there wasn’t a woman among the group I wouldn’t have wanted to see win. So I’ll call this one a draw, even though I was actually wrong and that gives me a self-serving boost up, but I got them all wrong, so give me something.
Where the Academy Got It Right
At the risk of being redundant, I was wrong. Again. But not only because I picked the wrong nominee — Betty White — to win Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. I enjoy her as the irreverent and hilarious Elka on “Hot in Cleveland,” a solid sitcom with an amazing cast, and thought she should add another Emmy to her collection as she headed for a record.
But I am not going to begrudge “Modern Family’s” Julie Bowen her first Emmy win after working so hard for success for so long. As young and gorgeous as Julie is, many may not realize that her career spans nearly 20 years; even the show where she became a familiar face, “Ed,” last aired in 2004. She didn’t get a hit show out of the gate. She’s put in her time and finally found the magic formula and was rewarded. Who can argue with a payoff for persistence?
So the Emmys are done and the envelopes are opened; here is the full list of winners. As for my record, hopefully I’ll do better next year. I couldn’t possibly do worse.