It's expected that "Homeland," "Modern Family," "Breaking Bad" and Louis C.K. will be among the big winners at the 65th annual Emmy Awards, but what of the underdogs? Ahead, HuffPost TV editor Chris Harnick and HuffPost Entertainment editor Christopher Rosen pick nine winners they hope to see on Sunday night, despite heavy odds the contrary. (For a full Emmys ballot, click here.)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Jane Krakowski, "30 Rock"
It's truly criminal that Jane Krakowski has never won an Emmy for portraying Jenna "My whole life is thunder" Maroney, the sociopathic star of fictional sketch show at the center of "30 Rock." Krakowski turned in hilarious performances week after week for seven years, and her unforgettable performance hit new heights in the show's final season. She deserves to be honored. -- CH
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock"
a.k.a., get used to seeing "30 Rock" in this piece. Alec Baldwin won two Emmys for playing Jack Donaghy on "30 Rock," but his last trophy came in 2009 and, really, that's just too many years of Baldwin not winning. Sorry, Louis and Jim Parsons. -- CR
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife"
Christine Baranski is the essential ingredient of "The Good Wife." Consider her the salt. If she wasn't there, you'd really miss her. Just think about her cackle. Done. -- CH
Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series:Greg Daniels, "The Office"
A funny thing about the final season of "The Office": It was really good. The series coasted on fumes after Michael Scott flew off to Colorado to be with Holly at the end of Season 7, but everything was rejuvenated in Season 9. The finale, in fact, was perfect: a touching tribute to the series as a whole that thread the needle between fan service and thematic honesty. -- CR
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:Amy Poehler, "Parks & Recreation"
Amy Poehler has never won an Emmy for playing Leslie Knope. Yes, you read that right. Despite the knockout jobs the other leading ladies in the comedy category did on their respective shows (Julia Louis-Dreyfus on "Veep" is great, and Tina Fey really turned up her Liz Lemon game in the final season of "30 Rock"), Poehler needs this award for her bringing us the continued evolution of America's sweetest politician. -- CH
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series:Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Shut the door, have a seat: Like Poehler, Jon Hamm has never won an Emmy award either. Conventional wisdom is that Hamm will be honored at some point over the next three years, presumably after "Breaking Bad" and Bryan Cranston are no longer eligible for Emmy consideration (so, 2015). But do we want to leave that up to chance? -- CR
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:Tony Hale, "Veep"
Tony Hale should really be nominated for "Veep" and "Arrested Development." He's got the man-boy routine down pat and really holds his own on "Veep" as Vice President Selina Meyer's assistant, Gary. Compared to the other performances in his category, Hale was consistent and always on point in "Veep." -- CH
Outstanding Comedy Series: "Girls"
"Girls" isn't as funny as "30 Rock" or "Veep," and it doesn't have the unimpeachable reviews that "Louis" does. Yet Lena Dunham's love-hate series is one of the best written shows on television, a weekly exercise in provocation that doesn't feel cheap or tossed off. Give Lena that gold. -- CR
Outstanding Comedy Series:"30 Rock"
"30 Rock" will go down in history as one of TV's finest comedies, and while the show hit a rough patch for a few seasons, Tina Fey and co. really returned to form for the final one. More than that, "30 Rock" was much stronger and more even than the other nominated comedies. It went out on top. We'll never forget you, "30 Rock" (and "The Rural Juror"). -- CH
