After the jump, a full list of our picks compared against the actual winners and thoughts on a few miscarriages of justice. No thoughts on the actual ceremony, though -- it was Sunday, so we were all with Walter White.
At this point in the history of TV, we're all familiar with the narrative of premium channels overtaking the traditional networks in quality and, consequently, awards grabs. This truth is already self-evident in the drama categories, where the field basically only truly consists of AMC and HBO. But this year the Emmys took it a step further, into the comedies, where the edgier HBO/Showtime comedies like Julia Louis-Dreyfus vehicle Veep and Edie Falco's Nurse Jackie were lauded again and again over NBC's 30 Rock and Parks & Recreation. Althoughnot over ABC's Modern Family, which at this point is so tried and so true that USA is about to start showing it in syndication. I can only read this as a referendum on the love affair we've had with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler for so long. As a longtime Fey/Poehler devotee, I was looking to these Emmys to give Poehler the statue she's deserved for five seasons of a Leslie Knope who's gotten more endearing with every waffle she consumes. Another win for Fey and 30 Rock might've been too much to ask for, but I would've taken a much-deserved win for Jane Krakowski's scene-stealing work as Jenna. But I guess I'll take another win for Modern Family, an ABC show I put on in the background while I fold my laundry, and wins for Veep, which I don't watch.
A win that did buck the trend was the selection of The Big Bang Theory (CBS)'s Jim Parsons over...all the funny leading men on TV. Alec Baldwin has basically entered our cultural lexicon with Jack Donaghy, Jason Bateman carried Arrested Development's fourth season as long-suffering Michael, Louis C.K. Matt LeBlanc and Don Cheadle have all flourished on the premium channels and the award went to the guy who pretends to be a geek -- with a laugh track? I didn't understand the last time Parsons won and I still don't -- I'm a biology major and even I don't find The Big Bang Theory funny.
Ultimately, the Emmys at this point only serve to provide a clearinghouse for what might be relevant in TV today. It's important that Netflix's original programming scored nominations at all. It's important that Kerry Washington was nominated for Olivia Pope on Scandal, the first African-American woman to be nominated in 18 years. And I suppose it's important that HBO's original programming seems to be so critically beloved -- what remains to be seen is whether the night's wins will translate into better numbers and more cultural footing for Boardwalk Empire and Veep, whether anyone will care.
Outstanding Drama SeriesIntersections pick: Breaking Bad (AMC)Winner: Breaking Bad
Outstanding Comedy SeriesIntersections pick: Modern Family (ABC)Winner: Modern Family
Outstanding Miniseries or MovieIntersections pick: American Horror Story: Asylum (FX)Winner: Behind the Candelabra (HBO)
Outstanding Variety SeriesIntersections pick: The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)Winner: The Colbert Report
Outstanding Reality Competition ProgramIntersections pick: The Voice (NBC)Winner: The Voice
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesIntersections pick: Bryan Cranston, Breaking BadWinner: Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama SeriesIntersections pick: Claire Danes, HomelandWinner: Claire Danes
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesIntersections pick: Aaron Paul, Breaking BadWinner: Bobby Canavale, Boardwalk Empire
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesIntersections pick: Maggie Smith, Downton AbbeyWinner: Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy SeriesIntersections pick: Louis C.K., LouieWinner: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy SeriesIntersections pick: Amy Poehler, Parks & RecreationWinner: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesIntersections pick: Bill Hader, Saturday Night LiveWinner: Tony Hale, Veep
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesIntersections pick: Sofia Vergara, Modern FamilyWinner: Merritt Weaver, Nurse Jackie