Who's Got Gold?!: VIBE's 2012 Emmy Predictions

Comedy Series:

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series —

While there are some strong contenders in this category, the women nominated all deserve to take home an Emmy, but we all know there can be only one. It will be a close shot between Julie Bowen (Claire Dunphy, Modern Family), her charismatic co-star Sofia Vergara and Saturday Night Live's resident funny gal Kristen Wig.

While the Bridesmaid star continues to have a breakout success for herself, we'll be looking for Sofia Vergara to take home the prize, capping off her successful stint as TV most highest paid actress with the hardware to prove her rightful status on top of the Nielsen charts.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series —

Fan favorite Max Greenfield (Schmidt in Fox's New Girl) may be the choice to win this award, but Modern Family has been wildly successful the past few years at the Emmys. No stranger to the champion's circle are the show's male cast, as this award can very well go to any of them. Yet, we're willing to go out on a limb and call Saturday Night Live's Bill Hader will pull quite an intriguing upset.

The improv funnyman is the first SNL cast member since Eddie Murphy to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series — and that was 1983. Hader, best known for his impressions of famous people, such as Vincent Price, Brian Grazer, Rick Perry, James Carville, and Charlie Sheen would like to add an Emmy to his mantle place.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series —

This was one of the most frustrating categories to predict due to the fact it is stacked with so many strong candidates. With familiar faces such as Tina Fey (Liz Lemon, 30 Rock), Edie Falco (Jackie Peyton, Nurse Jackie), and Melissa McCarthy (Molly Flynn, Mike & Molly) competing against talented newcomers — the odds are pretty stacked against our pick.

Yet, we're sticking with Amy Poehler to bring home her first Primetime Emmy for her wonderful work as Leslie Knopp on NBC's Parks and Recreation. While Julie Louis-Dreyfus surprised many with her turn as Selina Meyer on Veep, we're looking at Poehler to bypass the Emmy darling and watch Tina Fey photobomb the moment during her acceptance speech.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series —

Jim Parson has won this category twice already, easily making him the favorite. But what comfort The Big Bang Theory star has, our selection makes up for it pure out-of-this-world talent. Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan on Showtime's House of Lies is the surprise hit on DVR's nationwide, and that is due to Cheadle's effortless cool and charm that beguiles a devilish aspect to his character on the show.

Equally, this hasn't been The Big Bang Theory's best season on air, so it may be time to celebrate a changing of the guard.

Drama Series:

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series —

Christina Hendricks performance on AMC's Mad Men was the saving grace for its fifth season, and should be properly reward at this year's Emmys. Often underrated due to the fact that she's often surrounded by talent like Jon Hamm, Hendricks shares the nomination with equally charming characters such as Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey), Anna Gunn (Breaking Bad) and Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife).

Instead of choosing the most common choice (see: Maggie Smith), we're hoping that the Emmys continue to champion new blood by calling the curvaceous Mad Men star's name to accept one of Hollywood's most lauded prizes.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series —

This category is super strong with such names as Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Jared Harris (Mad Men), and Peter Dinklage (Game Of Thrones) on the list. And while all these men cannot take it home and claim equal billing, our choice is one who dynamic closed out its show and left audience salivating for more!

We're giving the slight edge (and win) to Breaking Bad's Giancarlo Esposito. A strong favorite amongst the Internet to win, given his explosive exit from the show, and that the extremely talented actor's portrayal of Gus on the show was haunting and flawless.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series —

These women are extremely gifted in their ability to help carry a series without overshadowing its stars. Names such as Kathy Bates (Harry's Law), Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men), and Julianna Marguiles (The Good Wife) have all maintained the audience's attention, yet due to her overall stance and height in the industry, we're going to give the award to Glenn Close based on her past work, and how she managed to turn heads after her appearance in FX's Damages and The Shield.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series —

The votes are unanimous. The people have spoken. Bryan Cranston defeats all comers for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. How? Why? Well, if you haven't seen the wildly popular AMC series, Breaking Bad, Cranston's portrayal as Walter White is unbelievably good. You come away after each episode wondering how he's going to escape the law's clutches next means that you're doing more than putting butts in the seats — you're creating a colorful legacy.

Outstanding Drama Series —

The cable network's most viable bragging card — "Who has the best show on television?" HBO and AMC are tied, two a-piece, as Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, Breaking Bad and Mad Men, respectively are all nominated for that number one spot. While this was also a hard category to predict, our choice is to go for HBO's Game of Thrones. The medieval fantasy-drama is brilliant on so many levels and deserves the win over the increasingly out-dated show, Mad Men.

Miniseries, Variety:

Outstanding Supporting Actor & Actress in a Miniseries or Movie —

American Horror Story was a smash hit for fans of goth and gore — easily making Jessica Lange a star for the awarding. For Outstanding Supporting Actress, we're choosing her over the other nominees because her intense performance as Constance Langdon is worth placing her in the Horror Hall of Fame alone.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie —

There were so many good performances that were nominated to choose from, but our pick is for Julianne Moore to win. Her portrayal of tough Alaskan politician Sarah Palin in HBO's Game Change was strong enough to be the winner. Her talent continues to astound those who just were looking to put her in a single typecast. This may just be her year to bring home an Emmy.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie —

Woody Harrelson was good in HBO's Game Change, Benedict Cumberbatch surprised many as Sherlock Holmes for the BBC, yet one man must bring home the Emmy. And the award goes to… Idris Elba. After showcasing his more brutal side on Season 2 of Luther, Elba is earning leading man status left and right by providing more sides of than just Stringer Bell, and continues to make a big impact by his inclusion as a nominee at this year's Emmys.

Outstanding Miniseries or Movie —

For those who have a hard time predicting this category, we'll save you the trouble, and make it easy for you. HBO's Game Change was the movie that summed up a shift in a generation, was wonderfully casted, and showcased why HBO continues to create content that outlasts its competition. Movies about politics during a political election year always do really well at the Emmys. The only movies that usually beat it are movies about famous figures, and Ed Harris and Julianne Moore are way cooler than Hemingway & Gellhorn in this regard.

Variety Series —

Who do you think we were going to say? Jon Stewart's consistently spot-on mock news program has been telling the truth more times than one can remember, and will add another award to its growing list of accolades.