Emmy Nomination Breakdown: Drama

Outstanding Drama Series
Lost
Breaking Bad
Dexter
Mad Men
True Blood
The Good Wife

Commentary: A great list, while it would have been great to have had a seven spot for Damages, the inclusion of True Blood was well worth the snub.

Early Predicted Winner: Lost wins for its final incredible season.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights)
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
Hugh Laurie (House M.D.)
Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
Matthew Fox (Lost)

Commentary: The Kyle Chandler inclusion was one of the best, and most deserved surprises of the whole list. Throw in Matthew Fox, and this is a winning category.

Early Predicted Winner: Bryan Cranston has a shot at repeat, but I think Michael C. Hall's Dexter gets an overdue win.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife)
Mariska Hargitay (Special Victims Unit)
Glenn Close (Damages)
Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer)
January Jones (Mad Men)
Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights)

Commentary: Three names: Julianna Margulies, January Jones, and Connie Britton. Enough said.

Early Predicted Winner: Julianna Marguiles beats out Glenn Close. But only if Connie Britton won. I think I think I could die happy.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
John Slattery (Mad Men)
Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)
Martin Short (Damages)
Terry O’ Quinn (Lost)
Michael Emerson (Lost)
Andre Braugher (Men of a Certain Age)

Commentary: The first five names were expected, then came the unexpected, the awesome Andre Braughter, which was such a pleasant surprise.

Early Predicted Winner: My guess is that one of the Lost guys gets it, but Aaron Paul should take home the gold.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Sharon Gless (Burn Notice)

Christine Baranski (The Good Wife)
Christina Hendricks (Mad Men)
Rose Byrne (Damages)
Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife)
Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)

Commentary: This is the strangest, most surprising category yet. I think I got two or three right. I will say that despite its decline in quality, Chandra Wilson and Sandra Oh are fanatastic on Grey's and now will probably never win for their roles. But back to the category at hand. Both Mad Men women got in finally, and Sharon Gless gets an amazing nod for her winning turn in Burn Notice. Christine Baranski was not a surprise, but Archie Panjabi was an amazing nod, and a well deserved one.

Early Predicted Winner: I have no idea, so I'm going with Elisabeth Moss from Mad Men.

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Beau Bridges (The Closer)

Ted Danson (Damages)
John Lithgow (Dexter)
Alan Cumming ( The Good Wife)
Dylan Baker (The Good Wife)
Robert Morse (Mad Men)
Gregory Itzin (24)

Commentary: A loaded category of Emmy favorites, and once again a Good Wife haven (is it me or is it starting to look like a serious contender for the top prize). Loved the Gregory Itzin nomination.

Early Predicted Winner: John Lithgow was scary-good in Dexter, but watch out for old Ted Danson.

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Mary Kay Place (Big Love)

Sissy Spacek (Big Love)
Shirley Jones (The Cleaner)
Lily Tomlin (Damages)
Ann-Margret (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)
Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost)

Commentary: Some real surprises, but some good ones. The Shirley Jones, Ann-Margaret, and the excellent Elizabeth Mitchell get in. I think this one is going to be tough one to tackle.

Early Predicted Winner: Right now I'm going with Elizabeth Mitchell for her Lost role.