Yesterday’s prime-time Emmy Award nominations were long on predictability but short on the surprise factor — though there were a few “huh?” moments.
For starters, neither Jay Leno nor David Letterman was nominated in the Variety, Music or Comedy Series category — and that doesn’t happen often.
And it was doubly surprising to see all the nominations (10) snagged by “The Kennedys,” the miniseries which was unceremoniously dumped by History and scooped up by ReelzChannel.
Somewhere, History execs are kicking themselves.
“The Kennedys” snared four major Emmy nominations — including nods for co-stars Greg Kinnear and Barry Pepper — and broke all previous Reelz viewership records when it aired last spring on the small niche cable network.
Without further ado, here are the top matchups in each major category — our picks of who will go mano-a-mano to snare the Emmy statuette Sept. 21 in LA.
EMMY NOMINEES IN MAJOR CATEGORIES
Our top 2 picks for Emmys
Best Actor, Drama
Marquee Matchup: Steve Buscemi (“Boardwalk Empire”) vs. Jon Hamm (“Mad Men”)
Talk about the hunk versus the lunk. Hamm is considered the best-looking actor on TV while Buscemi is, well . . . extremely talented. Both have received past Emmy nods (Buscemi for “The Sopranos”), but neither has won. That’s about to change.
Other nominees: Michael C. Hall (“Dexter”), Kyle Chandler (“Friday Night Lights”), Hugh Laurie (“House”), Timothy Olyphant (“Justified”)
Best Actress, Drama
Marquee Matchup: Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife”) vs. Elisabeth Moss (“Mad Men”)
The veteran takes on the upstart. Margulies is a critical darling who won her first Emmy back in 1995 for “ER”; Moss, who’s been nominated several times, is riding the “Mad Men” promotional wave (is there any show that’s more talked-about — but as little-watched?)
Other nominees: Connie Britton (“Friday Night Lights”), Kathy Bates (“Harry’s Law”), Mireille Enos (“The Killing”), Mariska Hargitay (“Law & Order: SVU”)
Best Actor, Comedy
Marquee Matchup: Jim Parsons (“Big Bang Theory”) vs. Johnny Galecki (“Big Bang theory”)
“Big Bang Theory” hit its stride last season, meaning more ink and higher profiles for these two comedically gifted actors headlining a top-rated sitcom. This one’s a no-brainer; Parsons has already won his “BBT” Emmy, so maybe it’s Galecki’s turn. And enough already with Carell and Baldwin.
Other nominees: Matt LeBlanc (“Episodes”), Louis C.K. (“Louie”), Steve Carell (“The Office”), Alec Baldwin (“30 Rock”)
Best Actress, Comedy
Marquee Matchup: Melissa McCarthy (“Mike & Molly”) vs. Tina Fey (“30 Rock”)
I’ve included Fey here only because her annual nomination seems to be a reflex on the part of academy members. Can we move on already? McCarthy is on a hot streak, not only on the small screen with “Mike & Molly” — last season’s new breakout sitcom — but on the big screen with “Bridesmaids,” the top-grossing R-rated female comedy in movie history.
Other nominees: Laura Linney (“The Big C”), Edie Falco (“Nurse Jackie”), Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation”), Martha Plimpton (“Raising Hope”)
Best Series, Drama
Marquee Matchup: “Boardwalk Empire” vs. “Mad Men”
Unless the now-canceled “Friday Night Lights” sneaks in as a sentimental favorite, look for these two cable series — both signature shows for their respective networks (HBO, AMC) — to battle it out.
Other nominees: “Dexter,” “Game of Thrones,” “The Good Wife,” “Friday Night Lights”
Best Series, Comedy
Marquee Matchup: “The Big Bang Theory” vs. “Modern Family”
Another no-brainer. Two of the most popular sitcoms on TV will duke it out for the Emmy statuette. “Modern Family,” as good as it is, is teetering darn close to “overexposed, nough already” territory. Did we really need four “Modern Family” co-stars battling it out for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy? Didn’t think so.
Other nominees: “Glee,” “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation,” “30 Rock