Who WILL Win? - Predicting the 2008 Emmy Awards

On the eve of the fall television season's official launch, Hollywood will gather to honor some of the small-screen's finest performances and programs. While the discussion is heating up among odds-makers and around office water coolers, entertainment writers across the nation have started weighing-in with their predictions. Here's a rundown of the six biggest categories at the 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.

Best Drama Series



Cable darlings Damages, Dexter and Mad Men look to alter the face of television with a win, but find themselves up against the heavy-hitting broadcast series Boston Legal, House and Lost. MSN Entertainment, Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello, TV Guide's Matt Roush and Los Angeles Times columnist Tom O'Neil are currently raving mad for "Mad Men" along with the majority of their colleagues.


Best Comedy Series



Despite the nod for Two and a Half Men (CBS), this race reads more like NBC versus HBO as last year's winner 30 Rock and The Office take on Curb Your Enthusiasm and Entourage. Once again, the journos appear to favor 30 Rock as a group, but Television Without Pity (TWoP) is putting its money on The Office. Exclusively on whereIstand.com, comedian and media personality ANT (Last Comic Standing, Celebrity Fit Club) is calling this one for the "Entourage" gang.


Best Actor in a Drama



This is an extremely competitive category in 2008 with six nominees (instead of five), and there's a reason... even the insiders are completely divided. Ausiello goes with Brian Cranston (Breaking Bad). Roush likes Jon Hamm (Mad Men). TWoP goes for James Spader (Boston Legal). E!'s Kristin dos Santos points to Michael C. Hall (Dexter). USA Today's Robert Bianco taps Hugh Laurie (House), and Richard Huff of the NY Daily News thinks it'll be Gabriel Byrne (In Treatment). It's anyone's title.


Best Actress in a Drama



The leading ladies of primetime drama will duke it out, but it seems Glenn Close (Damages) is the heavy favorite. However, she could see a successful upset bid from Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) or a repeat win for Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters). Former winner Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU) and Holly Hunter (Saving Grace) are in the running too.

Best Actor in a Comedy



TWoP hedges its bet with multiple Emmy winner Tony Shalhoub (Monk), who has been nominated in this category for the past six years and won three times. However, Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) should handily snag his first Emmy -- in seven tries -- thanks to his wild portrayal of Jack Donaghy. Steve Carell (The Office), Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men) and Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) will all try to spoil Baldwin's party.


Best Actress in a Comedy



This is another up for grabs contest like Best Actor in a Drama. Ausiello is pulling for Christina Applegate (Samantha Who?). O'Neil checked off America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), as Roush did with Tina Fey (30 Rock). ANT has Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds). Meanwhile, Orlando Sentinal's Hal Boedeker says it'll be Julia Louis-Dreyfus (The New Adventures of Old Christine).


So who will win? Tune in to ABC on Sunday, September 21 at 8/7c to find out which of your favorites take home the prize and which writers were on the money with their predictions.