Entertainment
Where To Catch The 2015 Critics' Choice TV Awards
Just when you thought awards season was over, here comes another ceremony, because there is nothing people love more than watching famous people get dressed up, walk down a red carpet, and receive awards. However, this isn't one of the big-name ceremonies, so you might not be sure to where catch it. Here's everything you need to know: The Critics' Choice Television Awards are on A&E Sunday night, airing at 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT. You can also watch the red carpet on A&E at 7 p.m. ET, 4 p.m. PT. So even if you're not very into TV, or critics, it’s another opportunity to get together with your friends and drink wine while commenting on celebrities' outfits. How could you not tune in?
Once that hour ends, however, the festivities will become all about TV, which can be way harder to predict at awards shows than movies. Throughout the year, movies are so universally hyped up and talked about, while TV preferences vary like crazy. Still, with that in mind, here are my predictions for the Critics' Choice Television Awards' biggest categories, as a loyal fan who watches TV constantly.
Best Comedy Series
I think at this point it’s safe to rule out Mom and Silicon Valley, because they've never been awards show favorites. That leaves us with the trophy-laden Veep, alongside relative newcomers Broad City, Jane The Virgin, Transparent, and You’re The Worst. You’re The Worst may be a little too obscure and not as widely loved, while Jane The Virgin and Transparent have received a ton of acclaim. However, much of that praise was focused on the series' stars, Gina Rodriguez and Jeffrey Tambor, making the shows more likely to be recognized in acting categories. So it really comes down to Broad City and Veep. The HBO political comedy won last year and everyone loves it, while Broad City has really blown up recently. I’m going to play it safe and say Veep, because it seems to attract a broader audience, and may earn the votes of more critics.
Best Actor in a Comedy
Between Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), Chris Messina (The Mindy Project), Tambor (Transparent), Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory), Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley), and Will Forte (The Last Man On Earth), I am pretty confident that Tambor is the winner. Transparent is great show, and much of that greatness comes from his excellent performance.
Best Actress in a Comedy
I would love to see Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer) take home this award, and has certainly earned it as one of the funniest actresses on TV, but Rodriguez is getting all the buzz this year. Plus, people who love TV will appreciate her status as a total newcomer who made an instant splash with Jane the Virgin. Other nominees include Constance Wu (Fresh Off the Boat), Ilana Glazer (Broad City), Lisa Kudrow (The Comeback), and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep), but this is Rodriguez's trophy.
Best Drama Series
I’m going to take The Americans, Homeland, and Game of Thrones off the table for this one. Personally, I’m always rooting for Game of Thrones but Season 4 just wasn’t its best. I think people have also gotten off the Homeland train too. The Good Wife without Josh Charles just isn’t the same, lessening its chances. While Orange is The New Black is certainly deserving, being qualified in the Drama category gives it a ton of competition. Best Drama Series really comes down to Empire and Justified. Since Justified is nominated for its final season, this is the Critics' last chance to reward the series. Empire, however, was the most talked about show of the year, and might beat out Justified's last season with its very first.
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Vera Farmiga can’t win, because she just doesn't have the kind of range on Bates Motel that some of her competitors do. My bet is between Viola Davis (How To Get Away with Murder) and Taraji P. Henson (Empire), who both stood out from the ensembles on their new series thanks to unforgettable performances. Before Empire premiered, I would have said hands-down that Davis will win the prize, but I have to give the edge to Cookie. Either way, other nominees Eva Green (Penny Dreadful), Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife), and Keri Russell (The Americans) are out of luck.
Best Actor in a Drama Series
It’s definitely between Timothy Olyphant for Justified and Charlie Hunnam for Sons of Anarchy. Both are nominated for the final seasons of their respective shows, so it will come down to who deserves it more overall. I would love to see Hunnam win because Jax Teller is an amazing character, but Olyphant has been nominated four times for this role and never won. It’s his time. Unfortunately, that's not the case for Aden Young (Rectify), Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Freddie Highmore (Bates Motel), and Matthew Rhys (The Americans).
Best Animated Series
I included this because I just need to know: does anyone not want Archer to win? We'll find out if the critics agree when the Critics' Choice Television Awards air on A&E this Sunday night.
