Emmy Predictions
A Skiff editor gives his Emmy predictions. With so many newcomers, this year’s show should be a good one.
By David Reese
News Editor

After last year’s twice-delayed Emmy Awards’ telecast, Bryce Zabel, president of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences, said the glamour and glitz will once again shine brightly on the ceremony. The show will be hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien and airs 7 p.m. Sunday on NBC (TCU channel 5).

The ceremony honors achievements in primetime television during the 2001-2002 season. The awards recognize the mediums of acting, producing, directing and writing.

After numerous years of critics complaining that the Emmys continue to recognize the same actors year after year, 18 out of 41 are first-time nominees.

Outstanding Drama Series
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (CBS)
“Law & Order” (NBC)
“Six Feet Under” (HBO)
“24” (FOX)
“The West Wing” (NBC)
Should win: “Six Feet Under”
Will win: “Six Feet Under”

“Six Feet Under” deserves the Emmy because it is original and different. No cable series has ever won the Outstanding Drama Series award, but it may have a chance with 23 nominations this year.

Outstanding Comedy Series
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO)
“Everybody Loves Raymond” (CBS)
“Friends” (NBC)
“Sex and the City” (HBO)
“Will & Grace” (NBC)
Should win: “Friends”
Will win: “Friends”

After nine years on television, “Friends” had one of the best seasons of any series.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Kelsey Grammer, “Frasier” (NBC)
Matt LeBlanc, “Friends” (NBC)
Bernie Mac, “The Bernie Mac Show” (FOX)
Matthew Perry, “Friends” (NBC)
Ray Romano, “Everybody Loves Raymond” (CBS)
Should win: Matthew Perry, “Friends”
Will win: Matt LeBlanc, “Friends”

Grammer is past his prime and Romano’s supporting actors get more attention, but it will come down to the two “Friends” men. Although Perry’s character of Chandler has kept the series afloat during some dull years, LeBlanc’s Joey is heartwarming — and he actually had a storyline last year which could put him on top.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Jennifer Aniston, “Friends” (NBC)
Patricia Heaton, “Everybody Loves Raymond” (CBS)
Jane Kaczmarek, “Malcolm in the Middle” (FOX)
Debra Messing, “Will & Grace” (NBC)
Sarah Jessica Parker, “Sex and the City” (HBO)
Should win: Jennifer Aniston, “Friends”
Will win: Jennifer Aniston, “Friends”

Aniston of “Friends” is the frontrunner. The storyline about her character’s pregnancy and the love triangle between Ross, Rachel and Joey was terrific.