Emmys Preview

Last year, “30 Rock” rocked the Emmys, sweeping best comedy, best actor and best actress.

“If there’s one thing Emmy voters love, it’s 30 rock,“ said Entertainment Weekly’s Dalton Ross.

With a record 22 nominations this year, “30 Rock”‘s expected by most experts to roll once again.

“There’s something in the water here in this 30 Rock building that must be translating into emmy gold,“ said TV Guide’s Matt Roush, in an interview from the NBC network’s headquarters building, which shares the series’ nickname.

Another “30 Rock” sweep would leave fellow nominees such as “The Office”, “How I Met Your Mother” and “Weeds” once again in “30 Rock”‘s dust.

“These are television voters and they love a show about what they do, what they live, what they breathe.  It’s resistible to them,“ said Ross.

If there were to be an upset, both Ross and Roush say it could come in the best actor category.  That’s where Jim Parsons, who plays uber-nerd Sheldon Cooper on “Big Bang Theory” may beat out “30 Rock”‘s Alec Baldwin.

“He’s funny, witty, clever and a little dashing, I’d say,“ according to Ross.

“I was rooting for Jim Parsons to get noticed.  He got noticed and now, I’m rooting for him to win,“ offered Roush.

In the drama field, the 60’s advertising saga “Mad Men” is nearly as dominant as “30 Rock”.

“Mad Men has buzz!“ declared Ross.

It’s also got 16 total nominations and a win last year as best drama.

“It’s a very rich and complex drama,“ said Roush. “It’s a very adult drama and I think the look of the show is intoxicating as well.“

That’s part of why series such as “Lost”, “Big Love” and “Breaking Bad” are expected to once again lose out to “Mad Men”

“I’d actually like to see its AMC brother ‘Breaking Bad’ win,“ said Ross. “An amazing second season of Breaking Bad’, but you can’t complain about ‘Mad Men’.“

Last year, that show’s star Jon Hamm lost out to ‘Breaking Bad’ lead Bryan Cranston for best actor in one of the night’s big surprises.

“People who wanted to reward Bryan Cranston last year, maybe they move their support this year over to Jon Hamm,“ suggested Ross.

The field for best actress has big names, including Sally Field, Holly Hunter and Mariska Hargitay, but Glenn Close is the heavy favorite.

“That roles fits her like a steel glove on ‘Damages’,“ said Roush.  “She won last year, she’s probably still the one to beat.“

“The Daily Show"s been the one no one’s beaten for outstanding variety, music or comedy series. It’s won six straight years, but this time, Roush sees a challenge.

“For all the years Saturday Night Live gets derided,“ he explained, “It really did have a breakthrough year. I do think Saturday Night Live and The Daily show could go tooth and claw here.“

The battle’s decided Sunday night.