CBS; HBO; Comedy Central, PBSThis is it, Emmys. This is the last chance to nominate some of TV's most beloved stars for their iconic roles. Don't mess it up!
Honestly, they're going to mess it up.
This year, viewers said goodbye to many long-running favorites, as well as some shows on the short-lived side, but that doesn't mean the performances should be discounted by any means. With the 2016 Emmy nominations looming, it's time to take a look at the last chance contenders. Prepare for injustice. And please note, we're not including limited series or TV movies because that's the nature of their categories.
THE GOOD WIFE
The CBS drama starring Julianna Margulies has nabbed a few Emmys during its run—specifically acting wins, specifically one for Archie Panjabi, two for Margulies, one for Martha Plimpton and another for Carrie Preston—and received countless other nominations. But this is the last time anybody from The Good Wife can get nominated for an Emmy (yes, we're aware there is a spinoff coming, but that won't be The Good Wife). Will the TV Academy finally honor Christine Baranski with a statue for her work as Diane Lockhart? Could Josh Charles score a final nomination for playing (the ghost of) Will Gardner? Will Margulies get one final victory lap up to the stage for playing Alicia Florrick? Forget winning, will she even be nominated? She didn't net one for season six. The Good Wife has never taken home a trophy for Best Drama series and we're sorry to say it definitely won't be doing that this year after the less than great season seven.
The Good Wife's best bet for final Emmys love? Baranski, Margulies and most likely at least one guest nomination. Stockard Channing, this could be your year!
GETTING ON
HBO gave us three years of this beautiful show that broke through last year with a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series nomination for Niecy Nash. She deserved it. Her costars Laurie Metcalf and Alex Borstein also deserve recognition this year, its final year eligible. The final season of the dark comedy was as close to perfect as a TV show can get, will Emmy voters actually recognize that?
Getting On's best bet for final Emmys love? Nash, but both Borstein and Metcalf turned in strong performances and have received nominations in the past. Metcalf has taken home three Emmys for Roseanne.
HOUSE OF LIES
Don Cheadle has been nominated for all previous four seasons of his Showtime business comedy, a fifth and final Emmy nomination is likely. The show took home an award for Outstanding Art Direction for a Contemporary Program (Half-Hour or Less) in 2014, but that's been the only Emmy statue its ever received. A well-known supporting cast including Kristen Bell and Ben Schwartz could finally get the attention of Emmy voters for their final turns in character.
House of Lies' best bet for Emmys love? Cheadle. It seems like he's become a check box voters always tic.
AMERICAN IDOL
The singing competition that once captivated the nation bid adieu after 15 seasons and nostalgia was running high, that's for sure. Idol has taken home eight Emmys during its run, but last year it only received a nomination for a technical Emmy. Will nostalgia bring it back to the forefront?
American Idol's best bet for Emmys love? Host Ryan Seacrest.
KEY AND PEELE
Comedy Central's beloved sketch show signed off for good this year, but during its time on air it racked up 12 Emmy nominations. This is the final chance to set things right. Last year, Keegan-Michael Key broke through in the Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category, but lost to Veep's Tony Hale. Don't miss your chance, Emmys!
Key and Peele's best bet for Emmys love? Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.
MIKE & MOLLY
The TV Academy loves voting for old favorites for one last hurrah. Mike & Molly, which was still on up until this year (seriously), has taken home two Emmys: One for Melissa McCarthy and one for Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series. McCarthy wasn't nominated last year, but for old times' sake she could get at least a "We'll miss you on TV" nomination.
Mike & Molly's best bet for Emmys love? McCarthy and some Creative Arts Emmys love.
DOWNTON ABBEY
Viewers said goodbye to the Dowager Countess and her sass this year, but what a year it was for Downton Abbey, mainly Laura Carmichael's Lady Edith. Could she break through and snag her first nomination? Maggie Smith will likely get some final attention—she's Maggie Smith after all—and same for Joanne Froggatt. Michelle Dockery was shut out of the race last year, but Lady Mary may get her due once more.
Downton Abbey's best bet for Emmys love? Smith, Froggatt and some Creative Arts Emmys.
PENNY DREADFUL
Genre shows (except Game of Thrones) historically have a hard time at the Emmys, but Showtime's recently departed Penny Dreadful could pick up some more Creative Arts Emmys nominations like it did last year, but all eyes are on Golden Globe nominee Eva Green. The surprise cancellation and her performance this season likely increased her chances of snagging her first and last nomination.
Penny Dreadful's best bet for Emmys love? Green and makeup.
VINYL
Definitely not an old favorite, HBO's period drama that was canceled after getting renewed had all the makings to be an Emmys favorite: Terrence Winter, Mick Jagger and Martin Scorsese were behind the scenes and Ray Romano and Bobby Cannavale were in front of the camera. There's still a good chance the TV Academy will bestow some love on the cable drama.
Vinyl's best bet for Emmys love? Cannavale and Romano.
Be sure to watch the Emmy nominations right here when E! News streams them live on Thursday, July 14 at 11:30 a.m. ET. Anthony Anderson and Lauren Graham will announce the nominees.