Five Big Wins That Could Shock the Emmy Awards!

Louis C.K. over Steve Carell?! Hugh Laurie over Jon Hamm?! Parks and Recreation over Modern Family?! Will any of this really happen? Eh, probably not, but still...

By Joal Ryan Sep 17, 2011 4:30 PMTags
Hugh Laurie, House, Amy Poehler, Parks & Rec, Louis CK, LouisCarin Baer/FOX; Paul Drinkwater/NBC; Eric Leibowitz / FX

Yes, the Emmy odds are with past winners such as Laura Linney and Julianna Margulies, and perennial nominees like Jon Hamm and Steve Carell.

But are you tuning in Sunday's show to see the expected? Or would you rather be surprised?

Here are five first-time, long-shot winners who might give a jolt Emmys night:

1. Louis C.K?! Can you imagine? Probably not, especially if you've never seen Louie, the cult series that has the stand-up nominated alongside some marquee names for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

2. Hugh Laurie?! Yes, the House veteran's a perennial nominee, too. And, no, it wouldn't the craziest thing ever if he finally won for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. But because this is supposed to be Hamm's year, a Laurie win would give a extra-special charge. (Except, of course, to the poor gentleman from Mad Men.)

3. Bill Maher?! The Real Time star says he'll never win because he's "an outspoken atheist," and he'll be right so long as Jon Stewart's Daily Show dominates as Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series. But if you want a good awards-show time, you'll be pulling for a Maher miracle. So to speak. 

4. Parks and Recreation?! Four out of five bookies agree: No Outstanding Comedy Series candidate is less likely to win than Amy Poehler's crew. The slim odds, and the fact that Parks is thus far Emmy-free, would only make a victory that much sweeter (if not that much more celebrated by Team WWK). 

5. Matt LeBlanc: This last slot easily could've gone to either Kyle Chandler or Connie Britton from Friday Night Lights, but, one, their odds in the drama-acting categories are better than those of LeBlanc's in the crowded comedy-acting race, and, two, they've got their champions. What does LeBlanc have? He was underappreciated on Friends. He got nothing but grief for Joey. Wouldn't it be kinda cool for him to have a moment, and for the one show (Episodes) that you're likely less familiar with than Louie?

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