Getty ImagesIt's a good thing Golden Globes is the award show with plenty of booze flowing, because at least one nail-biter is guaranteed to make the night pretty tense:
Mr. Robot Vs. Outlander.
What's that? You haven't seen them both yet? What kind of poor life choices have you been making? Just kidding. (Not really.)
Starz's Outlander vs. USA's Mr. Robot is arguably the most important TV battle of the 2016 Golden Globes, and whoever wins, it will be stunning. Clearly, a Best Drama Series win—the biggest TV award at the Globes—would mean a lot to each network. As it would to the show's hard-working casts and obsessive fans, who have done nothing but shout from the rooftops how incredible these ground-breaking series are. Both stand a very good chance at winning, despite being less mainstream than the likes of ratings behemoth Empire.
So…who will win? And what about the other TV races?
My predictions:
BEST TELEVISION SERIES (DRAMA)
Outlander
Mr. Robot
Empire
Game of Thrones
Narcos
WHO WILL WIN: Mr. Robot
Make no mistake: Outlander is a stunning and impeccably acted and produced series—and the kind of show one doesn't just watch, but obsesses over. But so is Mr. Robot, and past voting history has shown that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association tends to love brand-new shows that are supersleek and hugely buzzy, and the USA smash hit was arguably the most talked about new show of the year. And for good reason. Every episode felt like the climax of a thrilling major motion picture—with expertly crafted, incredibly smart twists that left us breathless. (Thanks for the cardio, USA!) Plus, the acting by newcomer Rami Malek? Just…holy wow. Let's talk about it…
BEST ACTOR (DRAMA)
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Rami Malek (Mr. Robot)
Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul)
Wagner Moura (Narcos)
Liev Schriber (Ray Donovan)
WHO WILL WIN: Rami Malek
An impossibly challenging role, Malek's intensely layered portrayal of Mr. Robot's Elliot made the craziest show of the year intimately believable. Not only was he watchable, he made us question even our own sanity and safety as the show progressed. (Oh, whatever, you got sucked into it all, too.) The nostalgic win of course would be Jon Hamm here, who hasn't won for Mad Men since 2008. But when have the Globes ever given a damn about nostalgia? Malek feels like a lock.
BEST ACTRESS (DRAMA)
Taraji P. Henson (Empire)
Caitriona Balfe (Outlander)
Robin Wright (House of Cards)
Viola Davis (How to Get Away With Murder)
Eva Green (Penny Dreadful)
WHO WILL WIN: Caitriona Balfe
Taraji is overdue for some Globes love—this is actually her first ever nomination (including the film side). And of course, it only takes five seconds of her on screen as Cookie to know she's crazy talented and a real comedic FORCE. However, this is the drama category. And when it comes to raw emotion that hits you in all the feels and makes your toes curl and your goosebumps pop—when it comes to the kind of performance that's so good you get tongue tied and use the aforementioned descriptions, no other female on television compares to Caitriona Balfe. A breakout star and her first major award nomination, Balfe has all the makings of a Globes winner. Shiny. New. Deserving. Done and done.
BEST TELEVISION SERIES (COMEDY)
Casual
Mozart in the Jungle
Orange Is the New Black
Silicon Valley
Transparent
Veep
WHO WILL WIN: Transparent
It's an eclectic group of contenders this year—and basically the list of things you should cue up to binge watch pronto. But when it comes to a show that is actually a comedy, with tons of heart and important things to say, Transparent is the clear winner. Again.
BEST ACTOR (COMEDY)
Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent)
Aziz Ansari (Master of None)
Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent)
Gael Garcia Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle)
Rob Lowe (The Grinder)
Patrick Stewart (Blunt Talk)
WHO WILL WIN: Jeffrey Tambor
Really, who doesn't want to see Jeffrey up on that stage again, saying all kinds of charming and poignant things to make you laugh-cry? He's just so darn likeable, and gave another stellar performance in season two. Plus, Tambor was never even nominated for George Bluth, so about dang time the HFPA makes it up.
The possible shocking upset here? Aziz Ansari, whose new series Master of None on Netflix has proven him a worthy contender.
BEST ACTRESS (COMEDY)
Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend)
Jamie Lee Curtis (Scream Queens)
Julia Louis Dreyfus (Veep)
Lily Tomlin (Grace and Frankie)
Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin)
WHO WILL WIN: Jamie Lee Curtis
Incredibly likeable and a bonafide star, Jamie Lee absolutely killed on Scream Queens giving one of the best comedy performances of the year. She really went there, delivering some crazy lines and even crazier love scenes. Fun fact: This is Jamie's first Globes since 2004 when she was nominated for Freaky Friday!
Possible shocker here: Rachel Bloom for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. The show is definitely an acquired taste (we love it!) but the HFPA does love musicals and this sort of off-beat humor.
BEST MINISERIES
American Crime
American Horror Story
Fargo
Flesh & Bone
Wolf Hall
WHO WILL WIN: Fargo
American Horror Story has had a fantastic season, but it's obviously very dark and not for everyone. (All the more reason for fans to love it.) Fargo likely will come out the winner—pulling off a really strong second season with a whole new cast. Either way, FX will have good reason to party.
BEST ACTOR, MINISERIES
Idris Elba (Luther)
Oscar Isaac (Show Me a Hero)
David Oyelowo (Nightingale)
Mark Rylance (Wolf Hall)
WHO WILL WIN: Idris Elba
Dripping with charisma and scientifically proven impossible to not love, Idris Elba just has to be a slam dunk here.
BEST ACTRESS, MINISERIES
Kirsten Dunst (Fargo)
Lady Gaga (American Horror Story)
Sarah Hay (Flesh & Bone)
Felicity Huffman (American Crime)
Queen Latifah (Bessie)
WHO WILL WIN: Lady Gaga
Kirsten Dunst is a strong contender, but Lady Gaga feels unbeatable here, with her massive star power and first chance to win a TV acting award. She has proven herself as a formidable and fierce actress on American Horror Story. And hey, if she wins this, maybe she'll consider sticking around for the already-offered role next season.
Tune into E! News tonight at 7 pm for more of my Golden Globes predictions!
Then make sure to watch E! Online's Livestream from the Red Carpet on Sunday starting at 5:55 pm ET/ 2:55 pm PT.