Final

We did it! Well, almost. It’s just a few days until we finally learn who won the “Severance”/ “The Pitt” smackdown… and this weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys only added to the intrigue: Shawn Hatosy won guest actor for “The Pitt” and Merritt Weaver was named guest actress for “Severance,” splitting those two up nicely. “Severance” has a lead on “The Pitt” when it comes to win tally so far (6 vs. 2) — but then, “The Pitt” won for the all-important casting category, perhaps showing where the acting votes are headed.

On this episode of the Variety Awards Circuit podcast we talk to Emmys host Nate Bargatze about how this sunday’s awards show is shaping up. But first, on the Roundtable, we give our final predictions in all the major emmy categories. Listen below!

This year’s Emmys, produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, will include reunions timed to the 25th anniversary of ‘Gilmore Girls,’ with stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel, as well as a 40th anniversary ‘Golden Girls’ tribute, as Reba McEntire leads a sing along of the show’s ‘Thank You for Being a Friend’ theme song.

Also, Mariska Hargitay will lead a tribute to the ‘Law & Order’ franchise, and Jeff Probst will celebrate the 50th season of ‘Survivor.’ Plus, Eric Dane and Jesse Williams will help mark the 20th anniversary of ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’

As for Bargatze, he’s excited to talk about his plan to keep acceptance speeches short by donating money to the Boys & Girls Club every time winners don’t go long. And he discussed the fact that he’s heading to Denver this weekend to perform standup before heading back here to host the Emmys.

“I think in my stand up, you’re along for a ride a lot more, and we don’t really veer out of it,” he says. “A night like this is going to be a little more present, a little more in the moment of what’s happening as stuff happens throughout the night. I’ve got to be prepared for anything that can happen. If you think of something funny at the moment, you’ve got to kind of trust it and just throw it out there and see if it works. It’s a lot more in the moment than my stand up is, which is very prepared and exactly I know where I’m going.”

Meanwhile, here is Variety chief awards editor Clayton Davis’ final thoughts on the major Emmy categories:

Drama Series: “Severance” (Apple TV+)

Comedy Series: “The Studio” (Apple TV+)

Limited Series: “Adolescence” (Netflix)

Lead Drama Actor: Noah Wyle, “The Pitt” (HBO Max)

Lead Drama Actress: Kathy Bates, “Matlock” (CBS)

Lead Comedy Actor: Seth Rogen, “The Studio” (Apple TV+)

Lead Comedy Actress: Jean Smart, “Hacks” (HBO Max)

Lead Actor Limited: Colin Farrell, “The Penguin” (HBO Max)

Lead Actress Limited: Michelle Williams, “Dying for Sex” (FX)

Supporting Drama Actor: Tramell Tillman, “Severance” (Apple TV+)

Supporting Drama Actress: Carrie Coon, “The White Lotus” (HBO Max)

Supporting Comedy Actor: Harrison Ford, “Shrinking” (Apple TV+)

Supporting Comedy Actress: Catherine O’Hara, “The Studio” (Apple TV+)

Supporting Actor Limited: Owen Cooper, “Adolescence” (Netflix)

Supporting Actress Limited: Erin Doherty, “Adolescence” (Netflix)

Competition Program: “The Traitors” (Peacock)

Talk Series: “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” (CBS)

Scripted Variety: “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” (HBO Max)