The Emmys will

be broadcast this Sunday on NBC at 8 p.m. Every year I write an Emmy prediction

column and most years I am right more often than wrong. I also use this

column to complain about the lack of attention that "Buffy The Vampire

Slayer" receives. I will not complain too much about Buffy's lack

of major nominations this year but I will state that the musical episode

should win for Best Writing. It was the most creative thing I have seen

on television in quite a while.

O.K., now on

to the major categories and my picks. The nominees for Best Dramatic Series

are "CSI," "24," "The West Wing," "Law

and Order" and "Six Feet Under." I was hooked on "24"

from the very first episode but "Six Feet Under" should win.

The show about a family and their funeral home is the perfect mix of well,

everything. There are times where I can't stop laughing and other times

where I am on the verge of tears. Television programs rarely move an audience

like that and when they do, they should be rewarded. "Six Feet Under"

scored -- nominations and should have a really big night.

In the category

for Best Actor in a Drama Series, the nominees are Kiefer Sutherland for

"24," Martin Sheen for "The West Wing," Michael Chiklis

for "The Shield" Michael C. Hall for "Six Feet Under"

and Peter Krause for "Six Feet Under." Krause should win this

hands down for his role as Nate Fisher. He is a terrific actor and one

of the focal points of the show. Whether he is dealing with the death

of his father, his own mortality, his love life with the eccentric Brenda

or his role in his family and the business, Nate gives the audience a

peek into an everyday life that is not so different from their own.

As for Best

Actress, Frances Conroy who plays Ruth Fisher on "Six Feet Under"

should get the win over the other nominees which include Allison Janney

on "The West Wing," Amy Brenneman for "Judging Amy,"

Jennifer Garner for "Alias," and Rachel Griffiths for "Six

Feet Under." Ruth Fisher has been misunderstood by her family for

too long. After her husband's death, she experiences a rebirth of sorts

and rediscovers who she is and who she wants to be. It has been a thrilling

thing to watch, at times both inspiring and heartbreaking. This may be

the biggest blowout of the night.

As for comedy,

the nominees for Best Comedy Series are "Curb Your Enthusiasm,"

"Sex and the City," "Will and Grace," "Friends"

and "Everybody Loves Raymond." "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

is terrific, like an R-Rated "Seinfeld" with no commercials

but "Friends" deserves the Emmy this year. After a few years

of being serviceable, the show regained its strides last year. There were

some outstanding moments during last season and if this season is truly

to be their last, they should go out on top.

For Best Actor

in a Comedy Series, Matt LeBlanc should win for his role as Joey on "Friends."

The other nominees are Bernie Mac for "The Bernie Mac Show,"

Kelsey Grammer for "Frasier," Matthew Perry for "Friends"

and Ray Romano for "Everybody Loves Raymond." Joey was the central

character last season as he realized he was falling in love with Rachel.

His character had been so one-dimensional in previous seasons that as

he broke out of the mold a bit he had a breakout year.

The category

for Best Actress in a Comedy Series is really a toss up. Jane Kaczmarek

does quality work as Malcolm's mom on "Malcolm in the Middle,"

but so does Jennifer Anniston on "Friends," Debra Messing as

Grace on "Will and Grace," Patricia Heaton as Debra on "Everyobdy

Loves Raymond" and Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie on "Sex and

the City." If "Friends" steamrolls in other categories,

expect Anniston to walk away a winner, otherwise Parker may take the trophy.

Remember, these

predictions aren't meant to be used for gambling. If you do choose to

use these for those purposes, you could give me a cut and I wouldn't turn

it down.

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