Can 'Mad Men,' 'Dexter,' 'Damages' or 'Tudors' reap Emmy bids?

"It's The Year Cable Hijacks The Emmys or I move to Canada!" vowed Ray Richmond of the Hollywood Reporter when he gave me his list of the 10 TV drama series he expects to be finalists after a popular vote of TV academy members is conducted in early June. No non-HBO cable show has ever been nominated for best drama (or even comedy series for that matter), but several have a shot to make it this year after judging panels pick the five nominees after viewing sample episodes of the Top 10 finalists in late June.

So, in order to predict which five programs will be up for best drama series, you must first predict which 10 will be make the initial Top 10 list. I asked Ray to join me and our two resident Emmy experts here at The Envelope — forums moderators Robert "Rob L" Licuria and Chris "Boomer" Beachum — to give me their predix plus views to back them up.

CHRIS "BOOMER" BEACHUM: Of last year's Top 10, two shows completely departed ("Rome" and "The Sopranos") while "24" didn't air during the eligibility period. That opens up three slots, but I think the quality dip for "Heroes" and "Friday Night Lights" will also remove them from the contenders. That means a major shuffle for this list. Fortunately, there are two new shows ("Damages" and "Mad Men") that are locks for the Top 10. HBO will keep its slot with "Big Love." That means the other two slots will go to the steady hit "The Closer" and surging second season hit "The Tudors." It is also possible that "Brothers & Sisters" and/or "In Treatment" might make the cut.

RAY RICHMOND: All's relatively quiet on the Emmy front at this early date, so much so that you can practically hear a rating drop. But there is no time for pessimism. This is, after all, still spring, that crucial time when the academy's "Brothers & Sisters," feeling "Lost," consider going "In Treatment" so as not to develop into "Mad Men" — or wind up "Pushing Daisies." Forgive me. This is really "Breaking Bad." Please "Rescue Me". . . and don't sue for "Damages."

ROBERT "ROB L" LICURIA: I would like nothing more that to place "The Tudors" in this list, but, even though it is leaps and bounds better than what it was in its first season, it may struggle in the most competitive series race of the year (by far). I think "Brothers & Sisters" will finally be a placegetter this year, and I also think that "Friday Night Lights"— which I admit is really on the edge of being booted out of this category — might still have enough support to squeak in over TNT's "The Closer." I mean, I am a big supporter of the theory that non-HBO cable shows are going to make a huge showing this year, but . . . KEEP READING - CLICK HERE!