According our resident Emmy experts — forums moderators Chris "Boomer" Beachum and Robert "Rob L" Licuria, who also contribute to AwardsHeaven.net — the contenders for best lead actor in a drama series all will have at least one previous Emmy nomination. Indeed, Rob thinks the lineup will be a complete repeat of last year, while Boomer bumps out three-time champ James Spader ("Boston Legal") for Kiefer Sutherland ("24"), who had to sit out the derby last year due to the writers' strike.

Last year, this Emmy category was supposed to have five nominees, but ended up with six due to an accounting glitch: the contenders in the fifth and six positions were so close in votes that the TV academy included them both. This year, all categories for series actors will have six slots.

If their predictions pan out as well as last year – when they both nailed the final nominees –  that means returning champ Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad") will be facing off against Gabriel Byrne ("In Treatment"), three-time also ran Hugh Laurie ("House"), Michael C. Hall ("Dexter"), and Jon Hamm ("Mad Men") for sure.

BEST DRAMA SERIES ACTOR
Gabriel Byrne, "In Treatment" – Boomer, Rob
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad" – Boomer, Rob
Michael C. Hall, "Dexter" – Boomer, Rob
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men" – Boomer, Rob
Hugh Laurie, "House" – Boomer, Rob
James Spader, "Boston Legal" – Rob
Kiefer Sutherland, "24" – Boomer

BOOMER'S COMMENTARY: This category is much easier to discuss since I think that five of last year's six nominees will be nominated again. Gabriel Byrne, Bryan Cranston (last year's winner), Michael C. Hall, Jon Hamm and Hugh Laurie all anchor their shows and have seen no decline in popularity with viewers or voters.

The one exception from last year's nominees will be James Spader from the long-gone and over-expired "Boston Legal," who'll be replaced by a past winner, Kiefer Sutherland. I would not be surprised to see Simon Baker from "The Mentalist," the most popular rookie show in a while.