Our two resident Emmy experts  — forum moderators Chris "Boomer" Beachum and Robert "Rob L" Licuria (AwardsHeaven.net) — also agree on the five men who will contend for best actor in a TV movie or mini-series.

They anticipate Kevin Bacon ("Taking Chance"), Brendan Gleeson ("Into the Storm") and Kevin Kline ("Cyrano de Bergerac") earning their first Emmy recognition when nominations are announced on Thursday. Both of them think Ian McKellen ("King Lear") will land his fourth Emmy nod while previous champ Kenneth Branagh ("Conspiracy") should reap his fourth Emmy bid in this category for "Wallender."

And unlike the lead actress in a movie/mini race, both Boomer and Rob think this could be a competitive category with seven other actors in the mix.

BEST MOVIE/MINI-SERIES ACTOR
Kevin Bacon, "Taking Chance" – Rob, Boomer
Kenneth Branagh, "Wallander: One Step Behind" – Rob, Boomer
Brendan Gleeson, "Into the Storm" – Rob, Boomer
Kevin Kline, "Cyrano de Bergerac" (Great Performances) – Rob, Boomer
Ian McKellen, "King Lear" (Great Performances) – Rob, Boomer

ROB'S COMMENTARY: I am still not sure why Kline and McKellen should be eligible for their work on the two "Great Performances" entries. As far as I was concerned, I thought performances originating on Broadway or in a theate where the performance is merely filmed for television and not a television production on its own right should not be eligible. In any event, they are certainly eligible, and I think name recognition alone might get them in this category. Similarly, Brendan Gleeson should be regarded as a frontrunner, along with Kevin Bacon (who finally might see some recognition) and Kenneth Branagh.

In with a shot are Alexander Skarsgard ("Generation Kill"), Cuba Gooding Jr. ("Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story"), the awesome Igal Naor ("House of Saddam"), Tom Selleck (who might make a return to the category for his Jesse Stone character) and, perhaps unfairly, but also possibly history-making, Kiefer Sutherland for "24: Redemption" (history making if he also makes an appearance in the Drama Lead Actor category for "24").