It's that time of year when TV's best and brightest get a whole bunch of shiny new trophies to decorate their mantles. The 2012 Emmy nominations won't be announced until July 19, but I was never good at waiting, so I've put together a list of the shows and performers I think deserve a shot at Emmy gold. Some things on this list have a good shot at scoring a nod, while others are pie in the sky dream nominations that are probably never going to happen. But it's a wishlist not a prediction list, so let's dream a little, shall we?


1. Community

In what category, you ask? Anything. Outstanding Comedy Series would be a good place to start. Or what about Joel McHale for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy for his sharp portrayal of a narcissistic man unwittingly discovering he actually cares about something other than himself? Or Alison Brie for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy for giving the show its spunky heart? Or Danny Pudi for playing one of the most specific characters ever to exist on a television comedy? Or what about the incredibly creative, fearless team of writers, directors, and producers who manage to turn in inventive, offbeat, hilarious, episodes week in and week out? I'm not picky. Any of these nominations will do.


2. Some Love for Genre Shows

Genre shows have long been relegated to geekier Emmy categories like Sound Editing and Visual Effects. But Game of Thrones broke the mold last year, nabbing nominations for Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Writing, and Outstanding Supporting Actor (which Peter Dinklage won), among others. The nominations and wins were well-deserved, and I think it's time for more genre shows to get the same kind of Emmy love. The quality of Fringe varied this season, but Anna Torv is certainly worthy of a nod for playing not one, but two fascinating characters on the series. And those who might dismiss The Vampire Diaries as Twilight for TV would be amazed at the show's sharp directing and writing, which ticks along at a breakneck speed without ever losing its way. And speaking of Game of Thrones, Lena Headey, Alfie Allen, and Jack Gleeson all did stellar work this season and deserve to be nominated alongside Peter Dinklage.


3. New Comedy Blood

For starters, if Glee gets a nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series I'm boycotting this year's Emmys. Not really, but I'm certainly going to bitch about it on Twitter. And The Office was once a great TV comedy but it dipped in quality this season, as did perpetual Emmy darling 30 Rock. It's time for this category to get an infusion of new funny. I've already mentioned Community, but I also think that Louie, Girls, Happy Endings, and Raising Hope are highly deserving of a closer look from Emmy voters. And this is some serious wishlist fantasy stuff, but MTV's delightful teen comedy Awkward. is as laugh out loud funny as just about anything on TV these days.


4. Spotlight on Supporting

If a lead actor is the heart of a show, then supporting players are the lifeblood and vital organs. And some of my favorite supporting actors really deserve to finally break into the pool of nominees this year. Like the impossibly funny Parks and Recreation dream team of Nick Offerman, Aziz Ansari, Chris Pratt, and Aubrey Plaza. Or new kids on the block Max Greenfield (New Girl) and Adam Driver (Girls), who created two of this season's most memorable characters. On the drama side, the fourth season of Breaking Bad was incredibly riveting, thanks in no small part to Anna Gunn's exploration of Skylar's descent into ethical no man's land and Giancarlo Esposito's brilliant portrayal of mild-mannered chicken shop owner/meth kingpin Gus Fring, who will certainly go down as one of TV's all-time greatest villains.


5. Homeland, Homeland, & More Homeland

Just because it's a wishlist doesn't mean everything has to be a fantasy. Showtime's freshman drama Homeland has already racked up its fair share of accolades (including the Golden Globe for Best Drama and Best Actress in a Drama), but it deserves a ton of Emmy love too. It was certainly the best new drama of the season, and Claire Danes delivered an incredible performance as a mentally unstable CIA agent who suspects that a returning prisoner of war has gone over to the other side. Damien Lewis was likewise in fine form, deftly balancing the different sides of his inscrutable POW character. Homeland's writing and directing was top-notch, particularly in the nail-biting Season 1 finale (I'm still not sure my heart rate has completely returned to normal). Homeland's Emmy dominance is non-negotiable.

So that's my Emmy nominations wishlist — but what does yours looks like? Hit up the comments with your own fastasy nods!