‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Veep’ aim for records at Emmy Awards

LOS ANGELES – Get the snacks and a scorecard ready for the 2019 Emmy Awards.

An Emmy statue stands outside the Microsoft Theater during Press Preview Day for Sunday’s 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

As TV academy voters honor what they consider the small-screen’s best, viewers can join in by tallying up wins, snubs and records during the no-host, three-hour ceremony airing Sunday at 8 p.m. EDT on Fox. The reward for TV geeks whose predictions pan out at the 71st annual Emmy Awards: no trophy, but bragging rights.

There’s also the fun of cheering your favorites and rooting against their competitors. Conflicted feelings may loom for “Game of Thrones” fans who loved the series, hated its finale. HBO’s fantasy saga headed into the ceremony with a record 32 nominations, collecting 10 awards at last weekend’s creative arts ceremony for technical and other achievements.

If the series adds three more wins on Sunday, it will break its own record for most awards in a season, 12, which it earned in 2015 and again in 2016. If it claims the top drama trophy, it will be its fourth and make it one of a handful of series to achieve that tally. It could also build on its record of the most Emmys ever for a drama or comedy series, now at 57.

“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” is defending the top comedy award it captured last year, when three-time winner “Veep” was on hiatus. As with “Game of Thrones,” the political satire is entered for its final season and could benefit from voter sentiment as well as evident respect.

Same goes for “Veep” star Julia Louis-Dreyfus, whose potential seventh Emmy for the show would combine with two others she’s won to make her the most-honored performer in Emmy history.

Star arrived at the ceremony’s purple carpet to sweltering 92-degree conditions. Host network Fox added water elements to the scene and large fans whirred overhead as stars including Kelly and Sharon Osbourne and drama actor nominees Bob Odenkirk and Sterling K. Brown arrived.

“It’s hot, it’s real hot, but I’m thinking cool thoughts. My wife looks stunning, like stupidly, ridiculously gorgeous,” Brown said.

Once the show stars, one of the major storylines will be how well “Game of Thrones” fares. The series is competing in six categories besides best drama, including directing, writing and acting — with stars Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington vying for lead acting honors for the first time, and Peter Dinklage seeking his fourth supporting actor award.

This image released by HBO shows Emilia Clarke, left, and Kit Harington in a scene from the final episode of “Game of Thrones.” On Tuesday, July 16, 2019, the program was nominated for an Emmy Award for outstanding drama series. (HBO via AP)

Clarke’s competition includes Sandra Oh of “Killing Eve,” who would be the first actress of Asian descent to win the Emmy, along with Oh’s co-star Jodie Comer and past winner Viola Davis of “How to Get Away with Murder.” A win for Clarke or any of the four “Game of Thrones” actresses competing for a supporting trophy would be the first for a woman on the show.

The best drama actor field includes Billy Porter of “Pose,” who would be the first openly gay man to win the award, and past winner Sterling K. Brown for “This Is Us.”

Presenters are set to include Angela Bassett, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hugh Laurie, Maya Rudolph, Jon Hamm, Michael Douglas, Gwyneth Paltrow and Randall Park. Actor-comedian Thomas Lennon has the off-camera job of regaling viewers with factoids and jokes as winners head to the stage.

Halsey will perform during the in memoriam tribute. /gsg