Kiernan Shipka, "Mad Men"

Nomination Status: Two "Mad Men" actresses have been nominated here previously. Why not welcome in the next generation?

In Her Favor: Here's where Jessica Pare, had she submitted as Supporting, instead of Lead, would have had an easy nomination. Or maybe Elisabeth Moss could have been welcomed back to the category with an easy nomination, had she dropped back down to Supporting this year. Moss will still get her Emmy nod for Lead Actress. Pare may not. Instead, the next viable "Mad Men" actress in this category is young Kiernan Shipka. But don't let her age fool you. Watch "At the Codfish Ball" or "Commissions and Fees" and the idea of *not* nominating Kiernan Shipka seems much more absurd than the idea of nominating her. Oh and watch the episode of "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" in which Ms. Shipka went head-to-head with James Van Der Beek. You know who else used to go head-to-head with James Van Der Beek? Three-time Oscar nominee Michelle Williams.

Working Against Her: It's not like Emmy voters haven't nominated kids for stuff before -- are you gonna tell me Shipka isn't as good or better than Keshia Knight Pulliam? -- but the youngest actor or actress to win an Emmy was 14, so you see the uphill climb faced by the 12-year-old Shipka.