Is clock ticking towards Emmy wins for ‘24’?

Though it’s virtually impossible to move beyond the glacial-sized gaffes the Emmy voters have made for this year’s nominations — no Hugh Laurie, no James Gandolfini, no “Lost,” a nomination for 14 seconds of work — hello, anybody home? — let’s put it behind us, make amends and move on.

The best way to get even with the TV Academy is to read their closed, little minds and anticipate which way the Emmy winds will blow come the big night.

Supporting actress in a drama
Candice Bergen, “Boston Legal”
Blythe Danner, “Huff”
Sandra Oh, “Grey’s Anatomy”
Jean Smart, “24”
Chandra Wilson, “Grey’s Anatomy”

Danner won last year for “Huff,” the recently canceled series that most people, except Emmy voters, aren’t even familiar with. So assuming that won’t happen again, here’s thinking Candice Bergen will take this race. If William Shatner and James Spader can win from tired “Boston Legal,” then Emmy fave and five-time winner Bergen has as good a chance as anyone.

Supporting actor in a drama
Alan Alda, “The West Wing”
Michael Imperioli, “The Sopranos”
Gregory Itzin, “24”
Oliver Platt, “Huff”
William Shatner, “Boston Legal”

Voters will have to, in some way, acknowledge the incredible run by “The West Wing.” Four best drama wins over seven years is impressive, and though the show certainly wasn’t as good in its final season as in its first few, the cast and crew can stand proud. An Emmy for Alda, who already has more than a handful for “M*A*S*H,” seems an appropriate and well-earned sendoff.

Supporting actress in a comedy
Cheryl Hines, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Megan Mullally, “Will & Grace”
Elizabeth Perkins, “Weeds”
Jaime Pressly, “My Name Is Earl”
Alfre Woodard, “Desperate Housewives”

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Probably the weakest of the acting categories. Based on overall depth, Woodard is, by far, the most talented of this group, but “Housewives” suffered such a steep drop in quality in season two — not to mention it’s a drama, not a comedy — that it’s tough to go with her. So how about Pressly, whose gum-cracking and white-trash charm proved pitch perfect on “Earl”?

Supporting actor in a comedy
Will Arnett, “Arrested Development”
Bryan Cranston, “Malcolm in the Middle”
Jon Cryer, “Two and a Half Men”
Sean Hayes, “Will & Grace”
Jeremy Piven, “Entourage”

If anyone besides Piven or Cranston wins this, immediately turn off the TV, drive to the nearest multiplex and go see “Little Miss Sunshine,” “Talladega Nights” or anything else to get your mind to a better place. Piven has turned his angry-but-driven agent into an art form and Cranston has never been given his proper due as the underrated Hal on “Malcolm,” which started out strong but ended up on nobody’s must-watch list.

Lead actress in a drama
Frances Conroy, “Six Feet Under”
Geena Davis, “Commander in Chief”
Mariska Hargitay, “Law & Order: SVU”
Allison Janney, “The West Wing”
Kyra Sedgwick, “The Closer”

Did voters not see the first three episodes of “The Sopranos”? As Tony lay near death in the hospital, Edie Falco has to deal with the possible loss of her husband, her son flunking out of college and her mob family not wanting to pay up on what’s due her and Tony. But, alas, Falco isn’t even included, so here’s a nod to Conroy, who has now been nominated four times with no wins. She was terrific in “Six Feet Under’s” stellar closing season and the last episode — where each of the characters meets death — might’ve been one of the greatest sendoffs in TV history.

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