TV Predictions for the 2009 ALMA Awards

Want to watch performances by Shakira, Nelly Furtado, David Archuleta, Pitbull and Sean Kingston? Then be sure to watch the 14th annual ALMA Awards airing this Friday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC! The show celebrates positive portrayals of Latinos in the entertainment field and will feature performances by all of the above. Eva Longoria Parker and George Lopez will host, but I’m most interested in seeing who wins and who goes home empty-handed. Without further ado, here are Vivo Por TiVo’s predictions for the four TV categories at this year’s ALMA Awards.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Comedy Series

The Nominees: Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men), 
Demián Bichir (Weeds), 
George Lopez (Mr. Troop Mom), Horatio Sanz (In the Motherhood), 
Jake T. Austin (Wizards of Waverly Place), James Roday (Psych), Joshua Gomez (Chuck), Mark Indelicato (Ugly Betty), 
Oscar Nuñez (The Office), Ricardo Antonio Chavira (Desperate Housewives), Tony Plana (Ugly Betty)
Who Will Win: Demián Bichir
Who Could Win: Tony Plana
Who Should Win: Ricardo Antonio Chavira
Why? As the ruthless mayor of Tijuana on Showtime’s hit series Weeds, Mexican actor Demián Bichir gave a wonderfully naughty performance that had us rooting for the bad guy, even when he spanked our girl Mary Louise Parker. The award could go to Tony Plana who had a major storyline last season on Ugly Betty, but personally I’m rooting for Ricardo Antonio Chavira because he's hilarious, and who, frankly, never gets enough credit for putting up with his wife, Gaby (Parker), on Desperate Housewives.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Comedy Series:

The Nominees: América Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty),
 Eva Longoria Parker (Desperate Housewives), Jamie-Lynn Sigler (Entourage), 
Jessica Alba (The Office), 
Joanna Garcia (Privileged), 
Judy Reyes (Scrubs), Lupe Ontiveros (Reaper), Maria Canals-Barrera (Wizards of Waverly Place), 
Nadine Velazquez (My Name Is Earl), Rosie Perez (Lipstick Jungle), Salma Hayek (30 Rock), 
Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place)
Who Will Win: Joanna Garcia
Who Could Win: Eva Longoria Parker
Who Should Win: Joanna Garcia
Why? My first instinct was to predict Judy Reyes, because this was her last season as the hilarious nurse Carla on Scrubs (which could make her a sentimental favorite). But then I remembered that Judy won this award in 2006 and in 2008, and I seriously doubt they’ll want to reward her a third time. Eva Longoria Parker would be an excellent choice. After all, she is one of the most talented comediennes on television, but I think the Alma will go to a newbie this year and honor the fabulous Joanna Garcia, who became a big star this year thanks to her adorable performance as Megan Smith on the critical darling Privileged. 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series

The Nominees: 
Adam Rodriguez (CSI: Miami), 
Amaury Nolasco (Prison Break), 
Benito Martinez (The Shield),
 Benjamin Bratt (The Cleaner), Cristian de la Fuente (In Plain Sight), 
Danny Pino (Cold Case), Edward James Olmos (Battlestar Galactica), 
Enrique Murciano (Without a Trace), 
Esai Morales (Jericho), Jimmy Smits (Dexter), Jorge Garcia (Lost), Miguel Sandoval (Medium), 
Nestor Carbonell (Lost), 
David Zayas (Dexter),
 Carlos Bernard (24)
Who Will Win: Jimmy Smits
Who Could Win: Benjamin Bratt
Who Should Win: Jimmy Smits or Benjamin Bratt
Why? All of these categories are tough, but this one is especially tough because we have two fantastic performances from two very gifted actors: Jimmy Smits and Benjamin Bratt. Smits was unforgettable as the complex Miguel Prado on Dexter, while Bratt continues to shine on A&E’s remarkable drama The Cleaner. I don’t have a preference either way (as long as one of them wins), but I’m betting this goes to Smits, who manages to do great work on any and every show he joins.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series

The Nominees: Alana de la Garza (Law & Order), Cote de Pablo (NCIS), Dania Ramirez (Heroes), 
Eva La Rue (CSI: Miami),
 Francia Raisa (The Secret Life Of The American Teenager), Julie Gonzalo (Eli Stone), 
Justina Machado (ER), Laura Cerón (ER), Lauren Vélez (Dexter), Michelle Rodriguez (Lost), Paola Turbay (The Secret Life of the American Teenager & The Closer), 
Paula Garcés (The Shield), 
Roselyn Sanchez (Without a Trace), 
Sara Ramirez (Grey's Anatomy)
Who Will Win: Francia Raisa
Who Could Win: Cote de Pablo
Who Should Win: Francia Raisa
Why? People can’t get enough of Sara Ramirez as the sweet Callie Torres on Grey’s Anatomy, so there’s a small chance she could take this home, but this is the category at the ALMA Awards that almost always recognizes the work of a young, new star, so I’m betting the award goes to the terrific Secret Life of the American Teenager star Francia Raisa—unless, of course, the ALMAs finally realize that Chilean actress Cote de Pablo stars on one of the biggest hit shows on television bar none: NCIS. Then Francia could be in trouble.

Do you agree with my choices? Will you tune in to the ALMA Awards on Friday night? Dish in the comments!