With only 12 days to go until the 64th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, the stage is set for an epic battle of television’s best and brightest. Today, HollywoodLife.com is analyzing the men of TV’s most compelling dramas — the ones who make us laugh, cry, and in the case of Jon Hamm, stare in utter amazement at the handsomeness.

Here are the nominees:

Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley on PBS’ Downton Abbey
Steve Buscemi as Enoch “Nucky” Thompson on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire
Bryan Cranston as Walter White on AMC’s Breaking Bad
Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan on Showtime’s Dexter
Jon Hamm as Don Draper on AMC’s Mad Men
Damian Lewis as Nicholas Brody on Showtime’s Homeland

If you’re a regular HollywoodLife.com reader, you know we’re obsessed with Downton Abbey, so our personal favorite is obviously Hugh. But realistically, we see the gold going to either Bryan — the first half of Breaking Bad‘s final season was incredible — or Jon, who continued to surprise us with his gripping portrayal of the iconic Don Draper.

Which actor gets your vote?

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Emmys coverage:

1. 2012 Primetime Emmy Award Nominations — Full List Of Nominees
2. Jake T. Austin Talks ‘Wizards Of Waverly Place’ Emmy Nomination
3. Jimmy Kimmel To Host The 2012 Emmy Awards

Jon Hamm struck a new blow in his ongoing war of words with Kim Kardashian during his March 19 appearance on the Today show — and he’s not backing down! The Mad Men star recently equated reality personalities to “f—ing idiot”s, and Kim responded, calling his statement “careless.” Time for round three: “I don’t think they were careless,” Jon told Matt Lauer of his original comments. “I think they were accurate.”

“[Reality television is] a part of our culture that I certainly don’t identify with, and I don’t really understand the appeal of it, other than in a sort of car-crash sensibility,” Jon said. “And it’s not something that I partake in or enjoy, but it is what is, and here we are. There are a lot of channels on the dials, and those channels need to be filled up with things; It’s different strokes for different folks.”

So, there you have it: Jon is standing his ground against Kim. But whose side are YOU on? Do you, like Jon, agree we pay too much attention to reality stars? Or are you on Team Kim, and can’t get enough of the drama?

More Kim Kardashian News

1. Is Kris Humphries Demanding Kim Kardashian Pay Him $7 Million?
2. Kim Kardashian, Zooey Deschanel & More: See Who Posted Primping Pics This Week
3. Kim Kardashian’s Writing A Tell-All Book, Reggie Bush Is Fed Up

Jon Hamm totally slammed Kim Kardashian, and she’s taken it to Twitter to respond to his rude remarks!

“Whether it’s Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian or whoever, stupidity is certainly celebrated. Being a f***ing idiot is a valuable commodity in this culture because you’re rewarded significantly,” Jon told ELLE UK (Via Us Weekly).

Kim obviously received word of his mean comments and decided to respond via Twitter on March 12.

“I just heard about the comment Jon Hamm made about me in an interview. I respect Jon and I am a firm believer that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that not everyone takes the same path in life. We’re all working hard and we all have to respect one another. Calling someone who runs their own businesses, is a part of a successful TV show, produces, writes, designs, and creates, “stupid,” is in my opinion careless ,” Kim tweeted.

What do you think, HollywoodLifers? Was Jon in the wrong to lash out on Kim K. like that? Do you think her response was respectable? Vote whose team you’re on below!

More Kim Kardashian News

1. Is Kris Humphries Demanding Kim Kardashian Pay Him $7 Million?
2. Kim Kardashian, Zooey Deschanel & More: See Who Posted Primping Pics This Week
3. Kim Kardashian’s Writing A Tell-All Book, Reggie Bush Is Fed Up

Every year, the HBO Emmy party is THE bash to beat — and this year was no exception! Stars from all networks flocked to the glam event, which was held at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, following the Emmy Awards Sept. 18. The Game of Thrones cast mingled with the Entourage guys, while the Glee kids chatted it up with William H. Macy. 

Sponsored by Belvedere, Stila Cosmetics and other brands, the party was filled to the brim with bars and buffets set up with items like shrimp and grits, chicken Marsala, salmon, pea risotto, tuna sashimi, foie gras, gnocchi mac & cheese, plus full dessert bars — and stars were loving every second of it.

Lea Michele stuck close to her BFF and co-worker, Dianna Agron, for much of the night. The girls joined their fellow cast members at a table and seemed to be enjoying themselves. Noticeably absent was Glee hunk, Cory Monteith, who was at the actual Emmy awards, but was nowhere to be seen at the HBO party.

Jon Hamm was with his long-time partner, Jennifer Westfeldt, making the rounds and chatting with a wide variety of people. We nearly died of happiness watching Friday Night Lights star and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series winner, Kyle Chandler, congratulating Jon and visa versa. The men shook hands and Jon hugged Kyle’s supportive wife.

Meanwhile, the Entourage cast were among the first to arrive and some of the last to leave. Adrien Grenier spent much of his night playing wing-man to Friday Night Lights‘ Zach Gilford, while Jerry Ferrara was spotted laughing and living it up with Kevin Dillon and taking a smoke break in the back, along with Julia Stiles.

Other celebs at the party included True Blood cast members, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Brit Morgan, Joe Mangianello, Adina Porter, Janina Gavanka, Ashley Jones and Jim Parrack, Stanley Tucci, Guy Pearce, Michael C. Hall, Topher Grace, Chris Noth and the very happy cast of Modern Family.

More On The Elegant Emmys!

1. Emmy Awards 2011: Ladies In Red! Lea Michele, Nina Dobrev, Sofia Vergara & More!
2. Christina Hendricks Wows With Cleavage At Emmys But Refuses To Talk About It! Hmmm!
3. We Think Jane Lynch Was The Perfect Emmys Host! Do You Agree? Vote!

When it comes to intense men on TV, Ian Somerhalder will always be our favorite. But since he’s not nominated this year — we’re still waiting! — let’s talk about the serious dudes vying for the Lead and Supporting Actor awards at this Sunday’s Emmys. Jon Hamm and John Slattery will both be representing Emmy-favorite Mad Men, while our personal favorites Kyle Chandler and Peter Dinklage will also be vying for that sweet Emmy gold.

Check out your options below, then vote for who YOU think deserves to bring home the gold:

Lead Actor in a Drama Series:

Steve Buscemi as Nucky Thompson on Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

Kyle Chandler as Eric Taylor on Friday Night Lights (NBC)

Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan on Dexter (Showtime)

Jon Hamm as Don Draper on Mad Men (AMC)

Timothy Olyphant as Raylan Givens on Justified (FX)

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:

Andre Braugher as Owen Thoreau Jr. on Men of a Certain Age (TNT)

Josh Charles as Will Gardner on The Good Wife (CBS)

Alan Cumming as Eli Gold on The Good Wife (CBS)

Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister on Game of Thrones (HBO)

Walton Goggins as Boyd Crowder on Justified (FX)

John Slattery as Roger Sterling on Mad Men (AMC)

Plus, click here to give us your Emmy picks for for Lead and Supporting Actress!

The Critics Choice Television Awards took place June 20 in Los Angeles, and among the big winners were Mad Men, Housewives and some incredibly funny ladies like Tina Fey and Busy Phillips! See all the winners inside!

Best Supporting Actress, Drama: Margo Martindale, Justified & Christina Hendricks, Mad Men

Best Supporting Actor, Drama: John Noble, Fringe

Best Actress, Drama: Julianna Marguilles, The Good Wife

Best Actor, Drama: Jon Hamm, Mad Men

Best Supporting Actress, Comedy: Busy Phillips, Cougar Town

Best Actress, Comedy: Tina Fey, 30 Rock

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy: Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother

Best Actor, Comedy: Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Best Reality Show, Competition: American Idol

Best Reality Show: Hoarders & The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

Best Reality Show Host: Mike Rowe, Dirty Jobs

Best Talk Show: The Daily Show

Best Comedy: Modern Family

Best Drama: Mad Men

Some of Hollywood’s hottest stars had the perfect eye candy to complement high-profile fashion – their man!

From Heidi Klum and Seal to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, these couples doubled the star power on the red carpet! Look through this gallery of the hottest Golden Globe couples, as well as many more beautiful ladies and dashing men.

Click Here For The Best Dressed Women At The Golden Globes!

Click Here For the List Of Golden Globe Winners!

Jon says you have to listen — ‘that’s the best thing you can do!’

After being with his partner, 40-year-old actress Jennifer Westfeldt, for 13 years, Mad Men star Jon Hamm, 39, knows a thing or two about maintaining a long and happy relationship! “A good hint for keeping a relationship is paying attention to each other,” Jon shared with HollywoodLife.com exclusively Oct. 21 at the Project ALS Event at NYC’s Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge. “Stay relatively attuned to how the other person is feeling and pay attention.”

For Jon and Jennifer, “it’s a relationship of equals, so we try to help each other out in various projects,” Jon told us. “You have to work at it day to day. It’s something that can easily be taken for granted so you generally don’t want to do that.”

“I listen to her,” Jon said. “That’s the best thing you can do.”

— Lindsey DiMattina