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For part two of our series on Streamy Odds, I’m taking a look at four out of twelve of the fresh-faced categories for this year’s Awards. As the event grows (it’s only in its second year, after all) it adapts, and this year’s adaptation included the addition of the following categories (and then some): Branded, Companion, Foreign, and New To The Web. So without further adieu…

*(major disclaimer: these odds are solely meant for fun and should in no way encourage illegal gambling. Please enjoy the Streamys responsibly.)

Branded:

Easy to Assemble: 2:1 (will win)

The Temp Life: 4:1

Back on Topps: 8:1

Brainstorm: 10:1

Parts Art: 15:1 (should win)

I love this category because it draws attention to web content’s biggest concern: money (or lack thereof). This category is essentially asking, “who’s done the best job finding sponsors?” It also pulls relatively well-funded programming out of the competition with the lower-budget series, creating a weight-class of sorts (though the rest of the categories are by no means even playing fields).  Still, it’s a classy move on the Streamys’ part to recognize that this content is in a league of its own. This is going to be a close call, I think. They all look great on screen and every single nominee (with the exception of Parts Art) is a comedy about office life. Where’s the originality? I’ve got to root for the underdog with this one. Parts Art is branding at its creative best… it’s branding for Lexus, sure, but this series actually destroys the brand and recreates it as art. I think that’s pretty bold, and definitely worth a nod. (Not to mention I have a major soft spot for web series that highlight art and culture, even if they are backed by a high-end automobile company).

Companion:

The Office: Subtle Sexuality: 2:1 (will win)

Dexter: Early Cuts: 3:1 (should win)

Weeds: University of Andy: 7:1

Harper’s Globe:  11:1

Assassin’s Creed: Lineage:  17:1

This is another attempt at creating a weight-class category: the network-backed web-series really shouldn’t be in the same category as the content that stands alone. And truth be told, I like this category because it’s proof that the web is drawing people away from TV. That’s a pretty intense sentiment, and the big networks are taking action – what better way for to reel people back in than to create supplementary TV content explicitly for the Internet?  So while the odds below might reflect overall appeal, I’m putting my money on the series that I think will most effectively draw people back to their TV sets (aka the network with the most effective marketing team). I think that series is Dexter. By giving us a dramatic telling of Dexter’s backstory, the viewer gets interested in Dexter’s psyche, and it draws out a natural curiosity about his character in the show. Not a bad angle.

Foreign:

Riese:  3:1 (will win, should win)

Girl Number 9:  4:1

OzGirl:  5:1

Noob: 9:1

Flying Kebab:  13:1

Though this category is no stranger to most Award ceremonies, I love that it’s now a part of the Streamys. Of all content platforms, the Internet claims to be the most expansive (and I’d agree) so it’s only natural that content from all corners of the globe should be shared and celebrated. Though it may not be reflected in the odds, my money’s on Noob. Why? Because it’s about gamers, and that seems to be an instant attraction to Academy members. But production value works wonders, so I’m thinking Girl Number 9 and Riese have a serious shot at the win, too.

New To The Web:

The Bannen Way:  3:1 (will win)

$5 Cover: Memphis:  4:1

Old Friends:  7:1

Girl Number 9:  10:1

Odd Jobs:  16:1 (should win)

This category is of interest because nothing really unifies these shows except for the fact that they all were all introduced to the web in 2009 (The Bannen Way, perhaps, sneakily so as it released sneak peeks of its first three episodes in late December, just before the Streamys qualification deadline, and didn’t officially launch until 2010). In any case, this is a bit of a misfit category. How do you really judge which one is best? They’re all pretty different, and you can’t really win based on which is newest.

I’m kind of rooting for Odd Jobs, a series about two guys who have to resort to Craigslist’s ‘Odd Jobs’ for income. I love it because its premise is so applicable to 2009. Everybody’s unemployed! It’s the perfect New To The Web In 2009 candidate! But I don’t think its odds are great because it’s not backed by any big web-network and it doesn’t carry any web-celeb weight. Crackle’s The Bannen Way is the clear front-runner, though its semi-controversial 3-episode drop in December might get it less votes in this category. $5 Cover: Memphis is an MTV series, which gives it a leg up for popularity and appeal. Old Friends has Babelgum and Channel 101 behind it, which is great for its odds, but it also holds up with great comedic acting, solid production value, and an entertaining plot that caters to a broad demographic (old friends get reunited and begin to irritate each other in an Arrested Development-esque manner). Girl Number 9 is really well produced and those sexy British accents might attract a few extra votes (just tellin’ it like it is), but it’s an intense who-dunnit-get-the-confession-from-the-murderer-there’s-no-time-to-lose drama and comedies are usually favored when up against dramatic thrillers, so that might pull it down a few notches in this category.

I urge readers to take a look at the rest of the Streamy Awards categories and see if there are any might seem particularly suited for the Internet, or at the other extreme, appear to cater too much to the mainstream. We’d love to hear your thoughts in our comments section.