Emmy Picks 2012: Comedy


COMEDY SERIES
30 Rock (NBC)
The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Louie (FX)
Modern Family (ABC)
Parks and Recreation (NBC)

Potential spoiler: Veep (HBO)
In my dreams: Community (NBC)

The skinny: Girls has more buzz than Veep, but it’s a divisive show and that doesn’t work in Lena Dunham’s favor. I only hope to God Two and a Half Men isn’t nominated.


COMEDY ACTOR

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Louis C.K., Louie
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Potential spoiler: Don Cheadle, House of Lies
In my dreams: Garrett Dillahunt, Raising Hope

The skinny: You can check off all the regulars here. Can we all make sure Ashton Kutcher isn’t nominated? And Emmys, please honor someone other than Jim Parsons this year. He stole Steve Carell’s richly deserved win for his Office finale and this dude had to come in and take it for doing the same schtick that won it for him the year before. Knock it off. Chant with me now: “Lou-ie! Lou-ie! Lou-ie!”


COMEDY ACTRESS

Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
Lena Dunham, Girls
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Martha Plimpton, Raising Hope
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Potential spoiler: Laura Dern, Enlightened
In my dreams: Christina Applegate, Up All Night

The skinny: A bunch of old gals take on the two ingénues. These nominees are all but set in stone.


COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTOR

Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Ed O’Neill, Modern Family
Nick Offerman, Parks and Recreation
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Potential spoiler: Chris Colfer, Glee
In my dreams: Damon Wayans Jr, Happy Endings

The skinny: Judging by the dwindling audience and critical WTFs, all the Glee love has vanished, meaning Chris Colfer won’t get any further attention. Does that mean Nick Offerman will finally get the nomination he so richly deserves?


COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Kathryn Joosten, Desperate Housewives
Jane Lynch, Glee
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Betty White, Hot in Cleveland
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live

Potential spoiler: Cloris Leachman, Raising Hope
In my dreams: Eden Sher, The Middle

The skinny: Sadly, Kathryn Joosten passed away a few weeks ago, so her nomination is a guarantee, along with basically everyone else in this category. If the Glee love has completely evaporated, there may be room for a third older lady, which means Cloris Leachman can enjoy her upgrade to Supporting Actress. If there’s still a strong support group for Glee, Naya Rivera could also sneak in, since her character had such a dramatic arc this season. Wait a minute, I thought this category honored comedy…


COMEDY GUEST ACTOR

Alan Alda, The Big C
David Cross, Modern Family
Michael J. Fox, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Ricky Gervais, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Greg Kinnear, Modern Family
Paul Rudd, Parks and Recreation

Potential spoiler: Jim Carrey, 30 Rock
In my dreams: Will Ferrell, Eastbound and Down

The skinny: As always, expect the movie stars to own this category.


COMEDY GUEST ACTRESS

Ellen Barkin, Modern Family
Whoopi Goldberg, Glee
Dot-Marie Jones, Glee
Rosie O’Donnell, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Joan Rivers, Louie
Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock

Potential spoiler: Kathryn Hahn, Parks and Recreation
In my dreams: Pamela Adlon, Louie

The skinny: Kathryn Hahn is also technically “in my dreams” for this category. I hope the voters honor Parks and Recreation’s best season yet, and if they really feel generous, they’ll honor Hahn along with Paul Rudd.


COMEDY WRITING

30 Rock (“Kidnapped by Danger”)
Girls (Pilot episode)
Louie (“Pregnant”)
Modern Family (“Virgin Territory”)
Veep (“Full Disclosure”)

Potential spoiler: A second Modern Family nod
In my dreams: Community (“Remedial Chaos Theory”)

The skinny: Even a show like Episodes can get a nomination here, so expect to see five different shows represented.

BONUS PICKS:


VARIETY SERIES

The Colbert Report (Comedy Central)
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central)
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC)
Portlandia (IFC)
Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)
Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Potential spoiler: Conan (TBS)
In my dreams: Key & Peele (Comedy Central)

The skinny: Maybe this will be the year everyone takes off their Conan blinders. If there’s justice in the entertainment world, Key & Peele take the slot the redhead once occupied.


ANIMATED PROGRAM

Archer – “Space Race, Part 1” (FX)
Bob’s Burgers – “Burger Boss” (Fox)
Futurama – “The Tip of the Zoidberg” (Comedy Central)
Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (ABC)
The Simpsons – “Holidays of Future Passed” (Fox)
South Park – “Cash for Gold” (Comedy Central)

Potential spoiler: Beavis & Butthead – “Werewolves of Highland/Crying” (MTV)
In my dreams: Community – “Digital Estate Planning” (NBC)

The skinny: Community submitted its video game episode to this category, much to the chagrin of Simpsons show-runner Al Jean. But Community’s submission will stand, and I hope it gets nominated. You’ll notice Family Guy isn’t listed, as it again submitted to be nominated in the Outstanding Comedy Series category, and animated shows can only submit to one or the other.

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