2010 Emmy Watch Part 2

This the second part of my predictions on the possible contenders for the major awards for the 2010 Primetime Emmy Awards. Yesterday, I discussed my predicted nominees for the acting categories in a Drama series so today let's go on the other and discuss the acting categories for a Comedy series. I find this category more exciting with so many new comedy shows that emerged the past season. Let me remind that this list is base on who I think WILL be nominated and not who I WANT to be nominated.

(To read the first part of my predictions click here)

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Jon Cryer as Alan Harper on Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
Jeremy Piven as Ari Gold on Entourage (HBO)
Rainn Wilson as Dwight Schrute on The Office (NBC)
Ty Burrel as Phil Dunphy of Modern Family (ABC)
Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker of Modern Family (ABC)

Wildcards:

Kevin Dillon as Johnny Chase on Entourage (HBO)
Ed O'Neil as Jay Pritchett on Modern Family (ABC)

Last year's winner Jon Cryer is a safe bet for another nod same goes to frequent nominees Harris and Wilson. Piven was snubbed last year which I attribute to the bad press he received last year because of the cancellation of his plays. But he still is a three-time winner so don't count out a return this year. The entire Modern Family cast submitted in the supporting categories and I think that Burrel and Stonestreet had the strongest material all season long. But never count out TV veteran O'Neil and last year's nominee Dillon (if Piven is snubbed again he might take his slot because well I just think the Academy's love for Entourage is still alive despite harsh critic reviews). Last year both Tracy Morgan and Jack McBrayer 30 Rock were nominated and they could show up again but with the Modern Family guys now competing and with an uneven season of 30 Rock, those two are likely out of the radar.

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester on Glee (FOX)
Sofia Vergara as Gloria Delgado Pritchett on Modern Family (ABC)
Vanessa Williams as Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty (ABC)
Kristen Wiig as Various Characters on Saturday Night Live (NBC)
Elizabeth Perkins as Celia Hodes on Weeds (Showtime)
Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney on 30 Rock (NBC)

Wildcard:

Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy on Modern Family (ABC)

Last year's winner was Kristin Chenoweth from the canceled Pushing Daisies so this category is wide open. Jane Lynch has the most buzz and a well-respected actress so it's a sure thing that she will receive a nomination. Frequent nominees Williams and Perkins are safe bets and a second nomination for both Krakowski and Wiig are likely too. Vergara and Bowen might fight for the last slot (or both could get a nod) but if there will be one from Modern Family who will get the nod, I think Vergara has the stronger material (plus it does not hurt that she will announce the nominees).

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Toni Colette as Tara Gregson/Alice/Buck/T on United States of Tara (Showtime)
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon on 30 Rock (NBC)
Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton on Nurse Jackie (Showtime)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell of The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS)
Patricia Heaton as Frankie Heck of The Middle (ABC)
Lea Michelle as Rachel Berry on Glee (Fox)

Wildcards:

Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation (NBC)
Courtney Cox-Arquette as Jules Cobb on Cougar Town (ABC)
Mary Louise Parker as Nancy Botwin on Weeds (Showtime)

This is the most competitive category in my opinion because of the number of actress strong enough to get a nod. Last year's winner Colette and previous winners Dreyfus and Fey are safe bets while newcomer (to the comedy field) Falco had the buzz and reputation to gain a nod. The last two slots will be a tight battle but I given Heaton an edge because of previous recognition from Everybody Loves Raymond and Michelle is the centerpiece of the most buzzed show of the past season. But never count out frequent nominee Parker. Poehler is also a well-respected comedian coming from a sitcom that has received a lot of rave reviews for its second season. Cox was the only star from Friends that never got a nomination but her performance in Cougar Town has been well received and I sense that there might be a strong support for her to finally get her first Emmy nomination. This is the category to watch for.

OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock (NBC)
Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk on Monk (USA)
Larry David as Larry David as on Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
Steve Carell as Michael Scott on The Office (NBC)
Joel McHale as Jeff Winger Community (NBC)

Wildcards:

Charlie Sheen as Charlie Harper on Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester on Glee (Fox)

I don't see any hindrance for two-time winner Alec Baldwin not to get a nod. Parsons broke out in this category last year and with the show's profile raised this season, it's no denying that Parson's nomination last year was no fluke. Carell is a frequent nominee (and sadly loser), another nomination is almost sure. Shalhoub is a three-time winner and has been nominated for each season of the show's existence and with the show ending last season he will surely get another nomination. David just came from a well-reviewed season of Curb Your Enthusiasm that focused on a faux-Seinfeld reunion, it's a strong material for a nod. McHale is my wild guess for a nomination and to be honest the only reason I'm predicting him to be nominated is because he along with Sofia Vergara will announce the nominees (more often than not those invited to be announce the nominees are nominated themselves) and frequent nominee Sheen had bad press last year with his marital troubles and following with what happen to Piven last year "bad press = no nomination" so I strongly think that he will be ignored this year but Sheen still got a nomination in the Screen Actors Guild this year so he is not a long shot for a nod either. Morrison's role isn't really comedic but if the voters really loved Glee this season he could be a recipient of the halo effect.