Emmy Race: Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

This is the third in a daily series of Emmy predictions, focusing on a specific category and outlining the most likely 10 or 15 contenders, with an analysis of their chances and the episodes chosen as submissions for consideration. Predictions will be revisited in July as the Emmy nomination announcement approaches.

Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Last year's nominees (not like it really matters):
SHIRLEY KNIGHT, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
KATE WINSLET, EXTRAS
CLORIS LEACHMAN, MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (winner)
LAURIE METCALF, MONK
BLYTHE DANNER, WILL & GRACE

This year's top contenders:
DIXIE CARTER AS GLORIA HODGE, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
Carter's meaty role as the scheming, manipulative mother of Kyle Maclachlan's character is a meaty part sure to be at least noticed by Emmy voters, who do love their "Desperate Housewives" guest stars.

KATHRYN JOOSTEN AS MRS. MCCLUSKEY, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (won two years ago)
Joosten's performance is a clear Emmy favorite, winning her a trophy two years ago. Her role in season two was limited, but this year she comes back full force and even gets a plotline of her own! Unfortunately, her submission is the season premiere, which has her with far less screen time and hardly a part.

LAURIE METCALF AS CAROLYN BIGSBY, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
Metcalf is already a three-time Emmy winner for "Roseanne" and a two-time nominee in this category for "Monk" and "3rd Rock from the Sun." Her juicy role as a crazed hostage-taker all but guarantees her a nomination, if not a win, this year.

WANDA SYKES AS BARB, THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE
Sykes has been on the verge of an Emmy nomination for years now after her highly-buzzed roles on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and her short-lived show "Wanda at Large", and her highly-praised role on "Old Christine" could be just the ticket.

ISABELLA ROSSELLINI AS BIANCA DONAGHY, 30 ROCK
This is a priceless role for a great actress who gives it her best and, more impressively, holds her own against Alec Baldwin. Her nomination really depends on how much Emmy voters actually like "30 Rock".

ELAINE STRITCH AS COLLEEN, 30 ROCK
Playing Alec Baldwin's mother on a show where critics and awards group love Alec Baldwin is certainly a great step towards getting a nomination. Emmy voters love Stritch, and awarded her a win two years ago for her performance in a variety special.

ALLISON JANNEY AS BEVERLY, TWO AND A HALF MEN
The 6-time nominee and 4-time Emmy winner for "The West Wing" takes a shot at comedy, which is is great at (see: the 1996 film "Big Night" and her guest spot on "Weeds"). Martin Sheen, her "West Wing" co-star, got a nomination for a dreadfully awful guest role on "Two and a Half Men" last year, and Janney should be able to manage one, and I assume her acting was far better than Sheen's.

SALMA HAYEK AS SOFIA REYES, UGLY BETTY
Despite Hayek's less-than-good acting talent (see: "Lonely Hearts"), she managed an Oscar nomination for "Frida". As I have said recently, I am not sure how much Emmy voters will like "Ugly Betty" but I think they will a lot. Hayek, as a producer on the show, has the best shot out of all the guest stars.

LUCY LIU AS GRACE CHIN, UGLY BETTY
After Hayek, Liu is the most well-known guest actress submitted for consideration on "Ugly Betty". She received an Emmy nomination a number of years ago for "Ally McBeal" and may ride the "Ugly Betty" wave.

ZOOEY DESCHANEL AS KAT, WEEDS
I have heard great things about Deschanel's guest spot on "Weeds" and think that it is very likely that Emmy voters will recognize this up-and-coming actress for her presumably great work on a great show.

This is one of the hardest categories to predict because it often has nothing to do with other shows nominated in the acting categories, and often breeds wildly unpredictable nominees.

My best guess/current predictions:
DIXIE CARTER, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
KATHRYN JOOSTEN, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
LAURIE METCALF, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES
ISABELLA ROSSELLINI, 30 ROCK
ALLISON JANNEY, TWO AND A HALF MEN

Tomorrow: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.