Emmy Predictions: Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Titles in parantheses are the episodes chosen as submissions for the Emmy awards in this category. I have watched all the episodes in this category in preparation for analysis of possible winners and their chances.

The nominees:

FELICITY HUFFMAN AS LYNETTE, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (Bang)
Huffman won this trophy two years ago but missed out on a nomination last year. This year she has submitted an episode which displays mostly her dramatic strengths, which could be a problem because this is a comedy category and all the other performances are inherently comedic. Critical support for "Housewives" is clearly waning, and Huffman is the only regular cast member nominee.

JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS AS CHRISTINE, THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE (Playdate with Destiny)
I am still in shock that Louis-Dreyfus won last year for the show that supposedly broke the Seinfeld curse. I find the show almost unwatchable and personally think that the unmemorable "Listen Up", starring Jason Alexander a few years back, was a far better offering. In any case, Louis-Dreyfus' performance is hot, but it has lost its novelty factor, sort of like how the Red Sox winning the World Series is no longer an unfulfilled task.

TINA FEY AS LIZ, 30 ROCK (Up All Night)
I would so love to see Fey win, especially because she plays the "straight man" and that kind of performance rarely gets noticed. Her episode submission is good, but I think all the buzz favors Baldwin. I think the show will perform exceedinly well, and Fey may pick up an additional trophy for writing the episode "Tracy Does Conan", which certainly does not hurt.

AMERICA FERRERA AS BETTY, UGLY BETTY (Pilot)
I have said my piece about this show. Ferrera is likeable enough but I do not find the performance terribly demanding. I am not sure there is anything that can stop her from winning this award though.

MARY-LOUISE PARKER AS NANCY, WEEDS (Mrs. Botwin's Neighborhood)
Parker's performance this past season only improved upon her already great job during the first season. Many think she cannot win because of the nature of her character and the particular line of work she is in. She would be highly deserving of this award, but I am not sure the show is well-supported enough. Her episode submission is stellar.

Who should win (based on entire season): Fey
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Parker
Who will win: Ferrera

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