Emmy Predictions: Best Supporting Actor 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:

KEVIN DILLON AS DRAMA, ENTOURAGE (The Resurrection)
Dillon made a great episode choice, and while he is a very beloved character, I think he will never be able to grasp this award with Piven nominated in the same category. Dillon did have a great season and got more screen time than in the past, and the love for "Entourage" is clearly great with the elusive Best Comedy Series nomination.

JEREMY PIVEN AS ARI, ENTOURAGE (Manic Monday)
Piven has a lot of running around to do in his episode, as well as displaying a ton of emotions, including crying, which he never really does on the show. Nothing will ever compare to his submission last year, "Exodus", for which he won, but I still think he is a definite frontrunner who still has a great shot.

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS AS BARNEY, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (Showdown)
Really? I mean, he is funny, but an Emmy nomination? I suppose his episode helps him, where he tries to get in touch with the man he believes to be his father (Bob Barker), but no great theatrical talent is shown here. I would be quite surprised and more than a little disappointed if Harris' name were called on Emmy night.

RAINN WILSON AS DWIGHT, THE OFFICE (The Coup)
Wilson is incessantly hilarious on this show, and the absence of his more subdued costar John Krasinski probably helps him. His episode is pretty standard, though he does do a good deal of begging after going on a power-trip. I think and hope that Wilson is the most likely to take home this award.

JON CRYER AS ALAN, TWO AND A HALF MEN (Repeated Blows to His Unformed Head)
I really like Cryer and thought he deserved a win for the show's first season in this category, but against the competition, I think he pales in comparison. His episode choice is great, but it is all really a matter of how gaga Emmy voters go for "Two and a Half Men" (a nomination for Charlie Sheen indicates probably very much so). I would not be shocked if his name was called.

Who should win (based on entire season): Wilson
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Wilson
Who will win: I am sticking with Wilson.

Next: To be announced