Emmy Race: Best Comedy Series

The Emmy Award nominations are fast approaching, and this year looks to be quite competitive in all the major categories, even with the notable addition of an extra nominee in each category. This year, there will be six, rather than five, nominees in the regular acting categories and series categories. At this point, I’d like to offer a rundown of the potential nominees. I’ve placed contenders in specific groupings that speak to their history and chances.


It’s hard to believe that “Curb Your Enthusiasm” was a nominee in this category at the last Emmy ceremony since the show aired its most recent episode in November 2007. The series is most certainly not eligible for this year’s awards.

Last year’s nominees:
ENTOURAGE (2 nominations)
Few, myself excluded, expected “Entourage” to score a nomination last year, but it pulled through. With the addition of an extra slot, I think that “Entourage” will certainly repeat again, despite a tragically uneven season with nothing much to recommend it. The show is clearly popular, and supporting actors Kevin Dillon and Jeremy Piven are also Emmy favorites. Unless there’s a complete overhaul of the lineup in this category, expect “Entourage” to be there again.

THE OFFICE (3 nominations/1 win)
NBC’s documentary-style office comedy won on its first nomination for the show’s second season, and has been back ever since. It’s not going anywhere anytime soon, even if some decry that it’s going downhill. This season includes a handful of good episodes, including the Michael Scott Paper Company arc, which should convince more than enough voters that this show is still worthwhile and that it is deserving of returning to the lineup.

30 ROCK (2 nominations/2 wins)
Anyone who thinks that “30 Rock” isn’t guaranteed a slot is nuts. The offbeat NBC television satire has continued to impress and entertain viewers in its third season, and managed to maintain its quality despite parading guest stars in and out in a manner potentially reminiscent of “Will & Grace.” The show will almost certainly win this award again this year, as there’s nothing standing in its way, and this should be considered the biggest lock of any possible nominee (along with Jeremy Piven from “Entourage).

TWO AND A HALF MEN (3 nominations)
CBS’ highest-rated sitcom has been a big draw at the Emmy Awards for the past few years, scoring three consecutive nominations in this category as well as mentions for four of its stars. I gave up on this show a long time ago, but I don’t imagine much has changed. It still contains the same bombardment of one-liners every episode that will keep Emmy voters laughing for hours. It would take an immensely surprising revolution in this category for this show to be ousted, especially this year.

Former nominees, eager to return:
SCRUBS (2 nominations)
NBC’s medical comedy failed to catch on with Emmy voters early on during its run, and then popped up for two years (season four and five) as a nominee in this category. Since then, nearly every season has been advertised as the final one, and NBC even passed on airing this most recent season. ABC in turn picked it up, and while the show itself wasn’t much improved, I think that Emmy voters will be inclined to look at it in a different light and perhaps welcome it back to the fold. My main thinking is that it has a much better shot than other more unfamiliar shows here.

UGLY BETTY (1 nomination)
ABC’s fashion dramedy was on fire during its first season and might have gobbled up this award if not for the sudden surge of buzz for “30 Rock.” Last year, it was snubbed, leaving only actresses America Ferrera and Vanessa Williams to carry the torch. The show, in my opinion, has remained entertaining, and there’s no reason to write it off just yet. The show made the top ten list last year, and I imagine it will come just as close this year. Despite my prediction for “Scrubs,” the Emmys don’t usually welcome shows back, and certainly not this quickly.

Last year’s surprising top ten fillers:
FAMILY GUY
FOX’s animated series made a surprising ploy last year to enter into both the animated program and comedy series fields due to an eligible special which could be fielded to the former category. This year, the show is being incredibly bold and going for the same goal, even though it lost out last year. It should have a much better shot this year, given the opening of two slots and general lack of competition, but I still don’t think it can so easily overcome its animated handicap (with conservative voters, I mean). The For Your Consideration packaging I saw, however, was pretty funny and may sway some voters.

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS
HBO’s deadpan comedy about a folk parody duo from New Zealand was a surprise hit at the Emmys last year, scoring writing and directing nominations. The show should have been primed for extraordinary success this time around, but then HBO cancelled it, and now buzz is down considerably due to its defunct status. It will likely place well, but I still don’t think enough people have seen or even heard of it for it really to make it to the final round. It would be pretty terrific if it did, and a great tribute to this departed show, but I just don’t see it happening.

The traditional laugh-track sitcoms:
THE BIG BANG THEORY
CBS’ comedy about nerds who live across the hall from a hot girl took off with critics from its first episode, but not with awards bodies. Nearly every critic or newspaper who outlines their Emmy wish list puts the show and star Jim Parsons on it, but IMDB’s awards page lists only an Art Director’s Guild nomination in the show’s two-year history. It’s being predicted by many, and I think it’s safe to have it on here, but I don’t think it’s far-reaching enough to appeal to those who vote for “Two and a Half Men.” Then again, CBS does air them together, so perhaps they’re on to something.

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
This is another CBS comedy that is held dear by critics and boasts a huge fan base. The show clearly has support among Emmy voters, who have nominated actor Neil Patrick Harris for the past two years. The show is like the more traditional fare that used to dominate this category (Frasier, Friends, Seinfeld) and that could give it a healthy fighting chance at securing a nomination. In the past three years, only one show with a laugh track has managed a nomination – and that’s been “Two and a Half Men” each time. Can the fans of HIMYM rally and get the show nominated? I’m not so sure.

The not-so-enthusiastically-received:
PUSHING DAISIES
ABC’s fantasy drama was considered a lock by most predictors last year and then found itself an unfortunate victim of its untraditional genre. Its first season was shortened by the strike, which couldn’t have helped, and then its second year was cut off early by cancellation, and only eleven episodes aired during the eligibility period. Therefore, its chances are almost as good as last year’s, except that the show is now off the air and considerably less discussed. It could still get nominated, but considering the way Golden Globe voters shunned it after embracing it its first year, I wouldn’t be too hopeful.

WEEDS
Showtime’s innovative comedy series didn’t take off entirely well with the Emmys, despite terrific recognition from the Golden Globes and SAG Awards. The Golden Globes even welcomed back the show into its corresponding best comedy lineup this year after omitting it last year. The show’s fourth season was a fresh start for the show, and I can easily see those new to the show being intrigued and entertained. Consider it a distinct possibility.

The roundup:
With “Curb Your Enthusiasm” out of the running and the other four nominees likely to return, two slots are open. It’s very difficult to say which shows will fill them, and it’s not limited to the above eight possibilities. Consider also: “Better Off Ted,” “Californication,” “Chuck,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Gary Unmarried,” “My Name is Earl,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” “Parks & Recreation,” “Party Down,” “Samantha Who,” “Secret Diary of a Call Girl,” and “The United States of Tara.” If there’s one thing this category is not, it’s locked up. Anything could happen.

Current predictions:
ENTOURAGE
THE OFFICE
SCRUBS
30 ROCK
TWO AND A HALF MEN
WEEDS

Who could win? 30 Rock

Next Up: Final Emmy Predictions