Emmy Race: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees:
“Flight of the Conchords” (Prime Minister)
“30 Rock” (Apollo, Apollo)
“30 Rock” (Kidney Now!)
“30 Rock” (Mamma Mia)
“30 Rock” (Reunion)

The top contenders:
“Community” (Pilot)
“Glee” (Pilot)
“Glee” (Wheels)
“Hung” (Pilot)
“Modern Family” (Family Portrait)
“Modern Family” (Fizbo)
“Modern Family” (Pilot)
“Modern Family” (Undeck the Halls)
“Nurse Jackie” (Pilot)
“The Office” (Gossip)
“The Office” (Niagara)
“Parks and Recreation” (Freddy Spaghetti)
“Parks and Recreation” (The Telethon)
“30 Rock” (Anna Howard Shaw Day)
“30 Rock” (Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001)
“30 Rock” (Don Geiss, America, and Hope)
“30 Rock” (Lee Marvin vs. Derek Jeter)

The roundup: Last year’s nominees aren’t terribly helpful since one show isn’t eligible and the other doesn’t have as many strong episodes (five in total were submitted). Freshman shows “Glee” and “Modern Family” cannot be ignored here, so they’ll knock “30 Rock” down a peg or two. I’m thinking that both pilots will get in, as well as the season finale of “Modern Family.” I’ve chosen two “30 Rock” episodes that seem most fitting with their past choices, but it’s always hard to predict which ones they’ll choose.

Current predictions:
“Glee” (Pilot)
“Modern Family” (Family Portrait)
“Modern Family” (Pilot)
“30 Rock” (Dealbreakers Talk Show #0001)
“30 Rock” (Don Geiss, America, and Hope)

What could win? The pilot of “Modern Family.”

Next up: Best Drama Series