Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of spoilers for listed episodes.
Shirley Jones as Lola Zellman, The Cleaner (Does Everybody Have a Drink?)
Jones, a two-time Emmy nominee, competes this year for her turn as the matriarch of an alcoholic family in an installment of the now-defunct A & E series “The Cleaner.” While Jones delivers an impressive performance, she’s not the only one. The other members of her family (and other clients of Benjamin Bratt’s detoxer William) are also on display, and Jones may not stand out as much as she should due to the number of strong turns in the episode.
Ann-Margret as Rita Wills, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Bedtime)
Every year but two since the show started, at least one actress from SVU has been nominated in this category (four of them have won, including one every year for the past three years). This year, it’s five-time Emmy nominee Ann-Margret, who delivers a loud and memorable performance as a murder suspect. Voters may be keen to reward her considering she’s never won, and the fact that someone has SVU has won for the past three years is a plus for Ann-Margret’s chances.
Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet Burke, Lost (The End, Parts 1 & 2)
This is the definitive instance of a makeup nod for an actress who was shockingly snubbed in the show’s third season for her supporting performance. No longer a regular cast member, she returned in the premiere and finale to reprise her role as Dr. Juliet Burke. The only way she could win for her limited performance would be if “Lost” was really rewarded everywhere and diehard fans/voters were excited to see her back.
Mary Kay Place as Adaleen Grant, Big Love (The Mighty & the Strong) & Sissy Spacek as Marilyn Densham, Big Love (End of Days)
I have not screened either of these episodes because, though it’s the only one out of all the Emmy-nominated shows this year, I do plan at some point to catch up on the series and don’t want to spoil the fourth season for myself. I realize it’s a handicap, but it’s only one category. Spacek has two previous Emmy nods for her miniseries work, while Place has one win for supporting comedy work all the way back in 1977. Spacek is likely a serious contender in this category. If you’ve seen either of their performances/episodes, please offer commentary below.
Lily Tomlin as Marilyn Tobin, Damages (Your Secrets Are Safe)
Despite having four trophies, Tomlin has never actually won an Emmy for acting. The legendary actress guest-starred this season on “Damages” as the disgraced wife of a Bernie Madoff-type character, delivering a riveting performance as a woman whose true motivations only gradually became clear. The season premiere isn’t the best showcase of her work, but it’s the episode that changed my mind about this show, and I think it’s a good enough indicator of Tomlin’s abilities.
Who should win (based on entire season): Tomlin (my ballot)
Who should win (based on individual episodes) : Tomlin
Who will win: Probably Tomlin or Spacek.
Next up: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
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