Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of spoilers for listed episodes.
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock (Don Geiss, America & Hope)
Those who fear that Baldwin will never stop winning should shudder another time since he submitted perfectly this year with an episode that gives him several great, hilarious speeches and an edge over the competition. Baldwin has won two years in a row and his show is still just as popular. “Modern Family” doesn’t have a contender here and “Glee” has its weakest representative, so Baldwin could easily threepeat.
Steve Carell as Michael Scott, The Office (The Cover-Up)
Carell is now on his fifth consecutive nomination and has yet to win. Most people think that “The Office” has gone downhill, and imagining Carell winning now seems highly implausible. His submitted episode also shows him in a less-than-likable light, following around his girlfriend to see if she’s cheating on him. The timing was never on Carell’s side in the past, and I don’t think this year will be any different. If next year is indeed his last, maybe he can finally pick up a trophy then.
Larry David as Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm (Seinfeld)
David’s fourth nod for Best Actor is also his fourth nod in four years due to his show’s sporadic schedule. He chose a fun episode where he gets to interact with his “Seinfeld” cast members and even play the role of George. It may be just the right level of endearing for voters who lauded “Seinfeld” back in the day. Working against him, however, is the continued reality that David isn’t really an actor and he’s pretty much just playing a version of himself.
Matthew Morrison as Will Shuster, Glee (Mash-Up)
Should this category reward comedians or musicians? Morrison gets the chance to rap and sing “The Thong Song” in his submitted episode, but there isn’t a hell of a lot of acting going on in it. While the uber-popular “Glee” could sweep the Emmys this year (it’s nominated in all six acting categories), it’s highly unlikely that the gel-using teacher is going to ride that wave. His nomination is his award.
Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory (The Pants Alternative)
Parsons broke through last year with a nod and returned again this year, albeit minus his show in the Best Comedy Series category. That snub seems to indicate that Emmy voters aren’t fully ready to embrace the nerd. In his episode, Parsons gets an award and gets drunk to calm his nerves, but it’s not the slam-dunk that Parsons needs to edge out Baldwin and the rest of his competition. If voters really want a change, he could be the perfect candidate, otherwise, maybe next year?
Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, Monk (Mr. Monk & the End, Parts 1 & 2)
It’s official: his show in now off the air, and Shalhoub got nominated for all eight years of it. The three-time winner may find himself with a fourth trophy if nostalgia for the obsessive-compulsive detective is strong. A departing star is the reason Shalhoub didn’t win four years in a row – he lost to Kelsey Grammer for the final season of “Frasier” in 2004. Many Emmy prognosticators hate him, but seeing him solve his final case may be just the right combination of comedy and heart that voters want to see.
Who should win (based on entire season): Carell (my ballot)
Who should win (based on individual episodes) : Shalhoub
Who will win: It could easily be Baldwin again, but I’ll bet on Shalhoub.
Next up: Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
1 comment:
I wouldn't have personally submitted The Pants Alternative for Jim Parsons, but it's a smart submission, partly because it's a very showy performance, but also because Parsons nails a drunk Shledon, someone whose inhibitions are so closely kept in check every day and how he lets loose, plus it's hilarious (thenagain, I am a big fan of the show). I think he has a shot at winning. I also really like Carrell's episode. It shows Michael being more human, and I think the fact that he announced he's leaving might give him a boost, because voters may recognize that it's now or never for him (and may not want to wait till next year). I just really don't want Baldwin to win again. As great as he's been, he just wasn't on top of his game this year.
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