Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Comedy Series

Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Submitted episode titles are in parentheses. Beware of minor spoilers for listed episodes.

THE BIG BANG THEORY
"The Herb Garden Germination " & "The 21-Second Excitation"
"The Justice League Recombination" & "The Engagement Reaction"
"The Love Car Displacement" & " The Agreement Dissection”

The CBS comedy, which won an Emmy for its lead actor Jim Parsons last year, is up for the top award this year and has submitted an entertaining handful of episodes. Tape one features a rumor mill and an Indiana Jones screening, tape two involves a costume contest and a mother-in-law in the hospital, and tape three follows a cuckoo carpool and a roommate conflict. Honestly, they’re all quite funny and equally strong, and if voters are eager to honor a truly traditional sitcom, this would be their choice.

GLEE
"Audition" & "Silly Love Songs"
"Original Song" & "The Substitute"
"Duets" & "Never Been Kissed"

This marks the second consecutive nomination for this ultra-popular series. Most of its submitted episodes are actually better than the whole of the season, which works in the show’s favor. Tape one includes the strong season premiere and a fun installment involving love songs. Tape two contains Blaine and Kurt’s first kiss and the first appearance by Best Guest Actress winner Gwyneth Paltrow, who Emmy voters obviously like. Tape three features one of the strongest episodes of the season, where the glee club members sing duets, and the performance spectacle episode involving Coach Bieste’s alleged unattractiveness. It’s a good effort, but I think this show was hotter last year and would have won then if it was going to win at all.

MODERN FAMILY
"Old Wagon" & "Someone to Watch Over Lily"
"Mother's Day" & "Caught in the Act"
"Manny, Get Your Gun" & "The Kiss"

Last year’s winner is back this year with an equally strong set of submissions. The only question will be whether it was the novelty or the quality that won it the award last year, but I’d say that its seventeen nominations speak for themselves. With so many great episodes to choose from, here we have six terrific installments. Tape one features the fun season premiere with an old car and the search for Lily’s theoretical guardians in the event of her parents’ death. Tape two is especially hilarious, with a funny Mother’s Day and a rather unfortunate incident with the Dunphy parents. Tape three spotlights Manny and deals with male-male kisses. It’s hard to beat this show, and I think that it’s going to win again.

THE OFFICE
"Andy's Play" & "China"
"PDA" & "Threat Level Midnight"
"Garage Sale" & "Good-Bye Michael"

This marks the show’s sixth nomination, which comes at a point where many have written the show off completely. Now the most interesting thing about it is that anyone who receives tape three may well vote for this show, since those farewell to Michael episodes are terrific. The other four, however, aren’t as spectacular. Tape one features a “Sweeney Todd” performance and an office intelligence competition, while tape two deals with romance in the office and Michael’s awful movie. This show doesn’t have a chance of winning, but I think that tape three is going to give it an unexpected edge that could result in a decent placement.

PARKS AND RECREATION
"Flu Season" & "Ron and Tammy: Part Two”
"Fancy Party" & "Harvest Festival"
"The Fight" & "Li'l Sebastian"

I’m so thrilled that this show made it in, and I’m going to attempt not to be too biased towards it in my predictions. Honestly, however, these are all great episodes, and four of them I’d cite as truly terrific. Tape one shows the entire cast dealing with illness and the return of Megan Mullally. Tape two has a surprisingly romantic wedding and a superbly-executed major event. Tape three has its characters wasted on Snake Juice and some intriguing season finale developments. This show certainly has the potential to win, but it’s going to be an uphill battle against “Modern Family.” Here’s hoping, though a win for either would make me happy.

30 ROCK
"When It Rains, It Pours" & "Live Show (West Coast)"
"Reaganing" & "Double-Edged Sword"
"Operation Righteous Cowboy Lightning" & "TGS Hates Women"

This marks the fifth nomination for this show, which was dethroned for the first time last year. Though it’s hardly as biting and hot-button as it used to be, it still managed thirteen nominations this year, meaning it shouldn’t be disregarded entirely. Tape one features a funny take on good fortune and a decently entertaining live show. Tape two saw Jack on a roll and the season’s funniest episode, guest-starring Matt Damon. Tape three spotlighted reality ridiculousness and dealt with the boys’ club writers’ room. It’s a decent set of episodes, but I think this show has had its time in the sun.

What should win (based on entire season): “Parks and Recreation”
What should win (based on individual episodes): “Parks and Recreation”
What will win: I think it’s going to be “Modern Family” again.

Next up: That’s a wrap!