Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

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

**I made a colossal error and neglected to post these predictions until now, and it just so happens that the Creative Emmy Awards, where the guest categories are handed out, happened on Saturday night. Oops. The predictions were written well in advance, so see for yourself who I thought would have won and then get the instant gratification of reading about the winner. I'll try to prevent such errors in the future.**

Will Arnett as Devon Banks, 30 Rock (Idiots Are People Three)
This is Arnett’s fourth nomination in five years for his portrayal of Jack Donaghy’s arch-nemesis. After one nod for “Arrested Development” before that, Arnett has never managed to win an Emmy, so it seems unlikely that this would be his year. In his submitted episode, Devon tries to blackmail Jack, which provides just as good a showcase as any for the entertaining actor.

Bobby Cannavale as Dr. Mike Cruz, Nurse Jackie (Disneyland Sucks)
Cannavale returns to this category after winning in 2005 for his role as Will’s cop boyfriend Vince on “Will and Grace.” Now, he’s playing an eccentric doctor determined to change how things work at the hospital. In his submitted episode, Jackie is absent at rehab, so he gets to boss everyone else around. He’s great, but it’s hard to understand the context of his character. His new role on “Boardwalk Empire” could help propel him to a win regardless.

Jimmy Fallon as Various Charactres, Saturday Night Live (Host: Jimmy Fallon)
Despite three nominations and one win over the past two years for behind-the-scenes work on his talk show, Fallon has never before been nominated for his variety performance on SNL. Returning to host the show where he used to be a cast member, Fallon gels and fits in perfectly, enthusiastically participating in every sketch. Justin Timberlake won this award twice in the past three years for hosting SNL, and I think Fallon will take it this year.

Michael J. Fox as Himself, Curb Your Enthusiasm (Larry vs. Michael J. Fox)
This is actually the first nomination in this category for double nominee Fox, who can also be found in the drama guest actor category. Fox has won the comedy lead actor Emmy four times, however, and playing a less-than-charming version of himself who goes head-to-head with the impolite Larry David could do just the trick to earn him another Emmy. He last won for guesting on “Rescue Me” in 2009.

Jon Hamm as Abner and David Brinkley, 30 Rock (Live from Studio 6H)
Hamm, also nominated for the fifth time in the drama lead actor category, earns his third nomination in this race for “30 Rock,” but not for his usual performance as Dr. Drew. Instead, he appears in a mere two scenes in the live episode of the show, one of which finds him wearing blackface in an “Amos and Andy” parody. It’s amusing but equally controversial, and there’s just not enough material for Hamm to win his first Emmy in this race this year.

Greg Kinnear as Tad, Modern Family (Me? Jealous?)
Kinnear officially takes the spot of the “Modern Family” guest performer who is usually great but wasn’t quite as dynamic in an otherwise strong episode of the show, after Nathan Lane and Fred Willard the past two years. Appearing as Claire’s old friend who likes to kiss people on the mouth, Kinnear doesn’t go much above what the script dictates. Guest actors haven’t yet won for the ABC comedy, and I don’t think Kinnear will be the first.

Who should win (based on entire season): N/A
Who should win (based on individual episodes): Fallon or Fox
Who will win: It could go another way, but I think Fallon has this in the bag.

And the winner was...Jimmy Fallon. It's good to see that there's some order in this world, since this ranks as my lone correct guest guess. Though the comedy guest actress category turned out differently, it's clear that voters like seeing variety performers in their element, and do enjoy rewarding SNL for its funnier achievements.

Next up: Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series