With the Emmy Awards scheduled for Sunday night, here’s my predictions for the awards for Comedy shows. I most likely have seen most of these shows, so, unlike my annual Oscar predictions, I will not mostly be going on gut feel and word of mouth, but will have a somewhat informed decision.
Outstanding Comedy
30 Rock
The Big Bang Theory
Girls
Louie
Modern Family
Veep
The sentimental favorite would be the final season of 30 Rock, but my feeling is it will end up being one of the two critical darlings, Louie or Girls. I’m going to go with Louie, as there may be a backlash against Girls and Lena Dunham.
Outstanding Actress In A Comedy
Laura Dern, Enlightened
Lena Dunham, Girls
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
I think this category is where 30 Rock gets celebrated and creator, writer, and star Tina Fey will take home the statue.
Outstanding Actor In A Comedy
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Jason Bateman, Arrested Development
Louis CK, Louie
Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
While I can see Jason Bateman pulling an upset, I think the Netflix-based release of Arrested Development will work against him here. My guess is Jim Parsons takes home the hardware for his role on the top rated comedy on television.
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy
Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory
Jane Lynch, Glee
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Anna Chlumsky, Veep
While the show may have been off a bit last season, I think Emmy voters will go with what they know and give Julie Bowen another victory.
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy
Adam Driver, Girls
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Ed O’Neill, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live
Tony Hale, Veep
This might have been the hardest category to choose, with all of the Modern Family noms surrounded by people who may be deserving, but have no shot of winning. I’ll go with Ty Burrell and hope for the best.
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy
Molly Shannon, Enlightened
Dot-Marie Jones, Glee
Melissa Leo, Louie
Melissa McCarthy, Saturday Night Live
Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live
Elaine Stritch, 30 Rock
Honestly, I don’t have much of an opinion here, so I’ll go with local girl Melissa McCarthy.
Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy
Bob Newhart, The Big Bang Theory
Nathan Lane, Modern Family
Bobby Cannavale, Nurse Jackie
Louis CK, Saturday Night Live
Justin Timberlake, Saturday Night Live
Will Forte, 30 Rock
While I think Justin Timberlake deserves the award for his always amazing hosting gigs on SNL, my guess is that comedy legend Bob Newhart will take home the prize for his sendup of Mr. Wizard and Bill Nye the Science Guy.