It was yet another strong year for comedy television, though almost exclusively for returning series. No new comedy series broke in with the major Emmy nominations, leaving us a race between the well-received final season of “30 Rock” and returns of veteran series and longtime Emmy faves “Modern Family” and “The Big Bang Theory,” while second seasons of “Girls” and “Veep,” and a first timer: F/X’s “Louie,” finally making the cut with its best season yet.
So who wins? “Modern Family” has won for every season its aired, and it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for the Emmys to just keep that going (a la “Frasier” in the 1990s, which won 5 years in a row). But hopefully they decide to pass the torch to the more deserving likes of “Louie” or “Veep.” Though a swan song Emmy for “30 Rock” wouldn’t be so bad either. Really, anything but “Modern Family” again. Oh, except “The Big Bang Theory.”
The nominations and the predictions:
Outstanding Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television
Girls • HBO • Apatow Productions and I am Jenni Konner Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Louie • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc.
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Will Win: Louie
Could Win: They could offer a final season prize to 30 Rock, or be super boring and give it to Modern Family again.
Should Win: Louie (though Veep was pretty great too).
Shoulda Been Here: Enlightened
Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series
Arrested Development • Netflix • Produced by Imagine TV and 20th Century Fox Television for Netflix
Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth
The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television
Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper
Episodes • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Hat Trick Productions, Crane Klarik Productions
Matt LeBlanc as Matt LeBlanc
House Of Lies • Showtime • Showtime Presents, Crescendo Productions, Totally Commercial Films, Refugee Productions, Matthew Carnahan Circus Products
Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan
Louie • FX Networks • Pig Newton, Inc.
Louis C.K. as Louie
30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy
Will Win: Louis CK, Louie
Could Win: Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Should Win: Louis CK, Louie
Shoulda Been Here: Jake Johnson, New Girl
Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series
Enlightened • HBO • Ripcord Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Laura Dern as Amy
Girls • HBO • Apatow Productions and I am Jenni Konner Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath
Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Showtime Presents, A Caryn Mandabach Production, Clyde Phillips Productions, Jackson Group Entertainment, Lionsgate Television
Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton
Parks And Recreation • NBC • Deedle-Dee Productions, Fremulon, 3 Arts Entertainment and Universal Television
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope
30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon
Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer
Will Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Could Win: Lena Dunham, Girls
Should Win: Laura Dern, Enlightened (though all of them are fantastic)
Shoulda Been Here: Pretty perfect lineup.
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
Girls • HBO • Apatow Productions and I am Jenni Konner Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Adam Driver as Adam Sackler
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Ed O’Neill as Jay Pritchett
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy
Saturday Night Live • NBC • SNL Studios in association with Universal Television and Broadway Video
Bill Hader as Various characters
Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Tony Hale as Gary Walsh
Will Win: Very tough call, but seems like four in a row for “Modern Family” is most likely here. We’ll say Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
Could Win: If it doesn’t go to one of the “Modern” men, we’d say Bill Hader is the spoiler.
Should Win: Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live
Shoulda Been Here: If “Arrested Development” deserved any nods, it was for Will Arnett and David Cross.
Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory • CBS • Chuck Lorre Productions, Inc. in association with Warner Bros. Television
Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler
Glee • FOX • Ryan Murphy Television in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Sofia Vergara as Gloria Pritchett
Modern Family • ABC • Picador Productions & Steve Levitan Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television
Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy
Nurse Jackie • Showtime • Showtime Presents, A Caryn Mandabach Production, Clyde Phillips Productions, Jackson Group Entertainment, Lionsgate Television
Merritt Wever as Zoey Barkow
30 Rock • NBC • Broadway Video and Little Stranger, Inc. in association with Universal Television
Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney
Veep • HBO • Dundee Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer
Will Win: Will Julie Bowen take her third? Or will Sofia Vergara take her first? That seems like the unfortunate showdown.
Could Win: If there’s any swan song Emmy that would be a first for “30 Rock,” it would be Jane Krakowski
Should Win: Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Shoulda Been Here: Casey Wilson, Happy Endings
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