Emmy Predictions 2012: Comedy

The Emmy Awards are this Sunday. And for those of you that don't watch nearly as much TV as I do but want to have an informed opinion here are who I think will win the awards. First up lets talk about the comedies.

SUPPORTING COMEDY ACTOR

Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett in "Modern Family"
Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Pritchett in "Modern Family"
Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy in "Modern Family"
Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker in "Modern Family"
Max Greenfield as Schmidt in "New Girl"
Bill Hader as various characters in "Saturday Night Live"

Usually what happens is when several actors from the same show compete in the same category they steal each others votes.  In this case it allows voters to see more scenes from those actors who may only submit one episode each. This hurts Max Greenfield the most as Schmidt in New Girl steals literally every show and is the main reason this show is any kind of good. What hurts the most about this category is not seeing Nick Offerman's Ron Swanson here from Parks and Recreation, he should win this category easy but can't even get nominated because for some reason Jesse Ferguson keeps getting on the ballot. In the end it should come down to Ed O' Neil who is somehow still Emmy-less and Ty Burrell who won last year. Burrell really is the lead character on the show but because the show is an ensemble piece everyone submits in the supporting category. O'Neill submitted his episodes with the most heart, while Burrell was outright funny in his and for that reason I think Burrell will win.

SUPPORTING COMEDY ACTRESS

Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler in "The Big Bang Theory"
Kathryn Joosten as Karen McCluskey in "Desperate Housewives"
Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy in "Modern Family"
Sofia Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in "Modern Family"
Merritt Wever as Zoey Barkow in "Nurse Jackie"
Kristen Wiig as various characters in "Saturday Night Live"

This could be the toughest category where really four of the six could win.  You can toss out Merritt Wever immediately mostly because the other women are so strong.  Mayiam Bialik started out as a guest star and is now considered a series regular, and while the episode she submitted involving a tiara is actually funny, she is still not in the episode all that much. The same is the case for Kathryn Joosten who passed away earlier this year, she has won Emmys before but it has never been in this category, but unfortunately Emmy voters usually don't get too sentimental.  It seems like it could come down to the reigning champion Julie Bowen and Krieten Wiig in her SNL swan song.   Kristen Wiig helped elevate SNL to new heights and when we look back I inagine her name will be one we remember, but the episode gets kind of sappy and her graduation moment with Mick Jagger is an average moment.  Where as once again Julie Bowen is outright funny.  If I had to pick one I would say Julie Bowen will win, but don't be surprised if Wiig walks away with the award.

COMEDY ACTOR

Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper in "The Big Bang Theory"
Larry David as Himself in "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Don Cheadle as Marty Kaan in "House of Lies"
Louis C.K. as Louie in "Louie"
Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy in "30 Rock"
Jon Cryer as Alan Harper in "Two and a Half Men"

Forget the rest this is a two man race.  It is down to Jim Parsons and Louis C.K. and god does "Louie" deserve it.  This may be one of the smartest comedies out there.  For those still shying away, I understand, it can be an uncomfortable show to watch, sometimes there isn't one funny moment in the episode.  The show stands on its own and is just great television.  For those of you who have Netflix I encourage you to go back and watch this series.  He deserves this win for this show, since it somehow didn't get nominated as best series.  That being said I'm sure somehow Jim Parsons will win for "The Big Bang Theory" because people like stupid things.  That's not true, its not all stupid I just don't find this show funny and am amazed when people do, it does have its bright spots and like every Chuck Lorre show he finds fantastic actors to deliver his one or two funny lines in the episode which rely on snark and being loud. On the flip side at least Parsons is playing someone else unlike Louie who is playing a version of himself, and no actor has ever won for playing themselves.  For being a show about science there are a lot of smarter shows out there than "The Big Bang Theory," such as "Louie."  But the better actor is probably Jim Parsons because he is, you know, acting.

COMEDY ACTRESS

Lena Dunham as Hannah Horvath in "Girls"
Melissa McCarthy as Molly Flynn in "Mike & Molly"
Zooey Deschanel as Jess Day in "New Girl"
Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton in "Nurse Jackie"
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope in "Parks and Recreation"
Tina Fey as Liz Lemon in "30 Rock"
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer in "Veep"

HOW HAS AMY POEHLER NEVER WON.  A writer, a supporting actress on SNL and now as lead in "Parks and Recreation."  She has deserved it ten times over, and got upset by Melissa McCarthy last year when she likely won the award more for her performance in "Bridesmaids" than she did for "Mike and Molly."  Zooey Deschanel is irresistibly charming, loved my tons of fans, and the critics all like "New Girl."  Julia Louis Dreyfus could also win as a perennial Emmy favorite and a highly stylized show with "Veep."  But I'm going with my heart on this one, that being said I'm sure it is meant to be broken.

COMEDY SERIES

"The Big Bang Theory" (CBS)
"Curb Your Enthusiasm" (HBO)
"Girls" (HBO)
"Modern Family" (ABC)
"30 Rock" (NBC)
"Veep" (HBO)

"Modern Family" has won the past three years because the show is charming, heartfelt, family-friendly, and funny to boot.  "Girls" could be a contender in the future but the show has to develop more and was more worried about investing viewers in the characters.  If the actor's contract negotiations had gone on longer that could have left a sour note in people's mouths but it didn't so expect "Modern Family" to win the award again.

What do you think?  Do you think I guessed right?  Do you believe "The Big Bang Theory" is the greatest thing since you were able to slice a wheat compound? Let me know.  And tomorrow we'll discuss all the Dramas.