Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:
- Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
- Jason Bateman (Arrested Development)
- Matt LeBlanc (Episodes)
- Don Cheadle (House of Lies)
- Louis C.K. (Louie)
- Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)
You know, this field of nominees might even be weaker than those supporting categories. I'm going to have to go with two-time winner Jim Parsons as kind of a default choice. His episode was the funniest of the group, so he's not undeserving of this again, but the rest of them are just so mediocre. I do have affection for Jason Bateman and he'd be my choice, but given the lack of love for the show this season, I just don't see them voting for him. The only thing that may help him is the fact that he's in the entire 30 minutes or so of his episode. Louie got an exceptional number of nominations this year so you can't rule C.K. out, but I don't think voters look at him as doing anything other than playing himself (as he has even said). It's actually a tough call, because everyone is more or less on the same level, but I'd say Parsons for the win.
Will Win: Jim Parsons
Should Win: Jason Bateman
Dark Horse: Louis C.K.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:
- Tina Fey (30 Rock)
- Laura Dern (Enlightened)
- Lena Dunham (Girls)
- Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie)
- Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation)
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)
Finally! A category infused with some competition (and due to quality, not who's the least mediocre). Frankly, either Tina Fey, Amy Poehler or Julia Louis-Dreyfus could win here and I'd be happy with it, but based on the episodes themselves, I think JLD takes it for the second year running. It's a slam dunk episode that sees her walk through a glass door, berate her staff while high on pain meds, and nearly wipe out in a race before getting one final, even dramatic monologue at the end. I don't see how anyone beats her and there doesn't seem to be any awards fatigue over her yet. She's beloved and would be the highly deserving winner, but I'd say there's an outside chance Tina Fey can win again with her episode, which was the 30 Rock finale, and sentiment for that could maybe catapult her to the top (she was also really great in that episode). The other women I don't think have much of a shot here, unless there's some random faction in the viewing panel that thinks of themselves as edgy and wants to give it to Lena Dunham (which better not happen because I think she's terrible in her coke-fueled episode and really, pathetically unfunny). Otherwise, it's probably Dreyfus or Fey.
Will Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Should Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Dark Horse: Tina Fey
Well, that's it! Be back on Saturday with my predictions for Comedy Series.
