Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (2012-2013)

There are a lot of funny women on television, but there could be more!  This list was not hard to narrow dow, the only other people I would have potentially on this would have been Tina Fey (30 Rock), or Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie).  With Dern's show off the air, Foster's show potentially cancelled, and 30 Rock off the air, there are fewer shows with strong female leads.  I am hoping that this category gets some great new potential with the fall 2013 shows.

Laura Dern as Amy Jellicoe in Enlightened

After only two seasons, creator Mike White's show had the plug pulled.  I will admit that this show grew on me, partly because White found his groove, but also because leading lady Laura Dern is a great actress who make Amy incredibly realistic persona.  Amy, and Enlightened are not your traditional comedy archetypes, but there is an something honest about her acting.  Amy wants to live a vivid more connected life, and Dern provides audiences with acting that makes you feel connected with this character.

Zooey Deschanel as Jessica Day in New Girl

Jess went through a lot this year, from being sex buddies with her boyfriend, and realizing she wanted more, to thinking about wanting children, to dealing with her parental baggage, to dating her roommate Nick.  While the first season introduced the quirk the second season added even more depth and layer to Deschannel's Jess.  While many will argue the actress is playing herself, or a version of other characters she has played before, I have argue, that Deschanel still does a great job.  Zooey added life to this character, and had one of the best years for a female performer; she is a vision here, and does a fantastic job within this role.

Lena Dunham in Hannah Horvath in Girls

Hannah, Hannah Hannah, you got a job writing finally, but then you couldn't put words on the page.  One of the most interesting aspects of Hannah's journey this season was the exploration of her OCD, watching Dunham explore this offbeat topic with the blended mixture of humor and drama was some of the best television from this past season.  At the center of this show Dunham is a captivating leading lady, who does not fit the mold, Hannah defies the norm constantly, and does so with guts.  Dunham is great within this role, her performance within the season finale is proof.

Sutton Foster as Michelle Simms in Bunheads

Sutton Foster is one of my favorite Broadway babies, he performances in shows like Anything Goes, and even Shrek were fantastic.  In Bunheads Foster continues the fast talking tradition of Amy Sherman-Palladino as the fast talking Michelle, who is whisked away from her life as Vegas showgirl to get married and move to a small town.  Foster is brilliant as Michelle, the way she mentors the young girls with whom she teaches, and how she spars with Kelly Bishop; she carries the mantle of fast talking champ Lorelai Gilmore well.  Let's just hope she gets to do more, and the show is picked up.

Julia Louis Dreyfus as Vice President Selena Meyers in Veep

Dreyfus is one of the best female comediennes in the history of television.  This is of course a bold statement, but this woman has created three different television characters (all great), and been a player on Saturday Night Live.  In season two Selena helped save hostages, ran into a glass door, and contemplated her own Presidential campaign, none of it was with ease, and most of it was clumsy.  Dreyfuss is the commanding force on this show; she is is great in this role, and really nails every moment, every facial expression with ease.

Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation

I like her and I love her!  Leslie's first year on city council was met with many obstacles, like councilmen Jamm, town folk who were willing to let law keep them in the 1800s, and so much more.  The beginning of the season also had her far away from her boyfriend Ben, but that was fixed after Gerry had his fart attack, and Ben proposed.  Poehler still adds new layers to Leslie after all these years; she is one of the funniest women, and makes this sometimes compulsive women the most like able characters on television.  

Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Writing and Directing in a Comedy Series (2012-2013)

It's the end of an era.  Two major television comedies, which had a major influence on recent television series ended within the last television cycle, The Office and 30 Rock.  30 Rock ended back in January, and The Office had a huge swan song in May.  Fans, and critics alike are often very critical of the way a show ends, look at Seinfeld.  This series finale had mixed reactions, but has never tarnished the brand of the series, the show is still ranked one of the best of all time.  Many will cite when a show goes out with a whimper or tries too hard, Roseanne, is a good example of this, and the way she pulled the rug out saying the past season or was all within a novel.  Trying too hard to do something that seems cool can fail in a big way.  

This year's series finales were two of the best I have ever seen, they were heart warming, funny, and stayed true to the show's illustrious reputation, and history.  Rarely do you get moments where even when you watch your favorite show ending that make those moments feel complete.  The Golden Girls is the best example, the series finale always makes me cry, in the sense that this show was about four women who found friendship late in life.  I may be getting misty as I write this, but oh well.  Writing and directing a great series finale is a major accomplishment, and both The Office and 30 Rock should be proud of their accomplishment.

On a quick side note Louis C.K. is once again the star within this category, writing and directing a submission, which makes this category.  Amy Poehler and Lena Dunham's are usually cited for their writing, but this year they it's all about their directing some of the best television episodes, and hey Television Academy, I have four females in my directing category, can you at least nominate two?  Or in the words of Bob Barker, "ladies do I hate have two numbers right?"

Outstanding Directing

Arrested Development-Colony Collapse-Mitchell Hurwitz and Troy Miller

Enlightened-The Key-Nicole Holofcener

Girls-It’s About Time-Lena Dunham

Louie-Daddy’s Girlfriend Part 1-Louis C.K.

Parks and Recreation-Leslie and Ben-Amy Poehler

30 Rock-Last Lunch-Beth McCarthy Miller

Outstanding Writing

Arrested Development-A New Attitude-Mitch Hurwitz Jim Vallely

Louie-Daddy’s Girlfriend Part 1-Louis C.K.

New Girl-Virgins-Elizabeth Merriweather

The Office-Finale-Greg Daniels

Parks and Recreation-Emergency Response-Norm Hiscock and Joe Mande

30 Rock- Last Lunch-Tina Fey and Tracey Wigfield

Veep-Hostages-Armando Ianucci and Sean Grey

2012's Best and Worst in Television: The Series

Best Television Shows of the Year 2012

1-Homeland (SHOW) 

Every week the show re-writes the book on how to make a television series great.  Last year this was number 3 show of the year, and deservedly.  The show’s first season was impeccable, but the second has been a game changer.  While some have complained that the show has become too much about a “relationship” I challenge those folks, and think this show has become even more of a cat and mouse game than ever before.  Do Brody and Carrie “love” one another, maybe?  There is an undeniable tension between these characters, allowing the show to capitalize on the drama.  Watching week after week this show proves to break the rules challenging viewers to examine their disbelief, about what just happened.  Homeland is the must see television of 2012.

2-Girls (HBO)

A show that you will love or hate, I feel that there is no middle ground for this Lena Dunham project.  At 28 I feel like a failure watching this 25 year old girl star in, write for, direct, and produce one of the most well done shows of 2012.  At the beginning the show was seen as “younger Sex and the City.”  The comparisons can be made, Girls is about four women living in Brooklyn.  I think that’s where the comparisons stop.  Girls is a vibrant, and real journey for the millennial who has depended on their parents, or feel like they have everything going for them when they do not.  The show is hilarious, but also awkward, because as you watch these young women struggle you can’t help but think, I have been there, or damn how do they let this happen.  Girls is the bravest show of the year, and one of the funniest.

3-Breaking Bad (AMC)

The show never quits, while the beginning of the season started a little slow and had a weak episode, this show is still one of the best.  When Breaking Bad has a “bad” episode it’s still better than most shows on the air.  Watching the evolution of Walt turn into this kingpin was brilliantly executed, and the last episodes opening sequence was one of the most brilliant choreographed sequences.  Like with this past season’s Dexter (Deb finding out about Dexter) we have been waiting for Hank to stumble upon Walt’s secret, and he finally has, that moment, made me stand up and scream.

                                                                        4-Veep (HBO)

Another HBO show that cracked the top five , comes from the mind of Armando Iannucci is Veep.  What is it like to be the Vice President, to be just that close to the most important person in the United States?  If this show is any indication of Joe Biden’s life it’s quite hilarious. Iannucci is stranger to writing about the humor in politics (see In the Loop), his writing is so crisp, and witty.   Julia Louis Dreyfus’s Selena Meyers is one of the funniest roles I have seen for a woman in television; she proves that she is a comedic genius.  Along with Dreyfus this is one of the best ensembles, they work together like a well-oiled machine.  Great television!

5-Game Change (HBO) 

The television film event of the year.  Game Change is based on a book which looks at the 2008 election, the book looks at everyone involved from Hilary Clinton to John McCain.  This film focused obviously on the McCain/Palin ticket, and intricate details that occurred.  Moore’e performance made me forget about Tina Fey’s impersonation (until the showed it in the film-how meta), and the ensemble worked well together brilliantly.  This film shows the evolution of politics, and the fact that celebrity status plays a role in campaigning.  Palin is an interesting women, and the film proves to be a well-balanced representation of how this ticket spiraled into unrealistic crazy experience for those involved.

 6-Louie (F/X)

With every season this show surprises me, and proves there is something new, and ingenious from the mind of comedian Louis C.K..  Watching Louie date and be with women ranging from Melissa Leo to Parker Posey were some of my favorite comedic moments from this past year.  C.K. like Lena Dunham is a forward thinking person who is brutally honest comedic mind of our time, and his show week after week represents is journey as a single dad, and someone just living their everyday life.  The man knows his stuff, and even helped Robin Williams seem relevant.

7- Sherlock (BBC/PBS)

Everyone is obsessed with Downton Abbey, but the real BBC star from this past year was Sherlock.  Sherlock is in the second series (season UK term) tackled a much darker three episodes, as Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Watson (Martin Freeman) fought to stay alive.  With three long form episodes the real stand out from this series was “A Scandal in Belgravia” where Holmes meets his match in female dominatrix Irene Adler.  This episode started the series strong and proved that this was not a tired reinterpretation of the great detective, but one of the most vibrant television shows.  Cumberbatch has bested Robert Downey Jr. and Steven Moffat (the writer, creator, and sometimes actor) knows how to hold you on the edge of your seat better than anyone.

8- Parks and Recreation (NBC)

Last year’s number one show is still at the top of its game, but is not as funny as the combination the second season and first half of the third.  Leslie Knope running for city council has been one of the funniest stories, and the debate and election episodes pushed this show to stay on this list.  This show has survived better than its somewhat similar show The Office.  Parks and Recreation uses their ensemble well, and has helped to continue to develop their characters in meaningful ways.  This show continues to make me laugh week after week, even with the occasionally miss episode.  Amy Poehler’s writing is the gift that keeps on giving!

9-The Newsroom (HBO)

Aaron Sorkin got a lot of grief for this, and the critics did not hold back (unlike with the The West Wing).  The show was described as anti-woman, pandering to liberals, and many other adjectives.  What I saw like former news anchor Dan Rather was an honest show about the reality of working in a newsroom.  The show had heavy handed moments (the Coldplay montage) and was often a little left leaning, but there were also some great performances (Jeff Daniels, and Sam Waterston), and some great television moments that looked at the changing face of the 24/7 news cycle.  I was hooked from episode one, and have not looked back.

10- Community (NBC)

The drama, Dan Harmon leaving, Chevy Chase going crazy, and even more of that is permeating into the upcoming season.  When Community returned for the second half of its third season in 2012 it did not completely hit it out of the park, but still provided some of the best comedic moments of television.  From a Law & Order spoof, the misadventures of the Greendale 7, and the gang entering Nintendo like video game this show still has some of the wittiest writing on television.  My favorite ensemble working in comedy.

Worst Television Shows of the Year 2012

1- Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo (TLC) 

Do I need to explain? This show was a cultural phenomenon in a tragic way, and I am sad that the reporters have got on the gravy train.  I feel as though I am in the episode of Newsroom when they are forced to cover Casey Anthony.  This is one of the worst shows of all time!

2- Work It (ABC)

One of the most offensive premises of all time. Two men, living in a woman’s world, so they dress like women.  Lasted only two episodes because of backlash, and well, it was terrible.  How this show even made it to mid-season proves just how bad the material is at the networks.

3-Are You There, Chelsea? (NBC)

Chelsea is one funny lady, but every time she has left late night she (beyond her books) she always seem to fail, the MTV movie awards, films, and now here in her television series.  I watched this show one and a half times, the second time (or half time) I just could not laugh or sit through this show, you can do better Chelsea.

4-How I Met Your Mother (CBS)

The Show feels as though it’s at a standstill.  They keep playing the same storylines, will Robin and Barney get together or won’t they, does Ted still love Robin?  The show seems to be the Barney Stinson show, and do not get me wrong I love NPH, but what about Ted, Marshall, and Lilly they have become secondary figures.  The show is supposedly going to end this year, but they appear to be nowhere in sight of meeting the mother.  To put this show on this list pains me, but there is no way around it.

5-The Killing (AMC) 

What started out as a taught wonderfully crafted thriller unspooled into another run of the mill procedural that had little pay off for the time spent on the mystery of Who Killed Rosie Larson, and made climatic moments a snooze.

Emmy Week 2012: Who Should Have Been Nominated

This year there were of course a bunch of shows/actors/writers/directors who should have been nominated, but they were not.  Ironically most of the people or shows on this list received nominations in other categories, but missed out in the key categories posted below.

Drama Categories

Outstanding Drama Series : The Good Wife (CBS) No network television show made it into this category this year for the first time in this categories history.  The Good Wife was nominated for the shows first two seasons, but missed out on a nomination this year.  The show proved that it can play with the big dogs, and has accomplished a lot, and should have been a nominee.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Kelsey Grammer-Boss-The biggest shock the day the nominations were announced was that this 12 time nominee did not get a nomination when he proved his dramatic chops on the Starz drama.  Grammer made people forget about Frasier Crane proving that this guy should have made this list.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Kate Sagal-Sons of Anarchy-Another comedic icon who shed her laughs for this dark role, Sagal has been ignored by this voting body time and time again for some reason.  Gemma is one bad ass, and Sagal's performance is one of the strongest female acting on television today.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Mandy Patinkin-Homeland-Saul is the quiet one of the bunch.  Unlike Carrie and Brody he does not have the flash in his story, but Patinking proves that he is the quiet rock.  Patinkin is one incredible actor, and people seem to forget him in this show for some reason, but his performance is incredible.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Lena Headey-Game of Thrones-This Lady Macbeth type character was a little one note in season one, but Headey provided a lot more depth in season two.  Her interactions with Dinklage always used to have me saying "Wow he's great."  This year she stepped up her game, and proved her talent.

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series: Breaking Bad-Box Cutter-Vince Gilligan-The season four premiere kicks off where the intensity from season 3 ended, and Vince Gilligan starts strong as he knows how to do.  This show was snubbed in the writing category (although the show's direction is stronger), but should be given credit for the almost often well crafted self contained world.

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: Game of Thrones-Blackwater-Neil Marshall-The epitome of what could defined as one of the best directed television episodes ever!  This larger than life battle was brilliantly crafted, and built up the tension perfectly.  My winner of the year would be this episode.

Comedy Categories 

Outstanding Comedy Series: Community-The Emmy Awards always seem to forget the Greendale 7.  This is going to be regarded as one of the funniest series of all time to not get a nomination in this category, but like the Greendale 7 this show is rebellious, and not ever getting a nomination will keep its hip factor alive.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Adam Scott-Parks and Recreation-Ben Wyatt's dorky/nerdy side could give Sheldon Cooper and the gang from Big Bang for their money.  Scott's loveable dork/love interest for Leslie Knope was the highlight of season four; he ran Leslie's campaign, cried dressed up like Batman, and so much more.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Laura Dern-Enlightened-I have said this before and I will say it again, I loathe this show, and just think there is something about it that makes me cringe.  With that said Dern does a fantastic job of making a show I hate bearable enough.; she is a great actress, and this is one terrific role.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Nick Offerman-Parks and Recreation-Who leaves Ron Swanson off the ballot?  Ron Swanson would actually leave his own name off so maybe the voters got thrown by his persona.  Offerman has created one of the funniest, most distinct characters in television history, I do not know what the Emmy voters do not get.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Casey Wilson-Happy Endings-Watch out for this show next year!  Last season the show hit full steam and was one of the best shows on television, namely because of its great ensemble including the lovelorn Penny Hartz.  Wilson is one funny lady, and this character is no Phoebe she is her own crazy persona.

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series: Veep-Chung-Sean Gray & Armando Iannucci & Will Smith-The writing on this show was spot on, I am shocked voters did missed it in this category, especially the funniest episode of season, "Chung."  This episode follows the Veep herself as she may be replaced by a Senator named Chung with whom she makes a racially driven comment about on television, I cried with laughter.

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series:Community-Remedial Chaos Theory-Jeff Melman-The show got its first major nomination in the writing category this year for this episode, but how can you forget Melman's direction?  The direction in this episode was the glue to the framework.  This was one of the shows strongest episodes ever, and Melman deserves just as much credit.

Comedy Series Emmy Submissions

So for those who may not know, but odds are that if you read about pop culture you do, everyone submits an episode (s) for the perspective category they are nominated for.  This is this year's comedy acting race, and some analysis on the race (so far).

BEST COMEDY SERIES:
 30 ROCK * Season 6 * NBC
Tape A: "Idiots Are People Two!" & "Idiots Are People Three!"
Tape B: "The Tuxedo Begins" & "St. Patrick's Day"
Tape C: "Meet the Woggels!" & "Murphy Brown Lied to Us"

THE BIG BANG THEORY * Season 5 * CBS
Tape A: "The Hawking Excitation" & "The Countdown Reflection"
Tape B: "The Russian Rocket Reaction" & "The Beta Test Initiation"
Tape C: "The Ornithophobia Diffusion" & "The Shiny Trinket Maneuver"

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM * Season 8 * HBO
Tape A: "Vow of Silence" & "The Hero"
Tape B: "Palestinian Chicken" & "Car Periscope"
Tape C: "Mister Softee" & "Larry vs. Michael J. Fox"

GIRLS * Season 1 * HBO
Tape A: "Pilot" & "Vagina Panic"
Tape B: "Hannah's Diary" & "Hard Being Easy"
Tape C: "Leave Me Alone" & "She Did"

MODERN FAMILY * Season 3 * ABC
Tape A: "Door to Door" & "Aunt Mommy"
Tape B: "Leap Day" & "Baby on Board"
Tape C: "Punkin' Chunkin'" & "Egg Drop"

VEEP * Season 1 * HBO
Tape A: "Pilot" & "Catherine"
Tape B: "Nicknames" & "Baseball"
Tape C: "Full Disclosure" & "Tears"

Analysis: Comedy series seems locked up, but with these episodes, and recent developments there is always some doubt.  Modern Family has won twice, and the show is favored to win for a third time this year.  I would say that their recent contract disputes, weaker set of episodes, and lack on nominations in the writing category, which they won two years in a row, sets them back.  The biggest spoilers are HBO's Veep, Curb Your Enthusiasm and CBS's The Big Bang Theory.  Curb had an incredible season, and the show is beloved, Veep has a hip factor, and started out strong, while Big Bang harkens back to the traditional sitcom.  Curb is the biggest spoiler, but it feels too late.  Big Bang would make the most sense, because its well liked and popular. Modern Family is the most nominated series, I predict it wins one last year (this one) and is done.  30 Rock may have scored a lot of nominations, but the show is done, and I am shocked Girls made it into this category, but I do not think the average voter will get it.

1-Modern Family
2-Curb Your Enthusiasm
3-The Big Bang Theory
4-Veep
5-30 Rock
6-Girls

BEST COMEDY ACTOR:  
Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock ("Live from Studio 6H")
Don Cheadle - House of Lies ("Gods of Dangerous Financial Instruments")
Louis CK - Louie ("Duckling")
Jon Cryer - Two and a Half Men ("Frodo's Headshots")
Larry David - Curb Your Enthusiasm ("Palestinian Chicken")
Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory ("The Werewolf Transformation")


Analysis: This race boils down to three men, two playing themselves and one playing a geek.  At the moment my predicted front runner is hip comic Louis C.K.; he is hilarious and heat warming in his episode where he is going overseas to perform for the troops an his two daughters pack a baby duck in his suit case to keep him safe.  David picked one of his funniest episodes ever, where he goes to a Palestinian restaurant because he likes there chicken, one funny thing happens after another.  Parsons is the perennial favorites with two wins under his belt (they love repeat winners).  Parsons episode is solid.  I personally would pick David based on the tapes, but I think he's in third at the moment.  Louis C.K.'s show is more current, and hes a triple nominee, with a great tape.  Just watch out for that threepeat from Parsons!


1-Louis CK
2-Jim Parsons
3-Larry David
4-Alec Baldwin
5-Jon Cryer
6-Don Cheedle

BEST COMEDY ACTRESS:
Zooey Deschanel - New Girl ("Bad in Bed")  
Lena Dunham - Girls ("She Did")
Edie Falco - Nurse Jackie ("Disneyland Sucks")
Tina Fey - 30 Rock ("The Tuxedo Begins")
Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Veep ("Tears")
Melissa McCarthy - Mike and Molly ("The Dress")
Amy Poehler - Parks and Recreation ("Win, Lose or Draw")


Seven nominees!  Lots of contenders, but two are out, the F's Fey and Falco.  The two women have their trophies.  Dunham picked a poor tape, I would say she's out.  And then there were four.  McCarthy won on a weak tape last year, but I do not think she will repeat, look for her to take Guest Actress.  Deschanel submitted well, but will the Emmy voters love her quirck enough?  My thoughts are no.  Leaving two women Poehler and and Dreyfus to battle it out.  Both have solid tapes, and are well respected, but look for Dreyfus to win out.  Dreyfus is nominee from a Best Comedy Series nominee this year, while the Emmys snubbed Parks and Recreation.  Will this matter ? Maybe.  Looking at the past winners many of these ladies shows were ignored, especially in recent years, Melissa McCarthy, Toni Collette, Julia Louis Drefus (Old Christine), and Helen Hunt for the last two years of Mad About You.  Tight race and data matters so the edge goes to Dreyfus.


1-Julia Louis Dreyfus
2-Amy Poehler
3- Zooey Deschanel 
4-Melissa McCarthy
5-Lena Dunham
6-Tina Fey
7-Edie Falco

BEST COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTOR:  
Ty Burrell - Modern Family ("Lifetime Supply")
Jesse Tyler Ferguson - Modern Family ("Leap Day")
Max Greenfield - New Girl ("Control")
Bill Hader - Saturday Night Live ("Host: Katy Perry")
Ed O'Neill - Modern Family ("Baby on Board")
Eric Stonestreet - Modern Family ("Treehouse")


Analysis: If this were based on tape alone I would pick Max Greenfield, but the truth is that with four nominees the other Modern Family guys help each other out.  My guess is that like The West Wing the show will have every supporting male win.  With that said who stands the best shot to win next for the show?  This year the tapes are proving to be in Jesse Tyler Ferguson's favor.  Each tape seems to help him out while none really help Ed O'Neil.  Eric has a strong tape on his own, and is great in many of the other tapes so look for him as a spoiler.  Burrell's character is beloved, like Stonestreet's because their humor is more laugh out loud than dry so he could spoil as well.  Hader is out!


1-Jessie Tyler Ferguson
2-Ty Burrell
3-Eric Stonestreet
4-Max Greenfield
5-Ed O'Neil
6-Bill Hader 

BEST COMEDY SUPPORTING ACTRESS:  
Mayim Bialik - The Big Bang Theory ("The Shiny Trinket Maneuver")
Julie Bowen - Modern Family ("Go Bullfrogs!")
Kathryn Joosten - Desperate Housewives ("Finishing the Hat")
Merritt Wever - Nurse Jackie ("One-Armed Jacks")
Kristen Wiig - Saturday Night Live ("Host: Mick Jagger")
Sofia Vergara - Modern Family ("Tableau Vivant")


Analysis: Look for three women to dominate this, Vergara, Wiig, and Joosten.  Why?  Vergara has finally submitted an incredible tape, and she steals the show on Bowen's tape as well.  If they go for the best they should pick her.  Why the other two ladies? Sentimentality.  Sure Joosten and Wiig are both talented, but sentiment will play a major role here.  Wiig's swan son on SNL highlights her funniest moments and sends her off with graceful dancing so touching!  Joosten is a favorite among the Academy, and her death could have a major impact on voters.  This happens, but mainly when the performance is so out of this world like Heath Ledger or Peter Finch.


Predictions
1-Kristin Wiig
2-Sofia Vergara
3-Kathryn Joosten
4-Julie Bown
5-Mayim Bialik
6-Merritt Weaver

BEST COMEDY GUEST ACTOR:
Will Arnett - 30 Rock ("Idiots Are People Three!")
Bobby Cannavale - Nurse Jackie ("Disneyland Sucks")
Jimmy Fallon - Saturday Night Live ("Host: Jimmy Fallon")
Michael J. Fox - Curb Your Enthusiasm ("Larry vs. Michael J. Fox")
Jon Hamm - 30 Rock ("Live from Studio 6H")
Greg Kinnear - Modern Family ("Me? Jealous?")


Prediction:Jimmy Fallon vs. Michael J. Fox-This is a nail biter, but I think Fallon will win.

BEST COMEDY GUEST ACTRESS:
Elizabeth Banks - 30 Rock ("The Return of Avery Jessup")
Kathy Bates - Two and a Half Men ("Why We Gave Up Women")
Margaret Cho - 30 Rock ("The Return of Avery Jessup")
Dot-Marie Jones - Glee ("Choke")
Melissa McCarthy - Saturday Night Live ("Host: Melissa McCarthy")
Maya Rudolph - Saturday Night Live ("Host: Maya Rudolph")


Prediction-Dot Marie Jones has a shot this year, but look for Melissa McCarthy to actually make the judges laugh


BEST COMEDY WRITING:Community - Chris McKenna - "Remedial Chaos Theory"
Girls - Lena Dunham - "Pilot"
Louie - Louis CK - "Pregnant"
Parks and Recreation - Amy Poehler - "The Debate"
Parks and Recreation - Michael Schur - "Win, Lose or Draw"


Prediction-They are always the wild card group, and I think this is between Girls and Parks and Recreation, with Girls squeaking out the win for four time nominated Dunham.

BEST COMEDY DIRECTING:Curb Your Enthusiasm - Robert B. Weide - "Palestinian Chicken"
Girls - Lena Dunham - "She Did"
Louie - Louis CK - "Duckling"
New Girl - Jake Kasdan - "Pilot"
Modern Family - Steven Levitan - "Baby on Board"
Modern Family - Jason Winer - "Virgin Territory"  


Prediction: Louie vs. Curb, look for Duckling to steal their hearts and impress them with great direction.