Emmy Dream Ballot: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2012-2013)

Much like the year without a Santa Clause, this is the first year without a supporting actor from Modern Family.  Modern Family is still a solid show, but the show and its actors have hit a plateau, Phil is still the goofy dad, Mitch and Cam still have some of the best quips, and Jay remains old and cranky.

While none of those men made my final list this was the toughest comedy category to narrow down this year.  I could have had ten nominees in this category, proving that even though it may be a tough job constantly supporting these men are up to the task time and time again!

Will Arnett as Gob Bluth in Arrested Development

The MVP of Development's return on Netflix.  Both of the Gob episodes were some of the funniest television episodes I have seen all year, and while the writing had a lot to do with that funny, Arnett deserves a lot of credit.  Arnett has starred, and guest starred in numerous roles in a post Development on Fox, pre-Netflix era, and while Devon Banks (30 Rock) was a great character, nothing comes close to Arnett's portrayal of Gob.  Watching him pretend to be gay, while actually maybe being gay with Ben Stiller proved to be comic genius.  His magic trick to get out of his wedding to Ann rocked too.  Arnett is great and he deserves a nomination.

Max Greenfield as Ted Schmidt New Girl

Watching Schmidt fight for CeCe, and find himself more and more this year was a great acting achievement for Max Greenfield.  Schmidt needed to go back to his roots with Elizabeth (Merrit Wever) find himself and no longer cling to what he thought made him desirable to women.  There were of course other moments earlier on where he realized he need to have feelings for someone in order to have hot sex again, which was hilarious to watch Schmidt realize how feelings make sex even better.  Greenfield is great at this role, and this season showed more growth in Schmidt, making him a richer, and even funnier character,  Greenfield is a rock star at playing this bro!

Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz in The Big Bang Theory

Howard in spaaaaace! Loved watching Howard journey through the depths of space being teased, dealing with his paranoia, and then of course being a newlywed and potentially moving out of his mother's house.  Helberg has grown well as an actor, and given further depth to this character throughout the years, watching him interact with his father-in-law who only answers things in short sentences is priceless. Helberg is great in this role, and after six seasons finally deserves a place on this list as one of the funniest supporting actors in television.

Alex Karpovsky as Ray Plonshansky in Girls

On a show centered around, well let's say, girls without any digs about how shallow and self absorbed they, oh wait whoops, Ray is one of the most interesting characters on the show.  At the beginning of season Shoshanna was dealing with Ray's inability to commit, and Ray dealt with his own hang ups. Karpovsky's Ray soon comitted and became the man Shossanna wanted, delving into the relationship world.  Karpovsky was brilliant as Ray this season adding a little more depth to his sarcasm from season one.  While most people focused on Hannah's ex Adam, Ray was the boy in this show who provided the most heart and laughs this season.

Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson in Parks and Recreation

As Ron meets Diane, there was an instant shine that was added to his character, unlike all the Tammy's Diane was sane, had children, and Ron soon became Ron with a little added care.  As much as Ron could give, with his regular Libertarianism. Watching Ron attempt to help baby sit Diane's two young girls was hilarious, and will provide great context for Ron as a father next season.  Ron's level as protector to Leslie was also upped, especially when he punched Councilmen Jamm who was breaking up Leslie's wedding.  While some will argue a lack of growth in Ron, I see this season as a year of development with one of the greatest Libertarians of all time.

Damon Wayans Jr. as Brad Williams in Happy Endings

Another sad write-up, as Happy Endings has been cancelled.  Brad's character blends the confidence of a great man and the comfort of being able to be stay at home husband with ease, well almost.  Brad was fired from his job at the end of season two, and throughout this season he was a stay at home husband, a hilarious "trophy wife," working at a children's birthday party funplex, amping up Bar Mitzvahs, and then eventually back to business world.  Brad is on funny guy, and I loved getting to watch Damon Wayans Jr. tackle this more fleshed out character, which unlike anyone makes you laugh more than anyone before.  He was the glue to this cast, and this character will be missed.

Runners Up: Mike White-Enlightened, Ty Burrel-Modern Family

The Bluth Family is Back! Arrested Development Returns in Top Form

The Bluths are back!  After a seven year absence one of the most dysfunctional television families has returned.  Arrested Development lasted three seasons on FOX, but the network made a huge mistake, they cancelled the show, and did not see the long range fan base.  Throughout the the seven year after the show was cancelled the fan base has grown and grown, and there were talks of making the show into a film a la Sex and the City.  Instead of a movie something even better has happened, the ever growing Netflix has brought the show back!

One of the most amazing things about this show is the way it rose the visibility of the stars from the show.  Development marked a return to form for child star Jason Bateman, and after this show he has never worked more; his most recent film Identity Thief made 130 million domestic.  Will Arnett has had several different sitcoms, and was a recurring guest star on 30 Rock.  Jessica Walter lends her voice to Archer, and so on and son.  I am excited to see them come back to their routes, and like that they seem just as happy to return to working on this show.

After only watching the first four episodes of the show (I had to eat sometime), seeing the countless tweets, and facebook status updates the show has maintained the laughs and the love it has built up throughout the years.  At the moment my favorite thing i have seen is Lucille figuring out how to smoke in her smoke free apartment, no spoilers, but it is one of the funniest things I have seen.  The show also knows how to continue to use its recurring guest stars.  Time to go back to the show, and continue the laughs with one of my favorite television families.

Goodbye 30 Rock: A Look at Seven Great Seasons with 7 Great Guest Stars

In one week from tonight they shut out the lights  at studio 6H, and 30 Rock will go off the air for good.  While the show has past its prime, this is one of the most brilliant shows to grace the television landscape, and will be missed.  From Liz and her "Blurgh" moments to Jack channeling Tracey's father and assortment of his neighbors.  This modern Mary/Mr. Grant pairings is on of the best. In honor of the shows last week I will be paying tribute to the shows best guests, episodes, best cast moments, and much more!

While 30 Rock often became a rotation of special guest stars, and sometimes they cluttered up the screen, they were still one of the most important parts of the shows history.  Many of the best were those who played a significant role throughout the shows years, while there were one or two who only showed up once and left us laughing forever.  Here are the best guest stars:

Elaine Stritch as Colleen Donaghey

That ole broad Elaine Stritch has always made me laugh, but her stint as Jack's mom is probably one of the funniest she has ever had.  Her folksy racism mixed with her biting hatred of everything may be the reason Jack ended up the way he is, and I do not know whether to thank her, for the laughter of course, or be scarred.

Best Quote:"Tell him his mother's here. An' she loves him. But not in a queer way."

Will Arnett as Devon Banks

Jack's gay counterpart who is always at odds with him is one of my favorite guest stars, and Arnett plays Devon fabulously.  Devon has showed up multiple times throughout the year and whether there is homoerotic banter with Jack or him making fun of Liz for her manly qualities you can never go wrong with Devon.

Best Quote: "After the election, I could have had any ambassadorship that I wanted. Even to the world's gayest country: Ireland."

Dean Winters as Dennis Duffy

Liz's first boyfriend on the show, Dennis the beeper king is the polar opposite of who you would expect her to be with, and that's one of the best parts about this character.  Whether he is the subway hero, or causing a rift between Liz and Jenna, Winters was always one of the most fun guest actors on the show.

Best Quote “I was helicoptering into Zimbabwe when I thought I saw someone I knew. So I waved from the helicopter, which it turns out is a big no-no. So the rotor took my right hand clean off. And it turns out the person I was waving to was not my old football coach.”

Jon Hamm as Dr. Drew Baird

Liz found Dr. Drew (different one) threw getting his mail by mistake.  This doctor with perfect looks see Liz on the toilet, and deals with her accidentally roofying him, but still dates her.  The good doctor seemed to be the perfect man, but spent most of his time in the "bubble" of good looks. Who knew Don Draper was so funny, Tina Fey did.

Best Quote “I was helicoptering into Zimbabwe when I thought I saw someone I knew. So I waved from the helicopter, which it turns out is a big no-no. So the rotor took my right hand clean off. And it turns out the person I was waving to was not my old football coach.”

Sherri Shepherd as Angie Jordan

Tracey's wife Angie did not show up until later in the show (in the version of Ms. Shepherd) but that Queen of Jordan is one of the funniest recurring guest stars.  Angie's real housewives like show Queen of Jordan is one of the funniest episodes in the later years of the shows history, and she proves she is one funny lady.

Best Quote:  “I need to look good for my party and I refuse to wear anything my size or appropriate for my age.” 

Chris Parnell as Dr. Leo Spaceman

Chris Parnell was one of those recurring guest stars who did not get as much respect as he deserved.  Parnell's Dr. Spacemen was always there to bail out the gang in tricky medical situations helping fake DNA tests, or get Jenna skinny.  Parnell is one under rated straight man, but his comedic timing is off the charts.

Best Quote: “So, what can I help you with? I should start by saying that I can't personally help you conceive. Something happened to me while scuba diving.”


Carrie Fisher as Rosemary Howard

Who better than Liz's writing idol to make this list.  Carrie Fisher's Rosemary was sassy, and pathetic the way you would imagine an older Liz Lemon without Jack.  Fisher is the only person on this list who was only on the show once, but her appearance in the second season was one of the shows most memorable.

Best Quote"You’re just like me. You get up in the morning and smoke weed. You obsess about the Jamaican man across the hall… Help me, Liz Lemon, you’re my only hope!”

Honorable Mentions: Oprah,  John Slattery, Margaret Cho, and Salma Hayek