Thoughts on Emmy Nominations: Comedy Supporting Acting

Here are my thoughts on the “supporting acting” nominations for the Comedy category.

SUPPORTING ACTOR

Last year’s nominees:

• Chris Colfer
• Neil Patrick Harris
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson
• Eric Stonestreet
• Ty Burrell
• Jon Cryer

No one is ineligible from last year’s pack of nominees.

Will be nominated:

• Chris Colfer
• Neil Patrick Harris
• Ed O’Neill
• Eric Stonestreet
• Ty Burrell
• Nick Offerman

Hard to see returnees Colfer and Harris not repeating. Even if their shows both suffered a bit quality-wise. Colfer had the bullying story to work through, and got his first on-screen boyfriend. Harris was versatile and amiable as always, and got some different notes to play with a well-cast John Lithgow as his dad. The Modern Family cast is problematic from a nomination standpoint, since all four men submit in the supporting category. Last year, all but Ed O’Neill got in, and Stonestreet won. This year, I think they get O’Neill in, keep the returning champ and Burrell, and pass over Ferguson whose character didn’t get as much to do this year. They could nominate all four, but I’m hoping that Offerman’s Ron Fucking Swanson gets the credit he deserves (he did find more widespread recognition this year, with his Pyramid of Greatness and all) and finds a way in.

Should be nominated:

• Nick Offerman
• Danny Pudi
• Adam Scott
• Donald Glover
• Chris Pratt
• Ty Burrell

My list would be very heavy on Community and Parks and Rec, since I think these are the two best sitcoms on the air, with the two best ensemble casts. To me, there’s Offerman and then everyone else. But the “everyone else” list is pretty damned spectacular. Very difficult and crowded category.

Honorable Mention:

Chris Colfer, Neil Patrick Harris, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Jon Cryer (could he get in as kind of “Purple Heart” medal?), Ed O’Neill, Mike O’Malley (not as much to do in S2 as S1, but very good as always when he did show up), Garret Dillahunt (two distinct roles in the same western, killer cyborg, dim-witted yokel – is there anything this man can’t do?), Charlie Day, Josh Hopkins.


SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Last year’s nominations:

• Jane Lynch
• Julie Bowen
• Sofia Vergara
• Kristen Wiig
• Jane Krakowski
• Holland Taylor

All eligible again.

Will be nominated:

• Jane Lynch
• Julie Bowen
• Sofia Vergara
• Kristen Wiig
• Heather Morris
• Betty White

I think Lynch will still make it in, even though it could be argued that Glee worked much better this year in episodes where Sue didn’t appear. Will the Betty White thing ever show signs of cooling off? I’m guessing no. Though it has nothing to do with her worthiness as an Emmy nominee, the success of Bridesmaids will probably keep Wiig around even if her SNL characters are punishingly unfunny. The Emmys seem to love Glee, so how’s about a nomination for Heather Morris, the best and most consistently amusing thing about that show’s second season?

Should be nominated:

• Sofia Vergara
• Julie Bowen
• Heather Morris
• Allison Brie
• Gillian Jacobs
• Aubrey Plaza

Vergara takes what could be a caricature, and makes is so damned funny you don’t mind that accents and malaprops are some of the oldest comedy tricks in the book. Bowen’s role is very difficult to pull off, to be somewhat neurotic and controlling in a cast full of more lovable crazies, that I think she deserves a spot, too (I recall watching a comedy actress roundtable, where Bowen indicated that the mostly male writers’ room constantly scripts Claire as the turned up to 11 version of the bitchiness and nagging that the writers feel they get at home). Host a youtube chat show with Lord Tubbington = nomination. I put in both Brie and Jacobs, who do exceptional work on Community. Jacobs, I think, has the higher degree of difficulty for portraying a character who is pretty much a self-righteous party mop, yet one who can still seem vulnerable and somewhat self-aware thanks to the skillful acting. Finally, April could always seem a bit one-note (though a very funny apathetic hipster one-note), but her relationship with Andy deepened the character a great deal this year, and “Janet Snakehole” put it over the top for me.

Honorable Mention:

Merritt Weaver (gave up on the show, but she was always the best part of it), Melissa Rauch, Busy Phillips (I know lots of folks love her and the character, but there is some weird negative reaction I have to the actress that I can’t put my finger on. I couldn’t stand her on Freaks & Geeks, and she’s often my least favorite part of Cougar Town, too), Kaitlin Olsen, Amy Ryan (so odd that she submitted as supporting instead of guest, but she was great in Michael Scott’s final arc. Plus, how fucking talented is Amy Ryan? Contrast her work as the dorkalicious Holly with her work as Paul’s therapist on In Treatment. Wow), Rashida Jones (being the straight person in the cast is harder than it looks, plus we got to see Ann crumble this year, and Jones handled it well), Mary Elizabeth Ellis (frequently the only bright spot in the terrible Perfect Couples. Someone needs to get her on a good sitcom).