Keir Gilchrist, United States of Tara: Gilchrist's awkward, gay, film buff son of Toni Collette's titular character was the main reason I stuck with Tara past its first few episodes, and got rewarded with a series that's now on my permanent DVR schedule. I thank him by rooting for his Emmy nod that's probably never going to happen.
Michael Urie, Ugly Betty: Urie's bitchy, gay, fashion buff assistant to Mode magazine's most fearsome editrix proved to be more than just a quip-spewing lapdog/attack dog this season. Watching Marc strive for love and a better career proved alternately hilarious and heartbreaking, and proved Urie is every bit as valuable to the Ugly Betty cast as the more heralded Williams and America Ferrera.
Ana Ortiz, Ugly Betty: Speaking of Betty's long list of MVPs, I've got to hand it to Ortiz. Sure, she showed her dramatic chops when Ignacio's health woes surfaced, but more importantly, even her most throwaway lines and facial expressions leave me howling with laughter. Hilda FTMFW!
Hamish Linklater, The New Adventures of Old Christine: It's not easy stealing a scene from Julia Loius-Dreyfus, but Linklater is the stealth weapon in the fully loaded arsenal of this underappreciated CBS sitcom.
Okay, so those are my longshot picks for Emmy nominations for Supporting Actors and Actresses in a Comedy (we'll get to their dramatic counterparts tomorrow), but who are you rooting for? Remember, if your faves don't getany Emmy love, they could still score themselves an EWwy nod, so make sure to argue passionately on their behalves! Ready, set, discuss!
More on Emmys:
Who deserves an Emmy nod for Lead Actor/Actress in a Drama? (Not just the usual suspects!)
Who deserves an Emmy nod for Lead Actor/Actress in a Comedy? (Underdog picks encouraged!)
Michael Ausiello's Dream Emmy Ballot part 1: Best Supporting Actor and Actress (comedy)
addCredit("Gilchrist: Jordin Althaus/Showtime; Urie and Ortiz: Patrick Harbron/ABC; Linklater: Greg Gayne/CBS")
I can’t believe you’d talk about supporting actors and actresses in comedy without mentioning Kristen Chenoweth and Chi McBride for their PHENOMENAL work on “Pushing Daisies”!! I think ABC was incredibly stupid for canceling such an amazing and original series, and I hope that Anna Friel and Lee Pace get the nominations they deserve as well, but Kristen and Chi have given some outstanding performances.
Casey from chuck! He shows his tough side and his adoration for Chuck in just his grunts and eye glances.
I would definitely add Emily Rutherfurd as New Christine in “The New Adventures of Old Christine” to your list of deserving Emmy nominees. She absolutely slays me with her perfect line readings on the show, and I die laughing every time she’s on screen. I still remember the first time I saw her as a student in one of Jack’s acting classes on “Will & Grace” (as Joanne, the actress – or attractress – who failed to get a anti-smoking commercial “because I seemed too jazzed about my dead dad,” but got a toothpast commercial instead). She was great then and even better now.
Jane Krakowsi, Jack McBrayer, and Tracy Morgan for 30 Rock. I think it’s finally time for them to get nods, especially Jane.
Slezak! Neil Patrick Harris, of course! Dude manages to be EVERYWHERE at the same time–and I haven’t heard one person complain yet!! I would love for Jason Segel to get nominated as well. If Barney is the comedy of HIMYM, Marshall is the heart, and with this Lily-lite season, this was shown even more.
Jamie Pressly..My Name is Earl
Jane Krakowski..30 Rock
Neil Patrick Harris..HIMYM
Emily Rutherfors..New Adventures of Old Christine
Jim Parsons..Big Bang Theory
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Neil Patrick Harris (HIMYM): NPH…’Nuff said.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Judy Reyes (Scrubs): She’s kind of a wild card and this award would be long overdue, especially since we probably won’t be seeing her again because of the show’s new direction into the med-school Paper Chase world
I would add either T.J. Thyne or John Francis Daley from Bones. They’re both adept scene stealers.
Melissa McCarthy, Jennifer Esposito, Jean Smart for ‘Samantha Who.’ Jane Krakowski and Tracey Morgan for ’30 Rock.’ Portia Di Rossi and Andrea Anders for ‘Better Off Ted.’ Hamish Linkleter, Wanda Sykes, Emily Rutherford for ‘Old Christine.’ Nicolette Sheridan for ‘Housewives.’ Almost anyone from ‘The Office.’ Aziz Ansari for ‘Parks & Recreation.’ Eve Best, Anna Deavere Smith for ‘Nurse Jackie.’ Elizabeth Perkins, Justin Kirk for ‘Weeds.’
Rainn Wilson (The Office)
John Krasinski (The Office)
NPH (How I Met Your Mother)
Chi McBride (Pushing Daisies)
Dule Hill (Psych)
Jenna Fischer (The Office)
Angela Kinsey (The Office)
Kristen Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies)
Supporting Actor/Actress in a comedy is a great category and probably the most fiercely competitive for the reasons you mentioned.
Supporting Actor: I totally agree with you on Urie. “Betty” was uneven this past year, but I really like how they expanded his character and made him deeper. He and Amanda still torture Betty, but now I can actually buy that they’re friends. Sorta.
If we’re talking longshots, I’d also add John C. McGinley to my wish list. Sure, he wasn’t extraordinary this year on “Scrubs”, but the man is about five years overdue for a nomination. Finally, I’d add Ed Helms in “The Office”. There’s a lot to like in “The Office” supporting players, but Helms has made Andy likable and endearing, while nto sacrificing any of the characters inherent, Ivy League doucheyness.
As for the ladies, I’ll throw in Madison De La Garza as Juanita Solis in “Desperate Housewives” and Amy Ryan from “The Office” (If Ryan is a guest star, I switch that to Phillys Smith)
Bunker…GREAT call on the Samantha Who actresses. Smart (who won last year) McCarthy and Esposito are all Emmy worthy.
I agree that 30 Rock’s support is worthy too. Jenna’s ridiculous attempt to get the Janis Joplin movie made was great. Tracy has some of the best lines on the show (Wordplay!), and I’m still kinda laughing about Kenneth and the Hill Witch gag.
Definitely Jenna Fischer from The Office. She always stands out among an already talented cast.
Brie Larson for United States of Tara, too. She never let her 16-year-old brat become a cliche. Rather, she made her pretty complex and anchored it with some great reaction shots. And Kristen Saachl for Flight of the Conchords, who makes stalking truly hilarious. For guys, my pick would be Ed Helms, who I think gives the least over-the-top over-the-top performance on The Office; he’s made Andy a sweet, funny, well-intentioned but pretty complicated man.