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Before the Ballots: Actor &

Actress

2010 Primetime Emmy® Award Pre-Nomination Special Report
 by Daisy Whitney
06/14/10

Good morning. It’s Monday, June 14, 2010, and this is the third of five special reports focused on the Pre-Nomination phase of the 2010 Primetime Emmy® Awards.

BEFORE THE BALLOTS: Actor & Actress
By Daisy Whitney

As is often the case with acting awards, there is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the men who might be nominated for Emmys. For both leading actor categories  drama and comedy  the range of talented actors who could nab an Emmy nod extends far past the five or six slots available. That’s because not only are there many fine actors in marquee TV roles these days, but many shows are still fronted by men.

The roles aren’t quite as plentiful for actresses, but there are many leading ladies to round out the acting categories on the women’s side.

Here’s a look at who’s likely to be nominated in the leading actor awards when the Emmy nominations are announced on July 8.

Baldwin’s to Lose

Alec Baldwin of 30 Rock and Steve Carell of The Office are locks for leading actor in a comedy series, said Vlada Gelman, Editor of TV blog Staying In. She also picks Jim Parsons of Big Bang Theory, Larry David of The Larry David Show and Tony Shalhoub of Monk as strong contenders for nominations. Joel McHale from Community has a good shot at a nod because of the show’s reviews and because the entire Modern Family cast  this year’s ratings and critics darling  submitted themselves in the supporting actor race, taking themselves out of the running for a leading acting nod.

“That’s kind of a mistake on their part,” said Tim Surette, a writer with TV.com. Many of the Modern Family cast members stood a decent chance in the leading category too but now they will have to compete with each other in the supporting ones.

Alec Baldwin is a tough actor to beat though, having won the last two years. He’s also regarded by many fans and critics as simply the best part of that show and its comic heartbeat. But Steve Carell who has been nominated four years in a row, could pull off a win this year, said Frank Nicotero, Host of Yahoo TV’s Primetime in No Time recap show.

“Steve Carell puts on a comedy clinic every week,” Nicotero said. “He is so good and seamless as Michael Scott that you almost take him for granted. That show is like a good football team with him at quarterback and without him it’s not the same team.”

Surette said he’s pulling for Jim Parsons to win after nabbing his first nomination last year. Like Carell on The Office, The Big Bang Theory hinges on Parsons’ portrayal of Sheldon. “He carries the show. Without Jim Parsons there is no Big Bang Theory and that’s what  a leading actor does,” Surette said.

Dramatic Men

Two-time winner Bryan Cranston of AMC’s Breaking Bad is sure to be nominated again for the leading actor in a drama category, as will Dexter’s Michael C. Hall who’s been tapped two years in a role for his title role, Gelman said.

Another shoe-in for a nomination is Jon Hamm, the focal point of AMC’s acclaimed Mad Men. He’s been nominated two years in a row, but fellow AMC actor Cranston took home the trophy those years.

“Hopefully, the fact that Mad Men’s last season aired last summer doesn’t mean Emmy voters have forgotten Hamm’s incredible performance,” Gelman said. “Betty discovering Don’s secret and all the turmoil at Sterling Cooper made for Hamm’s finest season yet.”

Another likely pick for best actor in a drama is Matthew Fox of Lost. “He was great this past season on Lost and the fact that it was the show’s last season certainly doesn’t hurt,” Gelman said. Surette agrees: the final season pivoted around Fox’s character and this could be his year.

Hugh Laurie of House is also a strong contender as is Dennis Leary in Rescue Me. “How Hugh Laurie doesn’t win every year is a marvel to me,” Nicotero said.

Nicotero is also rooting for the lesser-known HBO show Treme to land a nomination for its star Wendell Pierce, who also performed ably for years on The Wire. “His scenes are the best to me,” Nicotero said.

“When it comes to leading actor, people will look back at this time and it’s like a Mt. Rushmore with so much talent,” he said.

Leading Ladies

When it comes to the women, there aren’t quite as many options as the men. That means some of the usual suspects will make a regular showing come July 8. In the drama field, that includes Sally Field of Brothers and Sisters, Glenn Close of Damages (she’s won the last two years) and Mariska Hargitay of Law & Order: SVU.

But there’s a new frontrunner in town. As the wife of a disgraced state’s attorney who returns to her litigation post, Julianna Margulies in The Good Wife has won rave reviews in her newest role since ER.

“Julianna Margulies does steely and vulnerable to perfection on The Good Wife, and her SAG and Golden Globe wins definitely make her a lock for a nomination,” Gelman said. The battle Margulies will face is simply in the show’s newness. Often Emmy voters wait for a show to grow on them before they reward its actors.

There may be some new blood in the race too as January Jones from Mad Men is also a contender for a nomination.

Funny Girls

30 Rock’s Tina Fey’s name will surely be in the running, almost Mary Tyler Moore-esque in her award regularity. Her toughest competition will come from last year’s winner Toni Collette who took home the trophy for her portrayal of Tara Gregson and her multiple personalities. “Last year she won by playing a character with three alter egos. This season she had five! She is a lock,” said Michael Buckley, a TV tracker and host of YouTube show What the Buck.

Mary Louise Parker may not earn a nomination because Weeds has had a rocky season. Her likely absence could open the door for the “very deserving” Edie Falco of Nurse Jackie and Amy Poehler of Parks and Recreation, Gelman said. Don’t count Courtney Cox-Arquette out either. “The success of Cougar Town and memories of Friends will more than likely nab Courteney Cox-Arquette a nomination,” Gelman said.

Someone who has an outside chance is Lea Michele on Glee. It’s a huge hit show and will likely earn a best comedy nod, Nicotero said. On the acting side, she is able to convey so much emotion through song, he pointed out.

This 5-part series of 2010 Primetime Emmy® Award Pre-Nomination Special Reports are available on the Cynopsis website in our special Primetime Emmy® 2010 section.

Later —
Daisy Whitney for Cynopsis
daisywhitney @gmail.com
06.14.10

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