FRENEMIES LIKE THESE
Some clashes in the comedy acting categories are no laughing matter -- like when “Entourage” rascals Kevin Dillon and Jeremy Piven had to square off in the supporting ring last year. This year, former “Saturday Night Live” costars Tina Fey (“30 Rock”) and Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation”) may have dueling bids for lead actress. Technically, Internet fare is eligible at the Emmys, so Paris Hilton could be nominated for her video bout with Sen. John McCain, but don’t worry, it already lost at the Webby Awards.
--
ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Front-runners
Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
Zach Braff, “Scrubs”
Steve Carell, “The Office”
Kevin Connolly, “Entourage”
David Duchovny, “Californication”
Brad Garrett, “ ‘Til Death”
Adrian Grenier, “Entourage”
Lee Pace, “Pushing Daisies”
Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory”
Tony Shalhoub, “Monk”
Charlie Sheen, “Two and a Half Men”
Spotlight: Popularity of “The Big Bang Theory” has exploded in Season 2, which could pay off for Jim Parsons as a quirky physicist who shares curious character ticks with past Emmy comedy winners. Also portraying roles as persnickety, controlling and fussy were one-time champ Tony Randall (“The Odd Couple”) and four-time supporting actor winner David Hyde Pierce (“Frasier”), who were nominated every year of their respective five- and 11-season runs.
Possible
Bill Engvall, “The Bill Engvall Show”
Johnny Galecki, “The Big Bang Theory”
Jay Harrington, “Better Off Ted”
Jason Lee, “My Name Is Earl”
Zachary Levi, “Chuck”
Danny McBride, “Eastbound & Down”
Jay Mohr, “Gary Unmarried”
James Roday, “Psych”
Josh Radnor, “How I Met Your Mother”
Spotlight: In a crowded race, a contender needs only a small but solid core of passionate support. Zachary Levi could benefit from the cult following behind “Chuck,” which was strong enough to convince NBC to renew the series about a charming, reluctant spy despite meager ratings. “Chuck” got on the Emmy radar last year with two nominations in the tech races, winning the award for stunt coordination.
--
ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Front-runners
Christina Applegate, “Samantha Who?”
Toni Collette, “The United States of Tara”
Marcia Cross, “Desperate Housewives”
America Ferrera, “Ugly Betty”
Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
Teri Hatcher, “Desperate Housewives”
Felicity Huffman, “Desperate Housewives”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “The New Adventures of Old Christine”
Eva Longoria-Parker, “Desperate Housewives”
Mary-Louise Parker, “Weeds”
Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation”
Sarah Silverman, “The Sarah Silverman Program”
Spotlight: Hollywood award voters adore split-personality roles. At the Oscars, think Joanne Woodward (“The Three Faces of Eve”). At the 1977 Emmys, Lindsay Wagner pulled off a shocking upset for drama actress -- yes, drama -- in “The Bionic Woman” as good and evil twins. In “The United States of Tara,” past Oscar nominee Collette (“The Sixth Sense”) portrays four personalities.
Possible
Tichina Arnold, “Everybody Hates Chris”
Anna Friel, “Pushing Daisies”
Debra Messing, “The Starter Wife”
Billie Piper, “Secret Diary of a Call Girl”
Judy Reyes, “Scrubs”
Spotlight: Proof of Hollywood’s seamy side can be found in how often voters embrace prostitute roles. At the Oscars, think Mira Sorvino (“Mighty Aphrodite”) or Elizabeth Taylor (“Butterfield 8”). Now Billie Piper could seduce Emmy voters as Belle, a high-class call girl in London.
--
SUPPORTING
COMEDY ACTOR
Front-runners
Jon Cryer, “Two and a Half Men”
Kevin Dillon, “Entourage”
Neil Patrick Harris, “How I Met Your Mother”
Justin Kirk, “Weeds”
John Krasinski, “The Office”
Jack McBrayer, “30 Rock”
Tracy Morgan, “30 Rock”
Jeremy Piven, “Entourage”
Andy Samberg, “Saturday Night Live”
David Spade, “Rules of Engagement”
Michael Urie, “Ugly Betty”
Rainn Wilson, “The Office”
Spotlight: If there’s a Hollywood backlash against Jeremy Piven’s abrupt exit from Broadway’s “Speed-the-Plow,” we may see it at the Emmys, where he’s won the last three years. Fellow actors decide nominations. If they don’t devour his mercury poisoning excuse hook, line and sinker, Piven might not even be nominated.
Possible
Aziz Ansari, “Parks and Recreation”
Fred Armisen, “Saturday Night Live”
John Corbett, “United States of Tara”
Danny DeVito, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”
Evan Handler, “Californication”
Ed Helms, “The Office”
Matt Lucas, “Little Britain USA”
Chi McBride, “Pushing Daisies”
John C. McGinley, “Scrubs”
Seth Myers, “Saturday Night Live”
Kevin Nealon, “Weeds”
David Walliams, “Little Britain”
Spotlight: According to the posts on TheEnvelope.com message boards, no supporting player on TV is more overdue for an Emmy nomination than “Scrubs” star John C. McGinley. TV Guide says, “McGinley steals the show as the mercurial doctor who deep down actually gives a damn.”
--
SUPPORTING
COMEDY ACTRESS
Front-runners
Conchata Ferrell, “Two and a Half Men”
Jenna Fischer, “The Office”
Cheryl Hines, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Jane Krakowski, “30 Rock”
Elizabeth Perkins, “Weeds”
Amy Poehler, “Saturday Night Live”
Jaime Pressly, “My Name Is Earl”
Nicollette Sheridan, “Desperate Housewives”
Jean Smart, “Samantha Who?”
Wanda Sykes, “The New Adventures of Old Christine”
Holland Taylor, “Two and a Half Men”
Tracey Ullman, “State of the Union”
Kristen Wiig, “Saturday Night Live”
Vanessa Williams, “Ugly Betty”
Spotlight: The Emmys created an odd rule last year that kept shows like “Saturday Night Live” in the category competing for best variety series but forced performers to compete against comedy series actors. Of all “Saturday Night Live” stars, only Poehler got nominated. If she returns, she could compete again in supporting for “SNL” while also popping up in lead for “Parks and Recreation.”
Possible
Sarah Chalke, “Scrubs”
Kristin Chenoweth, “Pushing Daisies”
Judy Davis, “The Starter Wife”
Dana Delany, “Desperate Housewives”
Portia de Rossi, “Better Off Ted”
Alyson Hannigan, “How I Met Your Mother”
Melora Hardin, “The Office”
Angela Kinsey, “The Office”
Judith Light, “Ugly Betty”
Natascha McElhone, “Californication”
Becki Newton, “Ugly Betty”
Spotlight: Ratings for “Better Off Ted” are low, but it’s well liked by TV critics and was renewed by ABC. Can the fact that star Portia de Rossi is beloved by past Emmy champ and ceremony host Ellen DeGeneres help her?