Emmys 2011: Sizing Up the Lead Comedy Actor Race — Including Our 6 Dream Nominees
Last year’s Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series race was a David-and-Goliath tale, as relative newcomer Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) brought down comedy giant Alec Baldwin (30 Rock) by denying him a third consecutive win. This year, in addition to both of those likely repeat nominees, there’s also Steve Carell to consider. Having bid farewell to The Office, his swan song season becomes Emmy’s last chance to award him for his seminal role. Will he grab gold? Or will a lovable long shot like Community’s Joel McHale emerge from the pack to change the game?
Reviewing the Emmy Races: Lead Comedy Actress | Outstanding Comedy Series
Review this slideshow of the major contenders — including TVLine’s half-dozen Dream Nominees — then vote for your own favorite six below. And check back tomorrow for our review of the Supporting Comedy Actress race!
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
The 30 Rock star seemed on his way to scoring the rare Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series three-peat until he was bazinga'd last year by The Big Bang TheoryÂ's Jim Parsons. But after a stellar Season 5, the erstwhile Jack Donaghy looks like a strong contender to reclaim bragging rights.
Steve Carell, The Office
Hard as it is to believe, Emmy has never handed the Office funnyman-turned-movie star a statuette. This being his final season as Michael Scott, perhaps voters will see fit to present him with the award as a lovely parting gift?
Louis C.K., Louie
ThereÂ's no underestimating the talents of this rare quintuple threat, who not only stars in but produces, writes, directs and edits his FX comedy. But the fictionalized series based on his real life may be flying too far under the radar for it — or its lead — to get noticed by Emmy.
Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory
Though itÂ's his TV roommate Jim ParsonsÂ' highly-functioning dysfunction that draws most of the attention, the CBS hitÂ's resident straight man is a rock-solid anchor and stylish counterpuncher. Following his long run on Roseanne, voters have watched him mature into a highly likeable lead. Perhaps his time has come….
Billy Gardell, Mike & Molly
What the stand-up-turned-sitcom star has going for him is Mike & MollyÂ's out-of-the-gate success and his appeal as an endearing Everyman. Unfortunately, he has working against him the fact that almost all his competition is better known. It also might take some time for voters to forget the early criticism of his showÂ's plus-sized premise.
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
During his run on Friends as clueless but sweet Joey Tribbiani, LeBlanc was nominated for an Emmy three times but never took home the prize. His chances of winning over voters may be better now that heÂ's playing a part that was literally tailor-made for him Â-- a parody of his real-life self on ShowtimeÂ's superlative Episodes.
Zachary Levi, Chuck
ItÂ's an auspicious omen for Levi's Emmy odds that typically half of the Chuck chatter concerns how very good the show is (and how good he is in it), while the other half invariably dwells on whether the spy yarn will get off the renewal bubble. Fortunately, NBCÂ's recent decision to renew the spy comedy for a fifth and final season will end that side conversation and possibly boost LeviÂ's chances.
Rob Lowe, Parks and Recreation
The alum of Brothers & Sisters and The West Wing raised some eyebrows Â-- and in some cases, ire Â-- by entering himself as a lead actor despite having less screen time than some of Parks and Rec's supporting players. But considering how insanely competitive the supporting category is, his gamble could pay off.
Danny McBride, Eastbound & Down
The Eastbound & Down front man has not only HBO but producer Will Ferrell in his corner. Unfortunately, the showÂ's racy tone makes him at best a dark horse candidate to win a nom, never mind go home with the award.
Joel McHale, Community
By giving depth and dimension to a character that could have come off as simply smug and sarcastic, the Â"father figureÂ" from NBCÂ's cult-y comedy has made himself an Emmy contender. Also to his credit: After years as the witty zingmaster of E!Â's The Soup, is there any voter Â-- or anyone at all Â-- who doesnÂ't know him?
Matthew Morrison, Glee
Nominated last year, the Glee crooner Â-- his profile higher than ever, thanks to his sideline recording career Â-- is a Schue-in to make the short list this go-round. Emmy voters could decide, however, that his burgeoning multi-media career is enough of a reward. Plus, do you remember laughing at anything the New Directions coach did this season?
Lucas Neff, Raising Hope
Like a latter-day Roseanne, Fox's Raising Hope has brought blue-collar sitcoms back into style. But since the showÂ's young single dad is played by this newbie — promising though he is — odds are that heÂ'll have to spend his first trip to the Big Show cheering on a likelier Hope-ful nominee: his on-screen mom, stage and screen vet Martha Plimpton.
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Big Bang's big scene-stealer pulled off a major upset last year by besting Rock star Alec Baldwin. This time around, the question seems likely to be not will he get nominated, but with his profile now so high, will Baldwin and Carell Â-- or some newer upstart Â-- feel like the “fresh faces” instead?
Josh Radnor, How I Met Your Mother
The boy-next-door appeal and comic timing of the CBS hitcom's dad-to-be have never been in question. What's debatable is whether Emmy voters see his star as shining brightly enough to move out of the shadow cast by his showier show-mate, Neil Patrick Harris.
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men
At press time, the sitcom star-turned-tabloid headline-grabber still hadnÂ't entered the Emmy race. Maybe thatÂ's for the best: Even if he ended up, yes, winning!, it probably wouldnÂ't be enough to rinse clean his tarnished reputation.
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
The 30 Rock star seemed on his way to scoring the rare Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series three-peat until he was bazinga'd last year by The Big Bang TheoryÂ's Jim Parsons. But after a stellar Season 5, the erstwhile Jack Donaghy looks like a strong contender to reclaim bragging rights.
Steve Carell, The Office
Hard as it is to believe, Emmy has never handed the Office funnyman-turned-movie star a statuette. This being his final season as Michael Scott, perhaps voters will see fit to present him with the award as a lovely parting gift?
Louis C.K., Louie
ThereÂ's no underestimating the talents of this rare quintuple threat, who not only stars in but produces, writes, directs and edits his FX comedy. But the fictionalized series based on his real life may be flying too far under the radar for it — or its lead — to get noticed by Emmy.
Johnny Galecki, The Big Bang Theory
Though itÂ's his TV roommate Jim ParsonsÂ' highly-functioning dysfunction that draws most of the attention, the CBS hitÂ's resident straight man is a rock-solid anchor and stylish counterpuncher. Following his long run on Roseanne, voters have watched him mature into a highly likeable lead. Perhaps his time has come….
Billy Gardell, Mike & Molly
What the stand-up-turned-sitcom star has going for him is Mike & MollyÂ's out-of-the-gate success and his appeal as an endearing Everyman. Unfortunately, he has working against him the fact that almost all his competition is better known. It also might take some time for voters to forget the early criticism of his showÂ's plus-sized premise.
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
During his run on Friends as clueless but sweet Joey Tribbiani, LeBlanc was nominated for an Emmy three times but never took home the prize. His chances of winning over voters may be better now that heÂ's playing a part that was literally tailor-made for him Â-- a parody of his real-life self on ShowtimeÂ's superlative Episodes.
Zachary Levi, Chuck
ItÂ's an auspicious omen for Levi's Emmy odds that typically half of the Chuck chatter concerns how very good the show is (and how good he is in it), while the other half invariably dwells on whether the spy yarn will get off the renewal bubble. Fortunately, NBCÂ's recent decision to renew the spy comedy for a fifth and final season will end that side conversation and possibly boost LeviÂ's chances.
Rob Lowe, Parks and Recreation
The alum of Brothers & Sisters and The West Wing raised some eyebrows Â-- and in some cases, ire Â-- by entering himself as a lead actor despite having less screen time than some of Parks and Rec's supporting players. But considering how insanely competitive the supporting category is, his gamble could pay off.
Danny McBride, Eastbound & Down
The Eastbound & Down front man has not only HBO but producer Will Ferrell in his corner. Unfortunately, the showÂ's racy tone makes him at best a dark horse candidate to win a nom, never mind go home with the award.
Joel McHale, Community
By giving depth and dimension to a character that could have come off as simply smug and sarcastic, the Â"father figureÂ" from NBCÂ's cult-y comedy has made himself an Emmy contender. Also to his credit: After years as the witty zingmaster of E!Â's The Soup, is there any voter Â-- or anyone at all Â-- who doesnÂ't know him?
Matthew Morrison, Glee
Nominated last year, the Glee crooner Â-- his profile higher than ever, thanks to his sideline recording career Â-- is a Schue-in to make the short list this go-round. Emmy voters could decide, however, that his burgeoning multi-media career is enough of a reward. Plus, do you remember laughing at anything the New Directions coach did this season?
Lucas Neff, Raising Hope
Like a latter-day Roseanne, Fox's Raising Hope has brought blue-collar sitcoms back into style. But since the showÂ's young single dad is played by this newbie — promising though he is — odds are that heÂ'll have to spend his first trip to the Big Show cheering on a likelier Hope-ful nominee: his on-screen mom, stage and screen vet Martha Plimpton.
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Big Bang's big scene-stealer pulled off a major upset last year by besting Rock star Alec Baldwin. This time around, the question seems likely to be not will he get nominated, but with his profile now so high, will Baldwin and Carell Â-- or some newer upstart Â-- feel like the “fresh faces” instead?
Josh Radnor, How I Met Your Mother
The boy-next-door appeal and comic timing of the CBS hitcom's dad-to-be have never been in question. What's debatable is whether Emmy voters see his star as shining brightly enough to move out of the shadow cast by his showier show-mate, Neil Patrick Harris.
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men
At press time, the sitcom star-turned-tabloid headline-grabber still hadnÂ't entered the Emmy race. Maybe thatÂ's for the best: Even if he ended up, yes, winning!, it probably wouldnÂ't be enough to rinse clean his tarnished reputation.
and we are voting for lead actor in a comedy right ?
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