Emmy Nominations 2011: The 21 Biggest Snubs

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

We had hoped Brie might break through with a nod, seeing how she shines on a buzzed-about show, and also appeared on Emmy fave Mad Men. But apparently, Community is a little too cool for the room of Emmy voters, and Brie's name recognition with the Academy wasn't what we'd hoped.

Outstanding Comedy Series

What is arguably NBCÂ's most innovative comedy shoots high creatively but has yet to land commensurate ratings. Critics, however, have been quick to sing the showÂ's praises, so perhaps there's Emmy hope for 2012?

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

ItÂ's taking Cougar Town longer to live down its initial predatory premise (and title) than it took the ABC comedy to find its qualitative footing. But through it all, its leading ladyÂ's multi-faceted portrayal of Jules Cobb has been spot-on. Now the question remains: When in the hell will Emmy finally give her the deserving nomination she never received during her years spent hanging with those other Friends?

Outstanding Comedy Series

In its second season, the wine-soaked Â"Friends for grown- upsÂ" really came into its own as an ensemble comedy rather than just a Courteney Cox vehicle. And it even poked fun at the icky title that long ago ceased to have anything to do with the series premise — not that Emmy took notice.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Admirably, thereÂ's nothing even remotely dense in real life about this sitcom vet who dumbs it down so lovably on CBS' hit comedy. Emmy voters, however, still haven't picked up on what viewers did long ago Â-- that Cuoco is an underrated gem worthy of some long overdue props.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

This season, Czuchry's Cary went to work for the enemy camp and, in doing so, matured by leaps and bounds from the whippersnapper who braved Season 1′s “bake-off.” To wit: When the going got tough for his ex-colleague Kalinda (Emmy winner Archie Panjabi), Cary stood by her both as a loyal friend and a trusted mole. In the process, Czuchry flawlessly toed that tricky line between villain and hero.

Outstanding Drama Series

The Fox hit shoulda been a contender, given that its worlds-rocking third season was its best-reviewed yet. But since the Emmys rarely recognize sci-fi series (The X-Files being a notable exception to the rule), the odds were always against it.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

This season, the TNT cop drama threw so much at Det. Sammy Bryant Â-- a broken marriage, a baby that might not be his, a dead partner, some vigilante justice -Â- that the role could easily have slipped from drama to melodrama. But in his portrayerÂ's capable hands, it was instead harrowing -Â- hard to watch, but impossible to turn away from. If only more Emmy voters were familiar with or enamored of the show, Hatosy would surely be looking at his first-ever nomination.

Outstanding Drama Series

Although this Western has been denied an Outstanding Drama Series nomination two years running, it did receive a prestigious Peabody Award. As far as consolation prizes go, that's not too shabby, eh?

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

The TNT drama's seen-it-all yet still caring Det. Lydia Adams can usually be counted on to be calm, collected, confident and solid as a rock. But a new partner, a betrayal, a shootout, and a younger lover tested that steely resolve this year. As a result, King got a chance to showcase some additional nuance for her character. She even cracked a smile! Alas, we can't share in the happy emotions seeing how King's been overlooked again.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

AMC had a hard sell on its hands convincing Emmy voters to see The Walking Dead as its fans do: A human drama with emotive actors, not just a creepshow with hungry zombies. Thankfully, Lincoln will get another shot at a statuette next year, as his character remains the (hopefully still-beating) heart of the series for Season 2.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

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 should have been an Emmy contender. And in all seriousness, after years as the witty zingmaster of E!Â's The Soup, didn't he deserve a little love from voters?

Outstanding Comedy Series

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

This season, Fringe split his duties between playing Our Walter and “Walternate” Â-- with a dash of Young Walter sprinkled in. Not only did he rise to the challenge(s), he rocked every single one of our worlds. Though he was snubbed the showÂ's first two seasons as well, it's this third snub that cuts the deepest.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Though itÂ's remarkable how he makes Ron Swanson the human equivalent of a dark chocolate M&M Â-- hard shell outside, semisweet inside -Â- Offerman will have to settle this year for just having a most amazing mustache.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

The ongoing transformation of her character from trashy slut to semi-respectable but sensitive airhead has been both heartbreaking and hysterical. Unfortunately, she remains in the same boat as co-star Christa Miller: Emmy hasnÂ't yet realized that their show, much less they, exist.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Community handed this relative newcomer a character that could have just been weird. But in his hands, cinephile Abed is, yes, weird, but also endearing, hilarious and, most surprisingly, kinda heartbreaking. Also heartbreaking? That Pudi couldn't break through the noise of better-known competitors and land himself a nomination.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

That the former Married… With Children star wasnÂ't nominated last year was one of 2010′s most egregious snubs. And unbelievably, despite all the momentum behind her going into this nomination season (thanks in part to her January Golden Globe win), that unfortunate bit of history repeated itself.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

As appealing Â-- and, often simultaneously, appalling (no easy trick, that) Â-- as she has always been as Nicki Grant, the prickliest of the sister wives, Sevigny hasnÂ't received a single Emmy nomination. But in a shocking miscarriage of justice, that oversight wasn't rectified in 2011, the last time Sevigny could be nominated for the now-departed series.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

The actress has never been nominated before, but we thought that would all change this year because of her tour de force performance tracing the effects of her Dr. Charlotte KingÂ's brutal rape.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

This season, Fringe had its leading lady juggling not one, not two, not three, but four roles (one of them being… Leonard Nimoy?!). Unfortunately for her, Emmy is sci-fi averse, so for every Gillian Anderson who gets recognized for The X-Files, thereÂ's more than one Mary McDonnell who isnÂ't for Battlestar Galactica. And once again, much to our consternation, Torv is lumped into the latter category.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

We had hoped Brie might break through with a nod, seeing how she shines on a buzzed-about show, and also appeared on Emmy fave Mad Men. But apparently, Community is a little too cool for the room of Emmy voters, and Brie's name recognition with the Academy wasn't what we'd hoped.

Outstanding Comedy Series

What is arguably NBCÂ's most innovative comedy shoots high creatively but has yet to land commensurate ratings. Critics, however, have been quick to sing the showÂ's praises, so perhaps there's Emmy hope for 2012?

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

ItÂ's taking Cougar Town longer to live down its initial predatory premise (and title) than it took the ABC comedy to find its qualitative footing. But through it all, its leading ladyÂ's multi-faceted portrayal of Jules Cobb has been spot-on. Now the question remains: When in the hell will Emmy finally give her the deserving nomination she never received during her years spent hanging with those other Friends?

Outstanding Comedy Series

In its second season, the wine-soaked Â"Friends for grown- upsÂ" really came into its own as an ensemble comedy rather than just a Courteney Cox vehicle. And it even poked fun at the icky title that long ago ceased to have anything to do with the series premise — not that Emmy took notice.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Admirably, thereÂ's nothing even remotely dense in real life about this sitcom vet who dumbs it down so lovably on CBS' hit comedy. Emmy voters, however, still haven't picked up on what viewers did long ago Â-- that Cuoco is an underrated gem worthy of some long overdue props.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

This season, Czuchry's Cary went to work for the enemy camp and, in doing so, matured by leaps and bounds from the whippersnapper who braved Season 1′s “bake-off.” To wit: When the going got tough for his ex-colleague Kalinda (Emmy winner Archie Panjabi), Cary stood by her both as a loyal friend and a trusted mole. In the process, Czuchry flawlessly toed that tricky line between villain and hero.

Outstanding Drama Series

The Fox hit shoulda been a contender, given that its worlds-rocking third season was its best-reviewed yet. But since the Emmys rarely recognize sci-fi series (The X-Files being a notable exception to the rule), the odds were always against it.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

This season, the TNT cop drama threw so much at Det. Sammy Bryant Â-- a broken marriage, a baby that might not be his, a dead partner, some vigilante justice -Â- that the role could easily have slipped from drama to melodrama. But in his portrayerÂ's capable hands, it was instead harrowing -Â- hard to watch, but impossible to turn away from. If only more Emmy voters were familiar with or enamored of the show, Hatosy would surely be looking at his first-ever nomination.

Outstanding Drama Series

Although this Western has been denied an Outstanding Drama Series nomination two years running, it did receive a prestigious Peabody Award. As far as consolation prizes go, that's not too shabby, eh?

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

The TNT drama's seen-it-all yet still caring Det. Lydia Adams can usually be counted on to be calm, collected, confident and solid as a rock. But a new partner, a betrayal, a shootout, and a younger lover tested that steely resolve this year. As a result, King got a chance to showcase some additional nuance for her character. She even cracked a smile! Alas, we can't share in the happy emotions seeing how King's been overlooked again.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

AMC had a hard sell on its hands convincing Emmy voters to see The Walking Dead as its fans do: A human drama with emotive actors, not just a creepshow with hungry zombies. Thankfully, Lincoln will get another shot at a statuette next year, as his character remains the (hopefully still-beating) heart of the series for Season 2.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

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 should have been an Emmy contender. And in all seriousness, after years as the witty zingmaster of E!Â's The Soup, didn't he deserve a little love from voters?

Outstanding Comedy Series

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

This season, Fringe split his duties between playing Our Walter and “Walternate” Â-- with a dash of Young Walter sprinkled in. Not only did he rise to the challenge(s), he rocked every single one of our worlds. Though he was snubbed the showÂ's first two seasons as well, it's this third snub that cuts the deepest.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Though itÂ's remarkable how he makes Ron Swanson the human equivalent of a dark chocolate M&M Â-- hard shell outside, semisweet inside -Â- Offerman will have to settle this year for just having a most amazing mustache.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

The ongoing transformation of her character from trashy slut to semi-respectable but sensitive airhead has been both heartbreaking and hysterical. Unfortunately, she remains in the same boat as co-star Christa Miller: Emmy hasnÂ't yet realized that their show, much less they, exist.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Community handed this relative newcomer a character that could have just been weird. But in his hands, cinephile Abed is, yes, weird, but also endearing, hilarious and, most surprisingly, kinda heartbreaking. Also heartbreaking? That Pudi couldn't break through the noise of better-known competitors and land himself a nomination.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

That the former Married… With Children star wasnÂ't nominated last year was one of 2010′s most egregious snubs. And unbelievably, despite all the momentum behind her going into this nomination season (thanks in part to her January Golden Globe win), that unfortunate bit of history repeated itself.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

As appealing Â-- and, often simultaneously, appalling (no easy trick, that) Â-- as she has always been as Nicki Grant, the prickliest of the sister wives, Sevigny hasnÂ't received a single Emmy nomination. But in a shocking miscarriage of justice, that oversight wasn't rectified in 2011, the last time Sevigny could be nominated for the now-departed series.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

The actress has never been nominated before, but we thought that would all change this year because of her tour de force performance tracing the effects of her Dr. Charlotte KingÂ's brutal rape.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

This season, Fringe had its leading lady juggling not one, not two, not three, but four roles (one of them being… Leonard Nimoy?!). Unfortunately for her, Emmy is sci-fi averse, so for every Gillian Anderson who gets recognized for The X-Files, thereÂ's more than one Mary McDonnell who isnÂ't for Battlestar Galactica. And once again, much to our consternation, Torv is lumped into the latter category.