Three Actors that Could Have Submitted themselves for Oustanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series at the 2011 Emmy Awards
Just days before the Emmy nominees are revealed on July 14, I noticed that the race for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series aren’t really that exciting when compared to the other three Comedy acting categories. It’s almost safe to say that Alec Baldwin (30 Rock), Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) and Steve Carell (The Office) are candidates that could easily get a nomination and even win it.
While the Emmy race for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series seems much more exciting due to the variety and quality of the possible candidates hoping to get a nomination, there are actually a select few actors in said category whose characters could have been considered as leading ones on their respective TV shows based on how they have been showcased.
Rob Lowe (Parks and Recreation) actually submitted himself in the lead actor category. Sure his character is funny, but reality would tell you that he’s more of a supporting actor in his show, having less screentime when compared to the other male characters. Not to mention that Nick Offerman is considered by many as the best male actor from Parks during Season 3.
Now, let me show you three actors that I believe could have submitted themselves in the lead actor category, plus an honorable mention.
Honorable mention: Chris Colfer
“Eat your heart out, Kate Middleton!”
Ryan Murphy may have considered Matthew Morrison as the show’s lead actor — despite the fact that Mr. Schue seems more like a supporting character lately. But Golden Globe winner Chris Colfer is, without a doubt, the best male actor Glee has at the moment, and also the one who represents the show more than the rest of the cast. Plus, his acting is quality. During the second season, Colfer had a much more important and stronger storyline that not only made him a bigger force to be reckoned with, but it might even make him seem like more of a lead actor than Morrison.
The problem with Chris Colfer is that Kurt was a no-show in one episode, and at times he has been used as a background character, which is a huge no-no for lead actors. And just like all the Glee characters, Kurt has played second fiddle to whatever Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith) and Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) are involved in. At any rate, Chris will easily get a well-deserved nomination in the supporting actor category this year, where his biggest obstacles will be the Modern Family actors, or his very own character not being exactly a full-fledged comedy character.
*cries* I can’t stand jon cryer LOL the few times I have actually sat through an episode of Two and a Half Men, I’ve hated him the most. I just like Berta. xD But then again, I may have a crazy bias towards anyone that was ever on Ryan Murphy’s Popular.
I should re-watch Popular just to name-check anyone that is a face or name now.
I definitely don’t watch enough television to tell you who could be a lead comedy actor.
Showtime is generally a hit or miss for awards though. The only show that’s ever hugely popular with awards is Dexter, and even The Tudors was hit or miss in its first run, and then just disappeared. Nurse Jackie has just picked up steam, Tara is gone – and Weeds, awards just love it for MLP.
How much nomination buzz do you see on Episodes online?
@amy, Your bais towards Popular might do it, Conchata Ferrell only appeared on one episode, lol. Cryer is the best actor Men has, but this time I don’t see him getting nominated unless the voters reward him for staying classy during the CBS-Sheen feud. If he makes Kutcher look more-than-half-decent, he should win awards, lol.
I expect some politcs and myabe rigging for nominees… the Emmys will air on Fox. Jane Lynch as the host, she’s easily got a nomination secured and maybe even Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison will get nominated despite doing jackshit on Glee.
Showtime… in awards, most of the awards they get love for the lead actress on their shows. It’s a shame that Tara is gone. Nurse Jackie, I watch it sometimes and I found the episodes to be good for the most part.
For Episodes, only LeBlanc actually stands a chance at getting a nomination – he’s like an evil Joey on Episodes, but cunning. The other 2 British actors are pretty much doomed, despite being talented. Greig gets little buzz while the rest of the cast doesn’t.
If I could have gone with 2 more actors for supporting-moving-to-lead, I would have to force myself to mention Ty Burrell and Cory Monteith.
Burrell has a funnier character and has much presence during Season 2 of Modern Family, maybe even more than O’Neill. But Jay is more of a lead character.
And Cory… he fits the requirements for this topic. But the character is a fucking dud and the actor blows. #thanksfinn
I found you another one for Lead Comedy Actor: Garret Dillahunt for Raising Hope. Just caught an episode – very funny. Not Modern Family laugh out loud on the first season funny, but pretty funny.
@amy, I saw a few episodes of Raising Hope. I think Dillahunt could work better than Lucas Neff. Yet, Cloris Leachman and Martha Plimpton are the best parts of Raising Hope, their characters are funny.
@Rodrigo, oh yeah – Martha Plimpton cracked me up. And Leachman ALWAYS cracks me up, in anything she’s done. She’s very memorable in Bad Santa xD
So I took a look at which episodes Colfer, Cryer and O’Neill submitted to try and win the “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” award and see how they would have fit this topic.
Colfer goes with “Grilled Cheesus”. Strong performance from him, but doesn’t make him look like a lead actor. #thanksfinn
O’Neill goes with “The Kiss”. I always considered O’Neill as the lead actor of MF, but that episode benefits Ferguson more than him.
Cryer goes with “The Immortal Mr. Billy Joel”. Alan gets more than enough screentime to validate my topic.
Still, an MF actor will definitely take that prize.