2010 Emmy Nominations II: Supporting Boogaloo

Earlier we posted thoughts on the major category nominations for this year's Emmy Awards. Many of the best shows out there, however, are ensembles. Only one man and one woman can be nominated as leads for a given series, but there's no limit on the number of supporting nominations for a show -- so these categories are where the really outstanding casts get to shine. At least theoretically. All too often, the supporting nominations mirror the lead nominations - established shows, famous actors, etcetera, etcetera ...

Here are the HSB's thoughts on the 2010 Supporting Actor nominations, and how they stack up to last year's nods:

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy

2009 Nominations: Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men), Jack McBrayer (30 Rock), Tracy Morgan (30 Rock), Kevin Dillon (Entourage), Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Rainn Wilson (The Office)

2010 Nominations: Chris Colfer (Glee), Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family), Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family), Ty Burrell (Modern Family), Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men)


How they compare: Two and a Half Men is the new Everybody Loves Raymond. It continues to inexplicably sneak its way into nominations even as we at the HSB ask why? Who actually watches this show? Jon Cryer is a talented comedian, but the material is so bad that it's hard to see how anyone could even think of him in this category. The other recurring nominee, Neil Patrick Harris, has the similar burden of elevating increasingly broad material on How I Met Your Mother. We love NPH, but this isn't award-worthy work.

It's just plain wrong that the Academy ignored the amazing supporting actors of Community, Party Down, and Cougar Town. But to give credit where it's due, I'm thrilled with the new nominees - all three supporting Modern Family actors manage to stand out in a first-rate cast, and Chris Colfer is arguably the most compelling young actor on Glee. Conclusion: I'd say that this year's nominations edge out 2009's, if only because there's more fresh blood.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy

2009 Nominations: Kristin Chenoweth (Pushing Daisies), Jane Krakowski (30 Rock), Amy Poehler (Saturday Night Live), Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live), Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty), Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds)

2010 Nominations: Jane Lynch (Glee), Julie Bowen (Modern Family), Sofia Vergara (Modern Family), Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live), Jane Krakowski (30 Rock), Holland Taylor (Two and a Half Men)

How they compare: 2009 had only one nominee from a new series, and two of its nominees were cast members of Saturday Night Live. For reasons I'll elaborate on later, I tend to get crabby when the SNL cast gets nominated for these awards. Wiig may be the brightest star in the current SNL lineup, but I still don't agree with her nomination in a field this deep. I've already ranted about Two and a Half Men, so instead I'll just list actors I think should have been nominated in place of Taylor and Wiig: Busy Philipps, Christa Miller, Alison Brie, Heather Morris, Naya Rivera, Amber Riley, Jessalyn Gilsig, Audrey Plaza ... I could keep going, I'm sure. As for the other nominees, Krakowski (especially in her scenes with Tracy Morgan) is one of the most reliably funny parts of 30 Rock, and both Bowen and Vergara hold their own amid the hysterically funny male actors on Modern Family. But everyone knows this is Jane Lynch's award to lose. Conclusion: 2010 wins this round.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama

2009 Nominations: Michael Emerson (Lost), Christian Clemenson (Boston Legal), William Shatner (Boston Legal), Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), William Hurt (Damages), John Slattery (Mad Men)

2010 Nominations: Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), Martin Short (Damages), Terry O'Quinn (Lost), Michael Emerson (Lost), John Slattery (Mad Men), Andre Braugher (Men of a Certain Age)

How they compare: Half of the nominees this year were also nominated in 2009. I'm at a judging disadvantage here, as the only one of these shows that I actually watch is Mad Men. However, I've heard much about both Emerson and Paul, and it's heartening to see an actor from a new show (one which, despite the inclusion of Ray Romano, is supposed to be quite good) join the field. That said ... where's the love for Friday Night Lights? True Blood? The other supporting actors from Mad Men? There's an incredible depth of talent in this field, and I feel that the nominations could better reflect that depth. Conclusion: it's a draw.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama

2009 Nominations: Cherry Jones (24), Rose Byrne (Damages), Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy), Chandra Wilson (Grey's Anatomy), Hope Davis (In Treatment), Dianne Wiest (In Treatment)

2010 Nominations: Sharon Gless (Burn Notice), Rose Byrne (Damages), Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife), Christine Baranski (The Good Wife), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)

How they compare: Once again, I'm pretty much at a loss to judge the drama nominees. From what I've seen in past seasons of Grey's Anatomy, I'd support a nomination for Sandra Oh any time. I'm glad to see Christina Hendricks get a nod this year, and Elizabeth Moss is aces as usual, but I just haven't heard much about the other actresses nominated in this round. In terms of shows I actually watch, I would have liked to see Aimee Teegarden get some recognition for this season of Friday Night Lights (Lord, can that girl cry!), and both Rutina Wesley and Deborah Ann Woll gave outstanding performances in True Blood. Conclusion: it's another draw.


For a complete list of nominees, visit emmys.tv.