Cast of Mad Men (Creative Commons)

Here’s a look at my picks for the 2010 Emmy Awards.

Let’s start with the men of TV comedy:

Outstanding Lead Actor in A Comedy Series

• Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory*
• Larry David as Himself in Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester in Glee
• Tony Shalhoub as Adrain Monk in Monk
• Steve Carell as Michael Scott in The Office
• Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy in 30 Rock

While Alec Baldwin has won back-to-back awards for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series, I honestly cannot take another 30 Rock win considering new shows—such as The Big Bang Theory and Modern Family—have renewed the greatness of the sitcom. For this reason, my pick for best actor in a comedy goes to Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory for his hilarious depiction of a socially inept scientist aiming to control the lives of his nerdy friends and the beautiful aspiring actress who lives across the hall. While Parsons deserves the win, I do have to mention Tony Shalhoub, as this will be his last nomination as the obsessive-compulsive detective in Monk. His Emmy-winning performance certainly deserves reference, as the series just saw its final season.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

• Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel in Glee
• Neil Patrick Harris as Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother*
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell Prichett in Modern Family
• Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker in Modern Family
• Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy in Modern Family
• Jon Cryer as Alan Harper in Two and a Half Men

For supporting actor in a comedy, I would love to see another win for Two and a Half Men’s Jon Cryer for his role as a divorcee and experienced moocher living in his brother’s Malibu home with his adolescent son. This year, however, I can see the award going to Neil Patrick Harris for his portrayal of Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother. He plays an obnoxious, arrogant but nevertheless lovable womanizer trying to live it up as a bachelor in NYC, and, in my opinion, the show would not be what it is without him. Harris will finally gain some recognition, after hosting the 63rd Tony Awards and the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards, and making a surprise appearance at the 82nd Academy Awards by delivering the opening musical number. The award could also go to Ty Burrell of Modern Family for his amusing role as the “cool dad” in one of the best new comedies on TV.

Now for the leading women in TV: 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

• Lea Michele as Rachel Berry in Glee
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell in The New Adventures of Old Christine
• Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton in Nurse Jackie*
• Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreation
• Tina Fey as Liz Lemon in 30 Rock
• Toni Collette as Tara Gregson in United States of Tara*

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

• Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson in The Closer
• Glenn Close as Patty Hewes in Damages
• Connie Britton as Tami Taylor in Friday Night Lights
• Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick in The Good Wife*
• Mariska Hargitay as Det. Olivia Benson in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
• January Jones as Betty Draper in Mad Men

While I am dying for a Lea Michele win for outstanding lead actress in a TV comedy as Rachel Berry in Glee—her pipes certainly deserve a nod or two—I think the win will go to either Edie Falco of Nurse Jackie or Toni Collette of United States of Tara. While I do not watch either show consistently, both of these women have given outstanding performances that have generated critical acclaim. These phenomenal actresses deserve the title and the Emmy, even if it means a back-to-back win for Collette.

Speaking of back-to-back nominees, Julianna Margulies of The Good Wife is the projected winner for outstanding lead actress in a drama series. As a fan of the series, I have to say that Margulies continues to give an exceptional performance as a lawyer struggling with both the professional and private spheres of her life, most notably the very public cheating scandal involving her husband. Margulies’ performance continues to evolve for the better, as does her character, Alicia Florrick. I also want to mention Kyra Sedgwick in The Closer for her incredibly believable portrayal as a headstrong woman from the South solving crimes and getting to the bottom of the most gruesome murders in Los Angeles.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

• Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester in Glee*
• Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy in Modern Family
• Sofia Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in Modern Family
• Kristen Wiig as Various Characters in Saturday Night Live
• Jane Krakowski as Jenna Maroney in 30 Rock
• Holland Taylor as Evelyn Harper in Two and a Half Men

For supporting actress in a comedy, my unanimous vote goes to Jane Lynch of Glee. While you can certainly call me a gleek, Lynch’s performance is a high note of the show and would be for any gleek or skeptic alike. Lynch is a versatile actress who has played guest roles from Charlie Sheen’s psychiatrist in Two and a Half Men to Matthew Gray Gubler’s schizophrenic mother in Criminal Minds. Her performance as a ruthless, yet surprisingly sympathetic, cheerleading coach has brought me from laughter to tears throughout Glee’s phenomenal first season. Sofia Vergara also gives a hilarious performance as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on Modern Family as the much younger wife of Jay Pritchett, a father of three.

Outstanding Comedy Series

• Curb Your Enthusiasm
• Glee
• Modern Family*
• Nurse Jackie
• The Office
• 30 Rock

Outstanding Drama Series

• Breaking Bad
• Dexter
• The Good Wife
• Lost
• Mad Men*
• True Blood

The decisions for best drama and comedy will definitely not be easy ones. For best comedy, my vote strays away from another 30 Rock win and leans instead toward Modern Family. Modern Family, a show that takes a satiric look at three very different families and their comedic life experiences, should take the Emmy for its mockumentary style and outstanding cast. My next choice would be Glee, for bringing acappella back into the limelight and putting the spotlight on a cast of very talented newcomers.

For best drama, I see Mad Men taking a third Emmy for AMC. While Breaking Bad could be another potential victor, I don’t think Mad Men will see an end to its success this year. Lost’s final season will be of major interest to viewers at home but will not receive enough critical acclaim to take home the ultimate prize. 

For a complete list of Emmy nominations, click here.

To reach Nicole Shoohed, click here.