2012 Emmy Contenders: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

2012 Emmy Contenders
Jane Lynch "Glee"
Betty White "Hot In Cleveland"
Sofia Vergara "Modern Family"
Julie Bowen "Modern Family"
Kristen Wiig "SNL"
Jane Krakowski "30 Rock"
Annie Potts "GCB"
Cloris Leachman "Raising Hope"
Mayin Bialik "The Big Bang Theory"
Wendie Malick "Hot in Cleveland"
Jane Leeves "Hot In Cleveland"
Valerie Bertinelli "Hot in Cleveland"
Maya Rudolph "Up All Night"
Diane Ladd "Enlightened"
Susie Essman "Curb Your Enthusiasm"
Sarah Hyland "Modern Family"
Naya Rivera "Glee"
Heather Morris "Glee"
Amber Riley "Glee"
Leslie Bibb "GCB"
Busy Phillips "Cougar Town"
Kristen Bell "House of Lies"
Holland Taylor "Two and a Half Men"
Kathryn Joosten "Desperate Housewives"
Vanessa Williams "Desperate Housewives"
Aubrey Plaza "Parks and Recreation"
Eden Sher "The Middle"
Gabourey Sidibe "The Big C"
Alyson Hannigan "How I Met Your Mother"
Cobie Smulders "How I Met Your Mother"
Anna Chlumsky "Veep"
Alison Brie "Community"
Casey Williams "Happy Endings"
Gillian Jacobs "Community"
Melissa Rauch "The Big Bang Theory"
Yvette Nicole Brown "Community"
Swoosie Kurtz "Mike & Molly"
Rashida Jones "Parks & Recreation"
Tichina Arnold "Happily Divorced"
Rita Moreno "Happily Divorced"

Commentary - All six women from last year's race could compete once again, but I get a feeling that not all of them will make the cut. The two Modern Family women will definitely return, as will the great Betty White. Kristen Wiig is still riding on her Bridesmaids high, and if this is her last season on SNL (or at least one of the final ones), then there is a good chance she gets in again as well. The ones I am worried about are Jane Krakowski and Jane Lynch. 30 Rock is getting one final season, and while it has remained popular among the Television Academy, I wonder if it can continue to hold on to its perennial nominations. The other one is Jane Lynch. She has won for this role, but Glee is not that good this year, and there has not been enough of classic Sue, meaning she has some decent episodes, but none that really knock it out of the park. Cloris Leachman may submit herself as Supporting this year instead of Guest for Raising Hope, which is another reason I think one of the Janes are out, because the Emmys love love love love Cloris Leachman, and will find a spot for her when they can. Maya Rudolph is a decent possibility her and in the Guest category. The only problem is whether voters will latch on to Up All Night, particularly as it is a toss up whether it is renewed. Same thing for the GCB gals, particularly veteran Annie Potts who is a scene stealer in an otherwise okay show. Hot in Cleveland only got in Betty White last year, but don't count out its other stars, all of which are well-liked veterans. The Big Bang Theory gals are also possibilities, but I wonder if people will look beyond simply Jim Parson's performance. Some singluar work such as Diane Ladd, Susie Essman, Kristen Bell, Swoosie Kurtz, Holland Taylor, and others are all outside shots, although Ladd could easily hear her named called. In the cases of Parks & Rec and Community, there is so much talent that voters will find it hard to discern. Finally, I am personally putting in my plug for the always great Busy Phillips, who will return next year to Cougar Town on TBS! She was vetted by the Television Critics Choice Awards, and its time the Television Academy took notice as well.