2013 Emmy Contenders - Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

2013 Contenders
Eric Stonestreet "Modern Family"
Ty Burrell "Modern Family"
Ed O'Neill "Modern Family"
Jesse Tyler Ferguson "Modern Family"
Jeffrey Tambor "Arrested Development"
Will Arnett "Arrested Development"
Max Greenfield "New Girl"
Bill Hader "SNL"
Jason Sudekis "SNL"
Taran Killiam "SNL"
Neil Patrick Harris "How I Met Your Mother"
Chris Colfer "Glee"
Brad Garrett "How to Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)"

David Cross "Arrested Development"

Michael Cera "Arrested Development"

Tony Hale "Arrested Development"

Adam Driver "Girls"

Alex Karpovsky "Girls"

Tony Hale "Veep"

Matt Walsh "Veep"

Timothy Simons "Veep"

Nick Offerman "Parks & Recreation"

Aziz Ansari "Parks & Recreation"

Chris Pratt "Parks & Recreation"

Jack McBrayer "30 Rock"

Tracy Morgan "30 Rock"

Danny Pudi "Community"
Donald Glover "Community"
Jim Rash "Community"
Simon Helberg "The Big Bang Theory"
Kunal Nayyar "The Big Bang Theory"
Darren Criss "Glee"
Chord Overstreet "Glee"
Blake Jenner "Glee"
Jacob Artist "Glee"
Kevin McHale "Glee"
John Kraskinski "The Office"
Rainn Wilson "The Office"
J.K. Simmons "The Family Tools"
Adam Pally "Happy Endings"
Damon Wayans Jr. "Happy Endings"
Zachary Knighton "Happy Endings"
Danny Devito "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"
Charlie Day "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"

Commentary -  This year looks to be the battle of Modern Family guys vs. Arrested Development guys, as there is a distinct possibility that these two shows fill out the entire category. Let's assume that all four Modern Family guys get in again, which I will continue to do until the Emmy voters make me change my mind. If Jeffrey Tambor and Will Arnett also get in, then two shows could represent the entire field. While that is very much a possibility, a few contenders will fight to make sure that doesn't happen. First, there are Tambor and Arnett's co-stars, David Cross, Michael Cera, and Tony Hale (also a possibility for Veep). Then there is Max Greenfield, who continues to be a standout on New Girl, and who did manage a nomination last year. Also returning to the race was surprise nominee Bill Hader, who continues to be the MVP of SNL despite a huge dip in quality. SNL could also see Taran Killiam and Jason Sudekis, although I don't see that happening. Previous nominees Chris Colfer and Neil Patrick Harris may be on shows that seem to have been forgotten by Emmy voters, but both are still popular and could return. Brad Garrett could also return (after winning several for Everybody Loves Raymond), with the new show How to Live With Your Parents. The show is so-so, but he and Elizabeth Perkins are both scene-stealers and Emmy favorites. Of the other contenders, the boys from Girls (especially Adam Driver), Community, Parks & Recreation, Happy Endings, Glee, The Office, 30 Rock, and The Big Bang Theory all have potential, I just don't see any of them emerging among their casts as real possibilities. Although anything can happen.