2014 Emmy Contenders: Best Actor in a Comedy Series

2014 Contenders
Jim Parsons "The Big Bang Theory"
Louis C.K. "Louie"
Don Cheadle "House of Lies"
Matt LeBlanc "Episodes"
Andy Samberg "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
William H. Macy "Shameless"
Robin Williams "The Crazy Ones"
Jon Cryer "Two and a Half Men"
Johnny Galecki "The Big Bang Theory"
Josh Radnor "How I Met Your Mother"
John Goodman "Alpha House"
Will Arnett "The Millers"
Jake Johnson "New Girl"
Chris O'Dowd "Family Tree"
Michael J. Fox "The Michael J. Fox Show"
Sean Hayes "Sean Saves the World"
Thomas Middleditch "Silicon Valley"
Jeff Garlin "The Goldbergs"
Adam Scott "Parks & Recreation"
Joel McHale "Community"
Tim Allen "Last Man Standing"
Jason Biggs "Orange is the New Black"
Danny McBride "Eastbound & Down"
Jonathan Groff "Looking"
Cedric the Entertainer "The Soul Man"
David Walton "About a Boy"
Tim Allen "Last Man Standing"
Matthew Morrison "Glee"
Billy Gardell "Mike & Molly"

Commentary - Now that Alec Baldwin is finally out of this race, we may actually see some new blood in this category, maybe even a bit of a shakeup, which would be incredibly refreshing after this category has stagnated for a while now. Two contenders who will still be in this race, and will most likely battle for the prize are Jim Parsons and Louis C.K. Both their shows will be top contenders in the series prize, and as always, both have plenty of episode choices to pave their way to Emmy glory. While I'm not that fond of Episodes or House of Lies, Matt LeBlanc and Don Cheadle will probably still make the cut as both are clearly favorites within the Television Academy. That still leaves two slots for new contenders and the potential for some freshness, even though I would like to see three or four instead of just two. At the top of the list for new contenders is Andy Samberg. Brooklyn Nine-Nine pulled off a shocker when it, as well as Samberg took home Golden Globes in January. Now we all know that there are tremendous differences in Golden Globe television awards and the Emmys, but it doesn't hurt its buzz. Plus, this is a relatively weak category, and Samberg is certainly in the mix. Also in the mix are a trio of veterans whose shows were all cancelled. Now I might be crazy to include them as top contenders, most shows who are cancelled so quickly don't make Emmy buzz, but when Emmy winner Sean Hayes, five-time Emmy winner Michael J. Fox, and Oscar and two-time Emmy winner Robin Williams are big names on a ballot populated with few contenders. Of the bunch, Williams, whose show actually got a full season, is probably the best bet. Also look out for previous nominee/winner Johnny Galecki and Jon Cryer, particularly Galecki who had a great episode with Penny later on in the season (I won't spoil it for the four of you who don't know), and might be able to sneak back in. There are some big question marks on the rest of the outside contenders that could be dark horses. John Goodman is an Emmy-winner and a bona fide movie star, are they watching Alpha House enough to push him in? Is this the year that long overlooked actors Adam Scott, Josh Radnor, and Joel McHale finally make a splash? Will Jake Johnson make it in this time after narrowly missing the cut last year? These and so many other questions will be answered before we know it .