Emmy Predictions 2011 (Comedy Series)

A quick scan of the potential nominees in the comedy categories suggests we can expect three of last year's candidates to pretty much dominant their respective fields:

• Modern Family - a likely repeat as the top series for its hilarious sophomore year
• Glee - whose earnings after the Golden Globes can only help
• 30 Rock - a once unstoppable force that earned better critical praise this time around after a disappointing fourth season

Something else that's noticeable is the sheer lack of qualified nominees for two of the biggest sections: Outstanding Comedy Series, and more especially, Lead Actor.

With the former, it's more or less guaranteed that the three aforementioned series have their spots locked up, along with The Office. That leaves two vacant spots. Typically, this is a good sign for newer shows on the scene (a la Nurse Jackie), but no freshman series feels like a safe bet. Hot in Cleveland put up some good numbers for TVLand, but is it really an outstanding comedy? The Big C has Emmy darling Laura Linney to bank on, but that may not be enough. Hopefully, an open slot will go to a series that arguably should have been recognized at least once already (The Big Bang Theory, Parks and Recreation).

In regards to the lead actors, it's times like these you realize just how much you miss Monk's Tony Shalhoub, or Curb Your Enthusiasm's Larry David. Expect at least one wild card here, if not more.

OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES

• Glee

• Modern Family

• Nurse Jackie

• The Office

• Parks and Recreation

• 30 Rock

OFFICIAL NOMINEES: "The Big Bang Theory," "Glee," "Modern Family," "The Office," "Parks and Recreation," "30 Rock"

BIGGEST SURPRISES: "Big Bang" finally made the cut, as did "Parks and Recreation"

LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

• The Big Bang Theory

• Eastbound & Down

• Glee

• Louie

• The Office

• 30 Rock

OFFICIAL NOMINEES: "The Big Bang Theory" (Johnny Galecki); "The Big Bang Theory" (Jim Parsons); "Episodes" (Matt LeBlanc); "Louie" (Louis CK); "The Office" (Steve Carell); "30 Rock" (Alec Baldwin)

BIGGEST SURPRISES: Despite making the cut for virtually every other pundits' predictions page, "Community"'s Joel McHale was snubbed again; Galecki finally made the cut; LeBlanc got in for his medicore show.

LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

• The Big C

• The Middle

• Nurse Jackie

• Parks and Recreation

• 30 Rock

• United States of Tara

OFFICIAL NOMINEES: "The Big C" (Laura Linney); "Mike & Molly" (Melissa McCarthy); "Nurse Jackie" (Edie Falco); "Parks and Recreation" (Amy Poehler); "Raising Hope" (Martha Plimpton); "30 Rock" (Tina Fey)

BIGGEST SURPRISES: Nods for both McCarthy and Plimpton; nothing for "United States of Tara"'s lead Toni Collette in her show's final season

SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

• Glee

• How I Met Your Mother

• Modern Family

• Modern Family

• Modern Family

• Modern Family

OFFICIAL NOMINEES: "Glee" (Chris Colfer); "Modern Family" (Ty Burrell); "Modern Family" (Jesse Tyler Ferguson); "Modern Family" (Ed O'Neill); "Modern Family" (Eric Stonestreet); "Two and a Half Men" (Jon Cryer)

BIGGEST SURPRISES: Neil Patrick Harris ("How I Met Your Mother") is snubbed

SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

• Glee

• Hot in Cleveland

• Modern Family

• Modern Family

• Saturday Night Live

• 30 Rock

OFFICIAL NOMINEES: 100% exactly as above

GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

• Hot in Cleveland

• How I Met Your Mother

• Modern Family

• Saturday Night Live

• 30 Rock

• 30 Rock

OFFICIAL NOMINEES: "The Big C" (Idris Elba); "Modern Family" (Nathan Lane); "Saturday Night Live" (Zach Galifianakis); "Saturday Night Live" (Justin Timberlake); "30 Rock" (Will Arnett); "30 Rock" (Matt Damon)

BIGGEST SURPRISES: John Lithgow ("How I Met Your Mother"), who was positioned as a frontrunner in this category, is overlooked; Elba's notice here makes him a double nominee

GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

• The Big C

• Glee

• Glee

• Saturday Night Live

• Saturday Night Live

• 30 Rock

OFFICIAL NOMINEES: "Glee" (Kristen Chenoweth); "Glee" (Dot-Marie Jones); "Glee" (Gwyneth Paltrow); "Raising Hope" (Cloris Leachman); "Saturday Night Live" (Tina Fey); "30 Rock" (Elizabeth Banks)

BIGGEST SURPRISES: Nothing for Carol Burnett ("Glee"); this marks the first time since the show has aired that "30 Rock"'s Elaine Stritch has not been nominated

DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

• Glee

• Modern Family

• The Office

• 30 Rock

• 30 Rock

OFFICIAL NOMINEES: "How I Met Your Mother" (Subway Wars); "Modern Family" (Halloween); "Modern Family" (Slow Down Your Neighbors); "Modern Family" (See You Next Fall); "30 Rock" (Live Show)

BIGGEST SURPRISES: Nothing for "Glee" or "The Office"; one of "30 Rock"'s best-directed episodes (Queen of Jordan) is snubbed

WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

• Glee

• Modern Family

• The Office

• 30 Rock

• 30 Rock

OFFICIAL NOMINEES: "Episodes" (Episode 107); "Louie" (Poker/Divorce); "Modern Family" (Caught in the Act); "The Office" (Good-Bye Michael); "30 Rock" (Reaganing)

BIGGEST SURPRISES: Appearances here by "Episodes" and "Louie"

CASTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES

• Glee

• Modern Family

• Nurse Jackie

• 30 Rock

• United States of Tara

OFFICIAL NOMINEES: "The Big C," "Glee," "Modern Family," "Nurse Jackie," "30 Rock"

FINAL TALLY: 37 / 57 [65% accurate]