These guest categories are always fun races, since they’re loaded with big names who made striking impressions in sometimes small roles. Some races this year are locks; others could result in upsets. I think I’ve figured out who’ll win. Tell me if you agree.
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Christine Baranski (The Big Bang Theory)
Kathryn Joosten (Desperate Housewives)
Kristin Chenoweth (Glee)
Tina Fey (Saturday Night Live)
Elaine Stritch (30 Rock)
Jane Lynch (Two and a Half Men)
Betty White (Saturday Night Live)
Will win Betty White. Not only was this the unofficial Year of Betty White, she really deserves the Emmy for her extraordinary energy and comedic timing in so many SNL sketches.
Possible upset Elaine Stritch always makes a big impression when she shows up as Jack’s mom, and her terrific performance as a meddling crank could warm voters’ hearts
Shoulda been a contender Kathy Bates in The Office. As the big-dog new owner of Dunder Mifflin, Bates gave a wonderful performance that merited a nomination.
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Mary Kay Place (Big Love)
Sissy Spacek (Big Love)
Shirley Jones (The Cleaner)
Lily Tomlin (Damages)
Ann-Margret (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)
Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost)
Will win Lily Tomlin. Tomlin may have had a small role, but she made the most of it, with artful minimalist acting. Plus, voters may want to show Damages some love and respect here.
Possible upset Sissy Spacek. In a weak season for Big Love in general, Spacek was a stand-out as a grasping, ambitious woman who went toe-to-toe with Bill Paxton in every scene they shared.
Shoulda been a contender Martha Plimpton’s guest starring role on the Fringe episode “Northwest Passage” left you feeling as though the producers could have spun a whole new series off of Plimpton’s small-town sheriff character.
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Mike O’Malley (Glee)
Neil Patrick Harris (Glee)
Fred Willard (Modern Family)
Eli Wallach (Nurse Jackie)
Jon Hamm (30 Rock)
Will Arnett (30 Rock)
Will win Mike O’Malley. Who’ll be able to resist O’Malley’s calibrated turn as a father reconnecting with his son?
Possible upset Neil Patrick Harris. To answer my question above: Perhaps voters who liked Harris’ excellent Glee performance as a prickly Bryan Ryan.
Shoulda been a contender Jason Alexander was so good in Curb Your Enthusiasm‘s Seinfeld reunion, I thought he deserved a nomination.
OUTSTANDING GUEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Beau Bridges (The Closer)
Ted Danson (Damages)
John Lithgow (Dexter)
Alan Cumming (The Good Wife)
Dylan Baker (The Good Wife)
Robert Morse (Mad Men)
Gregory Itzin (24)
Will win John Lithgow. No one else did a guest star turn that was at once as showy and as subtle as Lithgow, the best Big Bad Dexter has had so far.
Possible upset Robert Morse. Who doesn’t love Morse’s eccentric, socks-only ad man in Mad Men? Emmy voters may not be able to resist his charms.
Shoulda been a contender Peter Weller in Fringe. As a man trying to turn back time to grapple with the death of his fiancee in the “White Tulip” episode, Weller gave a wonderfully nuanced, moving performance.
So: Who do you think will win in these four categories? Do you agree or disagree with my choices? Please let me know below; thanks.
Follow: @kentucker
Why is Ken Tucker obsessed with Betty White and Conan O’brien? Its like he uses these posts to air out his personal fetishes.
Well, the column is called Ken Tucker’s TV. If you don’t want to read about the things Ken Tucker likes, you should probably go elsewhere.
The Betty White love thing is so old I’d be embarrassed to have put “Never bet against Betty White” in the article’s title. What’s next, a Chuck Norris joke?
Um, actually, the woman is a pro and gave an excellent, polished turn on SNL and very much deserves a win here. To me it was the best proof of the year WHY pop-culture loves her.
Also, so embarassed about your own opinions that you have to hide behind someone else’s ANONYMOUS name? Or are you just twelve and trying to mess things up for users who actually like to share non-troll opinions on a variety of boards. I know this name theft thing has happened to several other regular commenters on this site, and it’s kinda stupid.
If you have $5 and Chuck Norris has $5, Chuck Norris has more money than you.
I did a doublt-take when I read this. LOL.
Real answer: Chuck Norris will soon have $10.
LMAO, Ally! So true…
Don’t laugh at the kid wearing slap bracelets past their prime; that kid clearly just loves slap bracelets despite that they’re a fad that’s ended. Same with Betty White. For a lot of people, it’s a fad, giving her the attention, but what’s so wrong with genuinely loving her?
Guest Actor should go to Gregory Itzin.
i love charles logan but Trinity Killer is just full of win
Yeah, right. Itzin gave an outstanding performance, but in a weak episode of a weak season of a once-great show. He should have won supporting actor for his role in “24″ several years ago, but this year, he is going to be an also-ran, not a winner.
Funny it took an 88 year-old woman to make SNL relevant this year!
I never watch award shows. Stopped watching years ago When MY MOTHER THE CAR didn’t win anything.
I really think Christine Baranski should win for Big Bang. She was f’ing hilarious!!
I find Baranski tedious and unwatchable in anything she does.
Lithgow was fantastic as Trinity and Trinity is the best-acted Big Bad of Dexter (and I would not dare deny him his well-deserved Emmy), but I still love the character of the Ice Truck Killer from season 1 best, IMO. Season 4 was great but I still do hold Season 1 dear and near to my heart unlike any other.
Yes! Jason Alexander was great, and where’s the rest of the cast?
I thought Shelly Long deserved a nomination for her hilarious guest star turn as Ed O’Neil’s ex-wife!
She was awesome. Perfect casting on that show!
Yes! I still giggle when I remember how she delivered the line “…but we do things with our hands…”
Long chose not to be in contention this year – she declined to submit an episode; god only knows why.
Glad to see you appreciate the excellent guest work done on Fringe this season. There really was something great about Martha Plimpton’s character.
I agree with Ken about Martha Plimpton’s appearance on “Fringe”. She was so much better, and far less annoying, in this one episode then she was on her two or three episodes of “The Good Wife”.
Ken! Welcome back. Where have you been? I was worried about you! I agree that John Lithgow was outstanding in Dexter, but Peter Weller in Fringe was fantastic in that episode. I also agree that Martha Plimpton is memorable in anything.
I don’t think Mike O’Malley is going to win. Not that he doesn’t deserve it, but I don’t imagine Emmy voters voting for a guy who has no comedy in his performance versus NPH who has tons of comedy and two musical numbers.
I thought Martha Plimpton was delicious on Good Wife. She seemd to truly relish that part, and it was nice to see her dressed up and ripping into such an unctuous character. Now can someone spiff up Amanda Plummer and get her into a sleek, smart part?