Friday, July 1, 2016

2016 Emmy Predictions: Best Supporting Actress, Comedy

Considering that last season the Emmy voters found room for eight nominees, I'm probably well within my limits for trying to expand the field. I hope that this year's nods don't serve as merely a prelude to a coronation for Allison Janney, but there are definitely a lot of possibilities here.

Mayim Bialik, 'The Big Bang Theory'
Even as this series continues to ebb, Bialik's brilliant portrayal of Amy is one of the most stand out works of acting I've seen done in awhile. Her reconciliation with Sheldon after a period of trying to get over him was funny, as was their final crossing of the boundaries. She already won a Critic's Choice (and gave a moving speech). Let's see if they can finally get around to honoring her.

Anna Chlumsky, 'Veep'
Another brilliant actress, watching her work her way back into Selina's inner circle was even more humiliating than this series tends to give us was funny enough. But seeing her try to negotiate her President's reelection along with nemesis Jonah's run for Congress, topped off with her being left off Congress' 50 sexiest people - hard to find a reason to ignore her.

Allison Janney, 'Mom'
Like with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, it would be nice if she let someone else win. But it's very difficult to deny what a force of nature she is on this brilliant comedy. From h the opening episode where she refused to reconcile with her mother, to her compassion at helping her daughter get over a friend's overdose to her finally helping Christy get her way into law school, this was a great season for Janney. She deserves a nomination if not the win.

Jane Krakowski, 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'
Considering how brilliant a character actress, she has been for her career, and considering that Jacqueline's character hit rock bottom this season, there's a good chance that she'll repeat from last season. She's always been one of the most remarkable comic geniuses TV has ever given, and watching her return to the social class featured some brilliant one-liners, she deserves to repeat.

Amy Landecker, 'Transparent'
Again, there is a surplus of great actress competing for the same nominations in this brilliant series, but it's clear from the opening episodes that Landecker's work shows the most range. From the opening episode where she melted down at her wedding, to the subsequent failings with her own children, to her other wreck of a life, it's clear that she's delivered some brilliant moments. Admittedly, the laughs that emerged were bitter, but they were there nonetheless.

Niecy Nash, 'Getting On'
Admittedly, seeing her in the last season of this series may not have been the best way to judge her. But watching her calm level-headed portrayal of a nurse in the extended care facility that finally went under, she clearly demonstrated the compassion and charm that could be both heartbreaking and hilarious at the same time. She clearly earned her nomination last season, she deserves one more as the series, unlike the hospital wing, went out in style.

WILD CARD
Carrie Brownstein 'Portlandia/Transparent'
One of the most undervalued comediennes in the history of the medium, she showed the full depths of her range on two series. Watching her character try to have children in one of the more funny arcs on IFC's sketch comedy series was good enough. But watching her character finally find a relationship with long time friend Ali was equally heartwarming.  She's a better  comedienne then most of the ones on SNL, and she can hold her own against 'Transparent's cast. Why hasn't she been considered?


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