BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY
All Supporting Acting awards are tough one to parse and this one is no exception. There is a clear and overwhelming favorite in this category but there are also two of the previous winners who could be quite formidable. All eight of the nominees are among the funniest men in television. So let’s take a look.
Anthony Carrigan, Barry: 7-1.
For Playing: Noho Hank, the boss of a Chechnya gang in LA, facing increasing levels of stress on all fronts. For Him: Carrigan’s work in Season 3 was a revelation as we watched Noho Hank find love in the most unlikely of places, spend much of Season 3 letting people die to protect it, then watching everything built be destroyed and risking everything to find it – and in the season finale, finally get at an incredible cost. Carrigan has always been a skilled comic talent, but there were so dramatic levels to his performance – the season finale where he listened in reaction to unseen horrors going on behind a wall, which finally forced him to uncuff himself from a radiator, travel through the halls of a mansion, see his lover going through something unspeakable and save him, all without saying a word, was a master class worthy of an Emmy in itself. The fact that he could do all this while still being hysterical – a scene in the penultimate episode where he waited while a man loaded a dart gun and tranquilized him, followed by the perfect line before he passed out – shows just how brilliant he is. Against Him: Though he has been rising at a meteoric level since the nomination, two of the previous winners in this category – one in his own show – are better known. It will work against him.
Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso: 9-2.
For Playing: Roy Kent, an ex-Richmond football legend, trying to find a place in the world. For him: I don’t think there was a scene that Goldstein isn’t in on Ted Lasso that doesn’t leave me in hysterics. Every time he speaks in his blunt, profane manner, he makes me laugh because he’s always telling the truth. He is always honest and angry and both are always hysterical to watch. This is equally true when he’s onstage accepting awards, which he did much of the last several months, where’s he modest and profane. Seriously, I think Goldstein is incapable of being serious. And I love him and Roy unconditionally. He’s been dominating most of the awards this years and I don’t object to his repeating. Against Him: Most of his competition last year was from his own show (and as we’ll see, a lot of it still is). It’s a lot tougher than it was last year which means there is a chance that Goldstein could have a legitimate reason to be pissed. (But seriously, he’ll be fine.)
Toheeb Jimoh, Ted Lasso: 9-1.
For Playing: Sam, the enthusiastic Nigerian forward, who finds himself courting someone he never thought he was worthy of. For Him: In the background much of last season, Sam came into his own in many storylines this season. I loved the series where his character led an action against a sportswashing storyline that is very pertinent, and when we learned of his online romance with Rebecca it just made us love him all the more. Jimoh was the biggest surprise nominee in this category, but he sure as hell deserved to be here. Against Him: See above. But also, there’s the fact that Ted Lasso has a lot of great supporting players in its cast and many of them – I’m thinking of Brendan Hunt in particular – deserved it more than him. I think for Jimoh, it’s an honor just to be nominated.
Nick Mohammed, Ted Lasso: 19-2.
For Playing: Nate, the locker room put-upon now one of the head coaches of Richmond. For Him: It was a real transition for Nate this season, as he went from the forever put upon towel boy to a coach in his own right. And he spent much of Season 2 handling it very badly. Whether it was a struggle to be more assertive, to win the respect of his father, or just letting what happened to go to his head, Mohammed got to play a wider spectrum than he did in last season and it was a real range for him. Against Him: Range doesn’t necessarily mean an improvement. To be honest, Nate spent much of Season 2 being basically unlikable and it was hard for me to see in a character I spent much of Season 1 loving. I’m not sure that will help Mohammed win at this year’s Emmys.
Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: 15-2.
For Playing: Abe, Midge’s father an ex-science teacher now trying a new job. For Him: Shalhoub is one of the great comic legends of our time and Abe is one of this series great weapons, always trying to maintain his dignity and principles, usually humiliating himself at the exact same time. He doesn’t understand the world he lives in anymore, he doesn’t understand the women in his life. But he’s going to keep plugging ahead – no matter how much of a fool he looks like. You root for Abe, and in your heart sometimes see where his daughter gets much of her good qualities. Against Him: Has too much time gone by Shalhoub as well as Abe? Maisel’s been gone for three years and Shalhoub hasn’t won an Emmy for four. Throw in the fact that he has more previous Emmys than anyone else in this category, and I can see why the Emmys might honor someone else.
Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary: 8-1.
For Playing: Gregory, the new teacher at Abbott, trying to find his way around the building – and his crush on Janine. For Him: Gregory spent much of his first year at Abbott trying to find his place, and much of it was extremely awkward for him. It’s not easy for any actor to play someone who is clearly fish out of water and who can’t seem to find where he belongs. Williams gave us a lot of superb laughs – and as he tried to find his way into Janine’s life, heartache as well. Williams is one of this series most underused weapons and he more than deserves his nomination. Against Him: Let’s be honest: so much of the buzz about Abbott Elementary was all about the women in this cast and deservedly so. I’m pleasantly surprised that Williams was nominated this year, because I figured his work would be overlooked. I don’t think he’ll win this year, but it’s only a matter of time.
Henry Winkler, Barry: 5-1.
For Playing: Gene Cousineau, a legendary acting teacher now reeling from the secret of his best student. For Him: Winkler’s performance this season deserves another Emmy as much as Hader’s did. He went to as dark territory as Hader did – particularly in the season finale which showed Gene absolutely wrenched with grief before betraying Barry in a scene that required Gene to the best acting of his life. But he also did some of the funniest scenes in the entire third season. Watching him escape from a trunk, then run from a pack of dogs; trying to blow town while his agent tells him career is going places; trying to make amends with Joe Mantegna and then finding there’s someone who won’t forgive him – all of these were priceless funny moments. His win at the HCA this year demonstrates just how much his work is admired. Against Him: It’s been three years since Barry aired its last season, and Winkler hasn’t gotten a prize since. Considering the high caliber of so many of the other performers, and that the last man to beat him is in this category might be enough to stop him from winning again.
Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live: 9-1.
For Playing: Various Characters. For Him: Yang is one of the most versatile veterans in SNL’s roster and he continues to be a marvel to watch every time you see him on screen. He has a vibrant energy that too few members of the cast still show. Many actors from the past years weren’t nominated for awards across the board. Yang more than deserves to be here. Against Him: The long time buzz that has been driving nominations for this series for much of the past decades seems to be dying – SNL got the fewest acting nominations it has in nearly a decade this year. Momentum and love for the show by the Emmys – which has always been mixed – may work against Yang.
Prediction: Much as I might want Carrigan to win here, I think this comes down to a showdown between Goldstein and Winkler. I give Winkler the barest of edges, fully aware anything can happen in the Supporting categories.
Tomorrow I wrap up comedy with Best Supporting Actress, as well as predictions for writing and Guest Actor and Actress.
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