Yidio Emmy Spotlight: Best Actor in a Comedy

In the Yidio Emmys Spotlight, we take a look at the key races at this year's Primetime Emmy Awards. Today we look at the Best Lead Actor in a Comedy category, which includes some familiar faces and some new ones.

Past Winners

Though Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer are tied for the most nominations with 11, Grammer has won four times and Danson only twice. In the last decade, there's been a lot of Tony Shaloub and Alec Baldwin, thanks to "Monk" and "30 Rock." Of course, only one of those shows is still on the air...

The Nominees

Matt LeBlanc - Matt LeBlanc - "Episodes"

Jim Parsons - Sheldon Cooper - "The Big Bang Theory"

Steve Carell - Michael Scott - "The Office"

Johnny Galecki - Leonard Hofstadter - "The Big Bang Theory"

Louis C.K. - Louie C.K. - "Louie"

Alec Baldwin - Jack Donaghy - "30 Rock"

The Prospects

Out of four years nominated, Alec Baldwin has won twice and lost twice: one loss was to Tony Shaloub, who is no longer a threat, and the other was to Jim Parsons, who won last year. Baldwin has his work cut out for him as "The Big Bang Theory" is more buzzed-about than ever...after all, both leading men are nominated in the category this year.

But both Baldwin and Parsons will have to deal with a sleeper contender this year in Steve Carell. Carell has been nominated the past six years including this one, but has yet to win. Considering that he just left "The Office," this is Carell's last shot to win for his work as Michael Scott, and he could be rubber-stamped for a statue.

Galecki and LeBlanc, meanwhile, are likely to be merely afterthoughts as first-time nominees in this category crowded with big-time veteran talent. The same goes for Louis C.K., sadly, whose show "Louie" deserves a statue of its own.

Predictions

Having each won before, Parsons and Baldwin have a strong chance of taking home the award again. But the temptation for voters to give Carell the Emmy in his last year on "The Office" will be strong, so put your money on Carell. In a perfect world, Louis C.K. would win the award, but hey, it's not a perfect world, is it?