Yidio Emmy Spotlight: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy
by Andy Neuenschwander
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 Supporting Actress in a Comedy category, which includes some buzzworthy talent and the host of the Emmys herself!
Past Winners
The first-ever winner of this particular award was Vivian Vance for her portrayal of Ethel in "I Love Lucy," and the tradition of hilarious supporting women has continued from there. It's a category that's prone to dynasties (Doris Roberts won four out of seven years nominated from 1999-2005) and though the award will often go to veterans, occasionally a younger, buzz-worthy actress will grab the statue.
All of this year's nominees have been nominated before, and two of them have won. Will we see a repeat?
The Nominees
Jane Lynch - Sue Sylvester - "Glee"
Betty White - Elena Ostrosky - "Hot In Cleveland"
Julie Bowen - Claire Dunphy - "Modern Family"
Kristen Wiig - Various Characters - "Saturday Night Live"
Jane Krakowski - Jenna Maroney - "30 Rock"
Sofia Vergara - Gloria Delgado-Pritchett - "Modern Family"
The Prospects
Jane Lynch would seem to be the front-runner, as she won last year (remember those dynasties?) and clearly she's funny enough to host, so why not to win? But "Glee" had an off year in the eyes of both fans and critics, and although Lynch had more chances to shine dramatically ("Funeral," while considered by most to be one of the worst episodes of the show, had some nice Lynch moments), she was under-used comedically.
Betty White has a good shot, considering her recent SAG Awards win for "Hot In Cleveland." However, you can never count out a cast member of "Modern Family" to win an award, and Kristen Wiig is currently one of the hottest comediennes in Hollywood right now following the huge success of "Bridesmaids." Sadly, while Jane Krakowski has turned in hilarious performances for years, she has thus far gone mostly unrecognized by awards shows, and is unlikely to win with this strong a field.
Predictions
Betty White has two wins an another nomination under her belt...but nothing since 1977 and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." Coming off of a SAG Awards win last year, look for White to pick up her first Emmy win in almost 35 years. If you're looking for an upset pick, you could roll with Lynch or Wiig, but be careful of the latter: Wiig has been nominated twice before and lost, and no "SNL" actress has ever won this award.