Stalwarts Alec Baldwin and Steve Carell are still going strong on 30 Rock and The Office respectively, and last year's Emmy winner of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy is back as well. This time, Parsons is joined by castmate Galecki to give The Big Bang Theory two nominations. Louis C.K.'s nomination is a bit of a surprise, given how low profile his show Louie is and given the fact even he doesn't think he's that good of an actor. I'm sure he's happy his one man project is getting some attention at least. Less surprising is LeBlanc's nod, simply because he's Matt LeBlanc and he was on Friends. He appears to be the only part of Episodes people weren't disappointed with.
Nominees:
Who Should Win
While one might want to give Carell a lifetime achievement award, especially since he has never won for playing Michael Scott, you have to judge him on the merits of this season. Fortunately, even then he's still a strong contender right alongside Baldwin. Given the many facets of Michael Scott he got to play this season, the edge goes to Carell.
Who Will Win
Actually winning might be a bit trickier for Carell than one would think. Awards have certainly been given out for lifetime achievement in the past, so that is not without precedent. There's a reason Sandra Bullock has an Oscar, after all. Carell does have a top quality episode he can submit in "Goodbye Michael," his last episode on the show as a regular cast member. However, Baldwin has an ace up his sleeve as in 30 Rock's 100th episode he played four versions of Jack Donaghy. That's the kind of thing that tends to get rewarded with statues. However, this feels like Carell's year, and he'll go out on top.
Surpsing that Big Bang grabbed two nods with so much amazing talent out there.
Very glad that Louis C.K. getting the attention he well deserves for a brilliantly weird show that has would typically not get much reward (let alone a renewal).
I'd say Carell is a good bet on the strength of the body of his work and fact that he has now left The Office. Baldwin's always great of course as well and well deserving.