clockwise (from top left): Kirk, Darby,
Harris, McBride.
We've already made our picks for best supporting actress in a comedy in advance of the announcement of this year's Emmy nominations (July 16), and now we're moving on to the guys. Our crop has one Emmy staple and four rookies, but we think the new guys outshine the same old nominees the Emmys throw out.
Justin Kirk, Weeds
Role: Andy BotwinPlaying a slacker only looks easy--especially in the hands of Kirk, who has played the war-dodging, weed-smoking, woman-poking Andy on Weeds for four seasons. Kirk is a previous nominee for his work in Angels in America, but it's time Andy got some respect.
Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Role: Barney StinsonHow has NPH not won a Golden Globe or Emmy for playing Barney yet? An openly gay man playing one of the sleaziest womanizers on television convincingly and hysterically and no hardware to show for it--pish posh, I say! This could be--and should be--the year.
Rhys Darby, Flight of the Conchords
Role: MurrayAs the clueless fame-seeking manager of New Zealand's fourth-most popular guitar-based digi-bongo folk duo, Murray is a hoot and a half. It's not easy to steal scenes as a supporting actor in this business--especially from the Conchords--but Darby does it routinely.
Helms came into his own this season.
Chi McBride, Pushing Daisies
Role: Emerson CodAt 6-foot-four-plus, Chi has had his fair share of intimidating dramatic roles. But when he steps foot on the set of Pushing Daisies as the money-hungry detective Emerson, he becomes a big teddy bear and knows exactly how to play a comedic scene and use his hulking frame to great effect. Is there anything funnier than seeing Emerson and Olive Snook (all four-feet-eleven of her) square off?
Ed Helms, The Office
Role: Andy BernardThis spot is usually held for another Office mate--Rainn Wilson as Dwight (cases can be made for several others as well)--but we're giving the nod to Ed, mainly because Rainn's been nominated the last two years and Ed is underrated and really showed us the goods this year. Andy makes uncontrollable rage and Cornell obsession hilarious.
Honorable Mention: Rainn Wilson--The Office, Tyler Labine and Ray Wise--Reaper, Tracy Morgan--30 Rock, Kunal Nayyar--The Big Bang Theory
And our winner is: Rhys Darby, with apologies to Harris. This wasn't even close in our office--Darby's Murray is one of the best supporting characters to hit television in a long time, and the way Darby crafts him is genius. It's unfortunate we may not see Murray again as Conchords may not be coming back.
Our picks for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Comments (57)
Justin Kirk ftw
It's a tough choice for me between Harris, Helms and Darby...But I got to give it to Darby, his character is hysterical and FOTC may not have another season so he should get it.
CHI MCBRIDE FTW!
I would agree with TVJunkie that Big Bang Theory has the best ensemble cast in sitcoms today. It would be hard to pick one actor over the other, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar are both brilliant in their roles
Definitely Neil Patrick Harris!
How I Met Your Mother is the best comedy show ever with Barney Stinson
Neil Patrick Harris should be the winner so far.
No contest Neil Patrick Harris he is way better then the rest.
I'm sorry am I reading this right Tyler Labine only makes it to the honourable mention section? I wanna see Tyler Labine, Chi Mcbride, Joshua Gomez or Adam Baldwin get nominated they all consistantly make me crack up.
Just give the Emmy to NPH already!!! Yet I also love Chi McBride (from my favorite show of all times) and he also deserves the Emmy!
barney! barney!!11oneone!11
Definitely NPH !
What about Tyler Labine for Reaper.
Ed Helms!!!! He is the reason I tuned into The Office when it started going downhill, that man is hysterical! I really hope he gets at least a nod :)
I'd have to say NPH
Neil Patrick Harris defintly. He is the funniest one there.
Because there's no Jeremy Piven (thank god) I'd have to go for NPH
I'd pee myself if Ed Helms even got nominated. I LOVE him. But as for the winner, I don't see anyone but Neil Patrick Harris winning. Though props to Chi McBride. (Who I'd like to see win.)
Nel Patrick Harris for sure. Barney is one of the best characters on television, and it's really unbelievable that he didn't won an Emmy yet.
Neil Patrick Harris by a long shot.
NPH and no one else!
However, Chi McBride fans ... if you really wanna see him crack you up, you have to catch a movie called Let's Go To Prison. He's brilliant and fearless in it.
No Simon Helberg? Are you kidding? Actually, the comedies need an ensemble award, and that easily this year goes to Big Bang Theory.Those guys have outstanding chemistry.
NPH is the best!!! i love Barney
Neil Patrick Harris!
I support Neil Patrick Harris!
definitely Neil Patrick Harris
NPH and his character are overrated. Barney is a one trick pony whose one trick gets old fast. Simon Hedberg from Big Bang should get a look.
I think Tyler Labine should win best supporting actor, his character made me laugh more than any above mentioned others. Also, the Baldwin from Chuck should be nominated, his character is serious but comes off hilarious in the show.
i'm undecided between justin kirk and chi mcbride but i think that joshua gomez and tyler labine would really deserve a honorable mention as well!
Tyler Labine should at least get a mention for his role as Sock on "Reaper". He's hilarious, especially this past season.
Hard choice but I'll go with Rhys Darby. Glad to see a Kiwi make the top 5. If he wasn't there I would vote for NPH
Neil Patrick Harris, cant be none other - Im watching HIMYM just because of him and his jokes. Rhys Darby is good too, would be my second choice, but Harris is still a lot better I think.
My vote would be for Chi McBride, he's a comic genius.
Neil Patrick Harris!
boo Ed Helms, what about kenneth page tv.com? hmm?
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Also, Tracy Morgan is a genius. He may not wow audiences with dramatic performances or outstanding dialogue, but the way he crafts Tracy Jordan is magnificent. No one can do it half as well as him
I like them all. Ed Helms is great, but not emmy worthy. NPH is also great but i agree wit TV.com, Rhys is the best!
I li
Neil Patrick Harris deserves to win...This season was not as great as the other ones but still, he deserves it more than any of the others.
Justin Kirk please!! HIMYM has had a disastrous season; i simply dont want NPH to win
NPH or Chi McBride should win.
I agree,except for Ed Helms and Tracy Morgan.If they get nominated,I'll lose ev'ry respect I have for The Emmys.I also don't want Tyler Labine,but if he gets nominated,it will be OK.
Very hard to choose I love NPH as Barney but Emerson had the best one liners and Chi Mcbride knows how to deliver them hilariously but since Pushing Daisies is cancelled I want him to win
Justin Kirk is very funny, but what about Kevin Nealon? He plays Doug on "Weeds" as well and he's brilliant. I think Jack McBrayer should be nominated for his role on "30 Rock", he's hilarious many times.
NPH !! should win , and i have a feeling that he will !!
NPH - Barney is the best character ever!
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS DEFINITELY