Nominees: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

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	My pick	Y! Users
Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory Jim Parsons emerged as the poster boy of geek chic, thanks to his winning portrayal of Sheldon Cooper, a neurotic and socially maladjusted physicist on “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS, 2007- ). While his character is the quintessential brainiac, with two PhDs and a master’s degree, Parsons also gives Sheldon a healthy dose of charm and leading-man likeability. He may be the show’s breakout star, but will he also become the series’ first cast member to win an Emmy? more » 11 comments		22%
Jemaine Clement - Flight of the Conchords With but a handful of TV and radio shows under his belt, Jemaine Clement became one of New Zealand’s highest-profile exports since “Lord of the Rings” visionary Peter Jackson. As the tall, dark, bespectacled half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, Clement cemented his status as one of the most offbeat comics to cross over internationally. The “band,” which Clement and partner Bret McKenzie described as “New Zealand's fourth most popular digi-folk parodists,” became an unassuming comedy phenomenon for its R&B- and hip-hop-infused songs about mundane superfluities of love and robots taking over the world, and for its bone-dry, self-satirizing eponymous HBO series. Playing themselves as frumpy, barely functional losers doomed to musical obscurity by their own naiveté, Clement and McKenzie carved out a niche as actors, comedians, musicians, writers, and producers of their own show, as well as unofficial -- and self-consciously inept -- kiwi spokesmen. Born Jan. 10, 1974, in Masterton, a small city in the agrarian Wairarapa region of New Zealand, Clement grew up in a blue-collar family he described as a mixture of European and Maori (indigenous New Zealander) descent. He attended Makoura College before moving on to Victoria University of Wellington, where he met collaborator Bret McKenzie. The twosome began working on a musical act in 1998, initially as a four-piece band. Eventually they refined their act into a duo as Flight of the Conchords, putting together a repertoire of original songs they considered “weird” but audiences found hilarious. Talent spotters for HBO caught their act on the festival circuit in 2004, yielding a one-off special in 2005. “The Flight of the Conchords” series followed in June 2007. more » 1 comments		3%
Tony Shalhoub - Monk Tony Shalhoub’s unusually broad career includes critical success in stage dramas, offbeat independent films, and primetime comedy. His career grew gradually, beginning with theatrical work in Boston and New York, where he earned a Best Featured Actor Tony nomination for his role in the family drama “Conversations With my Father.” When he began to land film and TV roles, Shalhoub was an instant standout in even his smallest character roles, as he kept his extensive theatrical training close to his heart and stretched to create full, richly detailed characters. He already had a steady role on the sitcom “Wings” (NBC, 1992-1997) when he made his first big film splash as a restaurant owner in the acclaimed indie “Big Night” (1996). He currently holds the titular role in one of cable television’s most popular original series, “Monk” (USA Network, 2002- ). As Adrian Monk, Shalhoub portrays a former San Francisco police detective who suffers from an extreme case of obsessive-compulsive disorder and a variety of phobias but remains a brilliant crime-solver. His work on the show has earned him an Emmy nomination every year since 2003, with three wins, plus Golden Globe nominations every year but 2006, with one win. more » 4 comments		10%
Steve Carell - The Office As a correspondent on the popular news show parody “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central, 1999- ), actor Steve Carell used his strange and often surreal deadpan humor to build a career that eventually spanned into high-profile movies and television shows. After memorable supporting roles in “Bruce Almighty” (2004) and “Anchorman” (2004), Carell announced his arrival with a star-making turn in the sleeper hit comedy "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" (2005). He made the jump back to television with his uncomfortably funny portrayal of pushy but clueless boss Michael Scott on the American adaptation of the British hit comedy series "The Office" (NBC, 2005- ). Though the series was in jeopardy due to initially low ratings, Carell’s sudden stardom helped propel it the following season. Eventually “The Office” became a hit and began earning numerous awards and nominations, including a nod for Carell for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 2006. Though he failed win an Emmy that year, he did receive a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series -- Musical or Comedy. Carell earned more Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in 2007 and 2008. more » 0 comments		28%
Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock [ EXPERT PICK ] Alec Baldwin’s commanding onscreen presence, coupled with a riveting intensity and gravelly voice, won him big-screen acclaim in movies like “The Hunt for Red October” (1990) and “Glengarry Glen Ross” (1992). Off-screen, however, his outspoken liberal politics and his impatience with the Hollywood system limited his leading-man potential. Once his profile lowered in Hollywood, Baldwin divided his time between character film roles of varying size, New York stage productions, and political activism until the sitcom “30 Rock” (NBC, 2006-) offered him an ideal outlet for his cocky, breezy charm. After repeatedly threatening to quit acting, Baldwin suddenly found himself with a Golden Globe award and watched as his former leading-man image morphed him into that of a peerless comic actor. On “30 Rock” (NBC, 2006- ) Baldwin plays the bombastic and preening network VP Jack Donaghy, whose cultured air and haughty nonchalance serve as the perfect foil to the dressed-down immaturity of the rest of the cast. The actor scooped up an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in late 2008, calling his "30 Rock" gig "the best job I've ever had." Baldwin’s hot streak continued when he was nominated for his seventh Golden Globe, which he won in early 2009. Hot on the heels of his Globe win, Baldwin received a Screen Actors Guild award. more » 8 comments		15%
Charlie Sheen - Two and a Half Men Charlie Sheen's roles in Oliver Stone’s gritty Vietnam War drama “Platoon” (1986) and Stone’s bleak portrait of Reagan-era greed, “Wall Street” (1987), gave the actor his big break in Hollywood, but those films proved to be anomalies in a career characterized by laughs. During the nineties, Sheen found a niche in light comedies that banked on his good looks and flair for deadpan delivery, though even blockbuster spoofs like “Hot Shots” (1991) were overshadowed by Sheen’s real-life penchant for prostitutes, cocaine, and loquacious bravado. The notorious bad boy finally hit on a successful formula after a decade of being the butt of Hollywood jokes, when he began laughing at himself. His own genuinely funny brand of comedy emerged and he went on to enjoy primetime acclaim; first with a Golden Globe-winning run on the sitcom “Spin City” (ABC, 1996-2002), followed by his role as an unapologetic, swinging bachelor on “Two and a Half Men” (CBS, 2003- ). An extremely popular fixture within CBS’s powerful comedy lineup, Sheen received three consecutive Emmy nominations for Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on “Men” in 2006, 2007, and 2008 and Golden Globe nominations in 2005 and 2006 more » 8 comments		22%

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53 comments

comments 1-10 of 53 | newest | < newer | older > | oldest

Nicole

should of been steve!

report abuseposted September 21, 2009, 12:20 pm PDT
Deedz

The Big Bang Theory has got to be my favorite comedy show...well the CBS Monday Lineup is awesome all together but BBT takes the cake....Alec Baldwin? Are You Kidding me? Who the heck votes for these anyway....30 rock isnt even that funny....

report abuseposted September 21, 2009, 12:05 pm PDT
Tammy

I can't believe no one was pulling for Charlie Sheen...I meen the entire show revolves around sex!!

report abuseposted September 21, 2009, 11:35 am PDT
Christopher

I am sorry, but as far as playing a role and acting this really should have gone to Jim Parsons. His character and his portrayal of that character are outstanding. Not to take anything away from Alec Baldwin, but he should have been third. Jim Parsons in first with Charlie Sheen in a VERY close second. Baldwin in a distant third.

report abuseposted September 21, 2009, 10:59 am PDT
rico_7273

hey steven gawking... if ur a physicist, i'm a shuttle astronaut, or better yet rush limbaugh.. [hey i'll put ANY of our right wing drug addicted robotic wackos up against any of those islamic jihadist suicide bombers anyday. @ least they b'leve in what they burp up]..point being people....HAVE SOME PASSION ABOUT PASSION. its television. and u debate THIS? town halls--kwikly now

report abuseposted September 21, 2009, 10:49 am PDT
bettyj

Alec Baldwin is the worse actor ever..Results are not gathered by real people.........They wouldn't waste there time turning on 3D Rock..THE WORSE EVER>>>>>>>>>>

report abuseposted September 21, 2009, 4:30 am PDT
quietbear

alec baldwin over jim parsons? just being able to deliver "sheldon's" lines without stammering, stuttering and mispronouncing the words should have made jim parson's a shoo in for an emmy! oh come on! talk about a rigged show. and charlie sheen-my second choice- has been robbed for six seasons. his acting is so natural it doesn't even look like acting which is what acting is...!

report abuseposted September 21, 2009, 1:33 am PDT
MikeC

Who told that hack Baldwin he could act? The best job he has ever done was when caught on the phone verbally abusing and using threats against his daughter, then managing to talk his way out of that one. I have TRIED to watch 30 Rock but can't tolerate that fool. I agree Jim Parsons was robbed and those that voted should be ashamed.

report abuseposted September 21, 2009, 1:11 am PDT
phyfusion

I am a Physicist; and the BBT is the only show I find highly humorous. Jim Parsons plays a phenomenon role and should have won in his category. Alec Baldwin sucks ass and is not very-no- is not funny nor has a talent for humor to say the least. Jim Parsons is ridiculously the true winner!! Maybe for best comedy actor , Alec Baldwin was chosen by "Paper, Rock, Scissors, Lzard, Spock " !!!

report abuseposted September 20, 2009, 10:50 pm PDT
(\/)ansoor

Observing all the comments in here, I came to only one conclusion...These awards ceremonies are just a party time get together for actors. Awards mean nothing, just as media and stupid cheap so-called funny series are equally RUBBISH

report abuseposted September 20, 2009, 10:10 pm PDT

comments 1-10 of 53 | newest | < newer | older > | oldest

Coverage of the 61st Annual Emmy Awards®

Nominees: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Jim Parsons - The Big Bang Theory

Jemaine Clement - Flight of the Conchords

Tony Shalhoub - Monk

Steve Carell - The Office

Alec Baldwin - 30 Rock

Charlie Sheen - Two and a Half Men

53 comments

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