2014 Emmys: A case for Kate McKinnon, Gillian Jacobs, Retta in CarterMatt – Supporting Actress field

As always with pretty much every other Emmy Awards, the supporting categories for comedies are powerful beasts. This has especially been true since “Modern Family” has dominated them, but we’ve said time and time again now that the ABC comedy is vulnerable. It’s time for some other faces to step into the limelight, and there were some excellent ones on the air this past year.

Below, check out our personal picks for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, and just like with the rest of our articles in our Emmy series, we’ve got a poll at the bottom for you to share your pick.

Mayim Bialik, “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS) – Routinely one of the best parts of the show, and also proof that you can join a sitcom a few years into its run and not mess up its chemistry. Instead, you only end up making it better. Amy Farrah Fowler just brings out the best (and the funniest) in everyone.

Anna Chlumsky, “Veep” (HBO) – It’s very hard to be on a show with Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the lead and find a way to stand out, mostly because she tends to dominate every scene she is in. Somehow, Chlumsky manages to pull that off. Amy is one of the few “Veep” characters who has some moments of likability, only to remind you minutes later that she is just as driven and at times heartless as everyone else.

Gillian Jacobs, “Community” (NBC) – There are times when we feel like the Emmys don’t actually realize that “Community” is an actual show, but wouldn’t it be nice if they did? Also, if they did manage to figure that out, how about recognizing one of the funniest people on the show from the past few seasons? Britta has brought so much joy (and psychosis) to the show, and Jacobs being willing to embrace her character’s various oddities is a big reason why.

Kate McKinnon, “Saturday Night Live” (NBC) – This was Kate’s year, and she was awesome in almost everything. One of the reasons why she is so great is because she really has a little of every talent needed to be a memorable cast member: She does good sketch work, can do impressions, and also has an exceptional knack for physical comedy. Also, no shame whatsoever. Already one of our favorite cast members of the past decade.

Chelsea Peretti, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (Fox) – Peretti is one of those people who has been putting in great work for several years now, but this show marks one of her biggest opportunities for the general public to recognize it. At first, we wondered if Gina was just being set up to be Aubrey Plaza in police form, but then the character developed and proved herself to be just as crazy as Plaza’s April, but in a very different and very fun way. Hats off to Peretti for her work, especially in those scenes with Andre Braugher.

Retta, “Parks and Recreation” (NBC) – “Parks and Recreation” is one of those shows where there are around five or six people that you could say are worthy of a nomination every year. Retta for many seasons was someone who did a lot with very little, and then this past year, she was given a little more screen time after Rashida Jones left. What we saw here was a performance that was just as funny as always, but also stuffed full of heart and dimension. Donna this season was just another reason to smile throughout this perpetually-happy show.

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