2013 Emmy preview: Support for Eden Sher, Cecily Strong, Mayim Bialik, and more
As we start to close out the comedy category in our Primetime Emmy Awards preview series (the pre-nomination edition), we do with a category that is strong across the board, and not just because a woman with Strong as a last name is in it.
The Supporting Actress in a Comedy field has been insane for a few years now thanks to all of the actors both eligible and contending here, and this time around, it’s no exception. Some shows are rising, others are falling, and there’s some newcomers on the scene that really stole some spots from expected favorites. Do you agree or disagree with our picks? We want to know below. Also, click here for some more Emmy goodness across all of the other categories. It should get you creating your own dream list in style.
For those wondering about the guys, the Supporting Actor field will be available tomorrow.
Mayim Bialik, “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS) – There could be some big competition among the show’s ladies this year; while “Modern Family’s” Emmy stock is falling, it seems to be rising here despite “The Big Bang Theory” being in its sixth season. While Melissa Rauch and Kaley Cuoco do a great job here, Mayim has the challenge of holding her own and matching the intensity of Jim Parsons. Somehow, she succeeds and then some in making Amy both intellectual, likable, and relatable.
Eden Sher, “The Middle” (ABC) – At just 21 years old, Eden already has a Critics’ Choice TV Award under her belt. Could she add an Emmy? What makes us very excited now is that some voters are starting to recognize that there are multiple family comedies on ABC deserving of some love. They just have to tune in prior to 9:00 for a chance to see them.
Cecily Strong, “Saturday Night Live” (NBC) – This was a pretty uneven season of “SNL” by most standards, and it’s not often that we have a rookie cast member we get behind so quickly. However, Cecily did everything that you could ask for and then some, from being the MVP in some great sketches (“Hermes Handbags,” anyone?) to the great new “Weekend Update” character in “The Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation with at a Party.”
Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family” (ABC) – We tend to go back and forth on which “Modern Family” funny-lady we prefer. Last year, it was Julie Bowen, and this year, we’re back at our original favorite in Sofia Vergara. We mostly just find it so amazing that she continues to add some depth to Gloria, despite her being a character that could have come across as one-note very easily compared to some others on the show.
Allison Williams, “Girls” (HBO) – Marnie’s a hard character to get attached to, if for no other reason than that you think that she is the most normal of the female characters on the show. Then, she decides to show up to Charlie’s party and sing a stripped-down version of Kanye West’s “Stronger” … without any irony to it at all. This was enough for us to give her a nomination, but then there was all of that mess with Booth Jonathan.
Casey Wilson, “Happy Endings” (ABC) – Finally, we once again asked: Where’s the love for “Happy Endings”? ABC’s critically-acclaimed (but also canceled gem) should at least leave with some sort of love if another network fails to pick it up, and Wilson’s brilliant sense of timing makes her the perfect candidate. If her show does end this year, the good news is that she’ll have no trouble finding a new job.
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Photo: Emmys