The nominees are: Portlandia's Steve Buscemi; Saturday Night Live's Louis C.K. & Jimmy Fallon; Veep's Gary Cole; Modern Family's Nathan Lane; and The Big Bang Theory's Bob Newhart.
1. LOUIS C.K. - SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "HOST: LOUIS C.K."
I honestly believe that this is a race between the two Saturday Night Live hosts - both of whom Emmy voters absolutely love as they've handed out multiple nominations to their respective shows elsewhere. Right now, I'm inclined towards C.K. winning because I remember his episode more - although not by much.
2. JIMMY FALLON - SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "HOST JIMMY FALLON"
But Fallon is also a former Saturday Night Live cast member coming home to host the series. No regular player has ever won an Emmy for the show while a regular cast member. The voters may be inclined to give Fallon his dues for the series that gave him his big break.
3. BOB NEWHART - THE BIG BANG THEORY (CBS)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "THE PROTON TRANSMOGRIFICATION"
And then, there's Bob Newhart who won his very first Emmy a year ago for this very role. He could very well win again this year. I'm not predicting it because there isn't the same urgency to reward him for a career of wonderful comedic performances. And yet, does Newhart really only deserve one Emmy in his lifetime? I don't think so.
4. NATHAN LANE - MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "THE WEDDING, PART 2"
Lane is very much playing a character exactly in his wheelhouse on Modern Family. And yet, he had a handful of really funny lines in the season finale as the wedding he spent months planning was completely falling apart. So, that was very rewarding to see. He would be a delightful upset - but one I'm not fully expecting.
5. GARY COLE - VEEP (HBO)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "CRATE"
Cole secured this nomination as a part of the Emmy lift Veep underwent this year. He's a delight and "Crate" is a fantastic episode. And yet, the focal point of the episode is on Julia Louis-Dreyfuss and Tony Hale. Cole is the character who delivers the big game-changing news but will being close to the greatness be enough for him to win? I don't think it will.
6. STEVE BUSCEMI - PORTLANDIA (IFC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "CELERY"
I don't watch Portlandia. So I have no idea what Steve Buscemi did this season but the series got a handful more nominations this year than previously which has to mean something. I think it's too niche of a series though for it to every pull off a major win.
1. LOUIS C.K. - SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "HOST: LOUIS C.K."
I honestly believe that this is a race between the two Saturday Night Live hosts - both of whom Emmy voters absolutely love as they've handed out multiple nominations to their respective shows elsewhere. Right now, I'm inclined towards C.K. winning because I remember his episode more - although not by much.
2. JIMMY FALLON - SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE (NBC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "HOST JIMMY FALLON"
But Fallon is also a former Saturday Night Live cast member coming home to host the series. No regular player has ever won an Emmy for the show while a regular cast member. The voters may be inclined to give Fallon his dues for the series that gave him his big break.
3. BOB NEWHART - THE BIG BANG THEORY (CBS)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "THE PROTON TRANSMOGRIFICATION"
And then, there's Bob Newhart who won his very first Emmy a year ago for this very role. He could very well win again this year. I'm not predicting it because there isn't the same urgency to reward him for a career of wonderful comedic performances. And yet, does Newhart really only deserve one Emmy in his lifetime? I don't think so.
4. NATHAN LANE - MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "THE WEDDING, PART 2"
Lane is very much playing a character exactly in his wheelhouse on Modern Family. And yet, he had a handful of really funny lines in the season finale as the wedding he spent months planning was completely falling apart. So, that was very rewarding to see. He would be a delightful upset - but one I'm not fully expecting.
5. GARY COLE - VEEP (HBO)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "CRATE"
Cole secured this nomination as a part of the Emmy lift Veep underwent this year. He's a delight and "Crate" is a fantastic episode. And yet, the focal point of the episode is on Julia Louis-Dreyfuss and Tony Hale. Cole is the character who delivers the big game-changing news but will being close to the greatness be enough for him to win? I don't think it will.
6. STEVE BUSCEMI - PORTLANDIA (IFC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "CELERY"
I don't watch Portlandia. So I have no idea what Steve Buscemi did this season but the series got a handful more nominations this year than previously which has to mean something. I think it's too niche of a series though for it to every pull off a major win.
