The nominees are: Portlandia's Fred Armisen; Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Andre Braugher; Modern Family's Ty Burrell & Jesse Tyler Ferguson; Girls' Adam Driver; and Veep's Tony Hale.
1. TONY HALE - VEEP (HBO)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "CRATE"
Hale was both a surprise nomination and a surprise winner a year ago. A pleasant surprise in both cases. The Modern Family men had such a stranglehold on this field for a few years. So it was nice to see a fresh face enter and win the race. And season three of the political comedy only got more critical acclaim and Emmy support. For much of the season, Hale was decent but didn't have that wow moment he could submit. And then came that bathroom scene with Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. You just knew instantly that would be his submission and it would also be a very hard tape to beat.
2. ANDRE BRAUGHER - BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (FOX)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "CHRISTMAS"
It seems that all Braugher has to do to get an Emmy nomination is pop up on something. That certainly happened here as Brooklyn Nine-Nine didn't make a dent anywhere else at the Emmys. But you know what? Braugher is really good on the FOX police comedy. He had a handful of episodes he could have submitted. "Christmas" is a dynamic episode that has life-and-death stakes, Captain Holt finally being stubborn, a flashback to young Holt as well as Holt doing the wave with Jake and Boyle. A delight to watch all year long that would make me happy if he won.
3. JESSE TYLER FERGUSON - MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "MESSAGE RECEIVED"
Only two Modern Family men got into the race this year. It would seem that momentum is on Ferguson's side because of the significance of his story this year alongside Eric Stonestreet. Mitch and Cam's wedding was a big deal. So consider me a bit surprised that he didn't opt for the season finale where the event actually took place. Instead he chose the episode before it where his big fight with Jay fuels their tension in the final episode. An odd pick that may effect his chances a little bit.
4. TY BURRELL - MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "SPRING-A-DING FLING"
I've said this before but this season of Modern Family felt overstuffed. So much was happening in every episode. "Spring-a-Ding Fling" was one of the better episodes of the year but it still suffered from that problem of too much going on. Burrell continues to be funny but I think this is the year Ferguson should win - which Burrell's episode also has great moments for Mitch.
5. ADAM DRIVER - GIRLS (HBO)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "TWO PLANE RIDES"
One could argue that Driver is essentially a co-lead with Lena Dunham on the HBO comedy. That was especially true for the show's third season. His character Adam finally made an effort with his career and actually booked a major gig. However, I'm still puzzled months later whether we are suppose to view Adam the character as a good actor or not. His performance in the finale really could go either one. That ambiguity may hold him back from winning the top prize.
6. FRED ARMISEN - PORTLANDIA (IFC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "PULL-OUT KING"
It's always nice seeing new blood. But for the voters to start nominating Armisen when his show just did its fourth season seems like they just found IFC on their TV listings. It's such an odd choice and one that just feels like a long shot for a victory.
1. TONY HALE - VEEP (HBO)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "CRATE"
Hale was both a surprise nomination and a surprise winner a year ago. A pleasant surprise in both cases. The Modern Family men had such a stranglehold on this field for a few years. So it was nice to see a fresh face enter and win the race. And season three of the political comedy only got more critical acclaim and Emmy support. For much of the season, Hale was decent but didn't have that wow moment he could submit. And then came that bathroom scene with Julia Louis-Dreyfuss. You just knew instantly that would be his submission and it would also be a very hard tape to beat.
2. ANDRE BRAUGHER - BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (FOX)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "CHRISTMAS"
It seems that all Braugher has to do to get an Emmy nomination is pop up on something. That certainly happened here as Brooklyn Nine-Nine didn't make a dent anywhere else at the Emmys. But you know what? Braugher is really good on the FOX police comedy. He had a handful of episodes he could have submitted. "Christmas" is a dynamic episode that has life-and-death stakes, Captain Holt finally being stubborn, a flashback to young Holt as well as Holt doing the wave with Jake and Boyle. A delight to watch all year long that would make me happy if he won.
3. JESSE TYLER FERGUSON - MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "MESSAGE RECEIVED"
Only two Modern Family men got into the race this year. It would seem that momentum is on Ferguson's side because of the significance of his story this year alongside Eric Stonestreet. Mitch and Cam's wedding was a big deal. So consider me a bit surprised that he didn't opt for the season finale where the event actually took place. Instead he chose the episode before it where his big fight with Jay fuels their tension in the final episode. An odd pick that may effect his chances a little bit.
4. TY BURRELL - MODERN FAMILY (ABC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "SPRING-A-DING FLING"
I've said this before but this season of Modern Family felt overstuffed. So much was happening in every episode. "Spring-a-Ding Fling" was one of the better episodes of the year but it still suffered from that problem of too much going on. Burrell continues to be funny but I think this is the year Ferguson should win - which Burrell's episode also has great moments for Mitch.
5. ADAM DRIVER - GIRLS (HBO)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "TWO PLANE RIDES"
One could argue that Driver is essentially a co-lead with Lena Dunham on the HBO comedy. That was especially true for the show's third season. His character Adam finally made an effort with his career and actually booked a major gig. However, I'm still puzzled months later whether we are suppose to view Adam the character as a good actor or not. His performance in the finale really could go either one. That ambiguity may hold him back from winning the top prize.
6. FRED ARMISEN - PORTLANDIA (IFC)
EPISODE SUBMISSION: "PULL-OUT KING"
It's always nice seeing new blood. But for the voters to start nominating Armisen when his show just did its fourth season seems like they just found IFC on their TV listings. It's such an odd choice and one that just feels like a long shot for a victory.
