The Nominees:
- Larry David for NBC's Saturday Night Live - Episode: "Host: Larry David"
- Tracy Morgan for NBC's Saturday Night Live - Episode: "Host: Tracy Morgan"
- Martin Mull for HBO's Veep - Episode: "The Eagle"
- Bob Newhart for CBS' The Big Bang Theory - Episode: "The Opening Night Excitation"
- Peter Scolari for HBO's Girls - Episode: "Good Man"
- Bradley Whitford for Amazon's Transparent - Episode: "Oscillate"
This category caused a little bit of controversy after the nominations were announced in July. A few weeks after that Peter MacNicol was disqualified for appearing in too many episodes of Veep to be in this field. He appeared in five episodes instead of four. That proved that the Emmys are adamant about sticking to the rules and not letting any fraud occur. MacNicol was great on this season of Veep. But his replacement, Peter Scolari, has been doing some excellent work on Girls as well. He's the only nomination for that show at the Emmys this year. So, he does feel like a long shot to win. But it's a recognition that is really deserved.
The growing support for Veep could make Martin Mull a contender to watch in this race as well. The initial list of nominees had two actors from that show here. And now, the voters won't have to choose between them. If they want to celebrate someone from Veep in this category, Mull is the only option. Voters are fully in love with Veep now more than ever before. Mull is a respected character actor who would be rewarded for a pretty funny performance as well. It would not be surprising at all if he came out of this race victorious. It wouldn't create much of an uproar either because it's honoring a great show and a great actor.
Of course, Saturday Night Live has held such a strong grip on the guest acting categories over the last few years. It's had multiple wins both here and for the actresses. It was able to get two people nominated with plenty more deserving a nod as well. There are several reasons why both Larry David and Tracy Morgan would be great winners. This was a pretty big year for David as his cameos as Bernie Sanders propelled him into the spotlight once more. It was a performance that led to him actually hosting an episode later on in the season with the real Bernie Sanders stopping by. That could easily be a story the voters get behind. Plus, they really love him. But Morgan's story is just as powerful. It was such an emotional moment when he walked out on the stage at the primetime ceremony last year. He got a standing ovation for coming back from a horrific accident. And now, Saturday Night Live once again represents his return to comedy. It was a strong episode too. So he could easily be the winner here.
And finally, Bradley Whitford and Bob Newhart are previous winners in this category for the same shows they are nominated for this year. Newhart is playing the same character - though in a slightly different context - while Whitford is playing someone completely new. Neither have episodes that are as big a showcase as the years where they won. And yet, they can't be counted out of this race because they too are perennial Emmy favorites. So, voters have plenty of options in this race. Almost everyone would be a deserving winner as well.
Should Win: Tracy Morgan
Will Win: Larry David
Dark Horse: Martin Mull
The growing support for Veep could make Martin Mull a contender to watch in this race as well. The initial list of nominees had two actors from that show here. And now, the voters won't have to choose between them. If they want to celebrate someone from Veep in this category, Mull is the only option. Voters are fully in love with Veep now more than ever before. Mull is a respected character actor who would be rewarded for a pretty funny performance as well. It would not be surprising at all if he came out of this race victorious. It wouldn't create much of an uproar either because it's honoring a great show and a great actor.
Of course, Saturday Night Live has held such a strong grip on the guest acting categories over the last few years. It's had multiple wins both here and for the actresses. It was able to get two people nominated with plenty more deserving a nod as well. There are several reasons why both Larry David and Tracy Morgan would be great winners. This was a pretty big year for David as his cameos as Bernie Sanders propelled him into the spotlight once more. It was a performance that led to him actually hosting an episode later on in the season with the real Bernie Sanders stopping by. That could easily be a story the voters get behind. Plus, they really love him. But Morgan's story is just as powerful. It was such an emotional moment when he walked out on the stage at the primetime ceremony last year. He got a standing ovation for coming back from a horrific accident. And now, Saturday Night Live once again represents his return to comedy. It was a strong episode too. So he could easily be the winner here.
And finally, Bradley Whitford and Bob Newhart are previous winners in this category for the same shows they are nominated for this year. Newhart is playing the same character - though in a slightly different context - while Whitford is playing someone completely new. Neither have episodes that are as big a showcase as the years where they won. And yet, they can't be counted out of this race because they too are perennial Emmy favorites. So, voters have plenty of options in this race. Almost everyone would be a deserving winner as well.
Should Win: Tracy Morgan
Will Win: Larry David
Dark Horse: Martin Mull
