The 2013 Primetime Emmy Awards will honor a group of women who take today's most popular television comedies and elevate them to a new level of hilarity. Today's most popular comedy shows, such as "Modern Family" and "The Big Bang Theory" would not be half as funny without a brilliant supporting cast. Seven women are in the race to win "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series" at this year's awards. Each nominee enhances the humor of each show with brilliant comedic timing, unabashed believability and the ability to induce fits of laughter from the viewing audience each and every week.
Jane Krawkowski as Jenna Maroney ("30 Rock"): Krawkowki plays Jenna Maroney, an endlessly narcissistic actress who has "histrionic personality disorder": the constant need for attention. Maroney is selfish, plotting, vain and verbally abusive, but Krawkowski plays her in such a way that her obsessive attention-seeking and occasional cruelty is hilariously parodic. Her over-the-top performance makes the audience see her as a supremely silly character that is unaware of how absurd she really is.
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester ("Glee"): Jane Lynch's Sue Sylvester is the tough coach of McKinley High School's cheerleading squad and the arch-nemesis of the "New Directions" glee club. Although Sylvester tries to sabotage the glee club and enters into multiple feuds with other characters, Lynch manages to portray her wickedness in a hysterically dead-pan way. Lynch also shows Sylvester's softer side by portraying her love for her sister, who has Down Syndrome, proving that she has an inner kindness that adds a complexity to the character.
Sofia Vergara as Gloria Pritchett ("Modern Family"): Sofia Vergara plays Gloria Pritchett, a Colombian firecracker who is married to Jay Pritchett, a wealthy entrepreneur who is years her senior. Although she appears to be merely a beautiful trophy wife, the character of Gloria is tough, brazen and fiercely loving, giving her a depth that belies people's perception of her. Vergara is superb at showing the hilarious feistiness of Gloria, (she often yells loudly in Spanish), and her funny mispronunciation of English words. Vergara is also wonderful at portraying Gloria's enduring love for her family, as well as her character's insecurities.
Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy ("Modern Family"): Julie Bowen's Claire Dunphy is a shrewd housewife who is passionate and hardheaded yet also has a quirky side. Dunphy takes after her father, Jay, and is strong-willed and competitive as well as very overprotective of her three children. Bowen is fantastic at portraying Claire's fierceness while also showing her goofy side. Her husband, Phil (Ty Burrell), is as goofy as they come, and he helps balance out her strong nature.
Merritt Wever as Zoey Barkow ("Nurse Jackie"): Merritt Wever portrays Zoey Barkow, an eager young nurse who is excited to learn about nursing from Jackie (Edie Falco). Wever's Barkow is enthusiastic but often unselfconsciously clueless, lending an endearing goofiness to her character. Wever is so adept at playing Barkow's unaware quirkiness that she has become one of the unassuming stars of the series.
Mayim Bialik as as Amy Farrah Fowler ("The Big Bang Theory"): Bialik's Amy Farrah Fowler is the genius, quirky and classically nerdy girlfriend of Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons). Bialik expertly portrays the doctor of neurobiology as brilliant and a bit OCD, like her counterpart Sheldon, yet is more desiring of human affection as well as human communication. Bialik's Fowler is hilariously quick-witted and a certified genius, yet Bialik is able to bring out Fowler's insecurities and desire for human connection, which allows viewers to connect with her character.
Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer ("Veep"): Chlumsky plays Brookheimer, a hard-working political staffer who is close with Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), the Vice President of the United States. Chlumsky portrays Brookheimer superbly, a character who adeptly navigates the difficult and often ridiculous nature of the political system with a satirical hilarity. Her character anonymously does her job, which doesn't bother her. According to HBO, Amy says: "To some the anonymity makes the job seem thankless and soul-destroying but I welcome it, I really do."
Prediction:
Sofia Vergara, "Modern Family"
Sofia Vergara will most likely take home the Emmy win for her hysterical portrayal of the Colombian housewife. Vergara is a favorite to win because of her silly yet affecting portrayal of Gloria, giving her character an unexpected depth. Another reason why she will probably take home the prize is due to the "Modern Family" sweep that has occurred at the Emmys in past years. (Bowen won in this category in 2011 and 2012.) If history can serve as a predictor, Vergara will probably take home the win, continuing "Modern Family's comedy reign.