The Emmys: Best comedy stars

The best comedy actor has been dominated in recent years by "30 Rock's" Alec Baldwin and "Monk's" Tony Shalhoub. The best comedy actress race is wide open. Here's a look at the Emmy nominees.

THE ACTORS 

Matthew Morrison, "Glee" - Despite what Sue Sylvester says about Mr. Shue or his hair, the guy who plays him has a shot, but probably not a winning shot.

Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory" - With Charlie Sheen (finally) off this list, Parsons stands a better chance than he did last year.

Larry David, "Curb Your Enthusiasm" - David is effectively the entire show, probably why he stands a better chance of winning than "Curb" does.

Steve Carell, "The Office" - Another smiling face seen at the Emmys for years, and yet - inex- plicably - no win. Ray Romano was nominated three straight times before finally winning. Carell has been nominated four straight times. He is long past due.

Alec Baldwin, "30 Rock" - Like in the best drama actor category, three straight wins are rare - Dick Van Dyke, Don Adams and Michael J. Fox have done the trick. Maybe Baldwin can match the feat.

Tony Shalhoub, "Monk" - Only three actors have won this award more than three times - the total number of wins for Shalhoub - and they are Carroll O'Connor, Michael J. Fox and Kelsey Grammer. Could Shalhoub join this group Sunday?

THE ACTRESSES

Amy Poehler, "Parks and Recreation" - Poehler had a terrific year and the show still got pushed to midseason. A gripe for another day. This nod was deserved, but it's an upset if she wins.

Toni Collette, "United States of Tara" - Last year's winner, which makes her a threat to repeat Sunday.

Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie" - She could do something no actress ever has - win best actress in both comedy and drama. For this reason - but not this reason alone - I'm cheering for her.

Tina Fey, "30 Rock" - She has been nominated four straight times but has won just once, in 2008. Logic pretty much rules out a win in 2010. The reason is that she was as good this past season as any other. Why would the academy suddenly re-affirm this if it consistently didn't all those other years? (One answer is Collette, who has been dazzling.)

Lea Michele, "Glee" - Triple-threat Michele is not - hard as this may be for "Glee" fans to absorb - a front-runner. She's a Broadway actress, and Emmy voters are more likely to cast ballots for one of their own. Be- cause "Glee" will almost certainly win best comedy, some might feel she's covered by this win.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "The New Adventures of Old Christine" - Louis-Dreyfus has had five best actress nods for this show, and only one win, in 2006. (She also had seven nods, one win on "Seinfeld.") Voters clearly love Louis-Dreyfus, and who doesn't? But another win seems improbable.