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Lead Actor in a Comedy Series is pretty much an open race and it has been that way even before the nominees were announced. In the past, the default winner has been Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), and he returns strong to the race with yet another Sheldon is drunk episode. However, for me the clear standout from the pack, in terms of both buzz and episode is William H. Macy (Shameless). He got in partially because of the odd buzz around his show's switch from drama to comedy, but he also has his name. He's the veteran of the group. He's also the one actor in the lineup that hasn't been nominated for his role before. Then, there is his episode, and it's a doozy. He's dying… doesn't standout much more than that.
Right behind him is Emmy darling Ricky Gervais (Derek). In addition to winning an Emmy for just about anything, he ended up being a surprise nominee that shouldn't have been a surprise at all.
1. William H. Macy (Shameless)
2. Ricky Gervais (Derek)
3. Louis C.K. (Louie)
4. Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)
5. Matt LeBlanc (Episodes)
6. Don Cheadle (House of Lies)
Hey, I'm Karl, founder and film critic at Smash Cut. I started Smash Cut in 2014 to share my love of movies and give a perspective I haven't yet seen represented. I'm also an editor at The New York Times, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, and a member of the Online Film Critics Society.