By the time you read this, the 62^nd Emmy Awards will have taken place and the “best” television has to offer will be recognized. We can’t predict the future, but we can tell you who we think is the most deserving of a few of the golden trophies. Below are the opinions of Towerlight writers on who shines the brightest in their television role.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Chris Colfer, “Glee”
Neil Patrick Harris, “How I met Your Mother”
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, “Modern Family”
Eric Stonestreet, “Modern Family”
Ty Burrell, “Modern Family”
Job Cryer, “Two and a Half Men”

The supporting actor category is heavy with television newcomers, all whom I think are deserving of the title. Chris Colfer’s Kurt on “Glee” is a role that was literally created for him, and “Modern Family’s” Jesse Tyler Ferguson is an openly gay actor playing an openly gay family man. While acting banks on experience, the outstanding contender is a man playing a role completely alien to him, and doing it fabulously. Eric Stonestreet, who plays the flamboyant Cameron on “Modern Family,” can crack you up as easily as he can warm the cockles of your heart. Cameron should win for his ability to take a controversial role and show it for what he truly plays: a father loving his family.
-Lauren Slavin, Senior Editor

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Jane Lynch, “Glee”
Julie Bowen, “Modern Family”
Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family”
Kristen Wiig, “Saturday Night Live”
Jane Krakowski, “30 Rock”
Holland Taylor, “Two and a Half Men”

“You know, for me trophies are like herpes. You can try to get rid of them but they just keep coming. Sue Sylvester has hourly flair ups of burning itchy highly contagious talent.” This is why Jane Lynch deserves to win the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
-Nurney Mason, Proofreader

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory”
Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Matthew Morrison, “Glee”
Tony Shalhoub, “Monk”
Steve Carell, “The Office”
Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”

This category is an almost impossible call. “ Glee’s” Matthew Morrison’s, while possessing an undeniably candied voice, (for those who don’t believe me, see his past Tony performance) is a fairly mediocre actor. It’s largely not his fault, the scriptwriters provided him with awful character development (same goes for the rest of the “Glee” cast.) Alec Baldwin has dominated the past several years with a few deadpan looks and coy eyes. It’d be fresh for Steve Carell to get a one up on his competitor, but clearly “The Office,”now in its seventh season, is no longer in its prime. Perhaps they’ll give him a nod because of his confirmed departure. And while “Monk” is a solid, quality show, whoever handled advertising failed to boost Shalohoub to the level of Baldwin.
-Jeremy Bauer-Wolf, Assistant Arts Editor

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Lea Michelle, “Glee”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “The New Adventures of Old Christine”
Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation”
Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
Toni Collette, “United State of Tara”

Slightly easier to assess are the female leads in a comedy series. We can strike Michele, however popular, out of the running. She doesn’t get the face time necessary in order to achieve a following, or even proper character development. Poehler plays second fiddle to Fey, who we seem to associate from their “Saturday Night Live” days. It seems to fall down to a tie between Tina Fey and Toni Collette. Fey seems to be the mistress of comedy, with fresh writing, infinite and hilarious character aspects and impeccable timing. Despite being a die-hard Tina Fey fan, I must acknowledge however, how stale the concept of “30 Rock” has gotten the past one or two seasons. Collette provides us with feats of playing numerous characters and covering up a difficult Australian accent with quick quips and infectious laughter.

Outstanding Comedy Series
“Curb Your Enthusiam”
“Glee”
“Modern Family”
“Nurse Jackie”
“The Office”
“30 Rock”

There are so many shows based on families and the things they go through, so what makes “Modern Family” any different? The humor mixed with awkward glances at the camera and interview set ups leave you laughing out loud and wishing you were a part of this typical modern family. The moments where you find yourself relating to the family is reason enough for this show to win.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
Michael C. Hall, “Dexter”
Kyle Chandler, “Friday Night Lights”
Hugh Laurie, “House”
Matthew Fox, “Lost”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”

Throughout “Breaking Bad’s” run, Bryan Cranston’s surprisingly solid performance as cancer ridden, meth-cooking chemistry teacher Walter White has elevated the show from good to jaw-dropping. Watching the character’s evolution from a calm, unassuming high school teacher to a desperate drug cook with a thinly veiled hunger for power has been grade-A entertainment. The series is three seasons strong and its return is highly anticipated. No one can call Cranston’s acting chops into question. He is no longer the goofy dad from “Malcolm in the Middle;” he is one of cable TV’s leading men.
-Alan Dovell, Assistant Photo Editor

Outstanding Drama Series
“Breaking Bad”
“Dexter”
“The Good Wife”
“Lost”
“Mad Men”
“True Blood”

“Dexter” has managed to stay strong and become stronger for four full seasons. With John Lithgow as the Trinity Killer and many highly developed character arcs, “Dexter” stands alone as the most well crafted show on television. Dexter also deserves the award for television’s most intense plot twists and most chilling season finale. While the competition in this category may be brutal, nothing comes even close to the tension between Dexter and Trinity, up to their final faceoff. And when the supporting characters’ interactions are even half as interesting as Dexter’s, you know this show is solid. With Deb, Quinn, Angel and even Masuka supporting Dexter’s twisted tale, there is nothing this show can really do better.
-Ben Exler, Art Director

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Aaron Paul, “Breaking Bad”
Martin Short, “Damages”
Terry O’Quinn, “Lost”
Michael Emerson, “Lost”
John Slattery, “Mad Men”
Andre Braughter, “Men of a Certain Age”

To play two characters at once is a phenomenon only a few actors can handle successfully. Acting the parts of a helpless and innocent wheelchair-bound man and an evil, immortal deity with a sick smile, however, is something else entirely: something Terry O’Quinn can do. The juxtaposition and parallel storylines of “Lost”: The final season was hardly subtle, but what made the story stand out most was O’Quinn’s simultaneous portrayal of the much-loved John Locke and the much-feared Man in Black. The Man in Black was at most times downright evil, even if just in his smirk. Conversely, John Locke is a character that viewers have sympathized with and come to love over the past six years. If Terry O’Quinn doesn’t win the Emmy, I’ll go smoke-monster on The Academy. Mark my words.
-Ben Exler, Art Director