THIS IS “2012,” for the 2013 Contenders click HERE!

Interestingly enough, there was a time when, before the actual nominations came out, voters would narrow down all the contenders to the “top 10″. They obviously don’t do that anymore. But…we can still assume which contenders are at the top of the voter’s minds. Before I release my official nomination predictions around early July, I am going to run down which 10 or so contenders are the biggest threats…and maybe some personal long shots that I believe voters should consider. Here we go!

I am basing the category placements, based on the official ballots which were just released. Here they are.

For more Emmy discussion, visit my Emmy page.

In alphabetical order, here are the top contenders for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series…

1. TY BURRELL [Modern Family] - Pros: Probably the most celebrated cast member from the show. He won the Emmy last year. He was nominated the year before. He’s also been nominated for SAG awards, Satellite awards, and  he won a Television Critics Award last year. He’s, in my opinion, the most solid lock for a nomination in this category this year. Cons: But…if voters decide that they don’t want to nominate the ENTIRE cast of Modern Family, then maybe Burrell could be pushed out…but I doubt it.

2. CHRIS COLFER [Glee] - Pros: He’s undoubtedly become the breakout star  of the show, having been nominated for the Emmy twice, and having won the Golden Globe last year. And with a new movie which he wrote coming soon (that contains a somewhat all star cast), he definitely still has a lot of support from the industry. Cons: But, as someone who watches the show, this season hasn’t been as explosive for Chris as last season was. Yes, his character graduates but…the things surrounding that wasn’t as dramatic as, I dunno, finding out your father is in a coma. So, along with Glee’s decreasing popularity, lack of a compelling story line could cost Colfer a nod.

3. JESSE TYLER FERGUSON [Modern Family] - Pros: He’s been nominated two years in a row. He’s on the highest rated, most critically acclaimed comedy show right now. And it seems like, slow and steady, people are starting to appreciate Ferguson’s low-key comedy style. Cons: He’s the only adult cast member who hasn’t been nominated for anything outside the Emmys. Technically that shouldn’t mean much…but if voters decide not to nominate all 4 guys from the show, then he’s highly vulnerable.

4. MAX GREENFIELD [New Girl] - Pros: Ask 10 New Girl fans who their  favorite character on the show is, and all of them will yell “Schmidt”! What is it about Schmidt? He’s OC-ness? His lovable douchey-ness? His hilarious one liners? Or…OK, it’s the fact that he’s shirtless in every other scene (that’s for the ladies and gay men out there)! Whatever the case, Greenfield has created one of the most dynamic characters on television this year. And although he’s never been nominated for anything before, a nomination would be appropriate for the guy who created one of the most talked about comedic characters of the season. Cons: Whether the Emmys will choose to embrace this new show will come soon enough.

5. BILL HADER [Saturday Night Live] - Pros: If you don’t enjoy Stefon, then you need to get some invasive surgery to fix your funny box. Hader has become the most celebrated cast member on the show, even more so than Kristen Wiig tbh. And SNL is such an Emmy favorite when it comes to the guest categories and Supporting Actress category, maybe this will be the year voters embrace the Supporting Actor category. And when they do, Hader has the best chance to breakthrough. Cons: It’s not like Hader just become hilarious. He’s been funny for the last few years now. So why haven’t the voters rewarded him yet? (Shrug).

6. NEIL PATRICK HARRIS [How I Met Your Mother] - Pros: He’s probably the most loved celebrity right now. It seems like everyone loves him. He was nominated for the show from 2007 to 2010. He also won Emmys for his hosting stint at the Tonys and his guest performance on Glee. And he’s generally really great on the show. Cons: He was shockingly snubbed last year in favor or Ed O’Neill. And, we all know this: once you’re out of the Emmy bubble, it’s nearly impossible to get back in. But, nonetheless, he’s still a  contender.

7. ED O’NEILL [Modern Family] - Pros: After unfortunately getting snubbed during his first year, he finally received his first Emmy nomination last year. Although he’s not the craziest member of the Modern Family clan, many appreciate his subtle low-key humor and looks at him as the patriarchal glue that holds the “family” together. Cons: He was the only adult cast member to not get an Emmy nomination for the first season. Does that say anything about how voters regard him?

8. NICK OFFERMAN [Parks and Recreation] - Pros: After being disgustingly snubbed for the last two years, I was starting to wonder whether it was worth putting him down as a “top contender”. While critics and other online peoples have constantly praised his portrayal of Ron Effin’ Swanson, the Emmys have failed to follow suit. However, there are two things working in his favor, besides the fact that Parks and Recreation is one of the most critically acclaimed shows of last year and this year: 1,) Jon Cryer moved to the leading category, leaving one spot from the  last 6 years definitely open. And 2.) He’s announcing the nominees this year (with Kerry Washington) so that could elevate his chances greatly. Cons: He’s been snubbed for two years. We’re all starting to lose hope.

9. JEREMY PIVEN [Entourage] - Pros: I’ve never seen this show so I don’t know anything about it, and I can’t expand on the fact that he won the category three years in a row, just to be snubbed in 2009. So, yeah, he hasn’t been nominated since 2008. But, considering, this is the show’s last season, it’s possible that the voters may want to award Piven one last time as a farewell gift. Cons: Entourage simply isn’t an Emmy favorite anymore. And, honestly, just because a show is in its last season, doesn’t mean the voters will start embracing the show or Piven again.

10. OLIVER PLATT [The Big C] - Pros: He’s moderately successful when it comes to the Emmys, having been nominated 4 times, 2 of those times for his supporting role in the short-lived Huff. If the voters feel very generous towards The Big C, they may decide to nominate Platt along with Laura Linney. Cons: Some interesting things happened for his character this season.Nothing against his performance…I just think overall lack of interest for his show will probably lead to his snub for the second year in a row.

11. ANDY SAMBERG [Saturday Night Li)ve] - Pros: Besides his last two Digital Shorts (the 100th and Lazy Sunday 2), his Digital Shorts this season haven’t been very well received. However, sentiment for his last season could lead to his first acting nomination. He’s also been nominated for six Emmys for his songs featured in his Digital Shorts, winning one for his first nomination (“Dick in a Box”). And if That’s My Boy becomes a success…that could help I guess. Cons: He’s not considered a great “sketch comedian”. And if voters want to award him for his Digital Shorts, then they may just end up giving him another Best Music and Lyrics nomination.

12. JAMES SPADER [The Office] - Pros: He’s won three Emmys before and was nominated for a fourth for his role as Alan Shore on The Practice and Boston Legal. This is the type of guest/supporting role that Emmy voters cling to. An established actor dropping in on a show for a season. (Think Alfre Woodard’s nomination for the second season of Desperate Housewives despite a polarizing story line). Cons: The 10 or so episodes of The Office I watched this season were not very good. This show has gone downhill and some of the blame has to go to Spader. There are other members of the cast who are more deserving of this nomination…

13. ERIC STONESTREET [Modern Family] - Pros: He was nominated for the first two seasons of the show, winning for the first year. He’s also been nominated for other awards. He’s definitely among the craziest and vocal members of the company. Cons: Some people consider his character annoying and grating. Voters might take that criticism to heart.

FYI Other contenders include: Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation), Kevin Dillon (Entourage), John Benjamin Hickey (The Big C), Jack Brayer (30 Rock), Cory Monteith (Glee), Danny Pudi (Community), Jason Sudeikis (SNL), and Rainn Wilson (The Office)

Longshots Worth Mentioning: Ted Danson (Bored to Death), Donald Glover (Community), John Krasinski (The Office), Tracy Morgan (30 Rock), Adam Pally (Happy Endings), and Damon Wayons, Jr. (Happy Endings)

Even further longshots that I personally wouldn’t mind seeing nominated: This is a long list so hold on tight. Scott Adsit from 30 Rock continues to be underrated, underused and under-awarded. Fred Armisen is hilarious on both Portlandia and SNL. I also really like Taran Killam and Kenan Thompson from the latter show.  If you like Max Greenfield’s shirtlessness on New Girl, then you’d probably love Adam Driver from Girls  (I do…his performance, not his shirtlessness). Speaking of New Girl, where’s the love for Jake Johnson? Although Weeds pretty much sucks nowadays, I still think Alexander Gould does good work on the show. The kids from Modern Family, particularly Nolan Gould and Rico Rodriguez, hold their own against their adult co-stars. Tony Hale is my favorite supporting actor from Veep. The comedy duo from Key & Peele impress me greatly. Garrett Morris and his one liners from 2 Broke Girls always make me smile. Hot off his Oscar win, don’t you think Jim Rash from Community could add an Emmy to his mantle? Atticus Shaffer from The Middle is just this cute, little funny little bud. And last, but not least…James van Der Beek…Apartment 23…make it happen.

Whew! Read the ballots (link posted above) to see who else was submitted. (There are actually more than what I singled out above). Thanks for reading! More coming tomorrow.