Following a fourth season that saw a slight decline in critical buzz, comedy series “30 Rock,” which has dominated the Emmys for the length of its run, faces an additional threat in the form of two red-hot new contenders for the Outstanding Comedy Series prize.
FOX’s musical comedy “Glee” and ABC’s smash hit “Modern Family” join the mix this year, and they do so with more buzz than “30 Rock.” While one can never count-out the Tina Fey/Alec Baldwin-led NBC comedy (which many maintain is still the most consistently funny sitcom on television), if there were a year for the “30 Rock” team to worry about its prospects of winning the top comedy prize, it would definitely be this one.
“Glee” and “Modern Family,” which also dominated the acting categories in which they had nominees, are not, however, the only heavy-hitters in the mix. Consistent nominee “The Office” did not have a critically-acclaimed overall season, but from an episodic perspective, it has one of the best comedy showings of the year with “Niagara.” “Curb Your Enthusiasm” joins the game after its buzzworthy “Seinfeld reunion” season, while “Nurse Jackie” replaces fellow Showtime series “Weeds” in the race.