A perennial contender for the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Emmy, “How I Met Your Mother”‘s Neil Patrick Harris has never won for his work as Barney Stinson. But the feeling among many was that this season’s more dramatic arc, involving his quest to meet his father (played by John Lithgow), would finally produce that coveted trophy.
Instead, it was announced Thursday that NPH is not even in the race, with voters instead highlighting “Glee” star Chris Colfer’s drama-comedy effort.
Colfer, nominated for the second time, joins all four adult “Modern Family” males (Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet and Ed O’Neill) and “Two and a Half Men” star Jon Cryer in the race.
On the supporting actress in a comedy side, “Modern Family” ladies Julie Bowen and Sofia Vergara are in the hunt and joined by Jane Lynch (“Glee”), Betty White (“Hot in Cleveland”), Kristen Wiig (“SNL”) and Jane Krakowski (“30 Rock”).