Michael J. Fox- "Spin City" (10-1)

At last year's Emmy ceremony, Jerry Seinfeld jokingly compared his acting style to that of Fox, who replaced him in this category, and has done so yet again. Seinfeld showed video clips of both he and Fox, with both basically making unnoteworthy facial expressions. It was good for a laugh, Jerry, but it was also a valid point. Fox and Seinfeld both have the same task on their shows: to be the straight-faced ringleader who watches their costars earn all the outlandish yuks. Seinfeld has Jason Alexander, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Michael Richards. Fox has Alan Ruck, Michael Boatman, and Richard Kind, who, while comparatively unknown next to the "Seinfeld" gang, have each turned in very funny supporting performances. Fox was once the running back on "Family Ties." Now, he's a quarterback, always handing the ball off to his teammates. I'd prefer Seinfeld as my quarterback, but in regards to the Emmys, it really doesn't matter. After all, there are other QB's in this category who can scramble for their own points of laughter.

Kelsey Grammer - "Frasier" (2-1)

The Grammer-Lithgow tug-o-war has been shaping up into one of Emmy's most memorable rivalries. Oh sure, it's technically been one-sided so far. Grammer won his two Emmys before Lithgow came along. In head to head competition, it's been all Lithgow, back to back. This year, I'm betting that Grammer can regain his grip on the rope. While "3rd Rock" skirted oblivion for most of the season, in a horrid Wednesday time slot, "Frasier" had a banner year for both performances and ratings, with Grammer leading the way. His two best turns of the season, in my opinion, were the season premiere, in which Frasier can't convince anyone in the family that he's dating a beautiful supermodel (Emmy winner Sela Ward), and in the "ski lodge" episode, the instant classic in which everyone is chasing the affection of everyone else, only for poor Frasier to find at the conclusion that absolutely noone was attempting to join him in his bed (Emmy winner Sealy Mattress :-) ). Both episodes, especially the former, gave Grammer a chance to do what he could not for the preceeding two years: hog the spotlight and be Frasier in all his glory. The doctor is back and he's listening. I can only hope his next caller is Emmy.

John Lithgow - "3rd Rock From the Sun" (3-1)

The obvious winner or runner-up in this race, Lithgow has those back to back victories going for him. What he no longer has is the long past momentum that "3rd Rock" had in the public eye. The show was routinely beat up in the ratings by "The Drew Carey Show," but Lithgow's Dick Solomon has continued on his zany path towards happiness with Mary (Jane Curtin). Voters are guaranteed to have seen his performances (it's required), but will Lithgow's over the top style endear itself to voters who have become familiar with Grammer's smoother style on ratings winner "Frasier?" My guess is, not enough to defeat Kelsey this time around. Maybe the better time slot will get Lithgow back in the game next year.

Paul Reiser - "Mad About You" (20-1)

I give Reiser credit for showing up every year, and usually doing a funny bit or two. After all, he routinely loses this award, while costar Helen Hunt has won twice, and now has an Oscar to her credit. "Mad" has just gotten worse this year. I thought the pregnancy storyline would give way to restored chemistry between Reiser and Hunt, but this year was all about the baby. Reiser got to play the role of caring father, but I thought he was much funnier as a husband with a dry wit. Thanks in no small part to Hunt's increased visibility after her Oscar victory, "Mad" will be given a second chance to ressurect itself next season. Note to Paul and Jamie: hire a sitter and let the sparks fly again! Until then, there's no way Reiser's getting near this statuette.

Garry Shandling - "The Larry Sanders Show" (7-1)

I know America was supposed to feel pity for Larry Sanders this year. Everyone conspired against the success of his show until, inevitably, he was forced to sign off. It was a clever way to explain the end of "Sanders," both the sitcom and the mock talk show the sitcom centers around, but for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to like Larry, or Garry, this season. Shandling seemed eager to end the show, especially since his split with creative partner and "Sanders" co-creator Brad Grey. Larry announced the end of his talk show in the season's second episode, and from then on, it seemed like Shandling phoned in his performances. He was adequate in the otherwise fantastic series finale, and he did turn in one other episode, in which Larry went on "Extra" and Maureen O' Boyle made him cry. Other than that, zippo in the extraordinary department. I know that Hollywood loved this show, but I hope voters will keep thier eyes locked upon the real worthy contenders here: Grammer and Lithgow.

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