Kim Delaney - "NYPD Blue" (4-1)

Last year, I drastically underestimated Delaney's chances for a win, as she savored victory on her first nomination. This year, I'm not going to say Delaney has a bad chance. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, well, you know the rest. However, she still isn't my choice. In my opinion, this is a notably weak category this year. Also, I wasn't as riveted by "NYPD Blue" this year than in seasons past, so maybe Delaney did extraordinary things while my back was turned. All I know is that in hindsight, her story line last year (trying to deal with abusive behavior within her family) was much better than "The Diane and Bobby Show" that she's putting on with Jimmy Smits. I understand that this year, Delaney acted out the pain of a miscarriage, and the joy of an impromptu wedding to Bobby. Nevertheless, while those plot points are juicy for an actress, I feel Delaney was merely adequate in executing them. I was much more interested in Det. Sipowicz' bout with cancer, and - I said it last year, and I'll say it again - Sharon Lawrence's brief appearances, during which she endured the pain of her husband's cancer treatment, seem to be more Emmy-worthy than Delaney's work.

Laura Innes - "ER" (6-1)

Where oh where have you gone, Dr. Kerry Weaver? Innes' screen time was limited this season, and compared to last season, the plots she did take part in were not nearly as intriguing. Romance with a possible buyer of the hospital fizzled. Her watchful eye over Gloria Rebuen's Dr. Boulet has strayed. She was very concerned about Dr. Morganstern's (William H. Macy) recovery from a heart attack. However, I just didn't feel that dominating Weaver presence in the ER as I had in the past. Whether that was the fault of the writers or of Innes cannot be determined, but I'm passing her over this year, even though she's fantastic when utilized. She'll be back.

Camryn Manheim - "The Practice" (3-1)

"The Practice" is the cinderella show of this year's Emmys, and Manheim is the only cinderella acting nominee from the show. Make no mistake, though. Manheim's character, Ellenor Frutt, is no princess in a fairy tale palace. She's a wonderfully down to earth presence in a law firm fighting to stay afloat. I watched the show when it premiered, stuck with it for a few weeks, strayed, and have now tried to catch up after hearing about its vast improvement. No alterations were needed for Ellenor. She always lends a bit of sanity to the firm's chaotic atmosphere. This character is only just beginning to grow on me, so I'll pass on Manheim this year, but many in Hollywood have already endeared themselves to "The Practice." That's why a win this year for Manheim is not a far fetched notion.

Della Reese - "Touched By An Angel" (15-1)

Since last year, I have finally seen an episode of "Touched By An Angel." It's not my kind of show. It's wholesome, and uplifting, and ideal family entertainment. However, I look for drama with an edge, so it just seemed too sugar coated for me. There was nothing wrong with Reese's performance. She delivers her lines like a trooper, even when they get to be a bit strained. She would've had just as much of a chance as any of these nominees. Unfortunately, her battle with CBS over her low salary became very public, due to Reese claiming to "Entertainment Tonight" that she felt underappreciated and, perhaps, discriminated against. Just recently, Reese got the raise she has wanted and deserved, but the entertainment community does not often appreciate the voluntary airing of dirty laundry. Reese is a longshot this year, not because of poor performances, but because of politics. As Bill Murray said in "Quick Change": "Can it, pal. Nobody likes a whiner."

Gloria Reuben - "ER" (5-1)

In my opinion, Reuben's chances for victory hinge on what tapes she sends in for evaluation by the voters. If she sends in any that I'm thinking of - the ones in which Dr. Boulet comforts the dying young son of her colleague, Dr. Anspaugh - then Reuben is my pick. Even though Reuben's character was diagnosed with HIV two seasons ago, Reuben made me feel more of her pain this year, in Boulet's reactions to someone else in their time of need. I'm not saying that there weren't flaws. I could've done without the supposedly heartfelt, but decidedly cold performance of a Green Day song at the boy's funeral that Reuben suddenly began to sing. But other moments, such as when we find out that the boy died, without us having been witness to one of those normally obligatory, gripping death scenes, reminded me how Reuben made us understand her sorrow so easily, without needing a tearful goodbye to do it. If you ask me, it's certainly worthy enough to trounce this comparatively weak field.

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