"Dennis Miller Live" (4-1)

Last year, I was falling out of my chair every week when Dennis Miller delivered his witty, irreverent monologues. This year, I'm no longer amused. Miller's act hasn't changed. His jokes still have the same sting to them. I'm just tired of the angle he uses. He's pessimistic about everything. I mean, if he began to be optimistic about things, I'm sure the show would be even worse, because it would be unnatural for Miller to be a happy man. However, his writing staff seems to be getting more self-righteous every week, using metaphors no average viewer can hope to understand, and making personal jabs at every public figure under the sun. I'm just tired of it, and I'm sure most voters will be too.

"Late Show With David Letterman" (5-1)

With the absence of Conan O' Brien from this category, who's been getting funnier every week (may his writing staff win the writing award they're up for), I'll go with Letterman this year. At least he's been consistently funny. Sure, there are those nights when you know he'd rather be anywhere else ("Alright, Paul. Let's roll that stupid comedy bit. Zzzzzzzzzz...."). Letterman's always had those nights. But even when he's sleepwalking, the prepared material carries him through, and when he's fully alert and plays along, joking with zest and playfully jabbing his guests, he's the funniest man in the business. Make no mistake: "Late Show" has rebounded, and it couldn't have been done without the rejuvenation of its star.

"Politically Incorrect With Bill Maher" (2-1)

I've got the feeling that Bill Maher & company will take the Emmy this year, because they're the only show of these five that didn't beat around the bush. They went right for the jugular, and every night it's the same old surefire topic: Lewinsky this, Lewinsky that. Voters will probably be entertained by the couple of episodes "PI" submitted for judging. I, on the other hand, have gotten tired of it. It was fun at first, but since the topic is always the same, it just seems like the different guests represent new talking heads that always say just about the same thing every night. It's funny, but I'm going against it for its lack of originality.

"The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" (5-1)

Jay Leno's little show that could is getting worse. There's no doubt about it. Leno, as always, tries admirably to keep the audience entertained, and he is still a quality interviewer who lets the guests take over and gab. However, the bits are getting very old. Leno should've dumped "Iron Jay" a long time ago. Ditto for "Mr. Brain." The only things that really make me laugh anymore are his always hilarious "Headlines," and the occasions when Leno quizzes people on the street to see just how dumb some Americans really are. In those instances, though, Leno, unlike Letterman, is not generating the laughs himself. He uses other material to do it for him. He's still the nicest guy on television, so I'm sure he won't take a loss too hard.

"Tracey Takes On..." (6-1)

I implored voters to give this show a chance last year. They did better than that: Tracey Ullman pulled off the upset, and won the Emmy. This year, I can't support "Tracey" as whole heartedly as before, but it is still a funny show. HBO didn't publicize it as much this season (odd, since it won last year), so it was sometimes hard to find out when it was airing. Whenever I did catch it, however, Ullman always delivered with her zany variety of characters. One problem, though, is that she did not develop any new memorable characters since last season. As "Saturday Night Live" has proven time and again, when you stick with the same schtick, it can become a tedious venture.

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