Tony Shalhoub, as the title character on the USA series Monk, is no stranger to Emmy Awards.  He has won the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series three times in 2003, 2005, and 2006 (not to mention a Golden Globe and two SAG's).  For the sixth time, Shalhoub was once again nominated for an Emmy for his role as obsessive detective Adrian Monk.  This time, however, some say the competition is even tougher.

The field includes Steve Carrel, The Office; Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies; Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock; and Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men.

Critics note that actors who submitted one-hour episodes have won this award five times over the last eight years.  Michael J. Fox won for submitting a one-hour special episode of Spin City titled "Goodbye/Conclusion," while Eric McCormack won for a one-hour flashback episode called "Lows in the Mid-Eighties" about how he, Will, met Grace (Debra Messing).  And as said, Shalhoub has won this category three times in the same time period.

This year's field includes four one-hour entries, Carrel, Shalhoub, Pace, and a particularly hyped-about entry from Alec Baldwin.  Of course, The Office won the Outstanding Comedy Series plum last year, and everyone has so far been pleased with Carrel's performance, so that will also be a factor.  On the other hand, Monk is not in the race for that category (which has 30 Rock, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, The Office, and Two And A Half Men).  And now, the general sentiment is that, although Baldwin is highly favored to win, Shalhoub as the usual suspect could always do it again.

The seventh season of Monk began mid-July on USA.  It aired for a while on NBC this spring, as the network tried to bolster a line-up that was devastated by the writers' strike.

The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards will be given out Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.


-Glenn L. Diaz, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Maine Today, LA Times
(Image Courtesy of Yahoo!TV)