Movieline Predicts: Supporting Actor Emmys

With only two more episodes of The Jay Leno Show before Neil Patrick Harris hosts the controversially-shortened 61st Annual Emmy Awards, Kyle and I set to work casting our own predictions for this year's supporting actor and actress winners. To see our picks and more importantly, to cast your own favorites in Movieline's First Annual Emmy Poll, join us after the jump!

Below, a minimally edited version of our discussions leading up to our picks for this year's Emmy recipients. It's like the AIM conversations you have with your friends, but hopefully less racist!

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Comedy

Kyle: This is the first time Jeremy Piven hasn't been nominated in three years, so technically the race is wide open. I'd love to see Tracy Morgan win for his acceptance speech alone, but I think it's the year of Neil Patrick Harris.

Julie: He hosted the Tonys, he'll be hosting the Emmys, he replaced Paula Abdul for a single day of American Idol auditions, his star has never been hotter. But this will be Jon Cryer's fourth nomination.

Kyle: NPH is at the height of his powers, though -- people will want to seize the opportunity to reward him. The last time people felt that way about Jon Cryer was around the release of Hot Shots.

Winner: Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother

Potential Spoiler: Tracy Morgan, 30 Rock

Other Nominees: Kevin Dillon, Entourage; Jon Cryer, Two And A Half Men; Rainn Wilson, The Office; Jack McBrayer, 30 Rock

Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy

Kyle: Sorry, Vanessa Williams. Jane Krakowski and Elizabeth Perkins, it's an honor just to be nominated. Unfortunately for Kristen Wiig, Amy Poehler's got the SNL spotlight. So it really comes down to Poehler and Chenoweth for me, and Poehler gets the nod. I've heard, though, that Chenoweth's nomination episode is killer.

Julie: As a diehard Pushing Daisies fan, I'd love to see Chenoweth take home the Emmy, but the show couldn't even win a time slot, let alone hardware.

Kyle: Plus, I think Emmy voters will want to honor Poehler at some point and it's looking like Parks & Recreation won't give them the chance.

Winner: Amy Poehler, Saturday Night Live

Potential Spoiler: Kristin Chenoweth, Pushing Daisies

Other Nominees: Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock; Elizabeth Perkins, Weeds; Vanessa Williams, Ugly Betty; Kristen Wiig, Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Supporting Actor, Drama

Julie: Denny Crane's ship has sailed. As anyone who has spent a Thanksgiving with my grandpa knows, you can only take so many crotchety retorts before it's time to pay attention to someone else.

Kyle: Agreed, the Boston Legal love affair is over, so that drops Clemenson and Shatner from the contenders. My heart wants to give this to Michael Emerson but he had a stronger submission episode last year and still didn't win. Emmy voters like it when movie stars slum it on television, so I'm feeling William Hurt for this.

Winner: William Hurt, Damages

Potential Spoiler: John Slattery, Mad Men

Other Nominees: William Shatner, Boston Legal; Christian Clemenson, Boston Legal; Michael Emerson, Lost; Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad

Outstanding Supporting Actress, Drama

Julie: In Treatment is basically a season long Emmy submission showcase, so Hope Davis and Dianne Wiest have the best shots. And who doesn't love Dianne Wiest?

Kyle: I predict Hope Davis since her role is meatier than Wiest's. Still, I wouldn't count out Sandra Oh or Chandra Wilson. They've been no-drama-Grey's cast members for this long...they've paid their dues.

Julie: Sandra had her share of emotional heavy lifting this season.

Kyle: Then again, she's gotten to make out with Alexander Payne and Kevin McKidd. Sandra's won enough at life! Let Chandra have a shot!

Winner: Hope Davis, In Treatment

Potential Spoiler: Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy

Other Nominees: Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy; Dianne Wiest, In Treatment; Rose Byrne, Damages; Cherry Jones, 24

Later today, cast your ballots for lead actors and actresses with us!