Holiday Poolies Watch- Comedy

I'm a little late on my first of the month timeline for these now bi-monthly Poolies Watch posts, but as the saying goes "better late than clever." That's not it? Well either way, the 2011 Poolies Ballots are six months away, which means the season is six months over. Here we'll take a look at how the awards are stacking up so far, with who's in, who's out, and who's awful. Next up are the comedy awards. As always, if you think a show or character deserves more credit, or any at all, feel free to leave a comment. You don't want to end up like Mags last year, trying to illegally write in Tom Haverford for the Arthur Spooner Award. Also spit any performances you've liked at me on Twitter via @quietpool.

The Seinfeld Award

I guess I have seen the error in my ways. It is either that, or I’ve just given into the criticism of Jack and T-time for not being all about The League. Although not in my trifecta of definites, it should feel plenty secure with its current spot of a nomination. The HBO comedies and Sonny, on the other hand, should be worried, because once Curb and Parks & Rec come back, who knows what will happen. I have also given in to the hype of Cougar Town, which is much better (and different) than it was at the start of its first season.

Definites
The Office
Community
Modern Family

In For Now
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
30 Rock
The League
Bored to Death
Eastbound and Down
Sonny With a Chance
Cougar Town

Outside Looking In
Big Lake
Rules of Engagement
Party Down
Hannah Montana
South Park
Wizards of Waverly Place
Family Guy
Better With You

The Cory Matthews Award

Kenny Powers

Here is where I see a problem. After Winger and Dwight, I have no idea who deserves to be in out of the next nine. No one from Always Sunny or The League has stood out from each other so far. I could even throw Pete into the mix for guys from The League. Kenny Powers is a great character, but he didn’t really have that great of a season. Add the fact that there were only seven episodes of Eastbound, and he could be in danger. Also, I don’t laugh that much at anything Jack Donaghy does, but he is such a staple of 30 Rock, that I would have a tough time leaving him off.

Definites
Michael Scott- The Office
Chris Henkel- Big Lake
Phil Dunphy- Modern Family

In For Now
Jeff Winger- Community
Dwight Schrute- The Office
Dennis Reynolds- It’s Always Sunny
Jack Donaghy- 30 Rock
Kenny Powers- Eastbound and Down
Jonathan Ames- Bored to Death
Cameron Tucker- Modern Family

Outside Looking In
Andre Nowzik- The League
Charlie Kelly- It’s Always Sunny
Kevin MacArthur- The League
Mac- It’s Always Sunny
Justin Russo- Wizards of Waverly Place
Jay Pritchett- Modern Family

The Arthur Spooner Award

Jeff, Troy and Pierce on Community

We have a pretty top heavy category here, starting with two dudes who have made quite a few leaps. Troy Barnes has quickly become one of the funniest characters on tv. Are you allowed to love both Troy and Abed? Because now that I am a Troy guy, I’m slowly becoming less and less of an Abed lover. Similarly, Taco MacArthur has been absolutely hilarious on this season of The League, and is line for a vote from me this summer. The bottom of the category gets tricky, as I don’t think Manny has done enough so far to merit a nomination, but neither has anyone else below him. Ryan Howard’s few moments on The Office have been great, but I’m sure he’ll get knocked out as the season goes on.

Definites
Tracy Jordan- 30 Rock
Troy Barnes- Community
Taco MacArthur- The League
Pierce Hawthorne- Community
Frank Reynolds- It’s Always Sunny

In For Now
Luke Dunphy- Modern Family
Ray Hueston- Bored to Death
Adam Rhodes- Rules of Engagement
Ryan Howard- The Office
Manny Delgado- Modern Family

Outside Looking In
George Christopher- Bored to Death
Abed Nadir- Community
Robby Ray Stewart- Hannah Montana
Kevin Malone- The Office
Max Russo- Wizards of Waverly Place
Andy Bernard- The Office
Ben Coles- Better With You

The Phoebe Buffay Award

Jenna Maroney

There was only a single change since the Fall Poolies Watch. Jenna Maroney switched in for Claire Dunphy. That is in no way a knock on Claire, because she’s having a great season, but Jenna has been stellar up until this most recent episode. I really like Laurie Keller of Cougar Town, but realize I am the only one watching it, so I might not waste a nomination on her. Erin Hannon, after winning a year ago, has continued with great performances so far in season seven.

Definites
Sonny Munroe- Sonny With a Chance
Alex Russo- Wizards of Waverly Place
Miley Stewart- Hannah Montana

In For Now
Lilly Truscott- Hannah Montana
Erin Hannon- The Office
Dee Reynolds- It’s Always Sunny
Casey Klein- Party Down
Jenna Maroney- 30 Rock
Annie Edison- Community
Gloria Delgado Pritchett- Modern Family

Outside Looking In
Laurie Keller- Cougar Town
Claire Dunphy- Modern Family
Liz Lemon- 30 Rock
Pam Halpert- The Office
Mia Putney- Better With You
Haley Dunphy- Modern Family
Britta Perry- Community

The Lily Finnerty Award

Louie

The other day I thought my whole world caved in. I don’t believe in a lot of things in this world, but I believed that Lydia Dunfree was one of the worst characters on television. Then after T-time finished his marathon on Party Down season two, he tells me that she was his favorite person on the show. What?!?! Did I miss something, or has he? Critics sure did love Louie, and while I thought some of the moments were decent, I couldn’t stand Louie as a character. He probably won’t make the final cut, but I thought he deserved some credit for being the worst this time around.

Definites
Lydia Dunfree- Party Down
Gabe Lewis- The Office
Josh Franklin- Big Lake
Zora Lancaster- Sonny With a Chance

In For Now
Zeke Bearkerman- Wizards of Waverly Place
Ellie Torres- Cougar Town
PJ Duncan- Good Luck Charlie
Stevie Janowski- Eastbound and Down
Timmy- Rules of Engagement
Louie- Louie

Outside Looking In
Toby Flenderson- The Office
Nico Harris- Sonny With a Chance
Travis Cobb- Cougar Town
Rodney Ruxin- The League
Mitchell Pritchett- Modern Family
Meredith Palmer- The Office

The “The Dealership” Award
Leave it to the Disney shows to have a couple of fantastic episodes per season. They will have a few clunkers in there, but once or twice a year you get gems like “He Could Be the One” or “Falling For the Falls.” Although Community, Modern Family, The League, and others are having great seasons, no single episode from those series has stood out thus far.

In For Now
Sonny With a Chance- “Falling For the Falls” – 210-211
Hannah Montana- “I’ll Always Remember You” – 409
Bored to Death- “Escape From the Castle” – 207
Party Down- “Company Picnic” – 207
The Office- “Andy’s Play” – 703