Jane Lynch, "Glee"

Nomination Status: The presumptive, untested frontrunner

In Her Favor: Since "Glee" premiered last May, Jane Lynch has dominated nearly every conversation about the show, for her work as acid-tongued cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester. Whether she submits a purely comedic episode or one of the half-dozen episodes where we were *shocked* to discover Sue's heart-of-gold, Lynch has showed every color voters could possibly want. In what is likely the softest of the eight series acting categories -- lacking last year's winner Kristin Chenoweth, plus departed "SNL" regular Amy Poehler -- Lynch has become the favorite in no time. She's a beloved figure in the industry and this is seen as career-capping work.

Working Against Her: Thus far, other than a "Satellite Award," Lynch hasn't actually won anything for "Glee." She lost the Golden Globe to Chloe Sevigny, wasn't nominated for a SAG Award and remains up for a TCA Award. But she hasn't *won* anything. That doesn't mean she won't. Clearly she's got a number of laurels ahead of her. But for now, she's just a nomination lock.