Mayim Bialik, "The Big Bang Theory"

Nomination Status: Drew ample attention as a high-profile new addition to one of TV's most popular comedies, but still unlikely.

In Her Favor: The "Blossom" star and neuroscience PhD left academic pursuits behind to return to acting in a regular capacity and, in the process, was credited with helping to change the focus of CBS' wildly popular Thursday sitcom. Bialik's Amy Farrah Fowler became the centerpiece for the comedy's new female trio, which was stealing time from the core nerds by the end of the season. Bialik benefits from her performance, her comeback story and also from sharing many of her scenes with Emmy winner Jim Parsons.

Working Against Her: Can you believe that Bialik never earned a single Emmy nomination for "Blossom"? Crazy, right? In addition, she's in a category which, as I've already mentioned, isn't going to offer much room for new blood to break in.