Lucas Neff, "Raising Hope"

Nomination Status: I can't explain why I think his chances are less than the chances for Garret Dillahunt. In the end, neither is being nominated.

In His Favor: Playing a goofball has always suited Lucas Neff well and the more outlandish his character has been asked to get -- Goth Jimmy, for example -- the better Neff has gotten. This season, though, Neff also got to play a genuinely romantic lead, rather than just the dork pining after the unobtainable girl. And he was excellent. Oh and he also had to get amorous with Cloris Leachman. Surely he deserves hazard pay for that, if nothing else. Oh and as this picture indicates? Tarantulas! What more do you want from him, Emmy voters? Tarantulas *and* Cloris Leachman?

Working Against Him: As with Dillahunt, Neff will get overshadowed by Cloris Leachman and Martha Plimpton.