Louis C.K. assumes broadcast stalwarts

David Crane & Jeffrey Klarik"Episodes" ShowtimeEpisode: "Episode Seven"Highlight: The growing season finale's bittersweet climax has Sean and Beverly Lincoln's marriage break apart in the exact moment their broadcast sitcom "Pucks" will get acquired for any full season, forcing results together and stay in La.Why they may win: This new comedy includes a familiar face in Crane, who never quite got his due for penning "Buddies."Not: Like a lot of Showtime's comedies, "Episodes" is thin on actual laughs and, though lighter than its kin, possibly overweight for that category.Louis C.K."Louie"FXEpisode: "Poker/Divorce"Highlight: The episode cold-opens having a poker game that's consequently both grave and raucous as Louis C.K. and the comedian buddies discuss using a certain homosexual pejorative in standup programs.Why he may win: Positive critical and fan reception make "Louie" a powerful underdog candidate.Not: Laughs, though good, are few in number, and also the disjointed narrative style may rub voters the wrong manner.David Levitan & Jeffrey Richman"Modern Family" ABCEpisode: "Caught in the process"Highlight: After Cam and Mitchell spill strawberry juice about the $50,000 rug of trendy restaurant owner Amelia (guest star Rachael Harris), they blame the accident on Amelia's toddler boy -- that has a strawberry allergy. They fess as much as the deed just like she's poised they are driving an EpiPen into her boy.Why they may win:Levitan walked away using the Emmy this past year and did not lack for quality this time around around.Not: Competish from racier nets Forex and Showtime might lead to an upset this season.Greg Daniels"WorkInch NBCEpisode: "Goodbye, Michael"Highlight: In the final moments onscreen, after Michael will take off his microphone (and asks your camera crew to "tell him if the ever airs"), his final, heart-rending exchange with Pam remains largely towards the audience's imagination.Why he may win: Steve Carell's "Office" exit hit difficult on both laughs and heart, that could resonate with voters.Not: An unsettling tag stored the episode, a normally could-be finale, from delivering the closure fans and audiences needed.Matt Hubbard"30 Rock" NBCEpisode: "Reaganing"Highlight: Inside a characteristically irreverent cameo, Kelsey Grammer plays themself moonlighting like a grifter to assist Jenna and Kenneth enact a "lengthy disadvantage" against Carvel frozen treats a la "The Sting."Why he may win: Both Hubbard and "30 Rock" possess a history as Academy darlings.Not: In upsetting "30 Rock's" momentum this past year, "Modern Family" might have dethroned the NBC sitcom permanently. A Evening within the Writers' Room: ComedyROAD Towards The EMMYS: THE Author Showrunners don't run from non-writing dutiesDrama Comedy Movies & Miniseries Nonfiction Variety, music or comedy series Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com