2012 Emmy Nominees: Who Had the Best Reaction?

Max Greenfield cross-dressing and Jimmy Fallon as Batman tops our reaction list

By Christina Dowling Jul 19, 2012 9:00 PMTags
Max Greenfield, New Girl, Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey, Don Cheadle, House of Lies, Mayim Bialik, Big Bang TheoryPBS; Sonja Flemming/CBS; Greg Gayne/FOX; Jordin Althaus/SHOWTIME

So your favorite actor or show got an Emmy nomination, and that's simply super, but that's just the start of this prestigious competition. Right after those names are read, the race is on to have the most talked-about reaction quote.

Typically there are two ways to go: funny or heartfelt. So which stars had the best statements about their Emmy nod? Read on!

"So happy to get nominated! Can't wait to get back to the Late Night office and celebrate! But first I gotta leave this theater and change out of this Batman costume."—Jimmy Fallon, Saturday Night Live

"It's all very overwhelming. I've been grinding it for so long. To go from auditioning Zeke and Luther two and a half years ago to now being nominated for an Emmy is nuts. My life has changed pretty quickly... Zooey [Deschanel] and I are already discussing what we're going to wear. We're coordinating. We want to make sure we don't wear the same outfit because that would be humiliating."—Max Greenfield, New Girl

"Wow. My agent was right when he said, 'You don't have to bribe all the people to get nominated, Don. Just the right people.' This is the best $246,000.00 I've ever spent. Thanks, Emmy."—Don Cheadle, House of Lies

"I'm so excited to have been nominated for an Emmy, especially for 30 Rock, which is an incredible show and also for playing a deranged and deceased world dictator who has divided the small country of my origin in two. That's the best part. I think that's what I'd call iron curtain irony." —Margaret Cho, 30 Rock

"I'm thrilled to be included amongst one of Modern Family's 14 Emmy nominations! I am celebrating with 10 gorgeous, tall, leggy showgirls. Not because that's how I roll but because I'm in rehearsal for The Producers at The Hollywood Bowl. Also, because I like to make Eric Stonestreet jealous."—Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family

"This is an incredible feeling, it is wonderful! To be nominated in this category and be in the company of these amazing women is a real real honour and I am really grateful to the Emmy voters for putting me there!"—Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey

"I was actually awake this morning when they announced the Emmy nominations thanks to my newfound need to pee several times a night. Finally, my enlarged prostate pays off!!"  Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men

"I was really surprised…Honestly, I'm just pinching myself right now. To come from Friday Night Lights, and then to get nominated for American Horror Story and then to go into shooting [the new ABC drama] Nashville...I don't know. It's a good day as an actor, I'll tell you that much."—Connie Britton, American Horror Story

I am absolutely in shock. I was 100 percent certain I was not getting nominated! It is to the credit of Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady, Steve Molaro and our amazing writers who gave Amy Farrah Fowler the words to make her so much a part of people's minds and hearts. I share this tremendously thrilling honor with them, our incredible cast and especially with Jim Parsons who I constantly borrow line-readings from."— Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory

"I had so much fun hosting—it was like coming home. Getting to go back and play with your friends...there's nothing better. Hosting SNL was my childhood dream, while other kids were playing princess I was doing impressions of Roseanne Roseannadanna. This is an amazing honor and one I share with Lorne [Michaels], and all the incredible cast and writers of SNL."—Maya Rudolph, Saturday Night Live

"I'm over the moon to receive my first Emmy nomination. I feel so lucky to be a part of Homeland and am extremely grateful to the writing team for continuing to write such extraordinary roles for all of us. I couldn't feel more proud to be keeping company with such a fantastic range of talented actors."—Damian Lewis, Homeland

"Filming the Hatfields & McCoys was one of the most fulfilling and inspiring projects that I've had the opportunity to work on, and it was truly gratifying that audiences tuned in to see our interpretation of this classic American story. To be recognized for our work by the members of Television Academy this morning is the cherry on top. I share this nomination with everyone who contributed to this project from the producers, cast and crew to the great team at History, who really stepped up to support the creative vision of the filmmakers."—Kevin CostnerHatfields & McCoys

"I am truly honored that the Academy has nominated me for an Emmy. The fact that Ed, Sofia, Jesse, Eric and my other wife, Julie, are also nominated makes this all the sweeter. I wish Bill and Max weren't such great guys, now I have to root for everyone and that's exhausting."—Ty Burrell, Modern Family

Who do you think had the best reaction to their Emmy nomination?