Can Louis C.K. pull off an upset at the Emmys?

Although  Ricky Gervais wants Steve Carell to win the Emmy as best comedy actor for his final season on "The Office," he's worried about one rival in particular.

"Steve could face big trouble from Louis C.K.," Gervais warns Awards Tracker. "He's the most exciting standup/writer/comic working in America today."

It doesn't matter that Louis C.K. ("Louie") is a little-known underdog compared with Carell. Gervais beat Carell at the Emmys in 2008 when Carell was a red-hot film star slumming it on TV and obscure British comedian Gervais starred in the low-rated HBO series "Extras."

Curiously, there are a lot of parallels between Louis C.K. now and Gervais then. Both play quirky characters loosely based upon themselves in TV series that they write and direct. Gervais was nominated for best comedy writing when he won for lead actor; Louis C.K. is nominated for writing now.

Emmys are decided by a small pool of judges who view a sample episode. If Louis C.K. chooses well, he has a realistic shot of pulling off a Gervais-type upset.

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-- Tom O'Neil

Photo: Louis C.K. in "Louie." Credit: FX

Emmys: Louis C.K. was taken by surprise

The new FX comedy "Louie" has been quietly building up critical support, but could its star, Louis C.K., have anticipated an Emmy nomination? Not a chance.

Were you surprised?

I was expecting to be disappointed. My highest hope was maybe I'd get a writing nomination.

Where were you when you heard?

I was sleeping, and I woke up and looked at my phone and it was full of messages. I called my mom first.

How will you spend the day?

I'm just going to eat a lot and indulge and then I have to get back to work. I really can't  ... around too long.

What’s the toughest part about playing Louie?

The hard part is the actual work. I direct the show and actually write it, and I don't know my lines very well.

Who’s your biggest competition?

I'm pretty outclassed there. I think it's really nice that I'm in there, but I'm not in serious consideration.

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-- Joe Flint

Photo: Louis C.K. Credit: Eric Leibowitz / FX