The Film Experience

by Juan Carlos Ojano

Unlike other categories, Lead Actor in a Comedy Series has been a foregone conclusion even before nominations were announced. With Ted Lasso skyrocketing to the frontrunner status with 20 nominations, Jason Sudeikis is poised to take this as one of the easiest calls come Emmy night. Two of the nominees also came from Comedy Series nominees, but both are nowhere near Ted Lasso’s winning chances. Meanwhile, two of the nominees are sole representations of their shows - one in its first season, one in its last.

Without further ado, here are the nominees...

Anthony Anderson as Andre Johnson in Black-ish (ABC)
Episode Submission: “What About Gary”?

In this episode, Dre finds himself in an awkward spot as his White cousin asks to be educated about race relations in America. Anderson’s ability to go big and small with his gestures is on display here. His endearing braggadocio in his banter with Tracee Ellis Ross has always been enjoyable. Meanwhile, his nuanced negotiation of his space in a casually racist workplace is keenly observed. However, perhaps the core of this episode is his interaction with his cousin. In a performance that mostly relies on broad strokes, Anderson manages to settle into a quaint intersection of the show’s comedic tone and the seriousness of the moment as he expresses enthusiasm, discomfort, disbelief, exhaustion, and ultimately, compromise. This is Anderson’s seventh consecutive nomination for this role and is yet to win.

Michael Douglas as Sandy Kominsky in The Kominsky Method (Netflix)
Episode Submission: “Chapter 20. The round toes, of the high shoes”

For a season that started on a really dramatic note, this episode brings the show back to its brand of cozy drama-comedy. After an acting exercise with Morgan Freeman, Sandy spends most of the episode rekindling his relationship with his ex-wife and an overdue acting opportunity. This allows Douglas to tap into something deeper. How does he feel about the return of his ex-wife? How will he handle an acting offer that comes in probably a bit too late in his life? Will he be able to confront his ex-wife’s mortality the same way he did with his best friend? Douglas answers these questions with quiet tenacity as Sandy experiences change and growth in real-time. Douglas delivers dialogue like a pro, but he mesmerizes in his quiet reactions. This is Douglas’s third consecutive nomination for this role.

William H. Macy as Frank Gallagher in Shameless (Showtime)
Episode Submission: “Father Frank, Full of Grace”

For the series finale, we see Frank pacing around the city after an overdose, ending up inside a church where he dresses up and acts as an altar boy. Even before he is hospitalized and dies due to COVID-19, there is already a weary quality to Macy’s performance. This makes sense even just by watching the episode in itself. However, the submission itself is baffling. The episode spends more time on people talking about Frank and looking for Frank than being just about Frank. This disadvantages Macy who, in the short screentime that he has, spends most of his time unconscious or clueless. His sardonic narration in the final scene of the episode might send off the series into an emotionally effective moment, but there is not enough to judge in this episode. This is Macy’s sixth nomination for this role.

Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso in Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
Episode Submission: “Pilot”

The introduction to the titular character is a tricky setup for Sudeikis - having that viral video of an uber-energetic Lasso dancing gives him the challenge of finding the true human being behind that image, to mine the context of the character. Sudeikis fills this role with grounded earnestness, one that sells his good-natured enthusiasm without shying away from the more emotional subtext of the character. This performance relies on restrained physicality. His body language constantly reminds us of the purity of this character while refusing to whittle the character down to caricature or saintliness. Sudeikis also has terrific chemistry with the cast, especially with Hannah Waddingham, with his relaxed immediacy complementing her cunning strategizing. This is Sudeikis’s first nomination for this role.

Kenan Thompson as Kenan Williams in Kenan (NBC)
Episode Submission: “Flirting”

This episode finds Kenan wanting to start dating again, but his father-in-law refuses to support his decision. Thompson is a master of facial contortion, one that could easily sell a punch line through sheer physical commitment even if the material itself is wanting. That is the case here: the show itself feels broad, simplistic, and lacking. However, Thompson surprises by learning how to navigate his character beats with restraint. In fact, I would even go as far as saying that those moments work more than his comedic moments (which do work). Thompson’s choices ring true even when it does not necessarily elevate his material. Needless to say, I do not mind this nomination. This is Thompson’s first nomination for this role.

Ranking (predicted winner):

1. Jason Sudeikis - Ted Lasso

2. Michael Douglas - The Kominsky Method

3. Anthony Anderson - Black-ish

4. William H. Macy - Shameless

5. Kenan Thompson - Kenan

Ranking (personal preference):

1. Jason Sudeikis - Ted Lasso

2. Michael Douglas - The Kominsky Method

3. Kenan Thompson - Kenan

4. Anthony Anderson - Black-ish

5. William H. Macy - Shameless

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