2022 Emmys: Comedy Supporting Actress
Friday, August 12, 2022 at 3:00PM
Christopher James in Abbott Elementary, Comedy Supporting Actress, Emmys, Emmys 2022, Emmys Category Analysis, Hacks, Hannah Einbinder, Hannah Waddingham, Janelle James, Ted Lasso

By: Christopher James

Hannah Waddingham hopes to win a second consecutive Emmy for her work in "Ted Lasso."What happens when winners collide? The Comedy Supporting Actress race is loaded with three past winners this year. Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham looks to repeat last year’s win for season two of the hit Apple TV+ program. Meanwhile, both Alex Borstein (Marvelous Mrs Maisel) and Kate McKinnon (SNL) could add a third Emmy trophy to their mantle. McKinnon took home the prize in both 2016 and 2017, with Borstein following in 2018 and 2019. 

As powerful as these three are, it would be unwise to count out the newcomers. Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph contend for the first season of Abbott Elementary, while Sarah Niles enters the race for her first appearance on Ted Lasso. Both Hannah Einbender and Juno Temple also earned their second consecutive nomination for their roles in Hacks and Ted Lasso, respectively. Who will take home the gold? Let’s break down the race...

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Nominees:

 

Analysis: It’s the incumbent’s prize to lose. Last year, Hannah Waddingham won the Emmy for her role as Rebecca, the owner of AFC Richmond who had a nefarious plan to hire an unseasoned American football coach to lead her team so she could destroy it. Waddingham had fun playing the villain, but was able to dramatize the hurt and pain underneath her actions that made her a real human. In season two, we have a new, much sunnier Rebecca. Her submitted episode, “No Weddings and a Funeral,” also earned nominations for Directing and Writing this year, so it's a favourite episode of the show's second season. Rebecca must work through the complicated emotions she had towards her Father as she attends his funeral. A beautifully melancholic rendition of “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley is one of her standout moments. Waddingham probably would’ve been able to win on Ted Lasso love alone, but having a dynamite submission nearly secures her win. 

"Abbott Elementary" fans could push Janelle James to a win in this category.I say “nearly” because there is still some fierce competition. Under the tape system, it would be hard to bet against Janelle James. Yes, she stole scenes in every episode of Abbott Elementary, making her the show’s breakout player. However, her episode takes her comic relief character to a new level, giving her depth and redemption on top of brilliant one-liners. Not only does James radiate pizzaz, but she rises to the occasion in a stand-off with the superintendent and comes off as an unexpected hero. Waddingham goes for the drama, but if voters want pure laughs, then James could walk away with the win.

Shows with multiple nominees typically have to coalesce around a frontrunner if they want to succeed. When episode submissions were the primary factor for determining a win, a performance could get an upper hand if their co-stars submitted an episode that they were also heavily featured in. With Waddingham and James the frontrunners for their shows, that means that the nomination is probably the reward for Sarah Niles, Juno Temple and Sheryl Lee Ralph. Niles elevated Season Two of Ted Lasso, as Dr. Sharon, who helps Ted cope with trauma from his childhood. She's a calming presence that took the show in a different direction, but by design her character doesn’t have the fireworks that typically lead to awards. Similarly, Juno Temple is always a welcome presence as bubbly PR executive Keeley, and her episode highlights Keeley’s business savvy. Yet, it’s not enough to dethrone fellow co-star Hannah Waddingham. Meanwhile, Sheryl Lee Ralph wrings pure gold out of her submission, where her character struggles to understand new classroom technology. Ralph is strong enough that she could siphon votes away from Janelle James, which could hurt the latter's chances for a surprise win.

Watch out for Hannah Einbinder, though. Hacks only rose in popularity in season two with more Emmy nominations. Einbinder’s Ava has been the subject of much debate. By design sge can come off as grating or entitled. However, her submission “The Captain’s Wife” allows her to show the carefree side of her character when she lets her hair down on a lesbian cruise. One of the final moments of the episode finds Ava in a dingy when her molly hits and she uncomfortably dances on her boss, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart). The Hacks contingent could theoretically eke out a win for Einbinder, especially in a competitive field.

The other two previous winners have phoned it in with their submission episodes, and their shows have grown cold in terms of Emmys momentum. Borstein has a beautiful monologue in “Everything is Bellmore,” when she eulogizes her friend. Unfortunately, not much else happens for her in the episode and Suzie continually has less to do with each season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. McKinnon could’ve had an awards narrative submitting her final episode ever on Saturday Night Live. However, the Emmy winning star never gets enough of a proper sendoff. She hashilarious energy as Ms. Rafferty, an alien abductee, in the cold open. After this though, she's mostly absent for the rest of the episode.

Will Win: Hannah Waddingham - Ted Lasso
Should Win: Janelle James - Abbott Elementary
Spoiler: Janelle James - Abbott Elementary OR Hannah Einbinder - Hacks

Who do you think will win and who are you rooting for?

MORE ANALYSIS

Article originally appeared on The Film Experience (http://thefilmexperience.net/).
See website for complete article licensing information.