Emmy Watch: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

By Abe Friedtanzer

Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple in "Ted Lasso"

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series may actually be the most competitive Emmy category this time. At the very least it's the one with the largest number of high-caliber candidates who deserve a spot. The list of returning possibilities is about as short as in any other category this year. Two-time winner Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live) is angling for her eighth consecutive bid. Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live) was nominated last year, and Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live) is a previous honoree who could return again. Though it’s not technically for the same show but for the same role, Laurie Metcalf (The Conners) is a past nominee, and a three-time winner. There’s also Bette Midler (The Politician), who earned her show’s only major nomination last year as a guest and is now eligible here. Let’s go over the rest of the field…

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Emmy Ballots Are Here!

By Abe Friedtanzer

 

It’s one of the most enlightening days of Emmy season – all the ballots are now officially available. I’ve spent a good chunk of time perusing all the program and performers submitted, and you should feel free to do the same here. There’s plenty to unpack and so much that I’m sure I’ll realize I missed later on (including how many nominees there will now be per category based on math), but for now, let’s go through some highlights of what’s been confirmed, what’s changed, and what’s worth noting… 

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Emmy Watch: Which Newcomer Will Win Best Comedy Actress?

Our team is breaking down the top contenders in all the major Emmy races and highlighting some of our favorites over the next few weeks. Today, we’re looking at Best Actress in a Comedy Series.

All hail the summer of Jean Smart!

By: Christopher James

The Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series race is going to get a shakeup. There are no previous winners who are eligible this year. Additionally, only one nominee from last year could return, as all other previous nominees are on hiatus or had their series end. Luckily, there are many buzzy new shows led by talented women who could fill this vacuum and make this once again a very competitive category. There’s also the potential for plenty of surprises from new streaming players and old network stalwarts.

So which new players can break in this year? Can shows that have been on for multiple seasons finally have a shot in this shortlist?

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Emmy Watch: Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Our team is breaking down the top contenders in all the major Emmy races and highlighting some of our favorites over the next few weeks. Today, we’re looking at Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

 

By Abe Friedtanzer

I was going into this category thinking that it might actually boast the highest percentage of possible returning nominees – a full 50% of last year’s slate, which in this crazy time is actually a lot. But Black Monday and its star Don Cheadle don’t appear to be eligible since they counted the four final episodes of season two, which aired last summer, last year, and even though the show returned a few weeks ago, there just aren’t enough installments for Showtime to bother to submit it (apparently). If it does somehow end up on the ballot, count Cheadle in again. The two surefire returning nominees are Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), vying for his seventh bid, and Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method), set to earn his third and final nomination for this role. Let’s take a look at the rest of the field…

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Emmy Watch: Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Our team is breaking down the top contenders in all the major races and highlighting some of our favorites over the next few weeks.

 

By Abe Friedtanzer 

This category is an interesting one because it includes only three past nominees who were all eligible last year, but only one of them was nominated. In a much more open field than ever before, it’s the right time for those who have missed out in crowded years to return again and for a few new faces to break through, especially since past winners like Claire Danes and Viola Davis can’t stage surprise returns because their shows are now over. We all know that last year’s nominee Olivia Colman (The Crown) will be back, and she’ll be joined by her season four costar Emma Corrin (Princess Diana). Beyond that, little is certain. Let’s take a look…

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