Emmy Predictions: Comedy Categories

By Abe Friedtanzer

Anthony Carrigan and Michael Irby in Barry

Whereas the drama series race can only bring back three of last year’s nominees, six of the comedy honorees are eligible again this year (Hacks and Curb Your Enthusiasm are the two that aren’t). It’s also the final season of heavyweights like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Barry, and Ted Lasso  along with two other past nominees, Atlanta and Dead to Me. There’s a slate of new shows in contention, like The Bear, Wednesday, Shrinking, and Poker Face, and it’s important not to forget the show that’s on the rise and likely to be the one to beat this year: Abbott Elementary.

The true challenge of predicting these races is the number of nominees in each based on the number of submissions on the ballot, especially in comparison to the drama categories. Both supporting races only have seven nominees, not eight. Lead actor and actress have five, not six. And the directing and writing categories each have six, but one of the directing nominees has to be a multi-camera show (which has resulted in surprising nominees like B Positive and especially The Ms. Pat Show, which is eligible again this year). There are going to be many deserving shows and performers snubbed as a result, and it’s almost impossible to choose what will get left off and what will make the cut. But let’s try…

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Emmy Category Analysis: Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

By Abe Friedtanzer

Steve Martin and Martin Short in Only Murders in the Building

This category features three past winners and three newcomers, at least as far as this race is concerned. Nicholas Hoult is the only first-time nominee, and both Steve Martin and Martin Short have won Emmys before, but not for acting. The only returning nominee from last year is defending champion Ted Lasso himself Jason Sudeikis. He'll have to fend off competition from Bill Hader, who won the second of two back-to-back prizes the last time he was eligible, and Donald Glover, who won the year before that. It’s also distinctly possible that, if they don’t cancel each other out, either Martin or Short could win. I’d personally love to see Hoult crowned, but that seems unlikely.

Emmy analysis follows (if you want spoiler filled reviews click on the episode titles)... 

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