Time to suss out the comedy races, which are most often prone to repeat winners these days. But with Orange is the New Black now coming into the race with a lot of heat, we'll see if any of those actresses can pull off a surprise win, like Uzo Aduba did for guest actress.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
• Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
• Ricky Gervais, Derek
• Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
• Don Cheadle, House of Lies
• Louis C.K., Louie
• William H. Macy, Shameless
I'm going to go very safe with this category and predict Jim Parsons to win a fourth. I know that sounds excessive, but a realistic alternative is really just Ricky Gervais, who the Emmys like and actually have rewarded before, for Extras. But this show Derek, on Netflix, is very divisive and his character a bit perplexing, so I'm not sure how likely it is that they'd go for him here. Still, if they're tired of Parsons at all, Gervais is probably the spoiler.
Winner: Jim Parsons
Alternate: Ricky Gervais
Dark Horse: William H. Macy (respected actor plus a baity role).
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
• Lena Dunham, Girls
• Melissa McCarthy, Mike & Molly
• Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
• Taylor Schilling, Orange is the New Black
• Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Again, I'm choosing to play it safe and say Julia Louis-Dreyfus wins her third in a row. Her submitted episode has some really funny moments, the Academy just loves her right now, and they have given out plenty of third wins in a row in their history. If anyone else can take it, it might be Melissa McCarthy, who's won before for Mike & Molly, is also very popular, and submitted a very good episode that showed a lot of range, comedy as well as emotion, which they like. But Julia's the safe bet.
Winner: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Alternate: Melissa McCarthy
Dark Horse: Taylor Schilling (I don't really believe this will happen, but the show is the hot new thing at the moment, so she may have a slight chance).
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
• Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
• Adam Driver, Girls
• Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
• Ty Burrell, Modern Family
• Fred Armisen, Portlandia
• Tony Hale, Veep
There's not a real outstanding episode among this group, so I'm thinking they'll finally award Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who's been nominated every year for Modern Family and hasn't won yet. His episode has a great emotional moment as well as funny ones, and the season was built around Mitch and Cam's wedding storyline, so it'd be a way to recognize that. But frankly, any of these guys could win except for probably Adam Driver, including last year's winner Tony Hale, who has another great moment in his episode.
Winner: Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Alternate: Tony Hale
Dark Horse: Ty Burrell (just because you should never count him out, and he won the SAG recently).
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
• Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory
• Julie Bowen, Modern Family
• Allison Janney, Mom
• Kate Mulgrew, Orange is the New Black
• Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live
• Anna Chlumsky, Veep
I think this is between newcomers Kate Mulgrew and Allison Janney, who both have great episodes and veteran status in their favor. Janney is beloved by the Emmys (she just won a sixth for guest actress the other day), but Mom was not a show they embraced on the whole, while Mulgrew is a longtime unrecognized figure in the industry who's a scene stealer on the hot new show of the moment. I think it's going to be Mulgrew as a way to honor Orange is the New Black.
Winner: Kate Mulgrew
Alternate: Allison Janney
Dark Horse: Julie Bowen (default status, but I'd honestly be pretty surprised if it was anyone other than those first two).
