Today we’re moving on to comedy series acting. I think these races are mostly locked, however, so it’s easier to predict.
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jason Sudeikis is a lock for his first Emmy
Anthony Anderson, black-ish
Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method
William H. Macy, Shameless
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso
Kenan Thompson, Kenan
Okay, there’s almost nothing much to say here, as Jason Sudeikis is the biggest lock of the night. The show is crazy popular and is going to win series as well, so of course he’s winning. Even if it wasn’t though, against this competition? He’d probably still take it. Kenan Thompson is his closest rival and that show got no other nods.
Winner: Jason Sudeikis
Alternate: Kenan Thompson
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jean Smart knocked it out of the park as a veteran comedienne on Hacks
Aidy Bryant, Shrill
Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant
Allison Janney, Mom
Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish
Jean Smart, Hacks
This is Jean Smart’s to lose. After her recent TV renaissance she’s finally going to be honored as a lead, which is crazy to think about, what with her decades long television career. Hacks was loved overall too, with 16 nominations, so if it wasn’t for Ted Lasso, it would be in the conversation to win. Kaley Cuoco would probably be the frontrunner if it wasn’t for Hacks’s late arrival on the scene this season though.
Winner: Jean Smart
Alternate: Kaley Cuoco
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Betting on fan favorite Ted Lasso guy to win here
Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Hacks
Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso
Brendan Hunt, Ted Lasso
Nick Mohammed, Ted Lasso
Paul Reiser, The Kominsky Method
Jeremy Swift, Ted Lasso
Kenan Tompson, SNL
Bowen Yang, SNL
This is where I differ from consensus, as I believe that Brett Goldstein is kind of an easy call, where most people think Yang will take it. I don’t buy Yang though, because it’s too early for him and he’s still a featured player in that cast. He had some standout sketches last season but he’s no Kate McKinnon. And most people think the four Ted Lasso guys must cancel each other out, but I don’t buy that either, because Goldstein is so clearly the obvious star supporting player on that show. He’s a fan favorite and in the currently airing second season he’s almost a co-lead. The Emmys lately have been loving their sweeps, and he’s exactly the kind of supporting character they gravitate toward- I don’t care how many other men on the show are nominated with him.
Winner: Brett Goldstein
Alternate: Kenan Thompson (not even buying Bowen Yang as the alternate here- he’s a dark horse at best)
Dark Horse: Bowen Yang
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
From Game of Thrones to Ted Lasso: Waddingham brought new shading to the uptight CEO character
Aidy Bryant, SNL
Hannah Einbinder, Hacks
Kate McKinnon, SNL
Rosie Perez, The Flight Attendant
Cecily Strong, SNL
Juno Temple, Ted Lasso
Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso
I think Waddingham almost has this in the bag for Ted Lasso, as in the first season she was kind of the female lead and a key component to the show’s success. But she has competition from her co-star Temple, and also Einbinder of Hacks, who really is a co-lead (they just didn’t want to put her up against Smart, but she does not belong in this category- that show is a two-hander).
Winner: Hannah Waddingham
Alternate: Hannah Einbinder
Dark Horse: Juno Temple (I could see this happening for some reason)
