Emmy Predictions

The Emmy Awards really snuck up on me this year. So much so that I was talking to William about doing a predictions newsletter and he goes, 'Well we have to do it soon, the Emmys are on Monday.' Yes, that's right! Mark your calendars for Monday, September 12 to watch Kenan Thompson host the annual award show on NBC. We've got an excellent crop of shows this year duking it out to be named the best in television. Who will win? We're honestly not sure. But that doesn't stop us from dissecting it all below!

Best Comedy Series
William: This is a hard category.
Annie: This is crazy.
William: Let's establish who has already won this category - Barry, Ted Lasso and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I think everyone still thinks Ted Lasso is going to win but I almost feel like the moment is over. I think their first season was way better than anything else. This nomination is also for the first season of Only Murders in the Building [not the season that just aired]. This is their first time being at the Emmys. Everyone loved this season of Barry, which made its triumphant return, like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Abbott Elementary is this new series and it won casting, which is usually a big telling of who is winning series.
Annie: I could really see Abbott winning here.
William: Against the competition, that would be crazy. It's so much the classic...
Annie: It's the classic, network sitcom.
William: Mockumentary.
Annie: It's the only network sitcom nominated here.
William: I literally don't know. At last Emmys, Hacks won in directing and writing, even though it didn't win in series.
Annie: I kind of agree with you on Ted Lasso. Obviously the second season wasn't as strong.
William: Maisel isn't happening.
Annie: They've lost their momentum completely.
William: I kind of want to predict Barry.
Annie: Only Murders is such a good show. The first season was stronger than the second season, so if it's going to win, it's now. It's also interesting because other wins [in the night] aren't necessarily going to predict this winner. The shows are so spread out in terms of where their talent lies. Some are ensemble shows, some focus on key acting performances, others have really strong writing.
William: This will be exciting!
Annie: I'm going to predict Abbott Elementary. It would be kind of crazy when you think of how much network TV has faded from the Emmys, but I think it's going to win.
William: The reason I'm almost set on Barry is because the production value is the highest of all of these [nominees] and I think it's possible Bill Hader is going to beat Jason Sudeikis [in Best Actor]. But I'm going to play it safe and still predict Ted Lasso.
Prediction: Ted Lasso (William) / Abbott Elementary (Annie)

Lead Actor, Comedy
William: I think it's between Steve Martin, Jason Sudeikis and Bill Hader. I think Martin Short is really more of a Supporting Actor. What is Jason Sudeikis doing? He's doing nothing. Are we rewarding acting or rewarding a bit?
Annie: No! In the second season? He's acting! The scene where he breaks down with the therapist?
William: Barry swept the Emmys last time it was there.
Annie: Yeah... but is it a comedy? Who is your personal favorite performance?
William: I love Bill Hader in Barry. I haven't seen the new season yet. I do love Steve Martin and Martin Short. If I was voting, I'd have a really hard time.
Annie: I think if we're going with the comedy part of the category, my personal favorite is Steve Martin. Especially in the last episode of season one [of Only Murders]
Prediction: Bill Hader (Barry) - William / Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso) - Annie

Lead Actress, Comedy
William: This is a two horse race between Jean Smart and Quinta Brunson.
Annie: I think it's Jean Smart. Quinta Brunson is great, but Abbott is just such an ensemble show. Also shoutout to Issa Rae for the final season of Insecure, which was great.
Prediction: Jean Smart (Hacks)

Supporting Actor, Comedy
William: We have three past Emmy winners in this category for these shows - Brett Goldstein, Tony Shalhoub and Henry Winkler. I think it comes down to those three. Anthony Carrigan is really good in Barry but I don't think he's better than Henry Winkler. I want to go with Henry Winkler but am I giving Barry too much love?
Annie: Every time Henry Winkler is nominated for something, he wins. So I don't think that's a crazy prediction.
William: Does Brett Goldstein win?
Annie: I love Brett Goldstein, but I don't think he should be winning anything. He's fine. But his thing is that he says his lines with this 'voice' and that's it.
William: I agree.
Annie: I'm going to go with a crazy prediction. I think it's going to be Tony Shalhoub. This season of Maisel wasn't a standout, but Tony is beloved. He's the best part of the show right now. And if they're going to give Maisel something, this is it.
Prediction: Henry Winkler (Barry) - William / Tony Shalhoub (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) - Annie

Supporting Actress, Comedy
Annie: These categories are so hard.
William: I don't think this one is! I think Hannah Waddingham is going to win without a doubt. She's basically a leading role, think about it that way.
Annie: It is crazy that she and Juno Temple are in the same category. Juno definitely feels like more of a supporting role.
William: This was also Kate McKinnon's last season of SNL.
Annie: But she was barely in it...
Prediction: Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso)

Best Drama Series
William: Does Squid Games have a chance? Better Call Saul?
Annie: Better Call Saul is always on TV. It'll never end.
William: Is Succession just going to keep winning?
Annie: Yes.
Prediction: Succession

Lead Actor, Drama
William: Jeremy Strong wins a lot. Lee Jung-jae won at Critics Choice.
Annie: Jeremy Strong won at the Globes against Lee Jung-jae and Brian Cox. In the 2020 Emmys, Jeremy Strong won as well.
William: Wait what did Brian Cox win?
Annie: Nothing...
Prediction: Jeremy Strong (Succession)

Lead Actress, Drama
Annie: I think it's hilarious that Reese Witherspoon is nominated here. The Morning Show is one of the worst TV shows I've ever seen.
William: And she's the worst part of it!
Annie: It's the worst Reese Witherspoon performance I've ever seen. And it's crazy she got nominated over Jennifer Anniston, who also isn't doing her best work, but is definitely better than Reese! The Morning Show should be cancelled. I had to stop in the middle of this recent season.
William: Is Zendaya going to win?
Annie: Yes. Melanie Lynskey won at Critics Choice. But I think this category is Zendaya's.
William: And she's won before.
Annie: Do you want to know a fun fact about Melanie Lynskey? She's in Sweet Home Alabama. Also with Reese Witherspoon! I hope we get a reunion at the Emmys. Melanie Lynskey is a mom in the movie and she's still in touch with some of the babies from the "you've got a baby in a bar" scene!
William: That is a fun fact! But that's also kind of weird.
Prediction: Zendaya (Euphoria)

Supporting Actor, Comedy
William: We've had two winners in this category before - Billy Crudup and Kieren Culkin. I think this will be Kieran.
Annie: Billy Crudup is really good on The Morning Show but even he was bad this season. It was just really bad writing.
Prediction: Kieran Culkin (Succession)

Supporting Actress, Comedy
Annie: You know who always wins when she's nominated? Patricia Arquette.
William: People always talk about how good Sarah Snook is in Succession. And she never wins a thing! Maybe this is her time. Everyone loved Sydney Sweeney on this season of Euphoria and she's double nominated in another category for White Lotus. Jung Ho-yeon won at SAG. I'm going to go with Jung Ho-yeon.
Prediction: Jung Ho-yeon (Squid Games)

Limited Series
William: White Lotus is going to win. It's going to win every category.
Annie: Over Dopesick?
William: Yes. White Lotus is incredible. You know what's not going to win? Pam and Tommy. The fact that they're even here is crazy.
Prediction: The White Lotus

Lead Actor, Limited Series
William: This is where Dopesick wins with Michael Keaton. There's no White Lotus.
Annie: What about Andrew Garfield?
William: I've never even heard of Under the Banner of Heaven.
Annie: Well I've watched almost all of it.
William: Was it any good?
Annie: Andrew Garfield is!
William: Michael Keaton has been going around, winning, giving great speeches.
Annie: I know, I know. But... Andrew Garfield is so good!
William: Are you really going to predict him?
Annie: No, I'm predicting Michael Keaton
William: Oh my god. Next category!
Annie: I'm just saying... if it was another year, justice for Andrew Garfield. Because you know what I'm still upset about?
William: Tick, Tick... Boom.
[Editor's Note: William and I now go on a five-minute tangent about whether or not actors should sing live in movie musicals, Zac Efron, Bohemian Rhapsody vs. Rocketman movies and Les Miserables.]
Prediction: Michael Keaton (Dopesick)

Lead Actress, Limited Series
William: I kind of think Lily James is going to win, because it's a complete transformation!
Annie: Margaret Qualley is so good in Maid. I'm so sad that show hasn't gotten more love. It's really great.
William: Pam and Tommy is a really cheesy script, but I think the voters will go with the transformation.
Prediction: Lily James (Pam and Tommy)

Supporting Actor, Limited Series
Prediction: Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus)

Supporting Actress, Limited Series
Prediction: Jennifer Coolidge (The White Lotus)