2022 Emmy Predictions for Comedy Series & Performances: Matt Roush’s Picks
The Emmys are notoriously difficult to predict. Some winners keep winning year after year — until they don’t. You never know when a fresh newcomer will muscle their way into the winner’s circle or when a long overdue contender will finally get the recognition they’ve long deserved.
With that in mind, senior critic Matt Roush gives some educated guesses along with some personal picks and shout-outs to those who should have made the cut.
Scroll down to see Matt’s picks in the categories of Comedy Series, Lead Comedy Actor and Actress, and Supporting Comedy Actor and Actress.
2022 Emmy Awards, Monday, September 12, 8/7c, NBC and Peacock
Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary, ABC
Barry, HBO
Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO
Hacks, HBO Max
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Prime Video
Only Murders in the Building, Hulu
Ted Lasso, Apple TV+
What We Do in the Shadows, FX
Most Likely to Win: Ted Lasso
Apple’s breakout comedy broke big last year and as the most nominated comedy, could easily repeat many of its wins for a triumphant second season. But there’s another comedy about underdogs that is just as worthy and pretty much swept the Television Critics Association (TCA) Awards this summer: ABC’s brilliant Abbott Elementary, a mock-doc set in an underfunded public school in Philadelphia, boasting one of the best ensembles anywhere. We haven’t seen a broadcast network comedy win since Modern Family in 2014, and it’s about time.
Should Win: Abbott Elementary
See above. It’s hard to oversing the praises of these unsung heroes.
Should Have Been Nominated: Ghosts, CBS
Ahem, Abbott wasn’t the only broadcast network comedy that emerged as a freshman hit. Ignoring this clever supernatural sitcom, haunted by a rogue’s gallery of memorably funny spirits, reveals the Emmy bias against top-shelf mainstream entertainment. Also deserving: new comedies Reservation Dogs (FX/Hulu) and Somebody, Somewhere (HBO) are something special, and few comedies were more real, and funny, than the final season of FX’s Better Things.
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Donald Glover, Atlanta
Bill Hader, Barry
Nicholas Hoult, The Great
Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building
Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso
Most Likely to Win: Bill Hader
This is by far the toughest major category to call this year, populated by three former winners (Hader, Glover, and Sudeikis) and two comedy greats (Martin, Short) whose delightful rapport in Only Murders in the Building was literally one for the ages. While it can be argued Barry was more dramatic than comedic this year, two-time acting winner Hader balanced the absurdity and intensity of his hit-man character with customary skill. It’s just as likely, however, that Sudeikis could win back-to-back Emmys for his lovable character. And unless he and the manic Martin Short cancel each other out, Steve Martin could enter the winner circle for the first time since 1969 as the sheepishly droll former TV star and lovelorn amateur sleuth.
Should Win: Steve Martin
What becomes a legend most? Winning his first performance Emmy for Hulu’s hilarious mystery-comedy.
Should Have Been Nominated: Alan Tudyk, Syfy’s Resident Alien
As an outer space alien (barely) in disguise as a small-town Colorado doctor, Tudyk is a consistent riot with facial and verbal tics illuminating his uneasy adaptation to human ways.
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Kaley Cuoco, The Flight Attendant
Elle Fanning, The Great
Issa Rae, Insecure
Jean Smart, Hacks
Most Likely to Win: Jean Smart
Last year’s winner is almost certainly a lock for a repeat win as the veteran stand-up comedian hitting the road to rejuvenate her career, Best bet for an upset: Abbott Elementary auteur Quinta Brunson as the most endearingly optimistic of teachers. Both are class acts.
Should Win: Jean Smart
Simply put, this is career-high work that can’t be ignored. I’d also be OK with Brunson winning, though she will most likely settle for a writing award for Abbott’s pilot episode. And if Issa Rae were to score an upset for the final season of the wonderful Insecure, who’d complain?
Should Have Been Nominated: Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building
Where’s the droll third wheel in Building’s star triumvirate? I’d have also applauded nods for Better Things’ multi-hyphenate Pamela Adlon, Somebody, Somewhere’s endearing Bridget Everett, and the sparkling Sarah Lancashire as master chef Julia Child in Julia.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Carrigan, Barry
Brett Goldstein, Ted Lasso
Toheeb Jimoh, Ted Lasso
Nick Mohammed, Ted Lasso
Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary
Henry Winkler, Barry
Bowen Yang, Saturday Night Live
Most Likely to Win: Henry Winkler
This is another toss-up, pitting two recent former winners for the first time. Brett Goldstein scores consistently as Ted Lasso’s gruff backbone, and Henry Winkler continues to impress as Barry’s acting coach turned bitter adversary. Like the series itself, Winkler’s performance leaned more toward drama than comedy this season, but he is one of Hollywood’s most beloved talents and this late-career high is still peaking. And don’t count out Tony Shalhoub, who has a previous win as Midge Maisel’s exasperated dad.
Should Win: Brett Goldstein
His profane tirades are always a scream, but Goldstein is equally effective as a romantic foil to co-star Juno Temple and surprisingly tender when playing uncle to his adorable niece.
Should Have Been Nominated: Brandon Scott Jones, Ghosts
Channeling the tart timing of the late Paul Lynde, Jones finds a poignant layer beneath his campy wisecracks as the closeted Revolutionary War-era spirit who steals nearly every scene. And while this wasn’t my favorite season of Atlanta, Brian Tyree Henry was commanding as the rap star coping with fame on an overseas tour.
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Hannah Einbinder, Hacks
Janelle James, Abbott Elementary
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live
Sarah Niles, Ted Lasso
Sheryl Lee Ralph, Abbott Elementary
Juno Temple, Ted Lasso
Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso
Most Likely to Win: Hannah Waddingham or Janelle James
I’m hedging my bets here, because these are two of my favorite characters anywhere on TV. And while I celebrated Waddingham’s win last year as the glamorous team owner, and she had great material in Season 2, I’m rooting this year for Janelle James’ star-making performance as Abbott’s blithely arrogant and happily incompetent principal. I’d also be happy with a tie of James and her co-star Sheryl Lee Ralph, capping her distinguished career in the tricky role of the formidable veteran kindergarten teacher reluctant to admit she may not have kept up with the times. A possible spoiler: Hannah Einbinder as Jean Smart’s partner in comedy on Hacks in what is essentially a second lead role. Her character was much more sympathetic this season, and if the show goes on a roll, she’ll benefit from that.
Should Win: Janelle James
Or, as mentioned above, Sheryl Lee Ralph. They’re the yin and yang in Abbott’s great comic ensemble and both are worthy.
Should Have Been Nominated: Sarah Goldberg, Barry
As her character graduated from underappreciated actor to sandbagged showrunner, Goldberg wore her emotions on her sleeve, eventually exploding in a rage that was as frightful as it was funny.
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