2018 Emmy Predictions for Comedy: Matt Roush Gives His Series & Acting Picks
CATEGORY: Outstanding Comedy Series
Atlanta
Barry
black-ish
Curb Your Enthusiasm
GLOW
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Silicon Valley
Most Likely to Win
With Veep out of the running this year, the field is open to an assortment of ambitious contenders. None take as many risks as Donald Glover’s visionary Atlanta, and with its star’s cultural clout, a win seems ordained.
Should Win
Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a pure delight, fabulously recreating late-1950s New York while feeling wonderfully contemporary in the story of a Jewish housewife who finds her voice performing stand-up comedy (without her family’s knowledge) in a downtown club. Marvelous barely begins to describe the most satisfying comedy in a very strong field.
Should Have Been Nominated
Netflix’s One Day at a Time, reinventing a classic sitcom with newfound relevance and ample heart.
CATEGORY: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Donald Glover, Atlanta
Bill Hader, Barry
Anthony Anderson, black-ish
William H. Macy, Shameless
Ted Danson, The Good Place
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Most Likely to Win
I loved the transformation of Bill Hader’s hit man-turned-actor in HBO’s startlingly fresh Barry, but Donald Glover constantly surprises in Atlanta, never more than when he disguised himself as a nightmare version of a Michael Jackson-like recluse in the beyond-unsettling “Teddy Perkins” episode. What can’t this guy do?
Should Win
Donald Glover. It’s his year.
Should Have Been Nominated
Hank Azaria as Brockmire, IFC’s hilariously debauched sportscaster-on-the-skids.
CATEGORY: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Pamela Adlon, Better Things
Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Allison Janney, Mom
Issa Rae, Insecure
Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish
Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie
Most Likely to Win
No one earned more respect than auteur supreme Pamela Adlon, who not only starred in but directed all episodes of her deeply personal and caustically witty Better Things. But the Emmy belongs to Rachel Brosnahan as the brash Mrs. Maisel, the year’s breakout comedy star-is-born turn.
Should Win
Rachel Brosnahan. Can we talk? She sure can.
Should Have Been Nominated
GLOW’s Alison Brie is the heart and soul of Netflix’s nostalgic romp.
CATEGORY: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Brian Tyree Henry, Atlanta
Henry Winkler, Barry
Louie Anderson, Baskets
Alec Baldwin, Saturday Night Live
Kenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live
Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Most Likely to Win
Give a legend his due. Henry Winkler has one of his best roles as Barry’s flamboyant acting coach, and this would be his first win in a remarkable career. This has nothing to do with nostalgia. He’s great.
Should Win
Henry Winkler (although good for the Emmys to finally nominate Saturday Night Live’s invaluable ensemble player Kenan Thompson, a marvel of reliable support).
Should Have Been Nominated
The Good Place’s William Jackson Harper as the ethically uptight and all-too-flappable Chidi.
CATEGORY: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Zazie Beetz, Atlanta
Betty Gilpin, GLOW
Laurie Metcalf, Roseanne
Aidy Bryant, Saturday Night Live
Leslie Jones, Saturday Night Live
Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live
Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Megan Mullally, Will & Grace
Most Likely to Win
Attacking each sketch with fearless abandon, proving herself this generation’s answer to Carol Burnett, SNL’s Kate McKinnon will likely keep adding trophies to her shelf. This would be her third in a row.
Should Win
Mrs. Maisel’s Alex Borstein is comic gold as the title character’s gruff but loyal manager, who like her new client is also ahead of her retro times.
Should Have Been Nominated
One Day at a Time’s legendary EGOT Rita Moreno, who doesn’t miss a beat or a laugh as the family’s spitfire abuela. If she had been nominated, she’d be a favorite to win.
The 2018 Primetime Emmy Awards are almost here, and with such a tight race this year, TV fans are wondering who will go home with statues on September 17.
In anticipation of the NBC-airing awards show, we’re counting down with our own Matt Roush‘s predictions for all of the major categories. Today, we’re taking a look at the comedy contenders: Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor/Actress in a Comedy Series, and Outstanding Supporting Actor/Actress in a Comedy Series.
With nominees from hits like Atlanta, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Barry, and more, this is a tough one! Click through the gallery above for Matt’s picks, and sound off with your predictions in the comments below!
