Ready for a laugh? Good, because its time to look at the Emmy nominations in the comedy category and they are hilarious! Or something, I don’t really know. I mostly just copied everything I wrote last year because that’s how much The Emmy’s like to switch things up.
Note: As always, when I say “Will Win” it I am basing it on the current odds and buzz and when I say “Should Win” I am basing it on my own personal and deeply biased opinion.
Outstanding Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory, CBS
Modern Family, ABC
Orange Is The New Black, Netflix
Silicon Valley, HBO
Veep, HBO
What Should Win: Orange is the New Black
What Will Win: Orange is the New Black
Technically OITNB is nominated for its first season, but it’s the buzz over the second season that will push it into the winner’s circle. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. OITNB is a groundbreaking, yet highly entertaining, show and deserves recognition for whichever season people want to focus on. Is it a tad unfair that it’s nominated against true, half-hour comedies when it’s an hour-long program that leans towards drama more often than not? Perhaps, but that doesn’t take away from it merit or quality. Take away the genre distinction and its still the best show on this list.
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
Who Should Win: Anyone besides Jim Parsons
Who Will Win: Jim Parsons
Look, I love The Big Bang Theory and Jim Parsons, but enough is enough. The Emmys are hesitant to give awards to different people and nowhere is that more prevalent than in the comedy categories. Its like they discredit comedy so much that they want to avoid spreading out the accolades. Jim Parsons is great, but he’s not the only actor doing great things in comedy. He’s not even the only one on his own show, not that The Emmys want to acknowledge that either.
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
Who Should Win: Anyone besides Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Who Will Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Umm, ditto everything I just said.
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
Who Should Win: Adam Driver
Who Will Win: Andre Braugher
For a couple years Modern Family ruled The Emmys, but this year it’s looking like a shut out. Andre Braugher is currently leading in the odds and the only explanation I can think of for that is his character on Brooklyn Nine-Nine is the most dramatic of anyone on this list. But I would love to see Adam Driver take it. Yes his role also airs on the more dramatic side of comedy, but he’s doing some great work on Girls and it would be great to see that recognized beyond just a nomination.
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
Who Should Win: Kate Mulgrew
Who Will Win: Allison Janney
Alison Janney is great and all, but Mom is only decent at best. It’s pretty easy to be great on a sub-par show. But Kate Mulgrew is great on a great show, and that takes a little more effort.
Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series
Episodes, “Episode 305”
Louie, “So Did The Fat Lady”
Orange Is The New Black, “I Wasn’t Ready” (Pilot)
Silicon Valley, “Optimal Tip-To-Tip Efficiency”
Veep, “Special Relationship”
What Should Win: Orange is the New Black
What Will Win: Louie
This race is a tight one. Louie is heralded as a fresh voice in comedy and that’s mostly thanks to its writing, so its understandable that it should be recognized. Similarly, OITNB is heralded as a fresh voice in television as a whole and what better way to recognize that than to award its pilot? On the other hand, it’s likely winning best series as well, so this may be the time to recognize another worthy talent. On the other, other hand, The Emmys aren’t really known for spreading their awards around.
Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series
Episodes, “Episode 309”
Glee, “100”
Louie, “Elevator, Part 6”
Modern Family, “Vegas”
Orange Is The New Black, “Lesbian Request Denied”
Silicon Valley, “Minimum Viable Product”
What Should Win: Orange is the New Black
What Will Win: Orange is the New Black
“Lesbian Request Denied” was directed by Jodie Foster. That’s all you really need to know about those odds.
Wasn’t that funny? If you’re in the mood for more laughs, check out my predictions for reality and variety and TV Movies and miniseries and, of course, listen to the podcast! And check back later for my drama predictions, because those are funniest of all!
*The 66th Emmy Awards will air Monday, August 25 at 8/7c on NBC.
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Filed under: Awards
Tags: Emmys, Predictions
