Emmy Watch: Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Sunday, June 6, 2021 at 3:33PM Our team is breaking down the top contenders in all the major Emmy races and highlighting some of our favorites over the next few weeks. Today, we’re looking at Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
I was going into this category thinking that it might actually boast the highest percentage of possible returning nominees – a full 50% of last year’s slate, which in this crazy time is actually a lot. But Black Monday and its star Don Cheadle don’t appear to be eligible since they counted the four final episodes of season two, which aired last summer, last year, and even though the show returned a few weeks ago, there just aren’t enough installments for Showtime to bother to submit it (apparently). If it does somehow end up on the ballot, count Cheadle in again. The two surefire returning nominees are Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), vying for his seventh bid, and Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method), set to earn his third and final nomination for this role. Let’s take a look at the rest of the field…
The past four years:
There’s only one other past nominee who’s eligible this year, and that’s William H. Macy (Shameless), who earned five nominations in this category before missing out two years ago. It’s the final season of his show and he could very easily return, though I wish there was room for another fantastic member of his never-noticed ensemble – Jeremy Allen White – but he’s not likely to be high-profile enough or even submitted in this race. While Master of None did return this year, Netflix is officially campaigning Aziz Ansari as a guest actor since the show now focuses on Lena Waithe’s character.
NEW CONTENDERS
There’s not even really a reason to bother with voting this year since Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso) is definitely going to win this award after sweeping the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, and Critics Choice Awards. But, fortunately, we do get to honor other performances even if the winner is locked. Every single nominee Sudeikis beat at all three of those ceremonies, however, is ineligible this year, so his competition is a bit of a mystery. The first place to look is past nominees with new shows on the air. Ted Danson could earn his fourth consecutive nomination now that he’s on Mr. Mayor and not The Good Place. Kenan Thompson is a likely double nominee, here for his sitcom Kenan and in the supporting race for the third year in a row for Saturday Night Live.
I would be supremely excited if Alan Tudyk made the cut for Resident Alien, especially because he stars in the kind of show that I feel like is usually submitted as a drama with absolutely no shot (like iZombie). Other freshman possibilities include Billy Magnussen (Made for Love), Ed Helms (Rutherford Falls), Lamorne Morris (Woke), Dwayne Johnson (Young Rock), Topher Grace (Home Economics), and Michael Cimino (Love, Victor).
NEVER NOMINATED, BUT MAYBE NOW?
It’s not all that rare for it to take a few years for Emmy voters to wise up to the quality of a particular show or performance (see: Schitt’s Creek). Chief among those awaiting a potential breakthrough this year are Ralph Macchio (Cobra Kai), William Zabka (Cobra Kai), and Ben Feldman (Superstore). Among sophomore contenders, Rob McElhenney (Mythic Quest) and Ben Platt (The Politician) are possible. I’ll put in a personal plug for the fantastic Martin Freeman (Breeders), whose previous Emmy nominations for Sherlock and Fargo may help voters identify him on the ballot.
There were so many lead actresses and supporting players on comedy series this season, but this field doesn’t seem all that wide. I’m playing it safe with familiar faces barring any major ballot surprises.
Predictions:
- · Anthony Anderson (Black-ish)
- · Ted Danson (Mr. Mayor)
- · Michael Douglas (The Kominsky Method)
- · William H. Macy (Shameless)
- · Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso)
- · Kenan Thompson (Kenan)
Who do you think is ahead in this race?
more on the upcoming Emmys
- COMEDY
- Actress Comedy
- Actor Comedy
- Supporting Actress, Comedy
- Supporting Actor, Comedy
- DRAMA
- Actress Drama
- Actor Drama
- Supporting Actress, Drama
- Supporting Actor, Drama
- MORE...
- Emmy Ballots
- FYC The Handmaid's Tale
- FYC Marielle Heller, Queen's Gambit
- FYC Hannah Waddingham, Ted Lasso
- FYC I May Destroy You
- FYC For All Mankind
Reader Comments (17)
This is probably the weakest category this year .... There's really no one else besides Sudeikis, Douglas and Anderson.
Is Mr. Mayor worth watching?
I watched a couple of episodes of Kenan and it was terrible.
I skipped the final season of Shameless but I'll be happy if William gets nominated again.
No Paul Bettany for Wandavision?
Sucks that Michael Douglas is so safe when Kominsky Method is such an unimpactful, unfunny show.
Would love either of the Cobra Kai men, Tudyk, McElhenney, or Magnussen to get in.
Wandavision is under Limited Series.
Kenan was definitely not leading on SNL this year. He was on it less than usual because he was pulling double duty with his sitcom. He should be in supporting.
isn't the SNL cast eligible only in the supporting and guest categories?
Alan Tudyk would be so deserving. I'm hoping he actually gets a shot.
But I'd love it if Michael Douglas won. The Kominsky Method is solid.
Emmy clip:
Hannah Waddingham: “Ted, do you believe in ghosts?”
Jason Sudeikis: “I do.. but it’s more important that they believe in themselves.”
@Cash and @eduardo my mistake. I guess I'm so used to typing SNL after Kenan's name. He's eligible for that in the supporting race, and I'm predicting him here for his sitcom KENAN.
Sudeikis looks like a sure thing but the finale of Kominski is quite perfect.
I've never watched this show. But the addition of Kathleen Turner has moved this show to the top of my queue.
I think Douglas could take it for KOMINSKY METHOD. It's his strongest season and it's the last season. Would bet big money on it, but wouldn't be surprised.
"Would NOT bet big money on it, but wouldn't 't be surprised." Ugh.
if there's one Emmy that feels 90% certain this year that's Sudeikis as Best Actor in Comedy, Ted Lasso is the presumed frontrunner to win Comedy series, this was a major hit for Apple and they're going for it in every way and not to mention it's an incredibly popular show, which under the current system is what matters.
Liked the show Kenan,.
Winners in bold and a writer taking logical constructive criticism? Gotta stan Abe! Such Claudio-esque behaviour, you'll go far. Xo
This is not an original thought, but can they just give Sudeikis the trophy now, and give all the other nominations to the women who brought it this year: Jean Smart, Jane Levy, Cristin Milioti, Renee Elise Goldsberry, the Pen15 leading ladies, Kaley Cuoco, Annie Murphy (if they go comedy with "Kevin Can F*** Himself)," and Allison Janney, All of these performances are better than the four runner ups to Sudeikis.