Emmy Category Analysis: Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 1:31PM 
Steve Martin and Martin Short in Only Murders in the Building
This category features three past winners and three newcomers, at least as far as this race is concerned. Nicholas Hoult is the only first-time nominee, and both Steve Martin and Martin Short have won Emmys before, but not for acting. The only returning nominee from last year is defending champion Ted Lasso himself Jason Sudeikis. He'll have to fend off competition from Bill Hader, who won the second of two back-to-back prizes the last time he was eligible, and Donald Glover, who won the year before that. It’s also distinctly possible that, if they don’t cancel each other out, either Martin or Short could win. I’d personally love to see Hoult crowned, but that seems unlikely.
Emmy analysis follows (if you want spoiler filled reviews click on the episode titles)...
THE NOMINEES
-
Donald Glover - Atlanta - Episode: “Sinterklaas is Coming to Town” (Season 3, Episode 2)
-
Description: Earn deals with trouble in Amsterdam.
-
-
Bill Hader - Barry - Episode: “starting now’” (Season 3, Episode 8)
-
Description: Season finale. Barry tries to move forward with Sally and Mr. Cousineau.
-
-
Nicholas Hoult - The Great - Episode: “Wedding” (Season 2, Episode 10)
-
Description: Season finale. Peter calculates his options and tries to stay alive.
-
-
Steve Martin - Only Murders in the Building - Episode: “Open and Shut” (Season 1, Episode 10)
-
Description: Season finale. Charles makes a break in the case but struggles to communicate.
-
-
Martin Short - Only Murders in the Building - Episode: “How Well Do You Know Your Neighbors?” (Season 1, Episode 3)
-
Description: Oliver finds an investor for the podcast.
-
-
Jason Sudeikis - Ted Lasso - Episode: “No Weddings and a Funeral” (Season 2, Episode 10)
-
Description: Attending a funeral reminds Ted of his own father’s death.
-
Donald Glover with Brian Tyree Henry in Atlanta
ANALYSIS
It’s interesting to see this match-up since only Glover and Hader have competed against each other at the Emmys before. Glover’s appearance in this category is a bit of a question mark since, while he’s the driving creative force behind the show, season three barely features any of the regular cast. I probably would have chosen another episode, “Cancer Attack,” as his submission, but him being here without costars Brian Tyree Henry and Zazie Beetz doesn’t quite feel right. Given that his show got ousted from the Best Comedy Series lineup during the nearly four-year gap between seasons two and three, I don’t see a way that he wins this year.
Bill Hader in Barry
Hader, on the other hand, has a much better shot to repeat since season three of his show, which debuted just about three years after season two, was tremendously well-received. Hader is also up for producing, directing, and writing this year, as well as for guest acting on Curb Your Enthusiasm. He’ll likely win the directing prize for the incredible “710N” episode, and the finale is a phenomenal choice as a submission. The nominations suggests the voters aren't remotely tired of him so he could easily win again.
Jason Sudeikis in Ted Lasso
At the Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards, Hader beat Glover in a cable-broadcast category, while the other four were nominated together in a streaming race, where Martin Short prevailed. I have a hard time believing that it would be easy for someone to pick between Martin and Short (whose first and last names make it confusing enough to distinguish between them), but obviously Short did win at least one contest. Both are nominated for producing and Martin is up for writing, so there’s always the possibility he could win the latter and Short could win this prize. Given that they’re up against each other, I think that leads Sudeikis to a repeat win.
Nicholas Hoult in The Great
I’d just like to emphasize that I would vote for Hoult in a heartbeat. I couldn’t believe that he was snubbed for season one when he was inexplicably placed in the supporting race, and while I wish that the show had dominated the acting categories like Succession and Ted Lasso, we have to count this nomination as a victory. nomination counts as a victory. I would be equally shocked and ecstatic if he somehow pulled off a win.
Will Win: Jason Sudeikis - Ted Lasso
Should Win: Nicholas Hoult - The Great
Spoiler: Bill Hader - Barry
WHO ARE YOU ROOTING FOR?
MORE ANALYSIS
- Lead Actress - Comedy Series
- Lead Actress - Drama Series
- Supporting Actress – Comedy Series
- Supporting Actress – Drama Series
- Supporting Actress – Limited Series
- Supporting Actor – Drama Series
- Guest Acting - Comedy Series
- Guest Acting - Drama Series
- Writing/Directing – Comedy Series
- Writing/Directing – Drama Series
- Writing/Directing – Limited Series
- Costume Design – Contemporary
- Costume Design – Fantasy/Sci-Fi
- Costume Design - Period
Reader Comments (10)
I think Sudeikis, Hader, and Short are the only possibilities, in that order. I think we can all agree that Ted Lasso season 2 wasn't as beloved as 1, but he's still strong in the show. I personally thought Barry's recent season showed the gas running out of the tank (and the gradual slide into the supernatural/fantastical comes off as unfocused), but clearly Hader has industry support.
And I don't think there'll be that much vote-splitting between the Martins on Only Murders -- Short clearly has the "comedy" role.. all of the laugh lines comes from him, whereas Steve is the more serious of the two.
I surprised myself and am actually rooting for Steve Martin. Age appears to have tempered that frentic quality which so often broke the necessary suspension of disbelief. I thought his work with Jane Lynch was masterful. The two pros were rueful and hilarious just sitting still.
Finbar: I'm actually also rooting for Steve Martin. After a second run-through of the first season of OMITB, I found his character the most endearing and his work the most nuanced, with some masterful physical acting (he submitted the finale and spends a good chunk of it drugged, which I think could help his case). Though I also see why Martin Short may have the better shot, since Emmy voters do tend to favor the more overtly comedic and over-the-top performances (I admit I find Oliver Putnam irritating at times, though Short is a natural in the role).
As great as Bill Hader and Jason Sudeikis are in their respective shows, they both won already and have other chances to win this year, so I'm hoping for either Martin or Short to take this one. I've only seen the first three episodes of The Great, but I do love Nicholas Hoult in what I've seen so far (and given that it's a similar register as his work in The Favourite, I'm sure he's brilliant throughout).
If the choice was only between Steve Martin and Martin Short, my pick is tricky. If we're voting based on S1 (which technically we are), then I think Steve Martin deserves it over Martin Short... AND YET S2 just finished (during peak Emmy voting) and honestly... Martin Short was my slight MVP. Will that have an impact? Who knows?
That said... I actually think this might be Hader's to lose this year. The show was running on all cylinders this season and he did EVERYTHING (acted, wrote, directed). Sudeikis can easily win obviously, but might the whole Olivia Wilde of it all taint him ever so slightly? I actually don't follow those kind of news too much so NO idea.
Abe, smart analysis across the board, as always. And agreed on Hoult...he's far and away doing the most complex acting among this group (as is Fanning in her category). He's massively underrated.
I'm all Team Martin. I don't watch Barry despite all the hubbub because it's got a lot of murder and that's not good for me . Of the 2 Martins, my money is on Martin Short. Very few actors can make me laugh out loud, period. He does it over and over. Also hope the show wins as Best Comedy Series. Just so well done.
I don't see how Steve Martin or Martin Short could ever win, they're such a duo that both deliver what's necessary for their role on the team. Sure, Short has more punchlines as that is his essence, but Steve Martin delivers just as much comedy in his own way. For me, the true crime is nominating them but not Selena Gomez. Just silly. I have a feeling she'll be in Best Comedy Actress next year tho.
I love Barry, but hate it at the same time... it's gone so dark that this season was hardly a pleasure to watch. Sure, it was well-made, duh. But all these characters are genuinely unlikable and hard to root for, minus NoHo Hank, who despite his dealings is so charming n cute. I like dark comedy, but yikes. The comedy this season felt scarce.
I don't watch the other shows, so can't speak on them, but I have a feeling it's between Jason Sudeikis and Bill Hader... unless Only Murders in the Building's recent airing (of szn 2) pushes one of those guys over the edge (but I see them splitting votes).
I think it will go to Sudeikis. He was given a lot to work with in Season 2, although the material was more dramatic than comedic.
I just binged both seasons of Only Murders in the Building. Like another poster, I thought Steve Martin was the MVP of season one. Martin Short was annoyingly over the top. But in season two, it felt like Short and the writers found their groove with his character and he was the MVP. Steve Martin made less of an impact. (And I know some criticize her, but Selena Gomez's deadpan style is a perfect balance to her co-stars. Love her reactions!)
I think it will go to Sudeikis. He was given a lot to work with in Season 2, although the material was more dramatic than comedic.
I just binged both seasons of Only Murders in the Building. Like another poster, I thought Steve Martin was the MVP of season one. Martin Short was annoyingly over the top. But in season two, it felt like Short and the writers found their groove with his character and he was the MVP. Steve Martin made less of an impact. (And I know some criticize her, but Selena Gomez's deadpan style is a perfect balance to her co-stars. Love her reactions!)
GTA -- that's how i feel about Selena though at first I was with the detractors. Took me awhile to vibe with how little she seemed to be doing.
Philip - well on the other hand the voters seemed to figure out how to honor each of the Golden Girls and both of the Cagney & Lacy's (who were always competing against each other) though that was a long time ago.