Emmy Category Analysis: Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 1:31PM
Abe Friedtanzer in Bill Hader, Comedy Lead Actor, Donald Glover, Emmys 2022, Emmys Category Analysis, Jason Sudeikis, Martin Short, Nicholas Hoult, Only Murders in the Building, Punditry, Steve Martin

By Abe Friedtanzer

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 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

 

Article originally appeared on The Film Experience (http://thefilmexperience.net/).
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