Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit THE EMMYS COLLECTIVEVisit each category, per the individual awards show from THE EMMYS HUBTo see old predictions and commentary, click the EMMY PREDICTIONS ARCHIVESFor film awards predictions go toTHE OSCARS HUB
UPDATED: June 12, 2022
2022 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY:
The double brilliance of the two Martins is highlighted in the lead actor comedy race that looks to be building toward a five-nominee lineup once again.
A comedic legend, Steve Martin has only been embraced once for his writing (“The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” in 1969) by the TV Academy. Alongside his co-starring icon Martin Short, they make hilarious magic in “Only Murders in the Building” from Hulu, which will likely be one of the most nominated comedy series on nomination morning.
Short is better than ever in the Hulu murder mystery, and as one of our favorite Canadians, he’s received praise for his turn as the lovable Oliver Putnam. He is anchoring the show in many ways, bringing some of the brightest moments to the kickoff season. With two Emmys on his shelf as a producer (outstanding variety special for “A Tribute to Mel Brooks”) and writing (“SCTV Network 90” in 1983), an eventual acting win may not be far off.
If Hollywood had a prom, one of the most likable guys in the game, Bill Hader, would be in the running to be the king of the party, with love across all mediums for writing, directing, producing and starring in multiple ventures. However, with the return of HBO’s “Barry,” for which he won this category for the first two seasons, he can easily repeat for his commitment to a character that audiences adore.
Courtesy of Apple TV Plus
Former “Saturday Night Live” star Jason Sudeikis is the reigning champ after picking up his first Emmy statuette as the beloved title character “Ted Lasso.” With the second season receiving glowing reviews and his work as the lovable eponymous coach, he could go back-to-back as he’s done with the SAG and Critics Choice Awards.
Larry David, the two-time Emmy-winning producer and writer of the classic “Seinfeld” series, has been nominated multiple times as himself in the long-running “Curb Your Enthusiasm” from HBO. Even with many hiatuses over the last 20 years, the TV Academy always welcomes him back for one more dance. So it’s hard to rule out another invite this late in the game.
England-born Kayvan Novak has been a fan-favorite as Nandor the Relentless in the FX hilarious series, surprising many with an Emmy nom in 2020. With Hollywood focusing on more diversity and representation, especially from our AAPI brothers and sisters, the Persian star may have a pocket of support that could land him in a competitive field.
Eleven Emmy nominations are pretty impressive for any actor, but Don Cheadle’s run has been effortless between limited series, comedies and even guest roles in superhero shows. His Mo Monroe from Showtime’s “Black Monday” has already been recognized twice, and the series’ return could make him a default selection on ballots.
The wait was long, but FX’s “Atlanta” is back for its third and final season, with Donald Glover again taking charge as Earnest ‘Earn’ Marks. Glover took home two Emmys for the first season for acting and directing, and his farewell run could give him one more chomp at the Emmy bit, but has the wait been too long for the dramedy?
Anthony Anderson is a bonafide ballot staple, with seven consecutive nominations since 2015 in this category. (He also has four other noms for his role as executive producer on the ABC family sitcom). So in its farewell season and currently tied as the most nominated Black actor ever in lead actor comedy, he could be a safe bet for recognition.
The wonderful Sam Richardson has already proved his worth with guest spots on shows like “Ted Lasso” and “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson.” As the Aniq, Richardson is finally given a leading role and one that could be a “throwaway” in the wrong hands. A critical piece of a sprawling ensemble, his work on the Phil Lord and Chris Miller-produced mystery series could make a dynamic presence on nomination morning.
Read more: Variety’s Awards Circuit Emmys Predictions Hub.
The nomination round of voting runs from June 16 to June 27. The official nominations for the 74th Emmy Awards will be announced Tuesday, July 12.
The list of programs and potential nominees listed below is incomplete and is subject to change. The complete television awards season calendar is linked here.
2021 category winner: Jason Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV+)
ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS AND RANKINGS:
Murderville. Will Arnett as Terry Seattle of Murderville. Cr. Lara Solanki/Netflix © 2022
LARA SOLANKI/NETFLIX
AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Lead Actor Comedy)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known simply as the Emmys, is television’s most prestigious artistic award. Many records have been held for wins and nominations in the near eight decades.
For wins: Four actors have won the most prizes in this category, with four in all of Emmy history – Michael J. Fox, Kelsey Grammer, Carroll O’Connor and Jim Parsons. Fox and O’Connor have won three consecutive years. Except for Fox, Grammer (“Frasier”), O’Connor (“All in the Family”) and Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) won for the same television series. Fox won three for “Family Ties” and the other for “Spin City.” Four men have three times – Don Adams, John Lithgow, Tony Shalhoub and Dick Van Dyke.
For nominations: Ted Danson has the most nominations ever in this category with 14 (winning twice for “Cheers”). Alan Alda and Kelsey Grammer are next in line with 11, while Michael J. Fox, Carroll O’Connor and Tony Shalhoub have eight each.
John Goodman, Matt LeBlanc and Hal Linden have the most nominations without ever winning for lead actor in a comedy series. Goodman (“Roseanne”) and Linden (“Barney Miller”) were all nominated for the same series. LeBlanc’s nods are split between “Friends” (3) and “Episodes” (4).
“Cheers” and “M*A*S*H” are the leading series with nominations in this category, with 11 with “Frasier” and “The Odd Couple” (1970-1975) nabbing 10. NBC has won this category the most for any network with 26, while CBS and ABC have 19 and 11 wins. Amazon Prime Video is the first and only streaming platform to win this category for Jeffrey Tambor (“Transparent”) in two consecutive years.
2022 Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions
2022 Creative Arts Emmys Predictions
About the Primetime Emmy Awards (Emmys)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, are given out by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Since 1949, the awards have recognized excellence in American primetime television programming. They are divided into three classes – Primetime Emmy Awards, the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (honors artisan achievements), and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards (recognizes significant engineering and technological contributions). The typical eligibility period is between June 1 and May 31 of any given year. The Television Academy comprises over 25,000 members, representing 30 professional peer groups, including performers, directors, producers, art directors and various artisans and executives.
- The 74th Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, Sept. 12, and air on NBC.
