It may not be to the extent it was pre-COVID, but in-person campaigning continues to make a return! National Geographic will take over the Atrium at the Westfield Century City Mall on Saturday, August 14, and Sunday, August 15, from noon to 5 p.m. each day, to celebrate its Emmy nominated programs. The “National Geographic Showcase” will include activities, performances and Q&As. Some highlights:

Climb a rock wall to test your agility for “Running Wild with Bear Grylls”

Experience the cold like the crew of “Life Below Zero” with an arctic facial

See the costumes that transformed Cynthia Erivo into Aretha Franklin, and hear how the sound team transferred her voice from set to screen

Have a book signed by National Geographic Explorer & photographer Brian Skerry, a producer of the Disney Plus series “Secrets of the Whales”

And hear directly from the nominees in Q&As throughout both days, including Cynthia Erivo (“Genius: Aretha”), Steve James (“City So Real”), Sue Aiken (“Life Below Zero”), Ricko DeWilde (“Life Below Zero”), cinematographers, sound mixers, showrunners choreographers and more.

Here’s the schedule of events on Saturday:

12 PM – Doors Open
12:55 PM – Live choreographed performance from “Genius: Aretha”
1:00 PM – Crafting the Queen of Soul: “Genius: Aretha” sound & choreography Q&A
2:00 PM – Chicago at a Crossroads: “City So Real” Q&A
2:55 PM – Live choreographed performance from “Genius: Aretha”
3:00 PM – Chill Out: Q&A with “Life Below Zero’s” Sue Aikens, Ricko DeWilde and crew
4:00 PM – Exploring the Deep: “Secrets of the Whales” Q&A

And the schedule of events on Sunday:

12 PM – Doors Open
12:55 PM – Live choreographed performance from “Genius: Aretha”
1:00 PM – “Running Wild” Q&A
2:00 PM – Getting the Shot: Cinematography Conversation (all National Geographic nominated cinematographers)
2:55 PM – Live choreographed performance from “Genius: Aretha”
3:00 PM – “Life Below Zero” Q&A with cast Sue Aikens & Ricko DeWilde
4:00 PM – Finding Aretha’s Sound: A Q&A with Cynthia Erivo

Earlier this spring, I had the privilege of moderating a panel with the always joyful cast of one of my favorite recent comedies, “Superstore.” But the timing was unfortunate: Just days beforehand, NBC had announced that the show was ending its run. The cast cleverly took out the network talking points and read, word-for-word, how they had been coached to explain the sudden decision to end the show. It was amusing in its awkwardness.

Much to my disappointment, “Superstore” didn’t land an Emmy nomination in what ended up being its final season. But this Emmy season is filled with many other examples of such discomfiture. And it starts with “Lovecraft Country.”

Canceled series regularly receive Emmy nods — but rarely at the level that the HBO drama did this year. “Lovecraft Country” scored a whopping 18 nominations, the most of any program from HBO (or its sister HBO Max streamer), and the more than anything else on cable.

Hell, even “Game of Thrones” received fewer noms —a still-respectable 13 — in its freshman year. The announcement of the cancellation of “Lovecraft Country” came on July 2, after nomination round voting had already ended — which means there was no way the show could have shifted to the limited series category. It also means those nominations were decided without any knowledge by voters of whether there would be a second season.

Creator Misha Green hasn’t publicly commented on the bittersweet nature of scoring so many Emmy noms right after learning the show wouldn’t continue. But she did reveal on Twitter plans for a second season with a dramatically different story, one focused on a segregated, post-zombie apocalypse United States.

It’s gotta be a touch uncomfortable for the HBO folks to plan out the phase 2 campaign for “Lovecraft Country,” given the obvious question that is front of mind. But it is the network’s most celebrated show this year, presenting them a bit of a conundrum.

That’s also the case with NBC and “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” which received five nominations — the second-most of any primetime broadcast series, behind only “This Is Us.” “Zoey” was a show on the bubble, and insiders share that part of the debate inside NBC had to do with the fact that it was, indeed, one of the few broadcast shows to receive Emmy attention (even if the ratings didn’t match the critical acclaim). But “Zoey’s” was canceled in June, just days before nomination voting began.

Read the full column here.

John Lutz and Paula Pell are both the co-creators, writers and stars of “Mapleworth Murders,” both received an Emmy nomination for outstanding short form actor and actress in a comedy.

The whodunnit features a wild mix of guest suspects and victims, including Wanda Sykes, Chris Parnell, Terry Crews, Nicole Byer, Jimmy Carlson, Maya Rudolph, Fred Armisen, D’Arcy Carden, Tim Meadows, Jack McBrayer, Pam Murphy, Annie Mumolo and Ike Barinholtz. We asked Lutz to fill out our “Watch My Show!” survey and share why we should tune in.

Sum up your show’s pitch in one sentence.
“Mapleworth Murders” is an updated comedic homage to “Murder She Wrote” and other British mystery procedurals centering around murder mystery novella writer, Abigail Mapleworth.

What’s an alternate title for your show?
“The Town of 100 Cemeteries”

What do we need to know before tuning in?
That at some point during the series both Paula Pell and I are topless.

Give us an equation for your show. (Blank plus blank minus blank times blank, etc.)
Murder + Small Town x Guest Stars + Innuendo – Politics + Pumpkin Shooting + The Brothers BcBillan plus Sisters + Dirty Church Hymns + J.B. Smoove Improvising + A Buttery Nipple – Limp Meats ÷ π = Too Long of an Equation.

What’s the best thing someone said about your show?
“While I watched your show, I just enjoyed myself and forgot about all the other crap going on in the world.”

If you could work on any other series in TV, what would it be?
“Hacks.” It is such a well written show with some truly amazing performances. I love the way that the jokes come through the characters and by the end of the season you really care about them.

Finish this sentence: “If you like _______, you’ll love our show.”
“If you like Cabot Cove, you’ll love our show.”

NBC is steadfast in its decision not to air the Golden Globes in 2022, giving the Hollywood Foreign Press Association a breather year to get its house in order.

But just like the year of the writers’ strike, in 2008 — when the HFPA announced its Globes winners via a press conference — perhaps, at the very least, the org will still wind up giving out some sort of awards. Maybe they’ll even do it via an untelevised luncheon.

Perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself, but the HFPA has now approved the new set of bylaws that had been proposed to reform the organization, recruit more diverse and inclusive members and address the ethics and accountability issues that have long swirled around the organization.

Most recently, the HFPA had approved new gift, travel and conflict of interest policies that forbade members to accept promotional materials or other gifts from studios, publicists, actors, directors or others. The group has also been working on new membership goals in light of the reveal, first reported last spring by the Los Angeles Times, that the HFPA had no Black members.

NBC applauded the new bylaws, calling them a “positive step forward.”

“We’re encouraged by the passage of the amended bylaws,” NBC said in a statement. “This marks a positive step forward and signals the HFPA’s willingness to do the work necessary for meaningful change.”

The votes on the new bylaws were counted by Ernst & Young. The new bylaws will now lead to an election cycle for a new, expanded Board of Directors, including outside independent directors as well as a re-accreditation process for all existing members. The new Board of Directors will be elected by early September.

See the list of new bylaws, and what’s next for the HFPA, here.

A few months ago in Variety, Kaley Cuoco shared the story of how she stumbled across the logline for “The Flight Attendant” while skimming the list of upcoming novel releases on Amazon. She immediately called her attorney to see if Reese Witherspoon had already optioned it.

Witherspoon hadn’t, and that’s when Cuoco swooped in and started the process that eventually led to her Emmy-nominated adaptation for HBO Max. The Witherspoon story is meant as a compliment: Cuoco is a fan of the star and how she has turned her production company, Hello Sunshine, into a major entity by finding compelling projects and starring in many of them. It’s a template that Cuoco would like to follow with her own company, Yes, Norman (named after her dog), and she’s off to a good start with “Flight Attendant.”

“Can you believe I’ve actually never met her?” Cuoco tells Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast. “I really idolized her from afar. And she’s so smart. So I was making a joke, because she jumps on everything so quickly. I thought for sure she would have gotten this one. But I would love to meet her one day.”

Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast recently spoke with Cuoco about the show, nominated for outstanding comedy at the Emmys, in addition to her nod for best comedy actress and nine nominations overall. She shared how her first experience as an executive producer was eye-opening, and also what she misses most about “The Big Bang Theory,” her role as the title character in the animated series “Harley Quinn,” and her plans to play Doris Day in an upcoming limited series. And also, she gives a few hints about what to expect in Season 2 of “The Flight Attendant.” Listen below!

Also on this episode: Pop music fans remember Michelle Visage from the late 1980s and early 1990s as one-third of the group Seduction, whose hits included “Two to Make It Right” and “Could This Be Love.” She also can be heard on the hit song by TKA, “Crash.” Later, she teamed up with RuPaul to host morning radio on New York’s WKTU and also star with him on his VH1 talk show. That collaboration with RuPaul eventually led to a gig as a judge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and its later spin off series.

Variety’s Jazz Tangcay caught up with Visage to discuss how “Drag Race” keeps things fresh, plus her acting plans and solo album. They also talk about her documentary “Explant,” and sharing her story about her breast implant removal.

Variety’s Emmy edition of the “Awards Circuit” podcast is hosted by Michael Schneider, Jazz Tangcay and Danielle Turchiano and is your one-stop listen for lively conversations about the best in television. Each week during Emmy season, “Awards Circuit” features interviews with top TV talent and creatives; discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines; and much, much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts. New episodes post every Thursday.

There was, of course, no one quite like Jessica Walter. From her breakthrough performance in 1971’s “Play Misty for Me,” all the way to boozy matriarch Lucille Bluth in “Arrested Development” and most recently as spy agency head Malory in “Archer,” she was sly, she was devastating and she was wickedly funny.

Walter was nominated this year in the outstanding character voice-over performance category for playing Malory Archer in the “Archer” episode “The Double Date.” We asked the “Archer” producers and stars to share their memories of Walter; here’s their tribute.

Adam Reed (Creator/Executive Producer): “Jessica Walter was probably the most generous actor I’ve ever worked with, always reflecting praise back to her castmates and the writers. She’d close every recording session by saying, ‘If it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage!’ But with Jessica, I think, there was a sort of inverse to that, because her acting transformed the written words – she remade the page.”

Matt Thompson (Executive Producer): “In over thirteen years of working with Jessica Walter, she was never late and always fully prepared for work when she arrived. She took great pride in that, her preparation and work ethic. She never took any job for granted and gave them everything she had. If you looked at her scripts, she tabbed and color-coded each of them, writing particular notes for each scene, thoughts she had about how she thinks it should go. All part of her preparation. Then when we would do the scenes themselves, she would frequently call her shots. ‘That’s the one, take four, mark that.’ And we did mark it because she was right. Every time.

“Archer can frequently be a little ‘blue,’ which means that sometimes ‘Malory’ would have a line that was sexually explicit. And on a lot of these occasions, Jessica did not know what the line meant and she would ask us for clarification. So, I would take a deep breath and I would explain ‘motor boating’ or ‘rusty trombone’ to Jessica in the most clinical fashion possible. After the tiptoe of my explanation, she would usually burst out with that amazing full body laugh of hers. And she would either say, ‘that can’t be a thing!’ or ‘what is wrong with people?’ all while laughing until we all started laughing with her.”

Casey Willis (Executive Producer): “Jessica Walter was an amazing and gracious talent, and I learned from her in every ‘Archer’ recording session. Her commitment and dedication to ‘Malory’ always shined through in her performances. She was also hilarious with a cutting wit. She absolutely deserves an Emmy for her work on ‘Archer.'”

H. Jon Benjamin (“Sterling Archer”): “In animation, you record for an episode about a year before you see it and I remember recording the pilot episode, ‘Mole Hunt,’ and finally seeing the first scene with Jessica Walter and I – never having had met her yet in real life – I was floored by how good she was from her first line. She commanded every scene she was in. Pretty flawless performances in every scene she was in that followed. I re-watch stuff and occasionally judge how I could have been better in one scene or another, but she was always great.”

Aisha Tyler (“Lana Kane”): “Jessica Walter was one of the most generous, ribald, stealthy comedians I have ever known. She could praise you wildly with one breath, then tag your joke savagely with the next. I have never met anyone that felt more like the coolest and most doting mom, riotous best friend, and venerable and accomplished artist all rolled up into a captivating grand dame. She was truly one of a kind.”

Chris Parnell (“Cyril Figgis”): “Jessica Walter was an amazing lady. She was the lovely consummate professional, and I feel so thankful to have known her and worked with her on ‘Archer.’ I think all of us really looked up to her. She was smart, tough, sophisticated, elegant and hilarious. I got to perform onstage with her once at the (I think) New York Comedy Festival. We were taking turns reading from someone’s celebrity autobiography, and though I figured she’d give a very solid and funny reading, she amazed me with her timing and sense of how to play each line perfectly to the room. It was like she’d had a secret career doing standup for 40 years. The crowd was hanging on her every word and laughing their asses off. Jessica never stopped being amazing. We miss her sorely.”

Judy Greer (“Cheryl/Carol Tunt”): “In all the years I worked with Jessica Walter, I never lost the feeling of wanting to impress her.”

Amber Nash (“Pam Poovey”): “Jessica loved the business, I got a sense from her when she talked about her career that she still loved every minute of what she was doing… she was a real class act.”

Lucky Yates (“Algernop Krieger”): “How do I even give a quote that sums up a legend like Jessica Walter? She elevated everything she ever appeared in just by showing up. Is there a sainthood for performers? Jess should be sainted.”

For a new feature on AWARDS HQ, we’re asking documentary filmmakers to share five things in their Emmy-nominated doc that might surprise people. Next up: Cullen Hoback, from HBO’s “Q: Into the Storm,” nommed for outstanding picture editing for a nonfiction program.

“Q: Into the Storm,” a six-part documentary series directed by Hoback (“Terms and Conditions May Apply”) and executive produced by Adam McKay (“Succession”), follows Hoback has he works to uncover the people behind the conspiracy-laden QAnon. Here are a few things Hoback wants you to know about his docuseries:

1. The director manages to embed with both the loudest critics of QAnon and its primary enablers. This includes exclusive access to those behind 8chan, the site where Q posts.

2. ‘Q: Into the Storm’ takes a neutral POV, focusing on the mechanics and players behind QAnon instead of attacking or debunking the beliefs.

3. Famed NSA whistleblower Bill Binney connects with 8chan’s administrator, hoping to be put in touch with Q to get its message out.

4. Ron Watkins, the admin of 8chan and a main character in the series, becomes a key advisor to Trump’s team when trying to overturn the election.

5. In the final episode, the series makes a concise case for who is responsible for QAnon.

This is not where we were supposed to be at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic. We have a vaccine, people were getting immunized and soon we’d return to some sort of normalcy. But with the stubborn folks and the tinfoil hat crowd cheering on, I guess in support of COVID? That’s just not happening.

Which means, for those of us who cover the Emmys, it will be another year of sitting at home and watching it on our couch. That was a novelty last year, but this is getting old, folks. This country needs to get its act together.

The TV Academy announced last week that a red carpet will only be held during the Primetime Emmys on Sept. 19, and not during the Creative Arts ceremonies the weekend before. Also, that carpet will be limited to just a handful of outlets. Most media will be tasked with covering the Emmys at home virtually, as there will again this year be no on-site media center.

Here’s the latest update from the Academy and CBS:

Out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of Emmy nominees, guests and media, the number of production personnel and staff must be limited at this year’s 73rd Emmy Awards.

Consequently, there will be a very limited (approximately a dozen outlets) Red Carpet for talent arrivals. In lieu of the traditional on-site media coverage, the Television Academy has partnered with CBS to create a virtual media center for the Emmys that will allow media outlets to connect directly with Emmy winners as they are announced on the evening of Sept. 19.

Plans are still underway for the 2021 Creative Arts Emmys. Be advised that there will not be a Red Carpet at any of the three shows, but we are planning for a very limited live Media Center to host our presenters and winners each night.

We will be launching credential applications for all fours shows in the next few weeks and will forward the link when available.

On-site media, crew and vendors for all shows will be required to test negative for COVID-19 and show proof of vaccination for admittance.

More here.

We asked Lauren Ashley Smith, head writer of HBO’s “A Black Lady Sketch Show” (nominated for outstanding writing – variety series) to share her TV guilty TV pleasure (Can be of all time, or currently. Cheesy reality show? Campy sitcom? Obscure public access show? Anything applies!); his “deep cut” (the show he recommends that isn’t as well known, past or present); and “show mate” (the show that, if you were stuck on a desert island with only one DVD, you’d choose to be the most important/most influential/best TV show in your life). Here are her answers:

Guilty TV Pleasure : I am absolutely hooked on the show “Married at First Sight” on Lifetime. I do not feel guilty about it at all — watching it is an absolute pleasure, full stop! The concept? Excellent. The execution? Unrivaled. “Married at First Sight” is on my Mount Rushmore of reality TV alongside “90 Day Fiance,” “The Real Housewives of Potomac” and “Love Island.” Without fail, the casting on “Married at First Sight” is always on point and there is exactly the right balance of absolute foolery and actual human connection and growth to make it compelling. And while I have this platform, I reiterate my ongoing request to the producers of the show to please entrust me with advance screeners of the episodes; waiting from week to week is torture and I need them! My DMs are open!

Deep Cut: My deep cut pick is “Samantha Who?” which aired for 2 seasons on ABC from 2007 to 2009. It was sooooo funny and gone too soon. It starred Christina Applegate, Jean Smart and Melissa McCarthy, for crying out loud! The comedic performances on that show were next level and I just really enjoyed the concept and execution. I highly recommend it!

Show Mate: My show mate is the impeccable, superb, complex, funny and soothing “Pushing Daisies.” I watch and rewatch the series in its entirety on pretty much a quarterly basis. The show does so many things well: story, performance, heart, humor, design, whimsy and music!!!!! It is iconic and it feels like my heart is getting a hug every time I hit “play” on an episode. It is pure excellence.

The African American Film Critics Association has scrapped its planned in-person ceremony for the 3rd annual AAFCA TV Honors, and will instead now take place as a virtual event. The shift was made in light of the recent rise in COVID-19 cases in both Southern California and around the country due to the delta strain of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, AAFCA also announced on Monday that it would recognize legendary TV producer Norman Lear with the org’s AAFCA TV Honors Legend Award. The virtual ceremony takes place on Saturday, Aug. 21 at 4 p.m. PT. Yvette Nicole Brown will host the now-online affair, which had been previously slated for the California Yacht Club in Marina Del Rey, with a 50 percent audience capacity.

“Norman Lear’s work has made such a tremendous impact that creators still feed off of it till this day,” said AAFCA co-founder and president Gil Robertson. “This award recognizes Mr. Lear’s legacy and impact. His is a footprint whose impact will extend well beyond any of our lives. Using the powerful medium of television, he has truly made the world we live in a much better place. He has made us think about family, poverty, wealth, racism and so much more while making us laugh. And, at 99 years old, he’s still doing it. It is a privilege for AAFCA to honor him with the Legend Award.”

Read the full story here.

Peacock partnered with Helen’s wines to create the “Peacock Wine Club,” promoting its new Kevin Hart series “Hart to Heart.”

The series, which drops every Thursday starting Aug. 5, features Hart and guests having conversations over wine in his wine cellar. (Must be nice!) Helen’s sommelier Helen Johannesen selected bottles to pair with each episode:

2019 Pax Mahle, Buddha’s Dharma Vineyard, Mendocino County, Chenin Blanc

2020 Domaine du Gour de Chaulé, “Amour de Rose,” Gigondas, Cinsault/Grenache

2017 A. Rafanelli, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, Cabernet Sauvignon

NV Jean Bourdy, Brut Rose, Cremant du Jura, Trousseau

I don’t know what many of those words mean, but wine!!

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, National Geographic has launched the six-part limited series “9/11: One Day in America,” from exec producers Dan Lindsay and TJ Martin. It’s an official collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and these books help tell the story of that day. Nat Geo has also made donations to the FDNY Foundation for the FDNY Family Assistance Unit.

The Television Critics Assn. press tour is back! FX held a panel for “Reservation Dogs,” while Hulu’s big day included panels for “Dopesick,” “The Great” Season 2, “Only Murders in the Building” and “Nine Perfect Strangers.” I spoke to Hulu’s head of scripted Jordan Helman about the streamer’s current and upcoming shows; read it here . To mark its TCA, Hulu sent over snacks from Eataly (above).

NINE NINE! The final season of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” premieres Thursday, August 12 at 8 p.m. ET. To mark the return, NBC sent this nicely wrapped (yes, saving that wrapper) box featuring a small desk fridge. As Det. Jake Peralta would say, “Cool cool cool.”

The Imagen Foundation has announced nominations for the 36th annual Imagen Awards, honoring film and TV shows that celebrate Latino talent.

“The Imagen Foundation continues to be proud of being the only awards ceremony that honors Latino talent and contributions within the television, film, and streaming platforms,” said Helen Hernandez, president of the Imagen Foundation. “This year we hit another milestone, having increased to 350 submissions for consideration, a record since last year. There is no question that there is a wealth of talent amongst our community. Our theme this year, ‘Our Community: Diverse, Talented, and United,’ speaks to the array of entries.”

The Imagen Awards will be streamed on PBSSoCal.org and KCET.org on Sunday, October 10, at 5 p.m. PT. Here are some of the key TV nominees :

Best Primetime Program – Drama

“Queen of the South” (USA; 20th Television and UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group) [photo above]

“Quién Mató a Sara?” / “Who Killed Sara?” (Netflix; Perro Azul)

“Selena: The Series” (Netflix; A Campanario Entertainment Production for Netflix)

“This is Us” (NBC; 20th Television)

“Mayans M.C.” (FX Networks; 20th Television and FX Productions)

“Pose” (FX; 20th Television)

“Veneno” (HBO Max; HBO Max in association with Atresmedia Television, Buendia Estudios and Suma Latina)

Best Primetime Program – Comedy

“¿Quién es la Máscara?” (Televisa; Televisa, EndemolShine Boomdog)

“Love, Victor” (Hulu; Hulu, 20th Television, Temple Hill)

“Mr. Iglesias” (Netflix; Hench in the Trench Productions and Fluffy Shop Studios for Netflix)

“Generation” (HBO Max; HBO Max in association with We’re Not Brothers Productions, Good Thing Going Productions, Lake Theo Productions and I Am Jenni Konner Productions)

“Superstore” (NBC; Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Spitzer Holding Company, Miller Green Broadcasting and The District)

“Vida” (Starz; Big Beach and Chingona Productions in association with Starz Originals)

Best Primetime Program – Special or Movie

“David Byrne’s American Utopia” (HBO; HBO in association with RadicalMedia, 40 Acres And A Mule)

“Fuse Town Hall: Our Votes Matter” (Fuse; Fuse Content Studio)

“Gina Brillon: The Floor Is Lava” (Amazon Prime; Comedy Dynamics, The Nacelle Company)

“Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special” (Apple TV Plus; Done + Dusted in association with Apple)

“One Day at a Time – Animated Special” (Pop TV; Sony Pictures Television, Act III, Snowpants Productions, GloNation)

“Unpregnant” (HBO Max; HBO Max presents a WarnerMax / PictureStart / Berlanti / Schechter Films production)

See the full list here.

This week, we’re looking at the latest predictions from Variety’s Clayton Davis in the comedy acting categories, ranked in order of odds:

2021 EMMYS: BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES CONTENDERS

1 Jason Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV Plus)
2 Anthony Anderson, “Black-ish” (ABC)
3 Michael Douglas, “The Kominsky Method” (Netflix)
4 William H. Macy, “Shameless” (Showtime)
5 Kenan Thompson, “Kenan” (NBC)

2021 EMMYS: BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES CONTENDERS

1 Jean Smart, “Hacks” (HBO Max)
2 Kaley Cuoco, “The Flight Attendant” (HBO Max)
3 Tracee Ellis Ross, “Black-ish” (ABC)
4 Allison Janney, “Mom” (CBS)
5 Aidy Bryant, “Shrill” (Hulu)

2021 EMMYS: SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES CONTENDERS

1 Brett Goldstein, “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV Plus)
2 Kenan Thompson, “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
3 Bowen Yang, “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
4 Brendan Hunt, “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV Plus)
5 Carl Clemons-Hopkins, “Hacks” (HBO Max)
6 Paul Reiser, “The Kominsky Method” (Netflix)
7 Nick Mohammed, “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV Plus)
8 Jeremy Swift, “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV Plus)

2021 EMMYS: SUPPORTING ACTRESS COMEDY SERIES CONTENDERS

1 Hannah Waddingham, “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV Plus)
2 Cecily Strong, “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
3 Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks” (HBO Max)
4 Kate McKinnon, “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
5 Juno Temple, “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV Plus)
6 Rosie Perez, “The Flight Attendant” (HBO Max)
7 Aidy Bryant, “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)

To see all of Clayton’s latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit  THE EMMYS COLLECTIVE. Visit each individual category, according to the awards show from THE EMMYS HUB.

Monday, Aug. 9, 7 a.m.: Paley Front Row Presented by Citi: “Creative Building: A Conversation with the ‘Lego Masters’ Team.” Features a conversation with the cast and creative team, Including Will Arnett, Amy Corbett, Jamie Berard, Robert May, Michael Heyerman, and Anthony Dominici. Moderated by Mike Schneider, Deputy TV Editor, Variety. Watch here.

Monday, Aug. 9, 5 p.m.: Conan O’Brien joins Variety’s Streaming Room for an exclusive conversation about the Emmy nominated, final season of Conan. Register here.

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 6 p.m.: World premiere and screening event for Starz’s new drama “Heels.”

Wednesday, Aug. 11, 4 p.m.: The Writers Guild Foundation goes Inside the Writers Zoom with Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Showrunner Bruce Miller moderates a conversation with the entire writers room. Register here.

Wednesday, Aug. 11, 5 p.m.: The Television Academy Foundation presents with Starz, “The Power of TV: Casting Call to Action, Achieving Diversity on TV.” Register for the virtual event here.

Thursday, Aug. 12, 9:30 a.m.: The Variety Creators Fest explores how business models are shifting to reward those responsible for making their own content. Keynote conversations with Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X, Thomas Doherty and Dixie and Charli D’Amelio. Register here.

Friday, Aug. 13, 5 p.m.: “Queer Eye” hosts Bobby Berk, Karamo Brown, Tan France and Antoni Porowski, along with executive producer Jennifer Lane and EVP of Casting, ITV America Danielle Gervais, join Variety’s Streaming Room for an exclusive episode screening and Q&A about the Emmy-nominated series. Register here.

Premiere dates: MONDAY, Aug. 9: “Reservation Dogs” (new/FX).

TUESDAY, Aug. 10: “DC’s Stargirl” (returning/The CW); “Fantasy Island” (new/Fox); “Hard Knocks: The Dallas Cowboys” (returning/HBO); “Untold” (new/Netflix)

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 11: “The Challenge” (returning/MTV); “Cribs” (returning/MTV); “Superstar” (new/ABC); “What If?…” (new/Disney Plus)

THURSDAY, AUG. 12: “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (returning/NBC); “Star Trek: Lower Decks” (returning/Paramount Plus); “Titans” (returning/HBO Max).

FRIDAY, AUG. 13: “Brand New Cherry Flavor” (limited/Netflix); “Modern Love” (returning/Amazon Prime); “Coda” (movie/Apple TV Plus).

SUNDAY, AUG. 15: “Heels” (new/Starz).

Please send your burning Emmy questions and suggestions to mschneider@variety.com, and your hot tips as well!  Thanks for reading.