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 provides 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 COLLECTIVE
Visit each category, per the individual awards show from THE EMMYS HUB
To see old predictions and commentary, click the EMMY PREDICTIONS ARCHIVES
For film awards predictions go toTHE OSCARS HUB
UPDATED: August 18, 2022
2022 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY:
The Bill Hader vehicle “Barry” returned with even more acclaim and love for its third season. The series grabbed 14 nominations but it missed out on critical acting noms for Sarah Goldberg and Stephen Root. Still, it may have solid foundational support that could push “Barry” closer to the top than many presume. However, the serious tone of this last season may keep people from fully embracing its comedic elements.
The lone representative for the broadcast networks, the ABC series “Abbott Elementary” was a hit, landing multiple major noms, including lead actress as well as comedy and writing for executive producer Quinta Brunson. The feel-good selection could be the TV Academy’s “CODA” moment if voters are looking for a happy choice. Can it go the distance?
The first season of the Apple TV+ comedy “Ted Lasso” broke the record for the most noms for a first-year show. It duplicated the exact number again, pulling in many acting noms, which could bring it to the forefront and walk away with the TV Academy’s top prize. It also has high-profile wins from SAG and Critics Choice that will surely help.
Any frosh series should be proud of 17 nominations, especially when that includes many creative arts categories and double mentions for directing and lead actor comedy. The Hulu hit “Only Murders in the Building” whose second season is airing while Emmy voting is taking place, could be a dark horse contender to win it all. We’ll see how far it can go (and if a certain record could be broken?)
Read more: Variety’s Awards Circuit Emmys Predictions Hub
The streak continues for the long-running HBO comedy series “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” Since debuting as a special in 1999, before transferring to its mockumentary sitcom format the following year, it’s been an Emmy darling. Except for the first season, the subsequent 10 have received noms for comedy series. With that said, it also has the most losses in the category.
After winning lead actress, writing and directing Emmys in 2021, it’s safe to say the first season of “Hacks” was the runner-up to “Ted Lasso.” With an increase to 17 nominations this year, the second season might be able to pull off its first series win. However, the dilemma of “doing too well at the Emmys” may give voters some pause.
When the FX comedy series “What We Do in the Shadows” got into the 2020 lineup, people were pleasantly surprised, but not many thought it would happen again this year. Not only did the show grab seven mentions, including two for writing, besting other top contenders. A winning moment for “Shadows” may be a ways off, but it could triumph in a few categories.
There wasn’t as much passion in the air for the period comedy “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel‘s” penultimate season, but Amy Sherman-Palladino’s series still pulled in a respectable 12 noms. “Maisel” will likely do well in some Creative Arts categories. But Amazon will probably have to wait for next year’s final season if it hopes for a repeat comedy series victory.
The complete television awards season calendar is linked here.
Read more: Variety’s Awards Circuit Oscars Predictions Hub
The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards will take place on Monday, Sept. 12, and air on NBC.
2021 category winner: “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV Plus)
ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS AND RANKINGS:
AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Best Comedy Series)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known simply as the Emmys, is television's most prestigious artistic award. Many records are held for wins and nominations in the near eight decades.
For wins: NBC's "Frasier" and ABC's "Modern Family" hold the record for the most awards in best comedy series, winning five times consecutively. The classic sitcoms "All in the Family" and "Cheers" have four wins, although not consecutive.
For nominations: The most shows nominated in this category are "Cheers" and "M*A*S*H," with 11 over their runs. The former winning four and the latter once. "Curb Your Enthusiasm" is the most nominated show in this category with nine but has not won (as of 2021).
NBC is the network with the most wins in this category, with 26, and CBS follows with 22. Amazon Prime Video is the first and only streaming service to win this category with "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (in 2018) and "Fleabag" (in 2019).
2022 Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions
- Outstanding Drama Series
- Outstanding Comedy Series
- Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
- Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie
- Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special
- Outstanding Competition Program
- Outstanding Variety Talk Series
2022 Creative Arts Emmys Predictions
- Outstanding Television Movie
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Reality Host
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
- Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
- Outstanding Animated Program
- Outstanding Short Form Animated Program
- Outstanding Voice-Over Performance
- Outstanding Narrator
- Outstanding Structured Program
- Outstanding Unstructured Program
- Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
- Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special
- Outstanding Documentary Filmmaking
- Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special
- Outstanding Main Title Design
- Outstanding Main Title Theme Music
- Outstanding Music for Series
- Outstanding Music for Limited Series
- Outstanding Music and Lyrics
- Outstanding Music Supervision
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.