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 21, 2022
2022 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING REALITY COMPETITION PROGRAM
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY:
Reality competition program sees 81 shows, up from 67 last year and up from 60 in the previous. This will give six nominees in the category with shows like last year’s winner “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1), along with last year’s nominees “The Amazing Race” (CBS) and “Top Chef” (Bravo).
Among those new to the race are “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” (Amazon Prime Video) and “Queen of the Universe” (Paramount+).
Four wins in a row for VH1’s drag competition program, with RuPaul making history last year as the most awarded person of color at the Emmys. A frontrunner once again for its 14th season, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is something you can expect to see, especially with those prominent personalities on the stage once again.
“The Circle,” hosted by the wonderous Michelle Buteau, is as popular as ever, with the fourth season bringing the first LGBTQ winner with Frank Grimsley and the fan-favorite “Bru” Brubaker. Netflix may be able to squeak this one out.
Fifteen Emmy wins later, the CBS competition show “The Amazing Race,” celebrated over two decades of memorable TV continues to be an Emmy darling, and there’s no indication it will stop anytime soon.
Nineteen seasons later, Bravo’s culinary contest has impressive numbers, with Padma Lakshmi continuing to gain industry respect. Look for the love for “Top Chef” to continue as it ventures into its 20th season.
Thirteen women competing to be dancers for music sensation Lizzo’s world tour brought the fierce confidence we like to see on television but are never afforded the opportunity. So Amazon Prime has mounted a loud campaign to get “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls” recognized, and they might succeed.
It’s been six years since the TV Academy recognized the once-dominating singing competition “American Idol.” In its fifth-year revival on ABC, can the charms of judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, with seasoned host Ryan Seacrest, bring it back to the Emmys?
While singing competition shows have struggled with ratings and TV Academy voters, NBC’s 21st season of “The Voice” was still as big as any other program with coaches Kelly Clarkson (winner with contestant Girl Named Tom), John Legend, Ariana Grande and Blake Shelton. After missing out in 2020, it returned with a nom last year and could pop up again.
The voguing competition series “Legendary” on HBO Max missed out in this category for its inaugural season but did pick up a pair of creative arts noms. As more discover it, there’s a chance to show up unexpectedly.
Once one of the biggest shows on television after premiering in 2019, the charm for “The Masked Singer” subsided significantly this year when the producers decided to cast none other than controversial politician Rudy Guiliani, which produced one of the lowest-rated episodes of the series’ history. The TV Academy may pass on the Fox program altogether.
The bake-off competition series “Nailed It” is popular on Netflix, with host Nicole Byer bringing the laughs and charm to each episode. It’s been nominated in this race before, and this looks like an easy pickup for a nom.
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 programs and potential nominees listed below are incomplete and subject to change. The complete television awards season calendar is linked here.
2021 category winner: “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (VH1)
ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS AND RANKINGS:
AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Reality Competition Program)
Awards history to be added.
2022 Primetime Emmy Awards Predictions
- Outstanding Drama Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
- Outstanding Comedy Series
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Writing for a 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
- Outstanding Variety Sketch Series
- Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
- Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
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 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.