While Jean Smart is three for three in the outstanding lead actress in a comedy series race, her co-star has fallen short each season. Last year, Liza Colón-Zayas pulled out an upset, earning her first Emmy for The Bear’s second season over presumed frontrunner Hannah Einbinder—and inadvertently upsetting Einbinder’s mom, original Saturday Night Live cast member Larraine Newman, in the process. But rest assured, mama bear: Einbender’s standout work in the fourth season of Hacks should secure her that long-elusive trophy. Look no further than Ava’s sixth episode breakdown in the writers’ room of Deborah Vance’s late-night show, where she quits in theatrical fashion, then reconciles with her semi-estranged boss, who tells her: “You are my voice.” This could be the year that the TV Academy finally agrees. —SW
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Abbott Elementary, “Back to School”
PREDICTED WINNER: Hacks, “A Slippery Slope”
The Rehearsal, “Pilot’s Code”
Somebody Somewhere, “AGG”
The Studio, “The Promotion”
What We Do in the Shadows, “The Finale”
The Studio may have the juice in outstanding comedy series, but look out for another insidery sitcom, to prevail in the writing category. Like many freshman comedy series, The Studio submitted its pilot episode, “The Promotion”—which, while funny, has the burden of setting the stage and introducing the show. By contrast, “A Slippery Slope”—the penultimate episode of the fourth season of Hacks—was the strongest of the season, and would have made a great season finale, too. For the past two Emmy ceremonies, Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky have delivered hilarious, knockout speeches—so while Hacks may miss out on outstanding comedy series, a win for writing is a great way to ensure that the team still makes it to the podium. — CM
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
The Bear, “Napkins”
Hacks, “A Slippery Slope”
Mid-Century Modern, “Here’s to You, Mrs. Schneiderman”
The Rehearsal, ”Pilot’s Code”
PREDICTED WINNER: The Studio, “The Oner”
I actually mentioned this episode of The Studio just a few blurbs ago—it’s the one where Rogen’s bumbling executive accidentally ruins Sarah Polley’s movie over and over again as she attempts to film a complex, one-shot sequence. The episode itself is also styled to look like a single take, though the final product was actually cleverly stitched together from separately filmed scenes. No matter: it’s impressive from both technical and comedy standpoints, which should be more than enough to win directors Rogen and Evan Goldberg an Emmy. —HB
OUTSTANDING LIMITED SERIES
PREDICTED WINNER: Adolescence
Black Mirror
Dying for Sex
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
The Penguin
Have you heard of a little show called Adolescence? The Netflix limited series has racked up over 140 million views (and counting) while breaking various records for the streamer. Each episode is filmed in one continuous take, the acting is top-notch, and the subject matter couldn’t be more timely—this is a sure thing for Netflix. HBO’s The Penguin delivered stellar acting and gritty storytelling, but when you’re up against this year’s most water-cooler-dominating series, it’s inconceivable to see a way in which Adolescence loses come Emmy night. Cultural zeitgeist trumps all at the Emmys. —JR
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED SERIES OR TV MOVIE
Cate Blanchett, Disclaimer
Meghann Fahy, Sirens
Rashida Jones, Black Mirror
Cristin Milioti, The Penguin
PREDICTED WINNER: Michelle Williams, Dying for Sex
