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: April 14, 2022
2022 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY:
We’re just getting started as we await the return of Bill Hader’s beloved “Barry” after a long hiatus. Donald Glover is sure to generate traction as well with the final season of “Atlanta.”
We’re likely to see a double dose of the comedic legends, Steve Martin and Martin Short for “Only Murders in the Building” while Nicholas Hoult hopes to remain in the conversation space for “The Great.”
There are plenty of newcomers in the mix as well like Sam Richardson (“The Afterparty”), Will Arnett (“Murderville”) and others to bring up along the way.
The Emmy eligibility period runs from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022. The deadline for entering programs for Primetime programming and uploading all entry materials is on May 12, 2022, at 6:00 PM PT.
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 full television awards season calendar is linked here.
2021 category winner: Jason Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV+)
ALL AWARDS CONTENDERS AND RANKINGS:
HBO Max
| AND THE PREDICTED NOMINEES ARE: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| RANK | SERIES | NETWORK | |
| 1 | Jason Sudeikis | “Ted Lasso” | Apple TV+ |
| 2 | Bill Hader | “Barry” | HBO/HBO Max |
| 3 | Steve Martin | “Only Murders in the Building” | Hulu |
| 4 | Martin Short | “Only Murders in the Building” | Hulu |
| 5 | Donald Glover | “Atlanta” | FX |
| 6 | Will Arnett | “Murderville” | Netflix |
| NEXT IN LINE | |||
| 7 | Don Cheadle | “Black Monday” | Showtime |
| 8 | Larry David | “Curb Your Enthusiasm” | HBO/HBO Max |
| 9 | Nicholas Hoult | “The Great” | Hulu |
| 10 | Anthony Anderson | “Black-ish” | ABC |
| OTHER TOP-TIER CONTENDERS | |||
| 11 | Kayvan Novak | “What We Do in the Shadows” | FX |
| 12 | Sam Richardson | “The Afterparty” | Apple TV+ |
| 13 | Ralph Macchio | “Cobra Kai” | Netflix |
| 14 | Ted Danson | “Mr. Mayor” | NBC |
| 15 | Keegan-Michael Key | “Schmigadoon!” | Apple TV+ |
| 16 | Andy Samberg | “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” | NBC |
| 17 | Kenan Thompson | “Kenan” | NBC |
| 18 | William Zabka | “Cobra Kai” | Netflix |
| 19 | Matt Berry | “What We Do in the Shadows” | FX |
| 20 | Will Forte | “MacGruber” | Peacock |
| ALSO IN CONTENTION | |||
| 21 | Greg Kinnear | “Shining Vale” | Starz |
| 22 | John Cena | “Peacemaker” | HBO/HBO Max |
| 23 | John Goodman | “The Conners” | ABC |
| 24 | Dave Burd | “Dave” | FX |
| 25 | Danny McBride | “The Righteous Gemstones” | HBO/HBO Max |
| 26 | Ricky Gervais | “After Life” | Netflix |
| 27 | Rhys Darby | “Our Flag Means Death” | HBO/HBO Max |
| 28 | Drew Tarver | “The Other Two” | Comedy Central |
| 29 | Michael Cimino | “Love, Victor” | Hulu |
| 30 | Utkarsh Abmbudkar | “Ghosts” | CBS |
| UNRANKED CONTENDERS | |||
| — | Asa Butterfield | “Sex Education” | Netflix |
| — | Topher Grace | “Home Economics” | ABC |
| — | Craig Robinson | “Killing It” | Peacock |
| — | DeRon Horton | “Dear White People” | Netflix |
| — | Alan Tudyk | “Resident Alien” | Syfy |
| — | Stephen Merchant | “The Outlaws” | Amazon Prime Video |
| — | Elisha Williams | “The Wonder Years” | ABC |
| — | Rafe Spall | “Trying” | Apple TV+ |
| — | Robbie Amell | “Upload” | Amazon Prime Video |
| — | Mark Indelicato | “With Love” | Amazon Prime Video |
| — | Josh Gad | “Wolf Like Me” | Peacock |
| — | Iain Armitage | “Young Sheldon” | CBS |
AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Lead Actor Comedy)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known simply as the Emmys, is television’s most prestigious artistic award. There are many records held for both 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
- 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.