Awards Radar TV’s Emmy FYC: COMEDY CATEGORIES

Twas the days before voting closed and all through your mind are the performances and series whose work has been sublime. We at Awards Radar know many of your Emmy voting decisions are not often made until the last few hours of the Emmy phase one voting. This is why we have provided this list of names to remember as you fill out those ballots, either as an official Emmy voter or for fun as a fan. Keep it handy as you make your choices, because every name listed truly delivered this season.

Our Awards Radar TV’s Emmy FYC contains names of the outstanding newcomers and already established work that has yet to find a place on the Emmy ballot that our ARTV team knows deserve your attention. Some of these names are brand new while others are head scratching omissions from seasons’ worth of incredible comedic work. Don’t forget to consider the following:

COMEDY SERIES

It’s been an excellent season for some of TV’s most dependable returning favorites, including Barry, Hacks, The Great, Ted Lasso, What We Do In The Shadows, and, in their final seasons, Black-ish and PEN15. While it has never been nominated, now is absolutely the time to recognize Dickinson for the great and unique specimen that it’s been throughout its three seasons on the air. A few new shows radiated originality and should be commended for it: Our Flag Means Death, Ghosts, The Afterparty, Somebody Somewhere, Only Murders In the Building, Peacemaker, Hawkeye, and Reservation Dogs.

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

It’s worth feting last year’s winner Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso) again, as well as Anthony Anderson (Black-ish), eligible for the last time, and past winners Donald Glover (Atlanta) and Bill Hader (Barry), who are back from extremely long hiatuses. There are still a handful of very worthwhile new contenders delivering top-notch work, like Martin Freeman (Breeders), Rhys Darby (Our Flag Means Death), D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs), Sam Richardson (The Afterparty), Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts) and William Zabka (Cobra Kai). In addition is one of the funniest men on television, Alan Tudyk (Resident Alien). Continue looking and you will find even more performances that deserve consideration, at least – like, maybe the year’s most surprising work John Cena (Peacemaker), or Matt Berry and Kayvan Novak who continuously have us laughing in (What We Do In The Shadows.) A couple of newcomers needing no introduction but are new to the category, Steve Martin and Martin Short (Only Murders In the Building). 

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series 

Now is the time to reward Issa Rae (Insecure) and Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish) as their shows sign off, and to welcome Cristin Milioti (Made for Love) and Hailee Steinfeld (Dickinson) to the lineup for the first (and sadly last) time – also keep in mind Hailee’s work in (Hawkeye). Also on their last time around, Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine for (PEN15) who took us back to the funny and awkward years of growing up. Some actresses whose work really shines even while part of talented ensembles include Ana Gasteyer (American Auto), Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building), Tiffany Haddish (The Afterparty) and Rose McIver (Ghosts).  They’re in good company with some underrated actresses doing excellent work: Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Ophelia Minx (Minx), Cecily Strong (Schmigadoon!) and Esther Smith (Trying), Bridget Everett (Somebody Somewhere) and Jasmine Cephas Jones (Blindspotting). Natasha Lyonne (Russian Doll) is a natural choice for a repeat nomination after returning from a long break.

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Reliable players like Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live), Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live), and Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta) were all just as great as always. They should find good company with the show stopping performance of Ben Schwartz (The Afterparty), which included incredibly entertaining musical performances you cannot miss. He was joined by Dave Franco (The Afterparty) dropping some beats of his own. Then there is Brandon Scott Jones (Ghosts) and Taika Waititi (Our Flag Means Death) who kept us laughing and pulled at our heart strings with their memorable work. Also, don’t let the fantastic work of Toheeb Jimoh as Sam on (Ted Lasso) get lost in the pitch. Other standouts include Paul W. Downs (Hacks), Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere) and Freddie Stroma (Peacemaker), Luke Kirby and Michael Zegan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) who deserve your consideration while marking your ballots. 

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

It’s always good to see Cecily Strong (Saturday Night Live), Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live), and last year’s winner Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso). For her show’s long-awaited return, Zazie Beetz (Atlanta) should be firmly planted here. Comic book shows did great this year, with Florence Pugh (Hawkeye), Alacqua Hox (Hawkeye), and Danielle Brooks (Peacemaker) all enhancing their shows to super levels. For a performance with a lot of kick, consider Peyton List and Mary Mouser for taking their work up a belt on (Cobra Kai). D’Arcy Carden is still another part of the great ensemble of (Barry). For her show’s swan song, it’s time to honor Ella Hunt (Dickinson), one of the standout players in its universe. If you have not been sold on who to vote for, be sure to consider Jenifer Lewis and Molly Shannon (I Love That For You.)

Thank you For Your Consideration. We look forward to seeing who makes that final list on July 12th. As always, look for more Emmy coverage and interviews on Awards Radar. Abe Friedtanzer, Paloma Bennett, Niki Cruz, Lucas Longacre, Steven Prusakowski and others have been working endlessly to ensure all the best of television is on your Awards Radar.

Written by Abe Friedtanzer and Steven Prusakowski

Check out our EMMY DRAMA CATEGORY FYC and LIMITED/ANTHOLOGY/TV MOVIE articles too.