Jalal Haddad looks at the Lead Actor in a Comedy Emmy race which finds fresh comedy talent competing with seasoned veterans.
The Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Emmy race appears gearing up for an interesting showdown between 2-time winner Jeffrey Tambor and newcomer Donald Glover. Jeffrey Tambor holds court as one of the most revered actors currently working in TV. However, no other new show has as much excitement surrounding it as Atlanta and its star Donald Glover. The two shows and performances couldn’t be more different. In addition, SAG voters proved that William H. Macy can win a massive popular vote, and the second season of Aziz Ansari’s Master of None appears a giant unknown. So, this year’s race could potentially be split in a number of ways. This is where the race stands right now.
Top Contenders
Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent) Jeffrey Tambor enjoys a winning streak at the Emmys because of a perfect combination of material, respect within the industry, and our current cultural zeitgeist. This combination will likely lead to more nominations throughout the entire run of Transparent. After a surprising loss to William H. Macy at the SAG awards, however, he might be not be on his way to winning a third Emmy for his work as Maura Pfefferman. His loss at the SAG awards feels especially telling now that the Emmys and the SAG awards share a similar popular vote system. This might hurt the dramedy as backlash towards its submission as a comedy begins to grow. Still, without a clear alternative to replace him, he is still a front-runner to win.
Donald Glover (Atlanta) No other new performer this year has more buzz heading into Emmy season than Donald Glover. Glover already won the Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice awards for his performance, and Atlanta has gone on to win at the PGA and WGA awards. He also received constant media attention for his new album as well as his new roles in three major blockbusters. He probably wouldn’t win under the old voting system, but under a popular vote, he could easily win as buzz continues to grow for one of the best reviewed shows of 2016. His only reason to worry comes from SAG voters completely ignoring Atlanta. That might be because enough of the voters hadn’t seen the show yet.
William H. Macy (Shameless) In past years, William H. Macy’s nominations could have been easily dismissed as “name check” recognition. Particularly since since they didn’t start nominating him until the fourth season after the show shifted to Comedy consideration. After beating out Jeffrey Tambor at the SAG awards, he seems like one of the bigger locks in this year’s race. If he’s vulnerable at all, it’s because Shameless doesn’t seem to be very popular with Emmy voters, only earning odd nominations here and there for guest performances or stunt coordination.
Possibilities
Anthony Anderson (black-ish) After finally replacing Modern Family as the industry’s favorite family sitcom, black-ish seems poised for another big year at the Emmys. As the center of the show, Anthony Anderson should have no problem being nominated for the third year in a row. Voters could grow tired of his constant story lines at work that drag the show down without the rest of the Johnsons however.
Zach Galifinakis (Baskets) The only nomination (and win) for Baskets Season 1 came in the long-awaited industry recognition of comedian Louie Anderson. As more and more audiences discover the show, there is a slight chance that voters might bring Galifinakis into the Lead Actor race as well. Actors are usually impressed when performers portray multiple characters. Tatiana Maslany just won an Emmy for it. With four nominations including a guest nod for SNL and two wins for his web show Between Two Ferns, he is on voters’ radar. It also doesn’t hurt him now that FX rivals HBO in terms of Emmy power.
Worth Mentioning
Will Forte (The Last Man on Earth) Ratings are plummeting, and no one seems to be talking about The Last Man on Earth. Not even enough critics review it for Metacritic to even warrant giving the Fox comedy a score. Without excitement around the show, it would be surprising if Forte received a third nomination, but Emmy voters are notorious for honoring shows past their prime. Still, The Last Man on Earth was never enough of an industry success to warrant voters keeping it around.
Thomas Haden Church (Divorce) When Divorce premiered last fall, it was Thomas Haden Church’s performance that received all of the attention. In a show billed as HBO’s next great comedy, Church’s Robert was the only funny thing about the show (at least at first). He was childish, petty, and had an obscene mustache. In fact, this was arguably his best work since Sideways. Unfortunately however, he failed to merit recognition at every precursor last winter, and it seems voters just don’t care about the show. HBO is still the best network at campaigning throughout Emmy season, and they could muster up some excitement for a well-liked actor like him that a lot of people have been waiting for to get his due.
Pete Holmes (Crashing) Crashing might have been a bigger deal if it had premiered five years earlier. Unfortunately, it just feels like another semi-autobiographical comedy about a comedian and voters will probably ignore him for a show with more buzz.
Yet to Premiere
Aziz Ansari (Master of None) Netflix finally released the first trailer for the unusually secretive Master of None Season 2. Not much is known about the sophomore season’s plot besides Ansari’s Dev seemingly going on a Eat Pray Love-like adventure through Italy. Due to the late start, voters may not stream the entire second season, but the acting branch should at least embrace Ansari for the second time in the lead actor race, especially since he doesn’t seem to have that much competition.
Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley) Silicon Valley (as much of an industry favorite as it is) doesn’t have the type of performances that actors usually recognize. SAG voters have never nominated it, and Middleditch didn’t break into the Lead Actor race until the third season. Either actors were late to the show or they just aren’t excited about the tech-bro comedy. Depending on Season 4’s reception, Middleditch’s past nomination might be a fluke, or he could be recognized again.
Early Predictions
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