Can Coach Lasso go back to back at the Emmys? Jason Sudekis easily won the Lead Actor in a Comedy Series trophy in 2021 for “Ted Lasso.” This year, he arguably has more competition from “Barry”‘s 2018 and 2019 winner Bill Hader, “Atlanta”‘s 2017 winner Donald Glover and “Only Murders in the Building”‘s comedy legend Steve Martin. And that’s assuming Glover makes the cut.
READ MORE: “Barry” Season 3: Bill Hader’s hitman series remains the sharpest comedy on TV [Review]
The field isn’t as competitive as the Lead Actress in a Comedy Series field, but Glover will have to fight for a spot. Martin’s co-star Martin Short could easily join the race (he’s a 12-time Emmy nominee, two-time winner). Kenan Thompson could repeat his nomination in this category from last year for “Kenan.” “Curb Your Enthusiasm”‘s Larry David has been recognized in this specific category six times since 2003 (the first George Bush administration!). “Black-ish”‘s Anthony Anderson has earned seven straight nods. Will he really miss out in “Black-ish”‘s final season? Can “Our Flag Means Death”‘s Rhys Darby or “What We Do in the Shadows”‘ Matt Berry crash the party? [Posted April 26]
Likely
Jason Sudekis, “Ted Lasso”
Bill Hader, “Barry”
Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”
In the Mix
Donald Glover, “Atlanta”
Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”
Kenan Thompson, “Kenan”
Nicholas Hoult, “The Great”
Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Anthony Anderson, “Black-ish”
Rhys Darby, “Our Flag Means Death”
Longshots
Matt Berry, “What We Do in the Shadows”
Don Cheadle, “Black Monday”
Andy Samberg, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
Ted Danson, “Mr. Mayor”
Jake Johnson, “Minx”
John Cena, “Peacemaker”
Ralph Macchio, “Cobra Kai”
Keegan-Michael Key, “Schmigadoon”
Sam Richardson, “The Afterparty”
Ricky Gervais, “After Life”
Editor-at-Large Gregory Ellwood is one of the entertainment industry's most respected journalists and critics. Based in Los Angeles, he's the only current awards expert who previously worked on Oscar campaigns at a major movie studio. Over the years, he has written for the LA Times, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Vox, among others. He also co-founded the entertainment news site HitFix, which spawned a legion of influential Emmy and WGA Award-winning alumni.
