Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Emmys ceremonies from film awards editor Clayton Davis. Following history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Emmy predictions are updated regularly with the current year's list of contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. The eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and is subject to change.
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2021 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
UPDATED: Aug 26, 2021
Popular on Variety
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY: Double-nominated for his record-breaking stint on “Saturday Night Live” and the inaugural season of “Kenan,” Kenan Thompson has the most heat in this race, even though he is up against a co-star. He is a previous Emmy winner (in 2018) for music and lyrics, but a larger celebration of his acting chops is overdue. His submitted episode, “Host: Dave Chappelle,” presents such high points as the Uncle Ben sketch, which may be enough to finally get him on stage at the Primetime awards.
From speaking out against the surge in violence against Asian Americans to portraying the Titanic, Bowen Yang had a career-defining season of “SNL.” The latter is a “Weekend Update” segment featured in his Emmy submission, “Host: Carey Mulligan,” and it is also one of the funniest moments of the NBC late-night sketch series in a long time. That should win him some extra votes.
This is Carl Clemons-Hopkins’ first Emmy nod, and it is a history-making one as they are the first openly nonbinary actor to be nominated. In their favor for the win is that multiple actors from other shows are on this ballot alongside each other, probably leading to a lot of vote-splitting and a potential surprising winner. Clemons-Hopkins will be submitting “New Eyes” for final voting and could come away with the statue.
Brett Goldstein is a formidable and dominating presence on the Apple TV Plus comedy and therefore was a front-runner for a nomination earlier this summer. His path to a win isn’t as simple, though. Although he is submitting the strong penultimate episode, “All Apologies,” he is on this ballot alongside three co-stars, each of whom could siphon some of his votes.
Brendan Hunt’s character is so tied to Jason Sudeikis’ on the sports series that the two actors could be a package deal when voters are checking off final ballots. He also has the bonus of being on multiple ballots to boost his profile. His episode, “Two Aces,” is not being submitted elsewhere, but given the sheer volume of noms this show received (a record-setting 20), TV Academy voters are already very familiar with him.
There was something really heartwarming about seeing Nick Mohammed make this ballot — not unlike the feeling of seeing his character finally get his due on the show. His submission, “Make Rebecca Great Again,” is nominated in various categories and therefore a proven favorite. As an Indo-Trinidadian, he is also one of the bright spots for diversity this year.
Eleven-time Emmy nominee Paul Reiser is among the most nominated actors who have yet to win. Here he slipped into “The Kominsky Method’s” ballot spot vacated by Alan Arkin for the final season. Sentimentality about saying goodbye to the series could help his chances; that he’s one of the two lone representatives for their shows on this ballot does too. He submitted “You Only Give Me Your Funny Paper.”
English character Jeremy Swift actor has popped up in television and film for decades, including as Spratt in “Downton Abbey” and Badger in “Mary Poppins Returns,” so he is clearly a recognizable talent and may have more votes than people suspect. However, even though his submitted episode, “Biscuits,” is one of the best of the first season, he doesn’t have a showy enough moment to stand out. The nom is the reward.
The viewing platform for Emmy nominees opens on Aug. 13, with final-round voting beginning on Aug. 19 at 9 a.m. PT until Aug. 30 at 10 p.m. PT.
Check out the full rankings of the category’s nominees in the chart below.
ALL SUBMISSIONS & RANKINGS:
AWARDS CATEGORY HISTORY (Supporting Actor Comedy Series)
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: Don Knotts has the most awards in this category with five, winning them all for "The Andy Griffith Show." John Larroquette and David Hyde Pierce are second in line with four.
"The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" are the most awarded series with five wins with "Frasier," "Modern Family" and "Night Court" next in line with four apiece.
For nominations: David Hyde Pierce is the most nominated actor in this category with 11, all for his turn as Niles Crane for "Frasier." Harry Morgan is next in line with nine, followed by Ty Burrell with eight. Jason Alexander and Peter Boyle are the most nominated actors without winning with seven nods.
"M*A*S*H" garnered the most nominations in this category for its actors with 21 with "Cheers" and "Modern Family" with 19.
2021 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 Guest Actor in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series
- Outstanding Casting 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 Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series
- Outstanding Television Movie
- 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 Casting for a Limited, Anthology or TV Movie
- Outstanding Competition Program
- Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series
- Outstanding Variety Talk Series
- Outstanding Variety Sketch Series
- Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded)
- Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
- Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series
- Outstanding Animated Program
- Outstanding Short Form Animated Program
About the Primetime Emmy Awards (Emmys)
The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, is given out by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Since 1949, the awards recognize 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 73rd Emmy Awards are scheduled to air on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 8:00 pm est on CBS and on-demand on sister streamer Paramount Plus.