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.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit THE EMMYS COLLECTIVE
Visit each individual category, according to the awards show from THE EMMYS HUB
Link to film awards hub THE OSCARS HUB
(DRAFT>>>PRE-SEASON>>>REGULAR SEASON>>>POST SEASON)
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2021 EMMYS PREDICTIONS:
OUTSTANDING VARIETY TALK SERIES
UPDATED: Aug 26, 2021
Popular on Variety
AWARDS PREDICTION COMMENTARY: Titular “Conan” host Conan O’Brien bookends his long-running cable show with a pair of Emmy noms. He got attention in this category for the first season in 2011 but not again until this one, which is his swan song. A swell of nostalgia stands to boost this series’ profile, inching it closer to knocking the incumbent John Oliver off his throne.
In the context of the pandemic, Trevor Noah had the strongest year of any of the late-night hosts, adapting brilliantly to the remote format and still gaining a high viewership and producing click-worthy clips. He’s only managed a single Emmy win in his career thus far (short-form variety for “Between the Scenes”), but with his fourth consecutive nom headlining “The Daily Show,” he’s due.
Veteran comedian Jimmy Kimmel has been nominated in this category every year since 2012. He’s won two Emmy Awards during his career, including last year as one of the executive producers for the “Live in Front of a Studio Audience” variety special. However, he may have to wait a bit longer for his turn in this race.
Nominated consecutively since 2015, “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” has won this race every year since 2016. As the reigning champ, the premium cable show could easily pick this up again, giving host Oliver half a dozen trophies for his mantle. An outpouring of supportive sentiment for Conan O’Brien and Trevor Noah, however, may prove to be larger hurdles for Oliver to overcome than in past years.
All nine of Stephen Colbert’s Emmys thus far have been for his previous late-night series, “The Colbert Report” and “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.” His broadcast program, “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” on the other hand, has been nominated for 13 Emmys across years and categories but has yet to win once. With five more chances this year, it stands a shot at taking home some gold, just likely not in this race.
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:
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.