The 2023/2024? Emmys BuzzMeter predicts the winners

A skeptical chef; a harried man with a dirty face; a smirking woman on a phone; a female Comanche warrior fighting

Published May 30, 2023 Updated Aug. 24, 2023 6 AM PT

It may seem like dancing about architecture to speculate on the winners of Emmys that won’t be given out until next year due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes; it may seem akin to yelling “Freebird!” at the Titanic band as our socks slowly soak to dive deeply into awards at a time like this. Nevertheless, the Television Academy’s final voting window (August 17 to August 28) hasn’t changed. And we can still celebrate the remarkable work artists turned in this past TV season. So here we are with Round 3 of the BuzzMeter.

The Emmy ceremony had been scheduled for September 18, but as The Times’ Steven Battaglio reports, if Fox had attempted to move forward under these conditions, “there would be no writers to write the show, and no presenters to hand out awards.” Thus, the ceremony has been officially rescheduled for Jan. 15, 2024.

The six obsessive television journalists who make up our stalwart panel have ranked their likely winner picks in each of 14 Emmy categories, giving their top ones the most points. Think you can do better? Now, all the polls are open — so take your best shot!

Headshots of three women and three men arranged in a grid.

Drama series

Wealthy siblings (played by Jeremy Strong, Sarah Snook and Kieran Culkin) embrace on a boat after learning their dad died.

1. “Succession”
2. “The Last of Us”
3. “Better Call Saul”
4. “The White Lotus”
5. “Andor”
6. (tie) “House of the Dragon”
6. (tie) “Yellowjackets”
8. “The Crown”

To no one’s surprise, “Succession” sits high atop the rankings, the first of several (essentially) consensus picks for winners of the 2023(?) Emmys and holding the largest lead (10.5 points) of any category of the BuzzMeter.

“I predict very little drama in the drama category,” says Lorraine Ali, summing up the panel’s feelings. “ ‘Succession’ will win, though ‘Better Call Saul’ should take home the prize because it’s a better show. There, I said it.”

Glenn Whipp asserts that “ ‘Succession’ delivered one of the greatest seasons in television history” and adds, “The question isn’t whether it will win, but how much will it win. Short answer: Just about everything. Get ready to hear that theme song over and over (and over) again as winners head to the podium.”

Matt Roush says, “The other HBO heavyweights (‘The White Lotus’, ‘The Last of Us’) will have to wait their turn.”

The rest of the comments focus on second place — What long shot could possibly topple “Succession,” if everything broke right? — with most wishing for “Better Call Saul” or “Last of Us” to have chances.

“Theoretically, HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ (24 nominations) is the dark horse,” says Kristen Baldwin, “but I’d give that slot to another critically adored show that ended this year: ‘Better Call Saul’.”

Tracy Brown says, “While I would love to see ‘The Last of Us’ swoop in and be recognized in a way that no show based on a videogame has ever been, everybody knows this category has ‘Succession’ written all over it.”

Trey Mangum says, “If anyone would have the opportunity to dethrone the Roys, I would keep an eye on ‘The Last of Us,’ for sure.”

Ali’s critique of the perceived inevitable “success” of the anointed behemoth goes farther: “For the past decade voters have preferred to honor series that focus on soulless rich people – ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘The Crown,’ ‘Succession.’ The wealthy monopolize resources and power in every other sector of American life, so why should The Emmys be any different?”

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. (tie) “Better Call Saul”
1. (tie) “Succession”
3. “The Last of Us”
4. “The White Lotus”
5. (tie) “Andor”
5. (tie) “The Crown”
5. (tie) “Yellowjackets”
8. “House of the Dragon”

“I predict very little drama in the drama category. ‘Succession’ will win, though ‘Better Call Saul’ should take home the prize because it’s a better show. There, I said it. But for the past decade voters have preferred to honor series that focus on soulless rich people – ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘The Crown,’ ‘Succession.’ The wealthy monopolize resources and power in every other sector of American life, so why should The Emmys be any different? Here’s to late-stage capitalism.”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. “Succession”
2. “Better Call Saul”
3. “The Last of Us”
4. “The White Lotus”
5. “Andor”
6. “House of the Dragon”
7. “Yellowjackets”
8. “The Crown”

“With its 27 nominations and emotional stranglehold on the tiny sliver of American viewers who watched it weekly (about .8 percent), ‘Succession’ looks impossible to beat. Theoretically, HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ (24 nominations) is the dark horse, but I’d give that slot to another critically adored show that ended this year: ‘Better Call Saul’.”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. “Succession”
2. “The White Lotus”
3. “The Last of Us”
4. “Better Call Saul”
5. “Andor”
6. “Yellowjackets”
7. “House of the Dragon”
8. “The Crown”

“I think one of the safest bets you can make this year is that an HBO show is going to take the prize for drama series. And while I would love to see ‘The Last of Us’ swoop in and be recognized in a way that no show based on a videogame has ever been, everybody knows this category has ‘Succession’ written all over it.”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. “Succession”
2. “The Last of Us”
3. “House of the Dragon”
4. “Andor”
5. “Better Call Saul”
6. “The White Lotus”
7. “Yellowjackets”
8. “The Crown”

“Undoubtedly, this is the year for ‘Succession,’ so of course it is the top pick to take home the drama series Emmy. However, if anyone would have the opportunity to dethrone the Roys, I would keep an eye on ‘The Last of Us’ for sure, and if it has a good showing in the other categories, even ‘Better Call Saul.’ ”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. “Succession”
2. “Better Call Saul”
3. “The Last of Us”
4. “The White Lotus”
5. “Andor”
6. “The Crown”
7. “Yellowjackets”
8. “House of the Dragon”

“‘Succession’ obviously has the momentum in a category dominated by HBO behemoths. The riveting final season will likely sweep in most of the acting, writing and directing categories. This is bittersweet news for ‘Better Call Saul’ champions, who’d love to see this underdog show finally triumph for its brilliant finish. The other HBO heavyweights (‘The White Lotus’, ‘The Last of Us’) will have to wait their turn.”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. “Succession”
2. “The White Lotus”
3. “The Last of Us”
4. “Better Call Saul”
5. “The Crown”
6. “Yellowjackets”
7. “House of the Dragon”
8. “Andor”

“ ‘Succession’ delivered one of the greatest seasons in television history and Emmy voters responded accordingly, giving it a leading 27 nominations. The question isn’t whether it will win, but how much will it win. Short answer: Just about everything. Get ready to hear that theme song over and over (and over) again as winners head to the podium.”

online polls

Lead actress in a drama series

A teen in a hoodie, a businesswoman on her phone, a worried housewife at a formal function - drama lead actress contenders.

1. Sarah Snook (“Succession”)
2. Bella Ramsey (“The Last of Us”)
3. Sharon Horgan (“Bad Sisters”)
4. Melanie Lynskey (“Yellowjackets”)
5. Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”)
6. Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)

The next consensus pick in Round 3 is “Successsion’s” Sarah Snook, moving over from the supporting category to dominate the lead one. Her eight-point margin over second-place Bella Ramsey is tied for fourth-largest in the BuzzMeter. Snook’s Shiv Roy picked a good time to have her most emotional, gut-wrenching scenes of the series, proving one of the highlights of the ballyhooed show’s final season.

Trey Mangum says, “We all know that this is Sarah Snook’s Emmy — don’t play with her!”

Glenn Whipp agrees: “The love for ‘Succession’ is just too strong.”

Despite all that, there is plenty of love among the panelists for other performers.

“I have to shout out Bella Ramsey,” says Tracy Brown, “who really knocked it out of the park with their portrayal of Ellie — a character who was already seared into a lot of our brains from the video game — and made the character their own.”

Matt Roush adds, “Glad to see ‘Bad Sisters’’ double-threat Sharon Horgan and ‘The Diplomat’s’ dynamic Keri Russell in the running.”

“I’m pulling for Sharon Horgan of ‘Bad Sisters’ or Melanie Lynskey of ‘Yellowjackets’,” writes Lorraine Ali. “They both killed in their respective shows, literally and otherwise.”

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. Sarah Snook (“Succession”)
2. (tie) Sharon Horgan (“Bad Sisters”)
2. (tie) Melanie Lynskey (“Yellowjackets”)
4. (tie) Bella Ramsey (“The Last of Us”)
4. (tie) Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)
4. (tie) Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”)

“Sarah Snook is favored here and it’s a chance for the academy to throw another trophy on the ‘Succession’ pile. But I’m pulling for Sharon Horgan of ‘Bad Sisters’ or Melanie Lynskey of ‘Yellowjackets.’ They both killed in their respective shows, literally and otherwise. Bella Ramsey of ‘The Last of Us’ also delivered a memorable performance as the zombie-slaying teen, Ellie.”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. Sarah Snook (“Succession”)
2. Bella Ramsey (“The Last of Us”)
3. Melanie Lynskey (“Yellowjackets”)
4. Sharon Horgan (“Bad Sisters”)
5. Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”)
6. Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)

“Very happy to see Sharon Horgan get her first acting Emmy nomination here for ‘Bad Sisters’, but she and everyone else in this category will have a very hard time beating ‘Succession’s’ Sarah Snook. There’s a decent chance ‘‘Yellowjackets’ ’ Melanie Lynskey will win in another category, guest actress in a drama series, for ‘The Last of Us’.”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. Sarah Snook (“Succession”)
2. Bella Ramsey (“The Last of Us”)
3. Melanie Lynskey (“Yellowjackets”)
4. Sharon Horgan (“Bad Sisters”)
5. Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”)
6. Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)

“Of all of the ‘Succession’ actors, I think Sarah Snook has the clearest lock on her category (and HBO must agree, since they bumped from supporting to lead this time around). Snook definitely was one of the standouts this season. But I have to shout out Bella Ramsey, who really knocked it out of the park with their portrayal of Ellie — a character who was already seared into a lot of our brains from the video game — and made the character their own.”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. Sarah Snook (“Succession”)
2. Bella Ramsey (“The Last of Us”)
3. Sharon Horgan (“Bad Sisters”)
4. Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”)
5. Melanie Lynskey (“Yellowjackets”)
6. Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)

“Sharon Horgan is certainly deserving of a nomination for ‘Bad Sisters.’ But we all know that this is Sarah Snook’s Emmy — don’t play with her! As is in the other lead acting category, her only true threat is from the other HBO show that dominated this year’s nominees, ‘The Last of Us.’ If anything, she should watch out for Bella Ramsey.”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. Sarah Snook (“Succession”)
2. Bella Ramsey (“The Last of Us”)
3. Sharon Horgan (“Bad Sisters”)
4. Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”)
5. Melanie Lynskey (“Yellowjackets”)
6. Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)

“Elevated from the supporting ranks, Sarah Snook was first among equals as the odd sibling out in ‘Succession’s’ succession drama. If the Emmy voters spread the wealth, an upset from 19-year-old ‘The Last of Us’ star Bella Ramsey is a remote possibility. Glad to see ‘Bad Sisters’’ double-threat Sharon Horgan and ‘The Diplomat’s’ dynamic Keri Russell in the running.”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. Sarah Snook (“Succession”)
2. Melanie Lynskey (“Yellowjackets”)
3. Bella Ramsey (“The Last of Us”)
4. Sharon Horgan (“Bad Sisters”)
5. Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)
6. Keri Russell (“The Diplomat”)

“Voters rightly appreciated Melanie Lynskey’s work, giving her two nominations – here for playing an adult survivor of a ‘Lord of the Flies’ scenario in ‘Yellowjackets’ and also a drama guest actor spot for her turn as a ruthless resistance leader in ‘The Last of Us.’ I’m not sure she can win either Emmy, though. The love for ‘Succession’ is just too strong.”

online polls

Lead actor in a drama series

A scheming man in expensive clothes ponders his next move in an outdoor chair in a scene from "Succession."

1. Kieran Culkin (“Succession”)
2. Jeremy Strong (“Succession”)
3. Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”)
4. Pedro Pascal (“The Last of Us”)
5. Brian Cox (“Succession”)
6. Jeff Bridges (“The Old Man”)

In the category most dominated by “Succession,” that dominance could lead to success for another show.

The show boasts a dazzling three performers nominated as lead actors: Brian Cox as domineering patriarch Logan, who appeared in about a third of the season; Kieran Culkin as devilish son Roman, angelically gliding in from the supporting ranks; and Jeremy Strong, the previous winner whose “eldest boy” Kendall fueled the final season as much as anyone did with his heady mix of anxiety and seeming growth.

Ruling out Cox for the brevity of Logan’s stay, Glenn Whipp writes, “Are you Team Roman or Team Kendall? As Strong already has an Emmy, I’m leaning Culkin.”

But doesn’t that create a likely vote-splitting situation? Just as the BuzzMeter separated Culkin and Strong by a mere 2.5 points (Culkin on top), couldn’t those two actors’ equally strong candidacies open the door for, say, Pedro Pascal to become the first-ever Latinx actor to win in the category, or “Better Call Saul’s” signature actor, Bob Odenkirk, to finally score that beloved series’ first and only Emmy win in any category, in its final season?

“That’s right, the man behind one of television’s most indelible characters of the 21st Century still hasn’t been recognized for his work in a landmark series,” declares Lorraine Ali of Odenkirk’s string of snubs. “It’s a crime of Walter White proportions. Atone.”

Voters may wish to heed Kristen Baldwin’s impassioned words: “Listen up, voters, and listen good: Are you really going to sit there and tell me that you’re OK with letting national g—d—treasure Bob Odenkirk walk away from his flawless, six-season run as Saul Goodman on ‘Better Call Saul’ without one measly Emmy?”

Among the non-nominees: Diego Luna of “Andor,” despite the show scoring a series nom and his character being at its absolute center (he and Pascal would have made only the second and third Latinx performers ever even nominated in the category); Claes Bang, the impeccably odious villain of “Bad Sisters” and the soon-to-”pause” Bryan Cranston of “Your Honor.”

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. Jeremy Strong (“Succession”)
2. (tie) Kieran Culkin (“Succession”)
2. (tie) Pedro Pascal (“The Last of Us”)
4. (tie) Brian Cox (“Succession”)
4. (tie) Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”)
6. Jeff Bridges (“The Old Man”)

“It’s Bob Odenkirk’s last chance to win the prize for his stellar work as Jimmy McGill in ‘Better Call Saul,’ which ended its six season run last year. That’s right, the man behind one of television’s most indelible characters of the 21st Century still hasn’t been recognized for his work in a landmark series. It’s a crime of Walter White proportions. Atone.”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”)
2. Jeremy Strong (“Succession”)
3. Kieran Culkin (“Succession”)
4. Brian Cox (“Succession”)
5. Pedro Pascal (“The Last of Us”)
6. Jeff Bridges (“The Old Man”)

“Listen up, voters, and listen good: Are you really going to sit there and tell me that you’re OK with letting national g—d— treasure Bob Odenkirk walk away from his flawless, six-season run as Saul Goodman on ‘Better Call Saul’ without one measly Emmy? Since ‘Succession’ will almost certainly take the win in drama series, you have a moral obligation to give Odenkirk his long-overdue award.”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. Kieran Culkin (“Succession”)
2. Jeremy Strong (“Succession”)
3. Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”)
4. Pedro Pascal (“The Last of Us”)
5. Brian Cox (“Succession”)
6. Jeff Bridges (“The Old Man”)

“Is there a world where the vote-splitting between the ‘Succession’ actors paves the way for Bob Odenkirk or Pedro Pascal to triumph? Possibly, but it doesn’t seem likely. While I think conventional Emmys wisdom might give this one to Jeremy Strong because the voters don’t always resist repeats, Kieran Culkin really was one of the standouts this season.”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. Kieran Culkin (“Succession”)
2. Jeremy Strong (“Succession”)
3. Pedro Pascal (“The Last of Us”)
4. Brian Cox (“Succession”)
5. Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”)
6. Jeff Bridges (“The Old Man”)

“Everything is coming up ‘Succession’! Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong are the top two here, but would they cancel each other out and then the award defaults to Pedro Pascal for ‘The Last of Us’? Anything could happen, but Bob Odenkirk could also sneak by for ‘Better Call Saul.’ Then, would voters be that taken with Brian Cox’s shorter, more supporting-like stint in the ‘Succession’ swan song’? Maybe?”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. Kieran Culkin (“Succession”)
2. Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”)
3. Jeremy Strong (“Succession”)
4. Pedro Pascal (“The Last of Us”)
5. Jeff Bridges (“The Old Man”)
6. Brian Cox (“Succession”)

“Which Roy will make it to the winner’s circle? I’m putting my money on Kieran Culkin as man-child Roman, though a repeat win for Jeremy Strong as the tormented Kendall is just as likely. (Brian Cox submitting as lead for his truncated run is ‘Succession’-worthy hubris.) Many will be rooting for Bob Odenkirk in ‘Saul’s’ swan song, but this is ‘Succession’s’ year.”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. Kieran Culkin (“Succession”)
2. Jeremy Strong (“Succession”)
3. Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”)
4. Pedro Pascal (“The Last of Us”)
5. Brian Cox (“Succession”)
6. Jeff Bridges (“The Old Man”)

“‘Succession’ became the first drama to earn three lead actor nominations, and it’s a given that one of the trio will win. Ruling out Brian Cox hurts, particularly as he hasn’t won for playing the Roy family patriarch. But Cox had a short stay this season. That leaves Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong. Are you Team Roman or Team Kendall? As Strong already has an Emmy, I’m leaning Culkin.”

online polls

Supporting actress in a drama series

A well-dressed man (Tom Hollander) kisses a seated lady (Jennifer Coolidge) on the cheek in a fancy restaurant.

1. Jennifer Coolidge (“White Lotus”)
2. Rhea Seehorn (“Better Call Saul”)
3. Aubrey Plaza (“The White Lotus”)
4. J. Smith-Cameron (“Succession”)
5. Elizabeth Debicki (“The Crown”)
6. Meghann Fahy (“The White Lotus”)
7. Sabrina Impacciatore (“The White Lotus”)
8. Simona Tabasco (“The White Lotus”)

If vote-splitting were going to tilt any scale, it would be this one, right? “The White Lotus” has five nominees; no other show has more than one. Yet it’s “Lotus’ ” Jennifer Coolidge who remains atop the BuzzMeter’s picks — albeit by a mere three points over Rhea Seehorn of “Better Call Saul.”

Both actresses are beloved veterans. Both are featured in (probably) the last chances to honor them as these characters. What to do, Emmy voters? While Coolidge has been cleaning up on the awards circuit, she did win last year for this role — so might the academy decide to spread the wealth, or double down on “White Lotus” apparently being one of the only shows on Earth worth nominating for acting?

“I’m pulling for the underappreciated Seehorn, a brilliant performer from an underdog series,” says Lorraine Ali.

Tracy Brown hems and haws, but with affection: “I am very torn about this one because who doesn’t love watching Jennifer Coolidge accept awards? Plus, I think her performance for this season was stronger than her Emmy-winning one from last year.”

Kristen Baldwin is on Team Wexler: “ ‘These gays’ may be trying to murder Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya, but these voters will absolutely kill me if they fail to recognize Seehorn, whose Kim Wexler went from a supporting player to the (im)moral center of the entire series.”

Matt Roush heaps praise on Coolidge and castmate Aubrey Plaza, but adds, “Really, five of eight nominations in this category?”

The voters’ obsessive love of “White Lotus” (44 nominations in two seasons, including 17 for acting) leaves a quite a few acclaimed performances on the outside, looking in. Among these: Carol Burnett (“Better Call Saul”); previous nominee Christina Ricci and Sophie Nélisse (“Yellowjackets” — Nélisse with some of the season’s most memorable scenes); Eve Hewson (“Bad Sisters”); Adjoa Andoh (“Queen Charlotte”); Hope Davis’ Nawlins Lady M. (“Your Honor”); Lesley Manville (“The Crown”); Jennifer Ehle as the malevolent nun of “1923” and Milly Alcock and the always soulful and intelligent Olivia Cooke (“House of the Dragon”). And if the academy were ever to recognize a “Yellowstone” performer, why not fan-favorite Kelly Reilly, whose explosive Beth is less Calamity Jane than Annie Oakley with a half-drunk bottle of whiskey and a .50 cal? Perhaps if they changed the show’s name to “The White Lotus: Yellowstone,” they’d get some Emmy love.

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. Rhea Seehorn (“Better Call Saul”)
2. Jennifer Coolidge (“The White Lotus”)
3. Aubrey Plaza (“The White Lotus”)
4. (tie) Elizabeth Debicki (“The Crown”)
4. (tie) J. Smith-Cameron (“Succession”)
6. (tie) Meghann Fahy (“The White Lotus”)
6. (tie) Sabrina Impacciatore (“The White Lotus”)
6. (tie) Simona Tabasco (“The White Lotus”)

“ ‘Ozark’ is over, so Julia Garner can no longer dominate this category as she has done over the past few years. That leaves Jennifer Coolidge from ‘The White Lotus,’ a show that has five nominations in this category, or Rhea Seehorn from ‘Better Call Saul.’ I’m pulling for the underappreciated Seehorn, a brilliant performer from an underdog series.”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. Rhea Seehorn (“Better Call Saul”)
2. Jennifer Coolidge (“The White Lotus”)
3. Aubrey Plaza (“The White Lotus”)
4. Elizabeth Debicki (“The Crown”)
5. J. Smith-Cameron (“Succession”)
6. Meghann Fahy (“The White Lotus”)
7. Sabrina Impacciatore (“The White Lotus”)
8. Simona Tabasco (“The White Lotus”)

“ ‘These gays’ may be trying to murder Jennifer Coolidge’s Tanya, but these voters will absolutely kill me if they fail to recognize ‘Better Call Saul’s’ Rhea Seehorn, whose Kim Wexler went from a supporting player to the (im)moral center of the entire series. Google ‘Kim Wexler bus’ and then tell me she didn’t give the best performance of the Emmy season.”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. Jennifer Coolidge (“The White Lotus”)
2. Rhea Seehorn (“Better Call Saul”)
3. Aubrey Plaza (“The White Lotus”)
4. Meghann Fahy (“The White Lotus”)
5. J. Smith-Cameron (“Succession”)
6. Elizabeth Debicki (“The Crown”)
7. Sabrina Impacciatore (“The White Lotus”)
8. Simona Tabasco (“The White Lotus”)

“I am very torn about this one because who doesn’t love watching Jennifer Coolidge accept awards? Plus, I think her performance for this season was stronger than her Emmy-winning one from last year. But a part of me does hope for the teeny tiny chance that a combination of ‘The White Lotus’ splitting the votes and some voters wanting to recognize ‘Better Call Saul’ in some way could open up a path for a well-deserved win for Rhea Seehorn.”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. Jennifer Coolidge (“The White Lotus”)
2. Rhea Seehorn (“Better Call Saul”)
3. Aubrey Plaza (“The White Lotus”)
4. Meghann Fahy (“The White Lotus”)
5. Elizabeth Debicki (“The Crown”)
6. Sabrina Impacciatore (“The White Lotus”)
7. J. Smith-Cameron (“Succession”)
8. Simona Tabasco (“The White Lotus”)

“It seems like it’s Jennifer Coolidge’s time, and that is strengthened by the fact that ‘The White Lotus’ got so much nomination love. Because of this, it would be smart to not count out the possibility of her co-stars, particularly Aubrey Plaza or Meghann Fahy, being a surprise upset. If none of the ‘The White Lotus’ ladies can upstage Coolidge then will Rhea Seehorn finally get that Emmy that critics have wanted her to get for many years?”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. Jennifer Coolidge (“The White Lotus”)
2. Rhea Seehorn (“Better Call Saul”)
3. Aubrey Plaza (“The White Lotus”)
4. Elizabeth Debicki (“The Crown”)
5. J. Smith-Cameron (“Succession”)
6. Meghann Fahy (“The White Lotus”)
7. Sabrina Impacciatore (“The White Lotus”)
8. Simona Tabasco (“The White Lotus”)

“It would be crazy to bet against Jennifer ‘Please, these gays, they’re trying to murder me’ Coolidge, although Aubrey Plaza gave the most layered performance in ‘The White Lotus’ ’ smash second season. (But really, five of eight nominations in this category?) Rhea Seehorn is ‘Better Call Saul’s’ best chance at a well-deserved Emmy, but still seems a long shot.”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. Jennifer Coolidge (“The White Lotus”)
2. J. Smith-Cameron (“Succession”)
3. Rhea Seehorn (“Better Call Saul”)
4. Aubrey Plaza (“The White Lotus”)
5. Meghann Fahy (“The White Lotus”)
6. Elizabeth Debicki (“The Crown”)
7. Sabrina Impacciatore (“The White Lotus”)
8. Simona Tabasco (“The White Lotus”)

“There is of course one actor capable of withstanding this year’s ‘Succession’ Emmy onslaught, and that’s Jennifer Coolidge. It doesn’t matter that she’s already won an Emmy for ‘White Lotus’ or that she has taken pretty much every other award and probably some honors we’re not even aware of. All that matters is that we want to hear her give another acceptance speech. Plus, her work in the season finale left us on the floor.”

online polls

Supporting actor in a drama series

A husband and wife (Matthew Macfadyen and Sarah Snook), dressed all in black, coldly hold hands in the back of a town car.

1. Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”)
2. Alan Ruck (“Succession”)
3. Alexander Skarsgård (“Succession”)
4. Nicholas Braun (“Succession”)
5. (tie) Will Sharpe (“The White Lotus”)
5. (tie) F. Murray Abraham (“The White Lotus”)
7. Michael Imperioli (“The White Lotus”)
8. Theo James (“The White Lotus”)

It’s hard to remember another instance of a category — especially one with eight nominees — being completely composed of contenders from only two shows. But that’s where we are, with the academy apparently only approving of the supporting performances in two series this year, “Succession” and “The White Lotus.”

“Four from ‘Succession’, four from ‘The White Lotus’ — thanks, Emmy voters, for looking beyond the obvious,” writes Matt Roush in sarcasm font.

No love for, for instance, five-time nominee Giancarlo Esposito (“Better Call Saul” — three previous noms as this character); Stellan Skarsgård, who had some of the most memorable moments of “Andor”; the redoubtable John Lithgow (“The Old Man”); the last chance to honor Jonathan Banks for his remarkable character arc on “Better Call Saul”; J. Alphonse Nicholson (“P-Valley “ ); Elijah Wood as the equivalent of a harmless-seeming but suddenly murderous sprite on “Yellowjackets”; Isaiah John (“Snowfall”); Todd Stashwick as the most interesting new “Star Trek” character in years on “Star Trek: Picard”; Wes Bentley wallowing in the slime and Cole Hauser bringing dimension and humor to the strong, silent type on “Yellowstone” or Jensen Ackles as the nightmare version of Captain America on “The Boys.” Heck, the nominees somehow managed to not include Matt Smith, whose scheming charisma is more lethal than any fire-breathing monster on “House of the Dragon.”

“Here’s my prediction: Someone from ‘Succession’ or ‘White Lotus’ will win for supporting actor in a drama,” boldly declares Lorraine Ali. “Academy voters really stretched themselves here ... Stay tuned for their underwhelming decision.”

Not that any of that likely matters in the long run, as Mcfadyen probably salted this trophy away at midseason, in the emotionally brutal “Here are the things we never dared say” argument with his symbiotic scene partner of four seasons, Sarah Snook.

Kristen Baldwin and others note that, despite the less-than broad field, Mcfadyen’s expected win would be well-deserved: “All hail the reigning Waystar CEO — and human ‘pain sponge’ — Tom Wambsgans, who will once again come out on top when Matthew Macfadyen takes the win. (If only he and Alan Ruck, long ‘Succession’s’ secret weapon, could share the victory.)”

Mcfadyen’s consensus pick also represents the third-largest margin in Round 3 of the BuzzMeter, fittingly edging wife Shiv Roy’s (Snook’s) by a mere half point.

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”)
2. (tie) Nicholas Braun (“Succession”)
2. (tie) Alan Ruck (“Succession”)
4. (tie) Will Sharpe (“The White Lotus”)
4. (tie) Alexander Skarsgård (“Succession”)
6. (tie) F. Murray Abraham (“The White Lotus”)
6. (tie) Michael Imperioli (“The White Lotus”)
8. Theo James (“The White Lotus”)

“Here’s my prediction: Someone from ‘Succession’ or ‘White Lotus’ will win for supporting actor in a drama. Academy voters really stretched themselves here when choosing all of the category’s eight nominees from just two series. And both shows are from HBO. And they just happen to be the whitest dramas around. Stay tuned for their underwhelming decision.”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”)
2. Alan Ruck (“Succession”)
3. F. Murray Abraham (“The White Lotus”)
4. Alexander Skarsgård (“Succession”)
5. Will Sharpe (“The White Lotus”)
6. Michael Imperioli (“The White Lotus”)
7. Nicholas Braun (“Succession”)
8. Theo James (“The White Lotus”)

“All hail the reigning Waystar CEO — and human ‘pain sponge’ — Tom Wambsgans, who will once again come out on top when Matthew Macfadyen takes the win. (If only he and Alan Ruck, long ‘Succession’s’ secret weapon, could share the victory.) Even if anyone other than Macfadyen had a shot, the absurd surplus of ‘White Lotus’ nominees would likely result in vote splitting.”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”)
2. Alan Ruck (“Succession”)
3. Alexander Skarsgård (“Succession”)
4. Nicholas Braun (“Succession”)
5. Will Sharpe (“The White Lotus”)
6. F. Murray Abraham (“The White Lotus”)
7. Michael Imperioli (“The White Lotus”)
8. Theo James (“The White Lotus”)

“I can’t believe they fielded an entire category of eight guys from just two shows, but here we are. Overall, I think the odds are in the ‘Succession’ actors’ favor. And, much like in the show, the one to take it all here is probably going to be Tom Wambsgans, a.k.a. Matthew Macfadyen.”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”)
2. Alan Ruck (“Succession”)
3. Alexander Skarsgård (“Succession”)
4. Nicholas Braun (“Succession”)
5. Will Sharpe (“The White Lotus”)
6. Theo James (“The White Lotus”)
7. Michael Imperioli (“The White Lotus”)
8. F. Murray Abraham (“The White Lotus”)

“With Kieran Culkin in the lead category this year, this seems like an all-but ace for Matthew Macfayden. If ‘P-Valley’ breaks through for Emmy attention this year, eyes should be on J. Alphonse Nicholson. Isaiah John was also terrific with the material he was able to bring to life in the final season of ‘Snowfall.’ ”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”)
2. F. Murray Abraham (“The White Lotus”)
3. Nicholas Braun (“Succession”)
4. Alan Ruck (“Succession”)
5. Alexander Skarsgård (“Succession”)
6. Michael Imperioli (“The White Lotus”)
7. Will Sharpe (“The White Lotus”)
8. Theo James (“The White Lotus”)

“Four from ‘Succession’, four from ‘The White Lotus’—thanks, Emmy voters, for looking beyond the obvious. That said, it’s hard to see how Matthew Macfadyen doesn’t repeat as ‘Succession’s’ ultimate victor, unless a ‘White Lotus’ wave sweeps veteran actor F. Murray Abraham to an upset. Speaking of old-timers, where’s John Lithgow from ‘The Old Man’?”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”)
2. Alan Ruck (“Succession”)
3. Alexander Skarsgård (“Succession”)
4. Nicholas Braun (“Succession”)
5. Will Sharpe (“The White Lotus”)
6. F. Murray Abraham (“The White Lotus”)
7. Michael Imperioli (“The White Lotus”)
8. Theo James (“The White Lotus”)

“Tom Wambsgans won ‘Succession,’ so it’s only appropriate that the estimable actor playing him will prevail as well. While much of the drama of the series revolved around the question of Logan’s successor, many of the final season’s most memorable scenes featured Matthew Macfadyen and Sarah Snook bickering and biting and jockeying for power in their marriage. Both actors deserve Emmys.”

online polls

Comedy series

Three teachers (Tyler James Williams, Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph) in the school library on "Abbott Elementary."

1. “Abbott Elementary”
2. “The Bear”
3. “Ted Lasso”
4. “Barry”
5. “Jury Duty”
6. “Only Murders in the Building”
7. “Wednesday”
8. “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

The field is a study in contrasts.

There are the recognizable sitcoms, with their single-show arcs and familiar rhythms — including near-consensus pick “Abbott Elementary,” bidding to become the first network show to take the category since “Modern Family” in 2014, and two-time champ “Ted Lasso.” There are two shows (“Barry” and “The Bear”) that bear little resemblance to comedies, that both feel like tense dramas with farce stakes, but are brilliant nonetheless.

Then there’s one (“Jury Duty”) that gleefully “Truman Shows” its subject, seemingly brushing aside any ethical quandaries in its premise with its thankfully positive portrayal of its duped lead. It’s as odd a mix as the category has had in some time. The panel expects the network workplace comedy to prevail.

“Quinta Brunson’s work mockumentary set in an underserved public grade school has remained consistently sharp and funny, which is no small feat for a network series,” says Lorraine Ali. “Season 2 was 22 episodes long, as opposed to the average streamer run of eight to ten episodes. Hard work deserves a reward (to be said in the voice of a grade school teacher).”

Trey Mangum likes Brunson’s show’s chances as well: “It’s looking like ABC’s comedy darling ‘Abbott Elementary’ is the favorite — as it should be. Looking at what’s next, ‘The Bear’ could have an extremely great showing on Emmy night, especially if stars Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri prevail.”

However, Glenn Whipp, ear to the ground, warns: “It isn’t hard to find critics nitpicking or outright hating ‘Ted Lasso’s’ final season. It is much more difficult though to locate an Emmy voter who feels anything but love for the show.”

Among the shows lamented by the BuzzMeter for their absence: “Poker Face”; “Atlanta”; “Shrinking”; “Wednesday”; “Mo”; “What We Do in the Shadows”; “Reservation Dogs” and “Somebody Somewhere.”

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. “Abbott Elementary”
2. (tie) “Barry”
2. (tie) “The Bear”
4. “Wednesday”
5. (tie) “Jury Duty”
5. (tie) “Only Murders in the Building”
5. (tie) “Ted Lasso”
8. “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

“‘Ted Lasso’ prevailed the last two times, but it’s third and last season was middling at best so it’s highly possible that ‘Abbott Elementary’ will unseat the soccer comedy. Quinta Brunson’s work mockumentary set in an underserved public grade school has remained consistently sharp and funny, which is no small feat for a network series. Season 2 was 22 episodes long, as opposed to the average streamer run of eight to ten episodes. Hard work deserves a reward (to be said in the voice of a grade school teacher).”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. “Abbott Elementary”
2. “The Bear”
3. “Ted Lasso”
4. “Barry”
5. “Jury Duty”
6. “Only Murders in the Building”
7. “Wednesday”
8. “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

“‘Ted Lasso’ (21 nominations) could easily threepeat, but I choose to believe that common sense will prevail and that voters will use its not-great third (and final?) season as an excuse to honor ‘Abbott Elementary’ (8 nominations), which, frankly, deserved to win last year. One potential spoiler: ‘The Bear’ (13 nominations), whose stellar second season is still fresh in voters’ minds.”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. “Abbott Elementary”
2. “The Bear”
3. “Ted Lasso”
4. “Barry”
5. “Jury Duty”
6. “Only Murders in the Building”
7. “Wednesday”
8. “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

“Perhaps Emmy voters will be sentimental and want to send off ‘Ted Lasso’ with another comedy series prize, but that third and final season of this feel good show just didn’t deliver as much as some of its fellow nominees. But ‘Abbott Elementary’ has to play with different rules than all of its streaming contemporaries and, in my opinion, it is still a cut above the rest.”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. “Abbott Elementary”
2. “The Bear”
3. “Jury Duty”
4. “Wednesday”
5. “Ted Lasso”
6. “Only Murders in the Building”
7. “Barry”
8. “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”

“It’s looking like ABC’s comedy darling ‘Abbott Elementary’ is the favorite — as it should be. Looking at what’s next, ‘The Bear’ could have an extremely great showing on Emmy night, especially if stars Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri prevail. Two other things to watch out for could be a Cinderella story from surprise Freevee nom ‘Jury Duty’ and the chance that voters may want to give love to the final seasons of ‘Barry,’ ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,’ and what may be the final season of ‘Ted Lasso.’ Well…was that the final season?”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. “Abbott Elementary”
2. “The Bear”
3. “Ted Lasso”
4. “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
5. “Barry”
6. “Only Murders in the Building”
7. “Jury Duty”
8. “Wednesday”

” While conventional wisdom suggests a three-peat for ‘Ted Lasso’, its enjoyable but bloated final season left a lot to be desired. For me, the real battle is between ‘Abbott Elementary’ earning and scoring a win for broadcast network comedy and ‘The Bear’ making a strong case for searing ensemble dramedy. (FX/Hulu was smart to release a superior Season 2 while the ballots were out.) I would rejoice if ‘Abbott’ won.”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. “Ted Lasso”
2. “The Bear”
3. “Abbott Elementary”
4. “Barry”
5. “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
6. “Jury Duty”
7. “Only Murders in the Building”
8. “Wednesday”

“It isn’t hard to find critics nitpicking or outright hating ‘Ted Lasso’s’ final season. It is much more difficult though to locate an Emmy voter who feels anything but love for the show. ‘Ted Lasso’ won the comedy series prize for its first two seasons and with 21 nominations – more than any other comedy series – it looks like it will prevail again. Get ready for some more teeth-grinding from cynics.”

online polls

Lead actress in a comedy series

A teacher (played by Quinta Brunson) with an ID around her neck standing outside a school in "Abbott Elementary."

1. Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”)
2. Christina Applegate (“Dead to Me”)
3. Natasha Lyonne (“Poker Face”)
4. Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
5. Jenna Ortega (“Wednesday”)

Quinta Brunson has led this race from Round 1 and finishes Round 3 as a rock-solid consensus pick, tied with Sarah Snook for the fourth-widest leads in the BuzzMeter.

“Quinta Brunson won in ‘Abbott Elementary’’s first year for writing. That’s not an option this year, so her delicate performance as an optimistic teacher deserves the win,” says Matt Roush.

“This is my favorite category among this year’s Emmy noms,” adds Lorraine Ali. “It represents many of my favorite performances and comedy series.”

A number of panelists cite possible voter support for Rachel Brosnahan’s swan song as “Mrs. Maisel” and Emmy darling Christina Applegate’s possible career swan song in “Dead to Me.” But only one reads the tea leaves and detects possible arsenic:

“I was prepared to call this definitively for Quinta Brunson, but ‘Abbott Elementary’ managed to snag just eight nominations, placing it seventh among the eight shows in the category,” writes Glenn “Oracle of Delphi” Whipp. “I think she’ll still prevail, though there could be some sentiment to send either Christina Applegate or Rachel Brosnahan out in style.”

Among the notables who didn’t make the final cut: Patricia Arquette (“High Desert”); Linda Cardellini (“Dead to Me”); Bridget Everett (“Somebody Somewhere”); Elle Fanning (“The Great”); Selena Gomez (“Only Murders in the Building”); Devery Jacobs (“Reservation Dogs”); Tatiana Maslany (“She - Hulk: Attorney at Law”); Rose McIver (“Ghosts”); Maya Rudolph (“Loot”); Robin Thede (“A Black Lady Sketch Show”) and Kerry Washington (“UnPrisoned”).

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”)
2. (tie) Christina Applegate (“Dead to Me”)
2. (tie) Natasha Lyonne (“Poker Face”)
2. (tie) Jenna Ortega (“Wednesday”)
5. Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)

“This is my favorite category among this year’s Emmy noms. It represents many of my favorite performances and comedy series, so I’m torn between Qunita Brunson of ‘Abbott Elementary,’ Christina Applegate of ‘Dead to Me,’ ‘Wednesday’s’ Jenna Ortega and Natasha Lyonne of ‘Poker Face.’ A wealth of talent and irreverent, topical humor.”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”)
2. Christina Applegate (“Dead to Me”)
3. Natasha Lyonne (“Poker Face”)
4. Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
5. Jenna Ortega (“Wednesday”)

“Now that most of Hollywood is on strike, it’s hard to know when the Emmys will happen. But when they do, a humble plea to producers: Please keep Jimmy Kimmel off the stage when Quinta Brunson is giving her victory speech. Same goes for the much-beloved Christina Applegate, whom voters might also choose to honor for what could be her farewell role.”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”)
2. Christina Applegate (“Dead to Me”)
3. Natasha Lyonne (“Poker Face”)
4. Jenna Ortega (“Wednesday”)
5. Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)

“ ‘Abbott Elementary’ creator and star Quinta Brunson has deservedly felt like the frontrunner in this race for quite some time and I expect she will be adding an acting Emmy to the writing Emmy she nabbed last year. There is a small chance that voters might want to take this opportunity to recognize ‘Dead to Me’s’ Christina Applegate, but I don’t see that changing the results.”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”)
2. Christina Applegate (“Dead to Me”)
3. Natasha Lyonne (“Poker Face”)
4. Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
5. Jenna Ortega (“Wednesday”)

“Quinta Brunson won for writing her show’s pilot last year and she’s poised to take her first Emmy for acting in this category this year. But right on her heels would be Christina Applegate’s performance in the final season of ‘Dead to Me,’ as well as Rachel Brosnahan’s last performance in ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.’”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”)
2. Christina Applegate (“Dead to Me”)
3. Natasha Lyonne (“Poker Face”)
4. Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
5. Jenna Ortega (“Wednesday”)

“Quinta Brunson won in ‘Abbott Elementary’’s first year for writing. That’s not an option this year, so her delicate performance as an optimistic teacher deserves the win. I’d be equally OK with Christina Applegate being acknowledged for her brave struggle to complete ‘Dead to Me’ or Natasha Lyonne as ‘Poker Face’s’ wisecracking lie detector.”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”)
2. Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
3. Christina Applegate (“Dead to Me”)
4. Natasha Lyonne (“Poker Face”)
5. Jenna Ortega (“Wednesday”)

“I was prepared to call this definitively for Quinta Brunson, but ‘Abbott Elementary’ managed to snag just eight nominations, placing it seventh among the eight shows in the category. I think she’ll still prevail, though there could be some sentiment to send either Christina Applegate or Rachel Brosnahan out in style.”

online polls

Lead actor in a comedy series

A young chef (Jeremy Allen White) intensely runs the kitchen of a Chicago eatery in "The Bear."

1. Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”)
2. Bill Hader (“Barry”)
3. Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”)
4. Jason Segel (“Shrinking”)
5. Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”)

Taking the juggernauts of “Succession” and “Abbott Elementary” into consideration, what actor would you have guessed would hold the biggest lead as a consensus pick in Round 3 of the BuzzMeter?

Surprise! It’s Jeremy Allen White of “The Bear,” with a towering 10-point lead over previous winner Bill Hader (“Barry”) and 12.5 points over two-time winner Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”).

“Yes, chef! Jeremy Allen White is likely to be holding the statuette come Emmy night, though habit (or laziness) could give Jason Sudeikis his third straight win,” says Kristen Baldwin.

Glenn Whipp says, “Watching Jeremy Allen White navigate his family’s tragic history and the chaos of the kitchen provided some of the most stressful viewing of the past year — and also some of the most rewarding.”

Since the last Emmys, White has collected the SAG and Critics’ Choice awards for his role as an haute-cuisine chef who comes home to Chicago under fraught circumstances to run his family’s restaurant in FX’s pressure cooker of a sort-of comedy.

“I’ve had people question how ‘The Bear’ is considered a comedy, and I guess the answer depends on your sense of humor,” says Whipp.

This time, it’s Trey Mangum’s turn to ponder if an upset is possible, with Bill Hader’s brilliant “Barry” farewell in mind: “While White is the choice that may make the most sense, we know how the Emmys can be when it comes to honoring an actor for their last run as a huge character. Any scenario is plausible.”

Meanwhile, one might wonder, if Martin Short is nominated, where is his partner in crime, fellow comedy legend Steve Martin? The answer: Not on the list; probably playing bluegrass banjo somewhere. Other notables not in the running: Utkarsh Ambudkar (“Ghosts”); Mohammed Amer (“Mo”); Donald Glover (“Atlanta”); Nicholas Hoult (“The Great”); Keegan-Michael Key (“Reboot”); John Larroquette (“Night Court”); Delroy Lindo (“Unprisoned”); Bob Odenkirk (“Lucky Hank”); Adam Scott (“Party Down”); Ramy Youssef (“Ramy”).

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. (tie) Bill Hader (“Barry”)
1. (tie) Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”)
3. (tie) Jason Segel (“Shrinking”)
3. (tie) Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”)
5. (tie) Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”)

“Jason Sudeikis and Bill Hader have already won Emmys for their respective shows. Jeremy White of ‘The Bear’ could prove an upset on awards night … if there ever is a ceremony. The ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes mean television’s big night could be postponed indefinitely. ‘Seinfeld’ reruns it is.”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”)
2. Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”)
3. Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”)
4. Bill Hader (“Barry”)
5. Jason Segel (“Shrinking”)

“Yes, chef! ‘The Bear’ star Jeremy Allen White is likely to be holding the statuette come Emmy night, though habit (or laziness) could give ‘Ted Lasso’ star Jason Sudeikis his third straight win. I would love to see Bill Hader get the win for the final season of ‘Barry’, but fingers crossed he’ll at least take the directing award for the series finale.”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”)
2. Bill Hader (“Barry”)
3. Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”)
4. Jason Segel (“Shrinking”)
5. Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”)

“Even though this award would be for his work on the first season, the recently released second season of ‘The Bear’ is going to keep Jeremy Allen White top of mind. But I don’t think you can count out the Emmy voters wanting to give a warm sendoff to Jason Sudeikis and ‘Ted Lasso’ in some way.”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”)
2. Bill Hader (“Barry”)
3. Jason Segel (“Shrinking”)
4. Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”)
5. Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”)

“There are many reasons why this year’s win could go to either Jeremy Allen White for ‘The Bear’ or Bill Hader for ‘Barry.’ While White is the choice that may make the most sense, we know how the Emmys can be when it comes to honoring an actor for their last run as a huge character. Any scenario is plausible.”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”)
2. Jason Segel (“Shrinking”)
3. Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”)
4. Bill Hader (“Barry”)
5. Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”)

“Everyone rightly expects Jeremy Allen White to add an Emmy to his awards shelf as ‘The Bear’’s intensely conflicted celebrity chef. A dark-horse win for ‘Shrinking’s’ Jason Segel as a grieving therapist would make up for the egregious snub of Harrison Ford in the supporting category. Anything else, including repeat wins for past champs Jason Sudeikis and Bill Hader, would be seen as an upset.”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. Jeremy Allen White (“The Bear”)
2. Jason Sudeikis (“Ted Lasso”)
3. Bill Hader (“Barry”)
4. Jason Segel (“Shrinking”)
5. Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”)

“I’ve had people question how ‘The Bear’ is considered a comedy, and I guess the answer depends on your sense of humor. Watching Jeremy Allen White navigate his family’s tragic history and the chaos of the kitchen provided some of the most stressful viewing of the past year – and also some of the most rewarding. The second season, which aired after this year’s Emmy submission deadline, was even better.”

online polls

Supporting actress in a comedy series

A close up of a young, Black female chef

1. Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”)
2. Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”)
3. Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”)
4. Alex Borstein (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
5. Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”)
6. Jessica Williams (“Shrinking”)
7. Juno Temple (“Ted Lasso”)

No consensus pick here; just a lot of enthusiastic support for a number of standout performances. A total of 3.5 points separate first from third place, and no two panelists had the same ranking of nominees. In a very close vote, it’s Ayo Edebiri, the smart one on “The Bear,” just ahead of “Abbott Elementary’s” dynamic duo of Janelle James and reigning champ Sheryl Lee Ralph.

While most panelists talk up the James-Ralph one-two punch, many also whisper about Edebiri’s chances: “I have a sneaking suspicion that Ayo Edebiri could prevail for her work on ‘The Bear,’ where she delivers a master class in honesty and comic understatement,” says Glenn Whipp.

The five actresses from last year’s field who were eligible again this year (James, Ralph, Alex Borstein, Juno Temple, Hannah Waddingham) all made the cut.

“If voters follow their familiar patterns of following familiar patterns, expect the expected,” says Lorraine Ali of a Ralph repeat. “If not, Janelle James stands a good chance, as does Ayo Edebiri.”

The lone voice picking a winner outside that Big Three belongs to Matt Roush: “I’m going with ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s’ Alex Borstein (though it would be her third as the caustic Susie) on the strength of the Friars Club roast episode, one of the highlights of the TV year.”

Notable omissions include: Paulina Alexis (“Reservation Dogs”); Zazie Beetz (“Atlanta”); Chloe Fineman (rising star of “Saturday Night Live”); Sheila Carrasco (“Ghosts”); Heidi Gardner (“Saturday Night Live”); Ginger Gonzaga (“She-Hulk: Attorney at Law”); Christa Miller (“Shrinking”); Ego Nwodim (“Saturday Night Live”); Bernadette Peters (“High Desert”); Danielle Pinnock (“Ghosts”); Michaela Jae Rodriguez (“Loot”); Molly Shannon (“The Other Two”); Cecily Strong (“Schmigadoon”); Lisa Ann Walter (“Abbott Elementary”); Rebecca Wisocky (“Ghosts”); Michelle Yeoh (“American Born Chinese”) — and one of the more head-scratching omissions of the year: past nominee Sarah Goldberg, whose final season of “Barry” resembled the roughest parts of a John Cassavetes movie — in a good way.

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. (tie) Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”)
1. (tie) Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”)
3. Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”)
4. (tie) Alex Borstein (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
4. (tie) Jessica Williams (“Shrinking”)
6. (tie) Juno Temple (“Ted Lasso”)
6. (tie) Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”)

“‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’ is a big past winner. Same goes for ‘Ted Lasso.’ ‘Sheryl Lee Ralph also picked up an award last year for her performance in ‘Abbott.’ If voters follow their familiar patterns of following familiar patterns, expect the expected. If not, Janelle James stands a good chance, as does Ayo Edebiri.”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”)
2. Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”)
3. Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”)
4. Alex Borstein (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
5. Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”)
6. Juno Temple (“Ted Lasso”)
7. Jessica Williams (“Shrinking”)

“Hooray for Jessica Williams, who proved to be a delightful comedic foil for Harrison Ford in the charming Apple TV+ grief-com ‘Shrinking’. But this category is really a race between ‘Abbott Elementary’s’ two stellar supporting players, with Janelle James having a (razor-thin) edge over last year’s winner, Sheryl Lee Ralph.”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”)
2. Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”)
3. Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”)
4. Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”)
5. Jessica Williams (“Shrinking”)
6. Juno Temple (“Ted Lasso”)
7. Alex Borstein (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)

“I think the frontrunners for this one are Sheryl Lee Ralph, last year’s winner who is up once again for her performance as the beloved Mrs. Howard in ‘Abbott Elementary,’ and Ayo Edebiri, whom you can’t help but root for as Sydney in ‘The Bear.’ I’m giving the edge to Edebiri, mainly because Janelle James is also a force and I don’t know how you pick between the ‘Abbott’ duo.”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”)
2. Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”)
3. Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”)
4. Jessica Williams (“Shrinking”)
5. Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”)
6. Juno Temple (“Ted Lasso”)
7. Alex Borstein (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)

“Sheryl Lee Ralph won last year and should again this year, or castmate Janelle James could make it two in a row for ‘Abbott Elementary.’ But if it doesn’t go to one of the acclaimed ABC comedy’s supporting actresses, there is a huge threat from Ayo Edebiri of ‘The Bear,’ who is seemingly having a big moment right now.”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. Alex Borstein (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
2. Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”)
3. Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”)
4. Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”)
5. Jessica Williams (“Shrinking”)
6. Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”)
7. Juno Temple (“Ted Lasso”)

“I’m going with ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s’ Alex Borstein (though it would be her third as the caustic Susie) on the strength of the Friars Club roast episode, one of the highlights of the TV year. Either of the Abbott co-stars would be just as welcome, and the hilarious Janelle James is overdue. ‘The Bear’s’ sly Ayo Edebiri could be a sleeper pick.”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”)
2. Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”)
3. Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso”)
4. Janelle James (“Abbott Elementary”)
5. Alex Borstein (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)
6. Jessica Williams (“Shrinking”)
7. Juno Temple (“Ted Lasso”)

“This category is up for grabs, with last year’s winner, the excellent Sheryl Lee Ralph (‘Abbott Elementary’), returning along with Hannah Waddingham, who took the Emmy in 2021 for ‘Ted Lasso.’ I have a sneaking suspicion, though, that Ayo Edebiri could prevail for her work on ‘The Bear,’ where she delivers a master class in honesty and comic understatement.”

online polls

Supporting actor in a comedy series

An angry man in a restaurant's back room; a determined teacher in a school hallway; a resolute coach at a soccer match.

1. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“The Bear”)
2. Tyler James Williams (“Abbott Elementary”)
3. Brett Goldstein (“Ted Lasso”)
4. James Marsden (“Jury Duty”)
5. Anthony Carrigan (“Barry’)
6. Henry Winkler (“Barry”)
7. Phil Dunster (“Ted Lasso”)

Ebon Moss-Bachrach comes out of nowhere to fairly comfortably lead the pack ... yet none of the panelists confidently pick him to win. Cousin!

“Ebon Moss-Bachrach owned the recently aired second season of ‘The Bear,’ making him the favorite to win … next year,” says Glenn Whipp. “For now, I don’t think anyone should underestimate how much voters love Brett Goldstein, Roy F– Kent and ‘Ted Lasso.’ ”

Matt Roush says, “One of the tougher calls. Ebon Moss-Bachrach as ‘The Bear’’s explosive Richie could and should give two-time ‘Ted Lasso’ winner Brett Goldstein a run for his money.”

Most panelists name-check Moss-Bachrach while touting another pick:

“I’m just going to admit that I am a huge Tyler James Williams fan so I just really want to see him win,” says Tracy Brown. “I think his biggest competition will be ‘The Bear’s’ Ebon Moss-Bachrach.”

Trey Mangum says, “Tyler James Williams, my favorite nominee, could secure this ... but honestly, the same could be said for Ebon Moss-Bachrach of ‘The Bear’ if that series has a good night.”

Lorraine Ali, meanwhile, places on a pedestal the most beloved murderous Chechen gangster in television history: “It’s time to honor Anthony Carrigan for his portrayal of NoHo Hank. He stole and broke hearts inside of a show that did its best to stay as detached as its sociopathic lead character.”

Perhaps as big a story as the final field is the most surprising snub of Emmy season: Harrison Ford for “Shrinking.” His dyed-in-the-wool curmudgeon was a highlight of that show, which did receive other acting nods. Other notables not on the list: Brian Tyree Henry (the Oscar nominee was a major stabilizing force in the return-to-form final season of “Atlanta”); Tony Shalhoub (previous winner and four-time nominee for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”); Chris Perfetti (“Abbott Elementary”); William Stanford Davis (“Abbott Elementary”); LaKeith Stanfield (“Atlanta”); Nick Mohammed (“Ted Lasso”); Stephen Root (wonderful in his transformational arc on “Barry”); Kenan Thompson and Bowen Yang (“Saturday Night Live”).

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“The Bear”)
2. Anthony Carrigan (“Barry”)
3. Tyler James Williams (“Abbott Elementary”)
4. (tie) Phil Dunster (“Ted Lasso”)
4. (tie) Brett Goldstein (“Ted Lasso”)
4. (tie) James Marsden (“Jury Duty”)
4. (tie) Henry Winkler (“Barry”)

“Brett Goldstein has already nabbed an Emmy (or two) for this role in ‘Ted Lasso.’ So has ‘Barry’s’ ‘Henry Winkler.’ It’s time to honor another ‘Barry’ actor, Anthony Carrigan, for his portrayal of the colorful Chechan gangster, NoHo Hank. He stole and broke hearts inside of a show that did its best to stay as detached as its sociopathic lead character.”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. Brett Goldstein (“Ted Lasso”)
2. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“The Bear”)
3. James Marsden (“Jury Duty”)
4. Henry Winkler (“Barry”)
5. Anthony Carrigan (“Barry”)
6. Tyler James Williams (“Abbott Elementary”)
7. Phil Dunster (“Ted Lasso”)

“This is a tough one to predict, but since that’s what you’ve asked me to do here, I’ll try: Assuming voters recognize that ‘Abbott’ deserves to win over ‘Ted Lasso’ in the series category, they’ll still want to celebrate ‘Lasso’ in some way. The wise bet, then, is two-time winner Brett Goldstein, who remained a standout in an otherwise lackluster season.”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. Tyler James Williams (“Abbott Elementary”)
2. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“The Bear”)
3. Brett Goldstein (“Ted Lasso”)
4. James Marsden (“Jury Duty”)
5. Henry Winkler (“Barry”)
6. Anthony Carrigan (“Barry”)
7. Phil Dunster (“Ted Lasso”)

“I’m just going to admit that I am a huge Tyler James Williams fan so I just really want to see him win an Emmy to go along with his Golden Globe for portraying ‘Abbot Elementary’s’ stoic but endearing first grade teacher Gregory Eddie. And although there are favorites from ‘Ted Lasso’ and ‘Barry’ also in the running, I think his biggest competition will be ‘The Bear’s’ Ebon Moss-Bachrach.”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. Tyler James Williams (“Abbott Elementary”)
2. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“The Bear”)
3. James Marsden (“Jury Duty”)
4. Henry Winkler (“Barry”)
5. Anthony Carrigan (“Barry”)
6. Brett Goldstein (“Ted Lasso”)
7. Phil Dunster (“Ted Lasso”)

“Tyler James Williams for ‘Abbott Elementary,’ my favorite nominee, could secure this, especially if Brunson and one of his supporting co-stars win the other categories. But honestly, the same could be said for Ebon Moss-Bachrach of ‘The Bear’ if that series has a good night. But instead of any ‘Barry’ or ‘Ted Lasso’ stars coming through, aside from Williams or Moss-Bachrach, the only other likely choice could be Marsden for ‘Jury Duty.’”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“The Bear”)
2. Brett Goldstein (“Ted Lasso”)
3. Tyler James Williams (“Abbott Elementary”)
4. Henry Winkler (“Barry”)
5. Anthony Carrigan (“Barry”)
6. Phil Dunster (“Ted Lasso”)
7. James Marsden (“Jury Duty”)

“One of the tougher calls. Ebon Moss-Bachrach as ‘The Bear’’s explosive Richie could and should give two-time ‘Ted Lasso’ winner Brett Goldstein a run for his money. (Nice to see Brett’s co-star Phil Dunster finally get a nod for his strong character arc. They’d be great in a buddy comedy.) The aforementioned snub of ‘Shrinking’’s Harrison Ford (who I’d have predicted to win) makes this category harder to handicap.”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. Brett Goldstein (“Ted Lasso”)
2. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (“The Bear”)
3. James Marsden (“Jury Duty”)
4. Tyler James Williams (“Abbott Elementary”)
5. Phil Dunster (“Ted Lasso”)
6. Anthony Carrigan (“Barry”)
7. Henry Winkler (“Barry”)

“Ebon Moss-Bachrach owned the recently aired second season of ‘The Bear,’ making him the favorite to win … next year. For now, I don’t think anyone should underestimate how much voters love Brett Goldstein, Roy F– Kent and ‘Ted Lasso.’ As the chant goes, ‘Roy Kent, Roy Kent, he’s here, he’s there, he’s every f–where’ – including the stage, where he’ll be holding another Emmy.”

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Limited or anthology series

Steven Yeun and Ali Wong in a scene from "Beef."

1. “Beef”
2. “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”
3. “Fleishman Is in Trouble”
4. “Daisy Jones & the Six”
5. “Obi-Wan Kenobi”

There may not have been the usual water-cooler hits among limited series this season, but with Round-2 leader “Black Bird” missing the nominations cut entirely, “Beef” finds itself in a rare position. The well-done show is the last of the Round 3 consensus picks, with a meaty lead that’s second-largest of any frontrunner in any category (over “Dahmer,” which our panel considers medium at best).

Matt Roush says, “Not as strong a category as in recent seasons, but ‘Beef’ would be a savory contender even in a busier year. Its main competition is a lesser Netflix hit: the grisly Jeffrey Dahmer ‘Monster’ chronicle.”

“ ‘Beef’ will — and should — win here,” opines Kristen Baldwin, “because the voters surely won’t want to honor the true-crime series that re-traumatized the victims’ families. Right?”

Trey Mangum puts on his Oracle’s pointy hat to gaze into the mist: “Objectively, ‘Beef’ is the most notable here, but the love that was shown to ‘Fleishman Is In Trouble’ [seven nominations] shows something could be going on here. Could an upset take place?”

Perhaps the panel’s most notable reactions involve a disturbance in the force: “ ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’? Really?! Those who’ve watched the other three offerings in Disney+’s Star Wars live-action franchise know what I’m talking about when I say I have no idea how this series made it in,” huffs Lorraine Ali.

She is joined by Baldwin: “Please let me get something off my chest: ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’??? Over ‘The Patient’ or ‘Mrs. Davis’ or ‘Black Bird’?”

But Tracy Brown stands before them like the last Jedi holding off the stormtroopers: “I was so pleasantly surprised to see ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ among the nominees, but even I know its chances of winning are pretty slim.”

Notably not noted among the nommed: “Swarm”; “The Patient”; “Love and Death”; “George & Tammy” and the aforementioned “Black Bird” despite nominations for both sets of main actors; “Dead Ringers” despite Rachel Weisz’s outstanding dual performance as twin-sister gynecologists losing their minds; the Anne Frank tale “A Small Light” and the bonkers “Mrs. Davis,” despite affording Betty Gilpin a long-deserved lead turn.

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. “Beef”
2. “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”
3. “Daisy Jones & the Six”
4. (tie) “Fleishman Is in Trouble”
4. (tie) “Obi-Wan Kenobi”

“‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’? Really?! Those who’ve watched the other three offerings in Disney+’s Star Wars live-action franchise know what I’m talking about when I say I have no idea how this series made it in. So let’s look at what was good: ‘Beef,’ ‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story’ and ‘Daisy Jones and the Six.’ ‘Beef’ stands a good chance, even without the help of light saber magic and Hollywood stardust.”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. “Beef”
2. “Fleishman Is in Trouble”
3. “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”
4. “Daisy Jones & the Six”
5. “Obi-Wan Kenobi”

“First, please let me get something off my chest: ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’??? Over ‘The Patient’ or ‘Mrs. Davis’ or ‘Black Bird’? [shakes head in bewilderment] Okay, so, Netflix’s ‘Beef’ will — and should — win here, because the voters surely won’t want to honor the true-crime series that re-traumatized the victims’ families. Right?”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. “Beef”
2. “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”
3. “Fleishman Is in Trouble”
4. “Daisy Jones & the Six”
5. “Obi-Wan Kenobi”

“I was so pleasantly surprised to see ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ among the nominees, but even I know its chances of winning are pretty slim. I think it’ll come down to the two buzzy Netflix titles: creepy ‘Dahmer’ and the somehow equally disturbing ‘Beef.’ I will probably be flip flopping between those two until whenever the Emmys actually end up happening but today I’ll go with road rage over serial killer.”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. “Beef”
2. “Fleishman Is in Trouble”
3. “Daisy Jones & the Six”
4. “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”
5. “Obi-Wan Kenobi”

“Objectively, ‘Beef’ is the most notable here, but the love that was shown to ‘Fleishman Is In Trouble’ in the nominations shows something could be going on here. Could an upset take place? The FX series would be the only project that I really see taking this away from ‘Beef.’”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. “Beef”
2. “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”
3. “Fleishman Is in Trouble”
4. “Daisy Jones & the Six”
5. “Obi-Wan Kenobi”

“Not as strong a category as in recent seasons, but ‘Beef’ would be a savory contender even in a busier year. Its main competition is a lesser Netflix hit: the grisly Jeffrey Dahmer ‘Monster’ chronicle. I’m sorry not to see National Geographic’s stirring historical drama ‘A Small Light’, about the woman who helped protect Anne Frank and her family, in the mix.”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. “Beef”
2. “Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”
3. “Fleishman Is in Trouble”
4. “Daisy Jones & the Six”
5. “Obi-Wan Kenobi”

“‘Beef,’ Lee Sung Jin’s twisty character study had the best reviews of any of the nominees and hauled in 13 nominations, tying it with ‘Dahmer’ for most in the category. It tackled depression, deprivation and influencer culture in a manner that was generous and darkly funny. All signs point to a win.”

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Television movie

Young "Weird" Al Yankovic (Daniel Radcliffe) intensely plays accordion as friends look on in "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story."

1. “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”
2. “Prey”
3. “Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas”
4. “Fire Island”
5. “Hocus Pocus 2”

The panel continues to not love the TV movie category, but that hasn’t stopped the panelists from enjoying the odd contender. Emphasis on “odd.”

“It is no secret that the television movie category befuddles me, so I will not be completely shocked if ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ ends up being declared the winner. But I do think ‘Weird’ and ‘Prey’ are a cut above the rest,” says Tracy Brown.

“I’m also not sure why the TV Academy still insists on having an Outstanding Television Movie category,” says Kristen Baldwin, “but if it means we get to see ‘Weird’ Al Yankovic on stage come Emmy night, I’m okay with it.”

The Austen-inspired “Fire Island” puts a new spin on “Pride and Prejudice” and boasts a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, but having dropped more than a year ago — June 2022 — may have cooled the coals of its admiration. Similarly, the inventive and well-executed “Prey” is the rare prequel that is a clear improvement over its predecessors (in the “Predator” franchise) and holds a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, but also dropped a year ago — in July 2022.

“Nothing in this chronically underpowered category is a slam dunk, which means a Dolly Parton holiday movie might win again by default,” muses Matt Roush. “While horror isn’t an easy sell during awards season, Hulu’s ‘Prey’ put a novel historical twist on the ‘Predator’ franchise.”

Glenn Whipp points out that “Weird” collected eight noms — more than any other TV movie. “Its closest competitor, Hulu’s monster movie ‘Prey,’ earned six, with recognition for writing and directing, but ‘Weird’ was ... weirder, certainly more inventive and relentlessly enjoyable. Strike up the accordions!”

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”
2. “Prey”
3. “Fire Island”
4. “Dolly Parton‘s Mountain Magic Christmas”
5. “Hocus Pocus 2”

“No idea. Throw a dart. See where it lands. It’s anyone’s guess among ‘Prey,’ ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story,’ ‘Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas,’ ‘Fire Island’ and ‘Hocus Pocus 2.’ It’s a grab bag of gory science fiction, warm fuzzy holiday vibes, romance drama and a bio of the guy who gave us ‘My Bologna’ (a parody of the song ‘My Sharona’). An embarrassment of riches.”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”
2. “Dolly Parton‘s Mountain Magic Christmas”
3. “Prey”
4. “Fire Island”
5. “Hocus Pocus 2”

“Not sure how you beat a quasi-biopic featuring a bewigged former child star and including guest appearances from Jack Black, Quinta Brunson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Evan Rachel Wood, and more. I’m also not sure why the TV Academy still insists on having an Outstanding Television Movie category, but if it means we get to see ‘Weird’ Al Yankovic on stage come Emmy night, I’m okay with it.”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”
2. “Prey”
3. “Fire Island”
4. “Dolly Parton‘s Mountain Magic Christmas”
5. “Hocus Pocus 2”

“It is no secret that the television movie category befuddles me, so I will not be completely shocked if ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ ends up being declared the winner. But I do think ‘Weird’ and ‘Prey’ are a cut above the rest, and I’ve learned I shouldn’t count out music ‘biopics’ in awards races.”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”
2. “Prey”
3. “Dolly Parton‘s Mountain Magic Christmas”
4. “Fire Island”
5. “Hocus Pocus 2”

“ ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ is the film here that people can’t stop talking about. And even if voters decided that this was a win they didn’t want to give this year, there truly doesn’t seem like another contender that could really pull off besting this Roku film. If anything, maybe ‘Prey’? But that seems highly unlikely.”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. “Prey”
2. “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”
3. “Dolly Parton‘s Mountain Magic Christmas”
4. “Fire Island”
5. “Hocus Pocus 2”

“Nothing in this chronically underpowered category is a slam dunk, which means a Dolly Parton holiday movie might win again by default. While horror isn’t an easy sell during awards season, Hulu’s ‘Prey’ put a novel historical twist on the ‘Predator’ franchise, making it a more intriguing pick than Roku’s Weird Al Yankovic mock biopic.”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”
2. “Prey”
3. “Fire Island”
4. “Dolly Parton‘s Mountain Magic Christmas”
5. “Hocus Pocus 2”

“ ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ scored eight nominations, the most of the group, including nods for lead actor Daniel Radcliffe and writers Eric Appel and Yankovic. Its closest competitor, Hulu’s monster movie ‘Prey,’ earned six, with recognition for writing and directing, but ‘Weird’ was ... weirder, certainly more inventive and relentlessly enjoyable. Strike up the accordions!”

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Lead actress in a limited series or movie

Country legend Tammy Wynette (played by Jessica Chastain) looks on moodily from the wings in "George & Tammy."

1. Jessica Chastain (“George & Tammy”)
2. Ali Wong (“Beef”)
3. Dominique Fishback (“Swarm”)
4. Lizzy Caplan (“Fleishman Is in Trouble”)
5. Riley Keough (“Daisy Jones & the Six”)
6. Kathryn Hahn (“Tiny Beautiful Things”)

One of the most star-studded categories is also one of the closest races, with only three points separating leader Jessica Chastain (“George & Tammy”) and Ali Wong (“Beef”).

“Jessica Chastain has won an Oscar for her portrayal of a real-life televangelist, and I think she will soon have an Emmy for portraying a real life country music legend in ‘George & Tammy.’ She’s already won a SAG Award for the performance,” says Tracy Brown.

“I could see Ali Wong winning for ‘Beef.’ Known as a comedian, she was excellent in capturing the yawning emptiness felt by her perfectionist character,” says Glenn Whipp, before placing his bet on Chastain.

The two frontrunners aren’t the only ones getting support from the panel, though: “I’m all in for Dominique Fishback running away with the award for ‘Swarm,’ which acting-wise, is one of the ‘biggest’ performances on this list overall,” says Trey Mangum.

Some big names and ballyhooed performances didn’t make the cut, including: Elizabeth Olsen (“Love and Death”; Oscar winner Rachel Weisz (“Dead Ringers”); Sydney Sweeney (“Reality”); Emily Blunt (“The English”); Amber Midthunder (“Prey”); Bel Powley (“A Small Light”) and Betty Gilpin (“Mrs. Davis”).

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. Jessica Chastain (“George & Tammy”)
2. Ali Wong (“Beef”)
3. (tie) Dominique Fishback (“Swarm”)
3. (tie) Kathryn Hahn (“Tiny Beautiful Things”)
5. (tie) Lizzy Caplan (“Fleishman Is in Trouble”)
5. (tie) Riley Keough (“Daisy Jones & the Six”)

“The current SAG-AFTRA strike has called attention to the importance of actors in the success and survival of the film and television industries. If there’s any Emmy category this year that exemplifies the skill and talent needed to make a good show great, it’s this one. From Jessica Chastain bringing Tammy Wynette to life in ‘George & Tammy’ to Kathryn Hahn’s gripping performance in the heartbreaking ‘Tiny Beautiful Things,’ from Ali Wong’s embodiment of rage and regret in ‘Beef’ to Dominique Fishback’s portrayal of psychotic fandom in ‘Swarm,’ these women are a testament to the craft. There are no easy choices here.”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. Jessica Chastain (“George & Tammy”)
2. Ali Wong (“Beef”)
3. Lizzy Caplan (“Fleishman Is in Trouble”)
4. Riley Keough (“Daisy Jones & the Six”)
5. Dominique Fishback (“Swarm”)
6. Kathryn Hahn (“Tiny Beautiful Things”)

“The only reason ‘George & Tammy’ exists is because Showtime (or do we now have to call it Paramount+ with Showtime?) wanted to eke out a few more Emmy wins before being absorbed into the black hole of streaming. Thanks to a reliably good performance by Jessica Chastain, they’ll probably get their wish.”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. Jessica Chastain (“George & Tammy”)
2. Ali Wong (“Beef”)
3. Dominique Fishback (“Swarm”)
4. Lizzy Caplan (“Fleishman Is in Trouble”)
5. Riley Keough (“Daisy Jones & the Six”)
6. Kathryn Hahn (“Tiny Beautiful Things”)

“Jessica Chastain has won an Oscar for her portrayal of a real-life televangelist, and I think she will soon have an Emmy for portraying a real life country music legend in ‘George & Tammy.’ She’s already won a SAG Award for the performance. This category just seems to get increasingly competitive in recent years though, so perhaps Ali Wong will triumph for her work in what I thought was the buzzier series, ‘Beef.’ ”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. Dominique Fishback (“Swarm”)
2. Lizzy Caplan (“Fleishman Is in Trouble”)
3. Ali Wong (“Beef”)
4. Kathryn Hahn (“Tiny Beautiful Things”)
5. Riley Keough (“Daisy Jones & the Six”)
6. Jessica Chastain (“George & Tammy”)

“I’m all in for Dominique Fishback running away with the award for ‘Swarm,’ which acting-wise, is one of the ‘biggest’ performances on this list overall. But Jessica Chastain is an awards fave, and it would be pretty easy for her to secure this one. But with ‘Fleishman In Trouble’ having a relatively surprising big round of nominations, Lizzy Caplan shouldn’t be ruled out either.”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. Jessica Chastain (“George & Tammy”)
2. Dominique Fishback (“Swarm”)
3. Ali Wong (“Beef”)
4. Lizzy Caplan (“Fleishman Is in Trouble”)
5. Riley Keough (“Daisy Jones & the Six”)
6. Kathryn Hahn (“Tiny Beautiful Things”)

“Jessica Chastain won an Oscar as Tammy Faye Bakker and seems destined to win an Emmy as a very different Tammy (Wynette) in Showtime’s musical biographical miniseries. Dominique Fishback’s terrifying performance as ‘Swarm’s’ homicidal superfan and Ali Wong as one of the ‘Beef’ antagonists are strong, and refreshingly diverse, alternatives.”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. Jessica Chastain (“George & Tammy”)
2. Ali Wong (“Beef”)
3. Lizzy Caplan (“Fleishman Is in Trouble”)
4. Riley Keough (“Daisy Jones & the Six”)
5. Dominique Fishback (“Swarm”)
6. Kathryn Hahn (“Tiny Beautiful Things”)

“I could see Ali Wong winning for ‘Beef.’ Known as a comedian, she was excellent in capturing the yawning emptiness felt by her perfectionist character. But awards voters love portrayals of real-life figures, and Jessica Chastain delivered an intimate, empathetic look at country singer Tammy Wynette in ‘George & Tammy’ — plus she sang all those famous songs.”

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Lead actor in a limited series or movie

A close-up of an angry man (played by Steven Yeun) in the midst of a road-rage incident in the Netflix limited series "Beef."

1. Steven Yeun (“Beef”)
2. Evan Peters (“Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”)
3. Daniel Radcliffe (“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”)
4. Michael Shannon (“George & Tammy”)
5. Taron Egerton (“Black Bird”)
6. Kumail Nanjiani (“Welcome to Chippendales”)

Just about the whole panel ping-pongs between Yeun and Peters in their predictions, with a few citing the “Weird”-ness of Radcliffe’s movie and performance as reasons to go the erstwhile wizard’s way.

Glenn Whipp says, “Yeun did everything – comedy, desperation, madness – at a high level. He has earned it.”

Kristen Baldwin writes, “Peters, who also earned a Screen Actors Guild nomination for ‘Dahmer’, remains the one to beat in this category.”

And Tracy Brown says, “Radcliffe’s performance in ‘Weird’ was so unexpectedly revelatory, I’m giving the edge to him.”

Brown, Whipp and Matt Roush mention how the work of Yeun, Michael Shannon and Taron Egerton was inextricably tied to their costars, speculating how that could help or hurt their chances (will voters hand their shows sweeps or spread the love around?). All the panelists agree on is that this race could break in many different directions.

Lorraine Ali
Los Angeles Times

1. Steven Yeun (“Beef”)
2. (tie) Taron Egerton (“Black Bird”)
2. (tie) Evan Peters (“Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”)
2. (tie) Daniel Radcliffe (“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”)
2. (tie) Michael Shannon (“George & Tammy”)
6. Kumail Nanjiani (“Welcome to Chippendales”)

“The big surprise on the list is Kumail Nanjiani for his portrayal of Steve Banerjee, the late founder of the Chippendales male dance review, but it’s still anyone’s guess who’ll pull to the front of the crowd. I’m throwing in for Yeun’s unforgettable portrayal of road rage and dashed expectations in ‘Beef.’ But there were also some excellent depictions of a serial killer, a jailhouse snitch and two eccentric music stars.’”

Kristen Baldwin
Entertainment Weekly

1. Evan Peters (“Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”)
2. Steven Yeun (“Beef”)
3. Daniel Radcliffe (“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”)
4. Taron Egerton (“Black Bird”)
5. Michael Shannon (“George & Tammy”)
6. Kumail Nanjiani (“Welcome to Chippendales”)

“Evan Peters, who also earned a Screen Actors Guild nomination for ‘Dahmer’, remains the one to beat in this category, though ‘Beef’ star Steven Yeun also has momentum for his performance as a struggling contractor undone by a random incident of road rage. That said, I’d love to be wrong about both if voters decided to give Daniel Radcliffe the win.”

Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times

1. Daniel Radcliffe (“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”)
2. Steven Yeun (“Beef”)
3. Evan Peters (“Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”)
4. Michael Shannon (“George & Tammy”)
5. Taron Egerton (“Black Bird”)
6. Kumail Nanjiani (“Welcome to Chippendales”)

“Both Steven Yeun and Michael Shannon’s stellar performances are intrinsically tied to their ‘Beef’ and ‘George & Tammy’ counterparts, so a part of me thinks the wins in these limited series/TV movie lead acting categories will go to one of these pairs. But Daniel Radcliffe’s performance in ‘Weird’ was so unexpectedly revelatory, I’m giving the edge to him.”

Trey Mangum
Shadow and Act

1. Daniel Radcliffe (“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”)
2. Steven Yeun (“Beef”)
3. Evan Peters (“Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”)
4. Taron Egerton (“Black Bird”)
5. Kumail Nanjiani (“Welcome to Chippendales”)
6. Michael Shannon (“George & Tammy”)

“This could go three different ways with Radcliffe, Peters and Yeun, all about equally likely. Peters won the Globe, but it makes sense that Yeun’s show-stopping ‘Beef’ performance would land him the Emmy. If voters gave ‘Weird’ a good look — if this were anyone’s award to lose — I’d go with Daniel Radcliffe. But on a typical Emmy night, I’d bet on Peters or Yeun.”

Matt Roush
TV Guide

1. Evan Peters (“Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”)
2. Steven Yeun (“Beef”)
3. Michael Shannon (“George & Tammy”)
4. Daniel Radcliffe (“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”)
5. Taron Egerton (“Black Bird”)
6. Kumail Nanjiani (“Welcome to Chippendales”)

“Odds-on favorite Evan Peters as Monster’s notorious Jeffrey ‘Dahmer’ has the flashiest role, though a ‘Beef’ bonanza could put the terrific Steven Yuen on top. Michael Shannon as the self-destructive country star George Jones is also prime Emmy bait. And while ‘Black Bird’s’ Taron Egerton is a long shot, his chilling co-star Paul Walter Hauser (as another serial killer) is a lock in the supporting category.”

Glenn Whipp
Los Angeles Times

1. Evan Peters (“Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”)
2. Steven Yeun (“Beef”)
3. Daniel Radcliffe (“Weird: The Al Yankovic Story”)
4. Michael Shannon (“George & Tammy”)
5. Taron Egerton (“Black Bird”)
6. Kumail Nanjiani (“Welcome to Chippendales”)

“I think one of ‘Beef’s’ leads – Ali Wong or Steven Yeun – will win. Who knows? Maybe they’ll make it a clean sweep. With Paul Walter Hauser favored to take the limited series supporting actor category for ‘Black Bird,’ I think voters will pivot so as not to dip into the serial killer pool twice. And Yeun did everything – comedy, desperation, madness – at a high level. He has earned it.”

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