The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards are coming up! There’s so much to do in so little time, so I shall now be giving you my predictions for the Comedy Series categories.

Outstanding Comedy Series:

1. Abbott Elementary
2. Hacks​
3. Ted Lasso
4. Barry
5. Only Murders in the Building
6. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
7. What We Do in the Shadows
8. Curb Your Enthusiasm

Early on, I like many other predictors expected Ted Lasso to win for the second year in a row. Multiple acting nominations alone suggested that the actors branch really loved the second season. At the Creative Arts last weekend, Ted Lasso was up for 10 awards, but won nothing. Meanwhile, Abbott Elementary only had one bid for casting, which it prevailed in. The show wasn't recognized for directing nor picture editing. However, enthusiasm for it really grew after nominations were announced. Which reminds me of how enthusiasm for CODA started to grow more prior to final Oscar voting, and despite not having any bids for directing nor editing, it still managed to win Best Picture. I have a feeling Abbott Elementary is on a similar trajectory. Although I can see Hacks winning for its second season. That show did pretty well on the main telecast last year by winning Lead Actress, directing (which was definitely a shocker), and writing. Those three accolades it won suggests it was probably second to Ted Lasso in this category.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series:

1. Jason Sudeikis-Ted Lasso
2. Bill Hader-Barry
3. Steve Martin-Only Murders in the Building
4. Martin Short-Only Murders in the Building
5. Nicholas Hoult-The Great
6. Donald Glover-Atlanta

This race is likely down to a pair of former Saturday Night Live cast members who've won before for their respective shows. Bill Hader managed to win for the first two seasons of Barry in 2018 and 2019 while Jason Sudeikis won for the first season of Ted Lasso last year. Not to mention that the latter went on to sweep through the Golden Globes, SAG, and Critics' Choice Awards for the second season this past winter. Then again, that was before season three of Barry premiered. Plus, Hader's character/performance is completely different from all the other nominees given that his show is a dark comedy. This category is such a coin toss, that I'll probably keep debating over my prediction until the envelope is open.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series:

1. Jean Smart-Hacks
2. Quinta Brunson-Abbott Elementary
3. Rachel Brosnahan-The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
4. Elle Fanning-The Great
5. Issa Rae-Insecure
6. Kaley Cuoco-The Flight Attendant

When discussing my predictions in this category last year, I mentioned that the last couple of times Jean Smart was nominated, a number of people expected her to win, but someone else pulled an upset. Thankfully, that was not the case when she won for the first season of Hacks. She appears to be in a strong position to win for the second year in a row. However, the last time we had a repeat in this category was when Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her sixth consecutive Emmy for Veep back in 2017. The last four winners have been either for a first year show (as was the case with Rachel Brosnahan for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in 2018 and the aforementioned Smart last year) or a final year show (as was the case with Phoebe Waller-Bridge for Fleabag in 2019 and Catherine O'Hara for Schitt's Creek in 2020). Like Waller-Bridge, Quinta Brunson is both the creator and star of her series, Abbott Elementary. Some may argue "Well, she'll likely be taken care of in writing," but keep in mind that only writers vote in that category while actors vote in acting categories. Therefore, if actors would really like to vote for Brunson, this is the only place they can do so. I used that factor to successfully predict Waller-Bridge was sweeping three years ago as well as Dan Levy for Schitt's Creek two years ago. Not only that, but Brunson did win the TCA Award for Individual Comedy last month. The last five winners there went on to repeat at the Emmys.​ Though with Laurie Metcalf overcoming a vote-split with three other guest stars from Hacks for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series at the Creative Arts Awards last weekend, it showed that season two is probably strong with the actors branch.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:

1. Brett Goldstein-Ted Lasso
2. Tyler James Williams-Abbott Elementary
3. Henry Winkler-Barry
4. Tony Shalhoub-The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
5. Anthony Carrigan-Barry
6. Toheeb Jimoh-Ted Lasso
7. Bowen Yang-Saturday Night Live
8. Nick Mohammed-Ted Lasso

Last year, Brett Goldstein managed to overcome vote-splitting with three other men from the first season of Ted Lasso to win this category. Not only that, but while season two was airing during final voting, he received a standout episode which might've helped him. This year, season two is in contention, and I think Goldstein will overcome vote-splitting with two co-stars. While repeats have become rare recently, there doesn't appear to be a strong alternative. I think the closest is probably Tyler James Williams because if Abbott Elementary gets on a roll, he could pull off a surprise coattail win. Though with that being said, Brett Goldstein is looking to be Ted Lasso's best shot at winning a second consecutive Emmy.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:

1. Janelle James-Abbott Elementary
2. Hannah Einbinder-Hacks
3. ​Hannah Waddingham-Ted Lasso
4. Alex Borstein-The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
5. Sheryl Lee Ralph-Abbott Elementary
6. Juno Temple-Ted Lasso
7. Kate McKinnon-Saturday Night Live
8. Sarah Niles-Ted Lasso

Last year, Hannah Waddingham managed to overcome a vote split with her Ted Lasso co-star, Juno Temple. This year, it might be trickier for history to repeat itself. Not only is there a third lady from Ted Lasso in contention, Sarah Niles, but Juno Temple got more opportunities to shine on season two. Sure, it's possible that Waddingham could still win for the second year in a row like how Alex Borstein managed to do so for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel back in 2019. Then again, those who love Abbott Elementary have been citing Janelle James as the standout of the whole cast. If that is the case, it should be possible for her to overcome vote-splitting with her co-star, Sheryl Lee Ralph. Although I can see Hannah Einbinder winning for Hacks given that she is not up against a co-star herself as well as a possible I.O.U. given that she didn't win last year.

The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards air on NBC tonight at 8:00.