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The panel unanimously predicts Jean Smart to win her seventh Emmy overall and fourth for “Hacks.” Ayo Edebiri takes all the second-place votes but one, but her best bet this year may be in the directing category.
While the top contenders are all from returning shows, Lorraine Ali says, “Season 1 picks Uzo Aduba (‘The Residence’) and Kristen Bell (‘Nobody Wants This’) stand a chance, especially given their previous work in other beloved comedies.”
Pointing out Smart is on a Julia Louis-Dreyfus/“Veep”-like run, Glenn Whipp says her “victory feels inevitable.” Matt Roush says Smart had the advantage of the juiciest material this season, adding bitterly, “Since Emmy voters refuse to acknowledge Bridget Everett …”
But Kristen Baldwin has a suggestion to help voters gain clarity: “Fire up your HBO Max. Search for ‘Hacks’ Season 4, Episode 9. Fast-forward to the 30-minute mark. Watch Smart deliver Deborah Vance’s final (for now?) late-night monologue — and then cast your ballot, mmkay?”
More predictions: Comedy actor | Comedy series
1. Jean Smart, “Hacks”
2. Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
3. Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
4. Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”
5. Uzo Aduba, “The Residence”
Los Angeles Times
Lorraine Ali
1. Jean Smart, “Hacks”
2. Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
3. Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”
4. Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
5. Uzo Aduba, “The Residence”
“Former winners Smart and Brunson are formidable frontrunners. Edebiri has a supporting Emmy, but Season 3 of the series lacked much-needed mojo. Aduba and Bell stand a chance, especially given their previous work in other beloved comedies.”
Entertainment Weekly
Kristen Baldwin
1. Jean Smart, “Hacks”
2. Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
3. Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
4. Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”
5. Uzo Aduba, “The Residence”
“OK voters, fire up your HBO Max. Search for ‘Hacks’ Season 4, Episode 9. Fast forward to the 30-minute mark. Watch Smart deliver Deborah Vance’s final (for now?) late-night monologue — and then cast your ballot, mmkay?”
Los Angeles Times
Tracy Brown
1. Jean Smart, “Hacks”
2. Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
3. Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
4. Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”
5. Uzo Aduba, “The Residence”
“Smart has won this award for each of ‘Hacks’’ three previous seasons. I don’t see the streak ending this year because she continues to be brilliant as Deborah Vance, the resilient comedian-turned-late-night-host who ends Season 4 ready to take back the reins of her life and career.”
Shadow and Act
Trey Mangum
1. Jean Smart, “Hacks”
2. Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
3. Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
4. Uzo Aduba, “The Residence”
5. Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”
“Smart is still on an incredible run. Then you have Brunson consistently delivering. And there is Edebiri as well, despite ‘The Bear’ not being as buzzy as past seasons. Smart still has the edge here, though.”
TV Guide
Matt Roush
1. Jean Smart, “Hacks”
2. Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
3. Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”
4. Uzo Aduba, “The Residence”
5. Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
“Will Smart win her fourth straight Emmy for ‘Hacks’? It seems very likely in a season that saw Deborah Vance achieve her dream and then throw it away. None of the other players in this field had material so juicy. And since Emmy voters refuse to acknowledge Bridget Everett…”
Los Angeles Times
Glenn Whipp
1. Jean Smart, “Hacks”
2. Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”
3. Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”
4. Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”
5. Uzo Aduba, “The Residence”
“Smart is on one of those winning streaks like Julia Louis-Dreyfus enjoyed with ‘Veep’ a few years ago. Victory feels inevitable and, really, who has a problem with that? It looks like ‘Hacks’ will finish its run next season. Will she go five-for-five?”
