The Primetime Emmy Awards are coming up, but this year you can leave the brooms at home.
True, the Emmys are coming off two straight years of sweeps. In 2020, the final season of “Schitt’s Creek” won all four comedy acting categories, plus writing, directing and outstanding comedy series, the first series to score 7 out of 7 in its field. And last year, “The Crown” did the same in the drama series categories, becoming the first drama to sweep all of its top categories.
Especially in recent years, Television Academy voters have displayed a curious tunnel vision in their choices, giving nominations and awards to the same shows over and over again. This year’s nominations were no exception, with HBO “Succession” earning a record 14 nominations for acting and shows like Apple TV+ “Ted Lassos” and HBO “The White Lotus” also accumulating the noms.
But when it comes to the awards being handed out this Monday night, genre sweeps are impossible because there isn’t a single drama, comedy or limited series nominated in all seven major categories. “Succession,” the favorite in the drama, is not nominated for lead actress; “Ted Lasso,” the reigning champion of comedy, also doesn’t have a lead actress; and “The White Lotus,” the most awarded limited series, has only acting contenders in the minor categories.
So voters will have no choice but to spread the love this year. As a result, “Succession” could find itself in a battle with the Korean Netflix sensation. “Squid Game” “Ted Lasso” Will Take On The Formidable Freshman Comedies “Abbott Elementary” of ABC and “Only murders in the building” from Hulu, while “The White Lotus” can’t sweep aside Hulu “Stunned”.
Here are our best guesses on which shows and people will come out on top on Emmy night, with the caveat that the Emmys almost always throw up a handful of real surprises.
And click to see our analysis of each category.