Emmys: Lead Actor (Comedy) – Jason Sudeikis and Jeremy Allen White Have Never Lost a Televised Awards Ceremony, and Now, They Finally Face Off

Clayton Davis
·7-min read

Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.

Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:

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2023 Emmy Predictions:
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Barry Season 4, Epsiode 5 Zachary Golinger, Bill Hader Credit: Merrick Morton/HBO
Barry Season 4, Episode 5 Zachary Golinger, Bill Hader Credit: Merrick Morton/HBO

Weekly Commentary (Updated Aug. 17, 2023): Jason Sudeikis from “Ted Lasso” and Jeremy Allen White from “The Bear” have never lost a televised award. They will face off for the first time at the Emmys in January.

In the freshman FX series, White emerges as one of the most exciting talents in the game with his role as John, a young man grappling with the aftermath of a tragic loss and struggles with addiction. White has won every televised award thus far, constantly being rewarded for his haunting portrayal. Oh, and by the way, it’s funny? Will the already-aired second season’s far more dramatic tone hurt his winning chances?

In the Apple TV+ comedy series, Sudeikis portrays the titular character, the affable and optimistic coach hired to lead the struggling English soccer team, which has brought two consecutive Emmy statuettes in addition to Golden Globes, Critics Choice and SAG. Sudeikis’ ability to balance humor and heart has connected with audiences and TV Academy members. Will it be a three-peat? With 21 noms for the show, it’s hard to argue otherwise.

Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Primetime Emmy predictions in the major categories.

Martin Short’s performance is the secret sauce that combines the chemistry of the acting trifecta. In Hulu’s mystery comedy, he plays Oliver Putnam, a flamboyant and eccentric Broadway director with a proclivity for the theatrics, something the TV Academy felt was still worthy after skimping out on his co-star Steve Martin. Short’s larger-than-life presence and magnetic charm could make him a dark horse to nab his first acting statuette without the fear of vote-splitting. Plus, he’s never won an acting Emmy (how is that possible?)

Jason Segel’s challenging role as Dr. Benjamin Harper, a renowned psychiatrist struggling with his unresolved traumas following the death of his wife, is a captivating portrayal that brought him his first (and deserved) nom. Raw vulnerability wrapped in his nuanced performance breaks your heart in the Apple TV+ series, alongside his nominated co-star Jessica Williams and the criminally snubbed Harrison Ford. While the nom may be the reward, considering how “Shrinking” performed overall, season two can’t come soon enough.

Bill Hader’s epic portrayal of Barry Berkman, the hitman-turned-aspiring actor, made his final bow in the acclaimed HBO dark comedy. Winning two statuettes for the first two seasons, Hader’s ability to effortlessly transition between comedy and drama has always been his greatest strength, showing the complexities of Barry’s internal struggles. Perhaps the Television Academy will want to give him one more trip to the stage.

The rankings for the category are below.

The final Emmy voting rounds open on Aug. 17 at 9 a.m. PT and close on Aug. 28 at 10 p.m. PST. The 75th Emmy Awards are scheduled to air on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT. The Creative Arts ceremony will occur on Saturday, January 6, and Sunday, January 7. An edited version will air on FXX on Saturday, January 13, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET. All events will take place at the Peacock Theater at LA Live.

Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Creative Arts predictions in all categories.

And the Nominees Are:

  1. Jeremy Allen White — “The Bear” (FX)
    Episode submission: “Braciole”

  2. Jason Sudeikis — “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV+)
    Episode submission: “So Long, Farewell”

  3. Martin Short — “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)
    Episode submission: “The Tell”

  4. Bill Hader — “Barry” (HBO)
    Episode submission: “you’re charming”

  5. Jason Segel — “Shrinking” (Apple TV+)
    Episode submission: “Imposter Syndrome”

All Eligible Performers (Alphabetized by Network)**

  • John Goodman — “The Conners” (ABC)

  • Sean Giambrone — “The Goldbergs” (ABC)

  • Topher Grace — “Home Economics” (ABC)

  • Elisha Williams — “The Wonder Years” (ABC)

  • Jean Elie — “Send Help” (Allblk)

  • Bob Odenkirk — “Lucky Hank” (AMC)

  • Enrique Arrison — “Acapulco” (Apple TV+)

  • Chris O’Dowd — “The Big Door Prize” (Apple TV+)

  • Billy Crudup — “Hello Tomorrow!” (Apple TV+)

  • Rob McElenney — “Mythic Quest” (Apple TV+)

  • Keegan-Michael Key — “Schmigadoon!” (Apple TV+)

  • Jason Segel — “Shrinking” (Apple TV+)

  • Jason Sudeikis — “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV+)

  • Billy Gardell — “Bob Hearts Abishola” (CBS)

  • Utkarsh Ambudkar — “Ghosts” (CBS)

  • Cedric the Entertainer — “The Neighborhood” (CBS)

  • Skylar Astin — “So Help Me Todd” (CBS)

  • Steve Howey — “True Lies” (CBS)

  • Iain Armitage — “Young Sheldon” (CBS)

  • Ben Wang — “American Born Chinese” (Disney+)

  • Joel McHale — “Animal Control” (Fox)

  • Marcus Scribner — “Grown-ish” (Freeform)

  • Ronald Gladden — “Jury Duty” (Freevee)

  • Garrett Dillahunt — “Sprung” (Freevee)

  • Donald Glover — “Atlanta” (FX)

  • Dave Burd — “Dave” (FX)

  • Keegan-Michael Key — “Reboot” (FX)

  • D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai — “Reservation Dogs” (FX)

  • Jeremy Allen White — “The Bear” (FX)

  • Matt Berry — “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX)

  • Kayvan Novak — “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX)

  • Garret Dillahunt — “Sprung” (Freevee)

  • Hugh Laurie — “Avenue 5” (HBO)

  • Bill Hader — “Barry” (HBO)

  • Julio Torres — “Los Espookys” (HBO)

  • Bernardo Velasco — “Los Espookys” (HBO)

  • Drew Tarver — “The Other Two” (HBO)

  • Terence Nance — “Random Acts of Flyness” (HBO)

  • Nathan Fielder — “The Rehearsal” (HBO)

  • Bashir Salahuddin — “South Side” (HBO)

  • Michael Cimino — “Love, Victor” (Hulu)

  • Steve Martin — “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)

  • Martin Short — “Only Murders in the Building” (Hulu)

  • Ramy Youssef — “Ramy” (Hulu)

  • Keegan -Michael Key — “Reboot” (Hulu)

  • Nicholas Hoult — “The Great” (Hulu)

  • Chris Estrada — “This Fool” (Hulu)

  • Delroy Lindo — “Unprisoned” (Hulu)

  • Carlos Valdes — “Up Here” (Hulu)

  • George Lopez — “Lopez vs. Lopez” (NBC)

  • Joseph Lee Anderson — “Young Rock” (NBC)

  • Ralph Macchio — “Cobra Kai” (Netflix)

  • William Zabka — “Cobra Kai” (Netflix)

  • Lucas Bravo — “Emily in Paris” (Netflix)

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger — “Fubar” (Netflix)

  • Mohammed Amer — “Mo” (Netflix)

  • Kurtwood Smith — “That ’90s Show” (Netflix)

  • Rob Lowe — “Unstable” (Netflix)

  • Neil Patrick Harris — “Uncoupled” (Netflix)

  • Mike Epps — “The Upshaws” (Netflix)

  • Sylvester Stallone — “Tulsa King” (Paramount+)

  • Pete Davidson — “Bupkis” (Peacock)

  • John Larroquette — “Night Court” (Peacock)

  • Adam Devine — “Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin” (Peacock)

  • William Jackson Harper — “The Resort” (Peacock)

  • Ed Helms — “Rutherford Falls” (Peacock)

  • Christoph Waltz — “The Consultant” (Prime Video)

  • James Corden — “Mammals” (Prime Video)

  • Stephen Merchant — “The Outlaws” (Prime Video)

  • Christopher Walken — “The Outlaws” (Prime Video)

  • Ignacio Diaz-Silverio — “Primo” (Prime Video)

  • Hosea Chanchez — “The Game” (Starz)

  • Adam Scott — “Party Down” (Starz)

  • Alan Tudyk — “Resident Alien” (Syfy)

** This list or category submission is not yet complete or confirmed and is subject to change.

2022 category winner: Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso from “Ted Lasso” (Apple TV+) – Season 2

Emmy Awards Predictions Categories

DRAMA SERIES | COMEDY SERIES | LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES | TV MOVIE | LEAD ACTOR (DRAMA) | LEAD ACTOR (COMEDY) | LEAD ACTOR (LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | LEAD ACTRESS (DRAMA) | LEAD ACTRESS (COMEDY) | LEAD ACTRESS (LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | SUPPORTING ACTOR (DRAMA) | SUPPORTING ACTOR (COMEDY) | SUPPORTING ACTOR (LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | SUPPORTING ACTRESS (DRAMA) | SUPPORTING ACTRESS (COMEDY) | SUPPORTING ACTRESS (LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | TALK SERIES | SCRIPTED VARIETY | GAME SHOW | DIRECTING (DRAMA, COMEDY, LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | WRITING (DRAMA, COMEDY, LIMITED/TV MOVIE) | REALITY (COMPETITION, STRUCTURED, UNSTRUCTURED, HOST)

Creative Arts and Other Emmy Categories

GUEST ACTOR (DRAMA) | GUEST ACTRESS (DRAMA) | GUEST ACTOR (COMEDY) | GUEST ACTRESS (COMEDY) | VOICE-OVER | SHORT FORM | DOCUMENTARY | MUSIC | ANIMATED | OTHER CATEGORIES

About the Primetime Emmy Awards

The Primetime Emmy Awards, better known as the Emmys, are given out by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Since 1949, the awards have recognized excellence in American primetime television programming. They are divided into three classes – Primetime Emmy Awards, the Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (honors artisan achievements), and the Primetime Engineering Emmy Awards (recognizes significant engineering and technological contributions). The typical eligibility period is between June 1 and May 31 of any given year. The Television Academy comprises over 25,000 members, representing 30 professional peer groups, including performers, directors, producers, art directors, artisans, and executives.

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