Yahoo News Emmys 2024: Lead Actor in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees!
There are four certainties in life: Death, taxes, The Simpsons will outlive us all and, come September, Jeremy Allen White will pick up his second consecutive Emmy for playing The Bear‘s tormented chef extraordinaire, Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto.
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That’s not to say the Shameless alum won’t face some stiff competition in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series race. Because he will. And if Emmy voters heed at least a few of our Dream Emmy suggestions below, the field could contain several overdue first-time contenders.
Scroll down to check out all of our Dream Nominees (remember, these aren’t predictions; they’re wish lists) and then tell us if our picks warrant a “Hell, yes!,” “Um, no” or “How could you leave off so-and-so?!”
For the record, 2024 Emmy nominations will be voted on from June 13-24, and unveiled on July 17. The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air on Sunday, Sept. 15, on ABC.
Scroll down for links to our previous Dream Emmy categories:
Outstanding Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
Iain Armitage, Young Sheldon
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Armitage, now 15, was just 8 years old when he was cast as pint-sized Sheldon — and over the next seven seasons, we watched as he began to master all of his predecessor’s Big Bang mannerisms. By the time he stepped up to deliver Sheldon’s eulogy to George Sr. in the series finale, his transformation was complete. The cadence of his speech, down to the pauses between each sentence, and the way he blinked to accentuate his brainy alter ego’s discomfort expressing genuine emotion, was all trademark Sheldon, harkening back to Jim Parsons’ delivery of Dr. Cooper’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech. — Ryan Schwartz
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: The Seinfeld creator delivered some of his best acting work in Curb‘s final season, which saw Larry become an accidental hero after unknowingly breaking a polling law. Knowing the end was near, David put his character’s spite, rage and overall argumentative nature on full display. It was a joy to watch the comedian have so much fun as Larry continued making new enemies and ultimately wound up in jail. We’re not sure who had more chutzpah — fictional Larry or his portrayer — but David’s proclivity to push his performance to extremes is a boldness we’re certainly going to miss. — Nick Caruso
Martin Freeman, Breeders
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Freeman ushered his character through some much-needed growth in Season 4, but that didn’t mean Paul’s short fuse and penchant for profanity were eradicated completely. The actor comically explored the realism of parenting while navigating his kids’ huge reveals — a baby on the way for Luke and Ava’s coming out — all of which gave him free rein to freak the hell out while trying to balance his family’s ever-changing needs. Freeman never failed to entertain us with his divine delivery of razor-sharp quips, British mannerisms and myriad ways of dropping a perfectly timed F-bomb. — N.C.
Kelsey Grammer, Frasier
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Toss the salads and scramble the eggs, because Grammer slipped right back into his most famous role in Paramount+’s new revival — and he hasn’t lost a step. Grammer’s comedic timing was still impeccable as Frasier Crane entered the next phase of his life, always ready with a sharply written quip, and he effortlessly shifted into dramatic territory when Frasier dealt with his fractured relationship with his son Freddy and the loss of his father Martin. Twenty years have passed since Frasier ended its original run, but Grammer’s lively turn made it feel like no time at all. — Dave Nemetz
Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Anyone who has followed Martin’s career knows he’s musically gifted, yet we still weren’t prepared for the greatness bestowed upon us when he took center stage in Season 3 and delivered Charles’ patter song, “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?” He was quick as a whip as he made his way through the increasingly difficult show tune, hitting every accented refrain with just the right amount of fervor. The latest batch of episodes also blessed us with Charles’ trip to the White Room, affording Martin yet another opportunity to show that he’s still one of the most gifted physical comedians alive. — R.S.
Danny McBride, The Righteous Gemstones
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: It’s time voters give McBride — a longtime staple of some of HBO’s funniest programming — his flowers. As eldest sibling Jesse Gemstone, McBride walks a fine line between egotistical know-it-all and pitiful successor to his father; he performs both sides convincingly and hysterically. And in Season 3, he found that delicate balance once again, building up Jesse’s bravado (as a new member of the Cape & Pistol Society, for instance) then tearing it down (when Jesse, Judy and Kelvin were held hostage by the Montgomerys). Dyed sideburns and all, we can’t help but root for Jesse, and McBride keeps us on his character’s side. — Rebecca Iannucci
Sam Richardson, The Afterparty
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: As an affable yet perpetually nervous guy looking to propose to his girlfriend at her sister’s wedding, Richardson buoyed the whodunit’s eccentric brand of comedy with his character’s social ineptitude and dorky ticks. The actor’s delivery of his character’s verbal diarrhea, mixed with his physical comedy chops and wide-eyed facial expressions, had us transfixed as we took in the other characters’ versions of what happened the night of Grace and Edgar’s wedding. And while he was once again part of a carefully crafted (and talented!) ensemble, Richardson’s delightful performance could’ve upstaged almost any bride. — N.C.
Jeremy Allen White, The Bear
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: The sophomore run of Hulu’s nail-bitingly intense kitchen dramedy was like a pressure cooker, but it brought out the best in White, who revealed new depths in chef Carmy as he scrambled to open his dream restaurant. White was as frantic as ever, barking out orders in the kitchen, but he also showed us a romantic side as Carmy rekindled things with old flame Claire. Plus, he exposed the root of Carmy’s psychological wounds in a flashback to a traumatic family Christmas. It was all a simmering stew of passionate emotions… and we couldn’t get enough. — D.N.
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