What a difference a year makes. yet, due to impeccable timing, this category is not nearly as wide open as the drama race due to several strong returning contenders. And once again, due to impeccable timing, one show is dropping its third season during the voting period on the second, while another will drop its 4th season while people are voting on whether or not the third should win. Freshness. It has its place.

1) The Bear (FX on Hulu)

I mean, duh. Right? OF course the Bear is going to get a nomination. I feel like voters are getting submitted a ballot that is prefilled out with The Bear already on there, like the world just assumes this is a thing. After the surprisingly high amount of nominations for the first season, the better question is can it win? It seemed like a sure fire bet, but the next show on this list really hit a home run.

2) Hacks (MAX)

Critics are going nuts, just totally insane over the third season of Hacks. Most people believe Hacks just had its best season so far, so it is giving The Bear a legitimate run for its money. If I was an Emmy voter, I’d pick Hacks, because it fits more with the genre. The Bear has far more dramatic moments. The brilliant seven fishes episode works so well because of that dramatic moment. But Hacks, legitimately is a comedy. The comedy far outweighs the comedy. I think this is the only show that could sneak a win, but I still think this is The bear’s to lose.

3) Abbott Elementary (ABC)

After a strong season that addressed the writers strike pretty well, this lone network darling is very likely to get a nomination, it just can’t beat the more critical choices. This is becoming the populist choice in many ways.

4) Only Murders In The Building (Hulu)

Meryl Streep certainly helps, as she’s pretty locked for that Supporting Actress nomination. shockingly, last year they were OK with splitting up the Martins, so the question here isn’t if it gets a series nod, but if it can get both Martin’s in the Best Actor race… or Selena Gomez.

5) Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)

Going out the door, a previous nominee in this series, this is going to get the nomination but it has no shot of winning. It it too deep in the run, and The Bear is too hot.

6) What We Do In The Shadows (FX)

I’m sticking with what works. A lot of insane critics are saying the often forgotten Reservation Dogs will get the nomination, but Shadows has gotten a series nod a few times. I think it is very likely it will get a nomination again. Emmy voters are pretty predictable, and we didn’t really have a hot new breakout comedy series anywhere on any network, cable, or streaming service.

7) Gen V (Amazon)

I said there wasn’t really a big new hit, and that’s true. It’s tough to fully embrace the idea that Gen V is a comedy, but it is campaigning in this category. Since this category lost some nominees and competition as shows like Jury Duty, Barry, Atlanta, and The Marvelous Ms Maisel no longer exist, it looks like Gen V might get the same obligatory series nomination that The boys once got. Of all the new shows, I feel most secure in seeing this happen.

8) The Toss up Nomination

So, I have a hard time buying The Gentleman as a comedy series. Maybe we all watched a different show. I know people have it here, but I just don’t see it in this race. I’m fairly certain, although the original series was beloved, Frasier’s revival won’t be. Despite Girls 5 Eva being excellent and moving to Netflix, I can’t buy voters finally recognizing a show that got saved, although they should. Ghosts has long deserved this recognition, but it won’t get it. Loot is likely to maybe get Maya Rudolph, but I can’t see a series nod. Life And Beth has its best shot in Amy Schumer. The wildcard here, is a show that I’m getting some FYC for, and that’s The Righteous Gemstones. I don’t normally jump in late on a series, but HBO has nothing really to push in drama except The Guilded Age, so it isn’t impossible for them to try and get three comedy nominations. They know people aren’t that big of fans of And Just Like That, and the fact that I’m getting FYC campaigns for Gemstones, means I know they are putting it out there. that doesn’t always amount to a nomination, but this 8th spot is tough. Go with your gut, most people are leaning on The Gentleman, but I just don’t see it. My bet is The Righteous Gemstones.