2021 Emmy Nomination Predictions - Best Competition Series, Reality Host, Variety Talk Series, and Variety Sketch Series

Best Competition Series

The Masked Singer

Nailed It!

RuPaul's Drag Race

Top Chef 

The Voice

Other Contenders - The Amazing Race, American Ninja Warrior, The Challenge, Full Bloom, Dancing With the Stars, America's Got Talent, American Idol, The Masked Dancer, Supermarket Sweep

Commentary - This category lacks imagination because its voters like to repeat over, and over, and over, and over again. I am picking the five that were nominated last year, because it is always the safest bet. If anyone can grab a slot it is previous winners The Amazing Race and American Ninja Warrior, because it would fit in the mold of consistency. 

Best Reality Host

Nicole Byer "Nailed It!" 

Karamo Brown, Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Bobby Berk, and Jonathan Van Ness "Queer Eye" 

RuPaul Charles "RuPaul's Drag Race"

Daymond John, Barbara Corcoran, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Kevin O'Leary, and Robert Herjavec "Shark Tank" 

Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio  "Top Chef"

Other Contenders - Leslie Jones "Supermarket Sweep", Jane Lynch "Weakest Link", Tiffany Haddish "Kids Say the Darndest Things", Jimmy Kimmel "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire", Phil Keoghan "The Amazing Race", Ryan Seacrest "American Idol", Ellen DeGeneres "Ellen's Game of Games", Alec Baldwin "Match Game", Jane Krakowski "Name That Tune", Jason Sudeikis "Tournament of Laughs"

Commentary - This category has actually had some shakeups over the year, unlike many of its program counterparts. But, I am sticking with five nominees from last year, all popular shows and popular hosts. But, you have recent Emmy favorites like Leslie Jones, Jane Lynch (who won this category several times), Tiffany Haddish, Jimmy Kimmel, Phil Keoghan, Ryan Seacrest, Ellen DeGeneres, Alec Baldwin, and Jane Krakowski. Also, watch out for Jason Sudeikis. When folks are popular like he is this year because of Ted Lasso, coattails often follow. 

Best Variety Talk Series

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

Jimmy Kimmel Live

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Other Contenders - Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Desus and Mero, Conan, Real Time with Bill Maher, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

Commentary - Again, this category has been incredibly consistent. I really thing there is going to be a point where Late Night breaks through. This could be the year, and I think Jimmy Kimmel is the one that falls out of the race if that happens. But I am sticking with last year's five. Also watch out for previous nominees Late Late Show, Real Time, and The Tonight Show, as well as Desus and Mero, and Conan, particularly after he announced he was ending his show. 

Best Variety Sketch Series

A Black Lady Sketch Show

Saturday Night Live

Other Contenders - The Amber Ruffin Show, How To with John Wilson, Tiffany Haddish: They Ready, Ziwe Show, That Damn Michael Che, Whose Line Is it Anyway, Studio C

Commentary - It will probably not be long before the Talk and Sketch programs are re-combined. There are simply no longer enough contenders to justify two categories. SNL and A Black Lady Sketch Show are both big contenders across other categories, and previous nominees/winners. If anyone can upset those two slots, I would say it is Amber Ruffin and How To, based on buzz.