2021 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Guest Actor and Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Dave Chappelle "Saturday Night Live"

Anthony Head "Ted Lasso"

Dan Levy "Saturday Night Live" 

Rene-Jean Page "Saturday Night Live"

Chris Rock "Saturday Night Live" 

Other Contenders - Aziz Ansari "Master of None", Morgan Freeman "The Kominsky Method", Daniel Kaluuya "Saturday Night Live", Jim Carrey "Saturday Night Live", Bowen Yang "Girls5Eva", Adam Driver "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver", John Mulaney "Saturday Night Live", Stephen Colbert "Girls5Eva", Andrew Rannells "Girls5Eva"

Commentary - Can 4 SNL guys really make the cut? In this year, which does not have a deep slate of contenders, the answer is yes. Dave Chappelle, who has won this category for hosting SNL before, is a lock, and could easily repeat. I also feel like last year's golden guy Dan Levy will return for his hosting job as well. The one outlier of the bunch is Anthony Head. But his performance was great, and Ted Lasso is so popular, I think it will bring its cast along with the love. The last two slots I can see going elsewhere. I think that Rene-Jean Page will ride his Bridgerton fame to this nod as well. I also think that Chris Rock is an SNL legend, whose return was welcomed. But they, along with Head, are vulnerable. Aziz Ansari was nominated for his role in Master of None before, and could return. Morgan Freeman is a living legend, and Adam Driver has always done well with these voters. Plus, there are other SNL acts that could crash the party including the legendary Jim Carrey, recent nominee John Mulaney, and recent Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya. Also, I would love to see one of the Girls5Eva guest stars make the cut, and their name-recognition alone (and hopefully the quality of their performances if voters have watched the series) could get them in. Of course I am speaking of Andrew Rannells, Bowen Yang, and Stephen Colbert.

Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Tina Fey "Girls5Eva"

Issa Rae "A Black Lady Sketch Show"

Maya Rudolph "Saturday Night Live"

Anya Taylor-Joy "Saturday Night Live"

Kristen Wiig "Saturday Night Live"

Other Contenders - Andrea Anders "Ted Lasso", Elisabeth Shue "Cobra Kai", Candice Bergen "The Conners", America Ferrera "Superstore", Jane Adams "Hacks"

Commentary - Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig are legendary SNL actor and great friends. But this year, I think they are going to be the top two competitors for this Emmy, with Rudolph looking for back to back wins. Tina Fey had a great turn as Dolly Parton in Girls5Eva and Issa Rae had several great sketches in A Black Lady Sketch Show. Plus both are recent winners/nominees and both shows look like they will make their series categories. In the last slot, I am a bit torn. I think Andrea Anders could pull an Anthony Head and ride the Ted Lasso coattails. I also wonder if nostalgia will help Elisabeth Shue. But I am sticking with Anya Taylor-Joy. Her SNL hosting gig was good, not outstanding, but she is the "it" girl this year, and like Rene-Jean Page in Guest Actor, I think her popularity for her other project could lead to double nominations. I would love to see America Ferrera get a nod for Superstore, Jane Adams is great in Hacks, and Candice Bergen is a legend. They are all hoping to upset the apple cart.