2022 Emmy Nomination Predictions: Best Guest Actor and Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Kieran Culkin "Saturday Night Live"

Bill Hader "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

Nathan Lane "Only Murders in the Building"

John Mulaney "Saturday Night Live"

Alexander Skarsgard "Atlanta"

Jason Sudeikis "Saturday Night Live"

Other Contenders - Willie Geist "And Just Like That", Devon Sawa "Hacks", Jerrod Carmichael "Saturday Night Live", Wes Studi "Reservation Dogs", Albert Brooks "Curb Your Enthusiasm", James Caverly "Only Murders in the Building", Liam Neeson "Atlanta", James Lance "Hacks", Christopher MacDonald "Hacks", Taika Waititi "What We Do in the Shadows", Sam Richardson "Ted Lasso"

Commentary - Let's face it, none of us really know what is going to happen in these Guest races. What we do know is that usually name recognition is the most important factor, or the quirky actor's actor breaks in when no one is expecting. That is a hard balancing act when it comes to predictions. I am leaning heavily on name recognition this year. Bill Hader, Kieran Culkin, and Jason Sudeikis are all getting nominated in other categories, and we often see Emmy voters double up nominations in the same year. Nathan Lane is a legend, and I think he could be our front runner for the win. Finaly, I am picking recent winners John Mulaney and Alexander Skarsgard, popular actors in shows that are huge contenders across the board. Willie Geist could get some sympathy votes, Devon Sawa would be an inspired choice. Wes Studi and Albert Brooks are legends, Jerrod Carmichael is close to making the cut, and watch out for Neeson, Lance, Richardson, MacDonald, and Waititi. 

Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Jane Adams "Hacks"

Gillian Anderson "The Great"

Ariana DeBose "Saturday Night Live"

Jane Lynch "Only Murders in the Building"

Laurie Metcalf "Hacks"

Harriet Walter "Ted Lasso"

Other Contenders - Tracey Ullman "Curb Your Enthusiasm", Sharon Stone "The Flight Attendant", Tina Fey "Only Murders in the Building", Dolly Parton "Grace & Frankie", Quinta Brunson "A Black Lady Sketch Show, Harriet Sansom Harris "Hacks", Kelly Bishop "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel", Susie Essman "Hacks", Kaitlin Olson "Hacks"

Commentary - This category feels ripe for surprise nominees. I think Hacks is going to do well. Jane Adams would be my fourth Hacks pick, and wouldn't make the cut, but after making it in last year, I am not leaving her out. I am also including Laurie Metcalf, because she is a perennial Emmy favorite. But watch out for Harriet Samson Harris, Susie Essman, and Kaitlin Olson. Jane Lynch could easily win another Emmy for her great turn in Only Murders in the Building. Harriet Walter has become a guarantee in these guest categories, and is great in Ted Lasso. Finally, Gillian Anderson is fresh off an Emmy win, and Ariana DeBose is fresh off of an Oscar win. Voters love previous recognition. But you cannot discount Tracey Ullman, or Sharon Stone, or Tina Fey. Dolly Parton is God, Quinta Brunson is close to being God, and Kelly Bishop is a Goddess. Again, this race is ripe for some interesting surprises.