2016 Emmy Contenders: Best Actress in a Comedy Series

2016 Contenders
Julia Louis-Dreyfus "Veep"
Amy Schumer "Inside Amy Schumer"
Lily Tomlin "Grace and Frankie"
Jane Fonda "Grace and Frankie"
Ellie Kemper "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"
Melissa McCarthy "Mike & Molly"
Anna Faris "Mom"
Gina Rodriguez "Jane the Virgin"
Mindy Kaling "The Mindy Project"
Rachel Bloom "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend"
Tracee Ellis Ross "black-ish"
Lena Dunham "Girls"
Michaela Watkins "Casual"
Jamie Lee Curtis "Scream Queens"
Emma Roberts "Scream Queens"
Martha Plimpton "The Real O'Neals"
Constance Wu "Fresh Off the Boat"
Aya Cash "You're the Worst"
Rashida Jones "Angie Tribeca"
Betsy Brandt "Life in Pieces"
Lennon Parham "Playing House"
Jessica St. Clair "Playing House"
Emmy Rossum "Shameless"
Ilana Glazer "Broad City"
Abbi Jacobson "Broad City"
Kristen Schaal "The Last Man on Earth"
Laurie Metcalf "Getting On"
Sharon Horgan "Catastrophe"
Sutton Foster "Younger"
Wendi McLendon-Covey "The Goldbergs"
America Ferrera "Superstore"
Eva Longoria "Telenovela"
Carrie Preston "Crowded"

Commentary - There is going to be a moment where Julia Louis-Dreyfus just stops winning. I don't think it is this year, but she is hitting that point where it could happen at any time. With three slots (Falco, Poehler, and Kudrow not returning), this race is probably the most open of the major ones, and it could lead to some overdue recognition. Amy Schumer should return, and she is Louis-Dreyfus' biggest threat. Tomlin should also come back as well, and I think her co-star Jane Fonda will join her this year. Ellie Kemper just had too much competition this year, but they clearly like the show, and I think she easily gets in this time (and honestly should be in the running for the win). Melissa McCarthy could return, and Anna Faris could finally break in. The CW now has two Golden Globe winning actresses still vying for a slot, and while both are great, I wonder if that network will every breakthrough. Mindy Kaling survived the Hulu jump, Tracee Ellis Ross is magnificent, Lena Dunham brought Girls back to its glory this season, Micheala Watkins was engaging, and Constance Wu and Aya Cash avoided the sophomore slump. The Scream Queens, Playing House, and Broad City duo are in the mix, as is Rashida Jones, Laurie Metcalf, Kristen Schall, and hopefully the great Sutton Foster for Younger.