2019 Emmy Predictions: Writing and Directing for a Variety Series and a Variety Special

Best Directing for a Variety Series
Will Win - Don Roy King "Saturday Night Live - Host: Adam Sandler"
Could Win - Alex Buono and Rhys Thomas "Documentary Now - Waiting for the Artist"
Should Win - Alex Buono and Rhys Thomas "Documentary Now - Waiting for the Artist"
Commentary - Since 2010 Don Roy King has won this award for Saturday Night Live a whopping seven times. He doesn't win every year, every once in a while something does come up and beat him. If anything is going to do that this year, it is the brilliant episode of Documentary Now. But, while I could see an upset, I think that I have better odds if I don't bet against King and SNL.

Best Writing in a Variety Series
Will Win - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Could Win - Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Should Win - Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Commentary - John Oliver has done well in this category in recent years, and until someone takes the crown from him, I am going to assume he repeats as a winner. If anyone can beat him it is Stephen Colbert who upset Jon Stewart in the category before.

Best Directing in a Variety Special
Will Win - Glenn Weiss "The Oscars"
Could Win - Beyonce and Ed Burke "Homecoming: A Film By Beyonce" or James Burrows and Andy Fisher "Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons
Should Win - Beyonce and Ed Burke "Homecoming: A Film By Beyonce"
Commentary - I could easily see Beyonce win an Emmy for Homecoming, an awesome musical work that earned rave reviews. I could also see the clever Live with a Studio Audience winning, as directors embrace that kind of live television with lots of moving parts (think SNL in directing categories). But Glenn Weiss has won this award so many times, including for The Oscars the last two years. I am betting on the proven winner.

Best Writing in a Variety Special
Will Win - Hannah Gadsby "Hannah Gadsby: Nanette"
Could Win - Wanda Sykes "Wanda Sykes: Not Normal"
Should Win - Hannah Gadsby "Hannah Gadsby: Nanette"
Commentary - Comedy stand up specials do well in this category, with last year's winner John Mulaney being a perfect example. No stand up special had more of an impact this year than Hannah Gadsby's Nanette, and I think an Emmy will be her reward.