2022 Emmys Predictions: Who Should Win And Who Will Win?

Mark S and the rest of the team stand together in a scene from Severance

Be honest. Did you know that the 2022 Emmys are tonight? My guess is no because you’re coming off of a 48-hour football binge which included some pizza, beer, and a dramatic plea for Justin Herbert to throw to Mike Williams.

Ok, that’s just me.

Anyways, television continues to operate at a ridiculously-high level. TV is on a three-year heater where multiple new shows come out of nowhere to dominate pop culture. Severance, Squid Game, Yellowjackets, Abbott Elementary, The White Lotus, and Only Murders in the Building are all first-year shows that had their own moment to shine, which is saying something considering how fast the Internet moves.

It’s competitive as ever this year so once again, I am here to gift you with some predictions. May B̶o̶b̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶R̶h̶e̶a̶ the best nominees win.

Outstanding Drama Series

  • Better Call Saul (AMC)
  • Euphoria (HBO/HBO Max)
  • Ozark (Netflix)
  • Severance (Apple TV+)
  • Squid Game (Netflix)
  • Stranger Things (Netflix)
  • Succession (HBO/HBO Max)
  • Yellowjackets (Showtime)

You could make cases for Better Call Saul, Severance, Squid Game, Succession, and Yellowjackets. Severance is my favorite new show of the year, and the finale is the best episode of the year—however, good luck dethroning Succession, which also had a tremendous ending.

  • Who Should Win: Severance
  • Who Will Win: Succession

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

  • Jason Bateman – Ozark 
  • Brian Cox – Succession 
  • Lee Jung-jae – Squid Game 
  • Bob Odenkirk – Better Call Saul 
  • Adam Scott – Severance 
  • Jeremy Strong – Succession 

Did you know that Better Call Saul has zero (0) Emmy wins? Frankly, that’s a crime. I tend to think the Emmy voters will reward Odenkirk at next year’s ceremony, but there’s no time like the present. It’s Bob’s time.

  • Who Should Win: Bob Odenkirk – Better Call Saul, but every nominee is worthy of this award.
  • Who Will Win: Bob Odenkirk – Better Call Saul 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

  • Jodie Comer – Killing Eve 
  • Laura Linney – Ozark 
  • Melanie Lynskey – Yellowjackets
  • Sandra Oh – Killing Eve 
  • Reese Witherspoon – The Morning Show
  • Zendaya – Euphoria 

Any other year, Melanie Lynskey would be walking away with this award. However, Euphoria’s fifth episode, “Stand Still Like the Hummingbird,” is Zendaya’s crowning achievement in her young career.

  • Who Should Win: Zendaya – Euphoria 
  • Who Will Win: Zendaya – Euphoria 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

  • Nicholas Braun – Succession 
  • Billy Crudup – The Morning Show 
  • Kieran Culkin – Succession
  • Matthew Macfadyen – Succession 
  • O Yeong-su – Squid Game 
  • Park Hae-soo – Squid Game 
  • John Turturro – Severance
  • Christopher Walken – Severance 
  • Who Should Win: Kieran Culkin – Succession
  • Who Will Win: Kieran Culkin – Succession

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

  • Patricia Arquette – Severance 
  • Julia Garner – Ozark 
  • HoYeon Jung – Squid Game 
  • Christina Ricci – Yellowjackets 
  • Rhea Seehorn – Better Call Saul
  • J. Smith-Cameron – Succession
  • Sarah Snook – Succession 
  • Sydney Sweeney – Euphoria 

[Takes a deep breath. Exhales. Screams.] RHEA SEEHORN. Since it took this long to give Rhea a nomination, I don’t see the Emmys awarding Rhea with the hardware that she deserves. I pray I’m wrong, but when in doubt, pick someone from Succession.

  • Who Should Win: Rhea Seehorn – Better Call Saul
  • Who Will Win: Sarah Snook – Succession

Outstanding Comedy Series

  • Abbott Elementary (ABC)
  • Barry (HBO/HBO Max)
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO/HBO Max)
  • Hacks (HBO/HBO Max)
  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Prime Video)
  • Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
  • Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
  • What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

This category is extremely difficult to predict. Only Murders in the Building and Abbott Elementary are looking to crash the party with strong first seasons. In a perfect world, this award goes to Barry, one of the most impressive shows on television. (Though, it may not be a comedy anymore.) But, I’ll stick with Ted Lasso as it continues to Emmy dominance.

  • Who Should Win: Barry (HBO/HBO Max)
  • Who Will Win: Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Donald Glover – Atlanta 
  • Bill Hader – Barry 
  • Nicholas Hoult – The Great 
  • Steve Martin – Only Murders in the Building 
  • Martin Short – Only Murders in the Building 
  • Jason Sudeikis – Ted Lasso 

If Jason Sudeikis wins in this category again, Ted Lasso is winning Outstanding Comedy Series. This award should go to Bill Hader, and if he wins, it will be three for three in Lead Actor as Barry Berkman.

  • Who Should Win: Bill Hader – Barry 
  • Who Will Win: Bill Hader – Barry 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Rachel Brosnahan – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel 
  • Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary 
  • Kaley Cuoco – The Flight Attendant
  • Elle Fanning – The Great 
  • Issa Rae – Insecure 
  • Jean Smart – Hacks 

Quinta Brunson has a lot of support for her excellent work in Abbot Elementary, but the Emmys love Jean Smart even more. (Rightfully so. Jean Smart is awesome.)

  • Who Should Win: Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary 
  • Who Will Win: Jean Smart – Hacks 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

  • Anthony Carrigan – Barry 
  • Brett Goldstein – Ted Lasso 
  • Toheeb Jimoh – Ted Lasso 
  • Nick Mohammed – Ted Lasso 
  • Tony Shalhoub – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel 
  • Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary 
  • Henry Winkler – Barry 
  • Bowen Yang – Saturday Night Live 

It should be Hank, but Roy Kent will win again.

  • Who Should Win: Anthony Carrigan – Barry 
  • Who Will Win: Brett Goldstein – Ted Lasso 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

  • Alex Borstein – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel 
  • Hannah Einbinder – Hacks 
  • Janelle James – Abbott Elementary 
  • Kate McKinnon – Saturday Night Live 
  • Sarah Niles – Ted Lasso 
  • Sheryl Lee Ralph – Abbott Elementary 
  • Juno Temple – Ted Lasso 
  • Hannah Waddingham – Ted Lasso 

I’m not even changing the picture from last year’s predictions. It’s Hannah Waddingham for the win. However, watch out for Kate McKinnon getting the award as the “cherry on top” of her SNL career.

Ted Lasso / Apple TV+
  • Who Should Win: Hannah Waddingham – Ted Lasso 
  • Who Will Win: Hannah Waddingham – Ted Lasso 

Outstanding Limited Series

  • Dopesick (Hulu)
  • The Dropout (Hulu)
  • Inventing Anna (Netflix)
  • Pam & Tommy (Hulu)
  • The White Lotus (HBO/HBO Max)

The toughest category of the night. While preparing for this article, Dopesick was my original selection. After much thought, I’m going with The White Lotus since it will win in a few acting categories.

  • Who Should Win: Dopesick (Hulu)
  • Who Will Win: The White Lotus (HBO/HBO Max)

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

  • Colin Firth – The Staircase 
  • Andrew Garfield – Under the Banner of Heaven 
  • Oscar Isaac – Scenes from a Marriage 
  • Michael Keaton – Dopesick 
  • Himesh Patel – Station Eleven 
  • Sebastian Stan – Pam & Tommy 

Not many people watched Under the Banner of Heaven, but I really dug Andrew Garfield’s performance. It was weird, raw, and emotional. He might be the best working actor in Hollywood. However, I have no problem with Michael Keaton winning the Emmy.

  • Who Should Win: Andrew Garfield – Under the Banner of Heaven 
  • Who Will Win: Michael Keaton – Dopesick 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

  • Toni Collette – The Staircase 
  • Julia Garner – Inventing Anna 
  • Lily James – Pam & Tommy 
  • Sarah Paulson – Impeachment: American Crime Story 
  • Margaret Qualley – Maid 
  • Amanda Seyfried – The Dropout 

Out of all the acting nominees, Margaret Qualley in Maid gave one of my five favorite performances. What hurts Qualley’s chances is Maid came out nearly one year ago. Amanda Seyfriend’s Elizabeth Holmes was better than Elizabeth Holmes herself.

  • Who Should Win: Margaret Qualley – Maid 
  • Who Will Win: Amanda Seyfried – The Dropout 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

  • Murray Bartlett – The White Lotus 
  • Jake Lacy – The White Lotus 
  • Will Poulter – Dopesick 
  • Seth Rogen – Pam & Tommy 
  • Peter Sarsgaard – Dopesick 
  • Michael Stuhlbarg – Dopesick 
  • Steve Zahn – The White Lotus 
  • Who Should Win: Murray Bartlett – The White Lotus
  • Who Will Win: Murray Bartlett – The White Lotus 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

  • Connie Britton – The White Lotus 
  • Jennifer Coolidge – The White Lotus 
  • Alexandra Daddario – The White Lotus 
  • Kaitlyn Dever – Dopesick 
  • Natasha Rothwell – The White Lotus 
  • Sydney Sweeney – The White Lotus 
  • Mare Winningham – Dopesick

The White Lotus dominance continues.

  • Who Should Win: Kaitlyn Dever – Dopesick 
  • Who Will Win: Jennifer Coolidge – The White Lotus 

What are your predictions for the Emmys? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Top 10 Best TV Shows Of 2020

Hulu Netflix shows

2020 will be remembered as the year of the pandemic. Right behind the pandemic should be television and how it captivated my life for 365 days. This past year, I’ve never watched more television in my life. Every week, a new TV show grabbed my attention and dominated my discussion within my social circles.

This is the first year where my list for top 10 TV shows was harder to make than my top 10 movies. That speaks volumes for me personally. As a result of the pandemic, I haven’t gone to a theater since February 2020, which is depressing. However, television filled my void admirably. I was willing to try more new shows because of my abundance of free time. There were so many tv shows to watch that I even missed out on notable programs like I May Destroy You and The Boys.

Below is my list for the top 10 best TV shows of 2020.

10. Devs (Hulu)

Devs FX on Hulu
Devs FX on Hulu

Can man play God? That’s one of the questions behind the sci-fi mystery, Devs. Set in San Francisco, a young software engineer (Sonoya Mizuno) named Lily works at the tech-giant, Amaya. When her boyfriend dies on the job, Lily investigates the company’s CEO, Forrest (Nick Offerman), which leads her down a dangerous but compelling path. Framed as a murder mystery, Devs dives deeper into themes of free will, determinism, and quantum computing. Many will be turned off by the show, but if you enjoy the work of Alex Garland (Ex Machina and Annihilation), Devs is a weird sci-fi thriller with a satisfying conclusion. Plus, it’s beautiful to watch.

9. PEN15 (Hulu)

https://youtu.be/oFAHiU0g0xQ

My favorite premise on television belongs to PEN15. Co-creators Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle play 13-year-old versions of themselves in the year 2000 while being surrounded by actual teenagers. The show sounds silly and childish, but it’s a stroke of genius. The gag never loses its charm, and the show hilariously dives into themes of adolescence in their own charming way. I cringe for all of the right reasons. Don’t forget to set your away message on AIM before watching.

8. ZeroZeroZero (Amazon Prime)

Zerozerozero Season 1, Episode 7 Andrea Riseborough and Dane DeHaan CR: Stefania Rosini/Amazon Studios

Remember March? That feels like five years ago. Right before the world went to shit, ZeroZeroZero hit Amazon Prime video. The story centers around the cocaine trade and involves three groups: the Mexican cartel, the American brokers, and the Italian mafia. The story tracks how cocaine is shipped from Mexico to Italy. It’s a fascinating look into a corrupt world and how power is worth more than gold. Standouts from the show include Harold Torres as Manuel Contreras, a rising soldier in the Mexican army, and Dane DeHaan as Chris Lynwood, one of the cocaine brokers who battles Huntington’s disease.

7. Unorthodox (Netflix)

https://youtu.be/-zVhRId0BTw

If Normal People did not air in 2020, then Unorthodox would be the show that moved me the most. Unorthodox plugs viewers into the ultra-Orthodox community in Brooklyn, NY. It’s here we meet Esty Shapiro (Shira Haas), an unhappily married teenager who decides to escape to Berlin and find her estranged mother. It’s a beautiful and delicate look into a world that at times, feels like a foreign country, not a neighborhood in Brooklyn. The brilliant Shira Haas is a star, and her captivating and emotionally-gripping performance is one of 2020’s best.

6. Dave (FXX/Hulu)

Hi, I’m Dave. The surprise of the year belongs to Dave, the fictionalized tale of Lil Dicky and his quest to become the best rapper in the world. Dave is borderline ridiculous at times with milk boards and shitty hikes. However, Dave is more than just dick jokes. It has subtle nuance and tackles real problems in a caring way, highlighted by the standout episode dedicated to GaTa’s bipolar disorder. The show really hit its stride towards the end with “Ally’s Toast,” and ended with one of my favorite scenes of the year. At the end of the day, Dave makes me laugh more than any other show on TV.

https://youtu.be/5_lgiPMHcgA

5. The Queen’s Gambit

https://youtu.be/CDrieqwSdgI

The winner of the “show that came out of nowhere to captivate the nation” was The Queen’s Gambit. Somehow, a show about chess became the sexiest thing on television. The Queen’s Gambit chronicles the life of Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy), an orphan chess prodigy that strives to become the world’s best player in the 1950s and 19660s. As an average chess player, I was so captivated by the show that I found myself researching The Sicilian Defense and Queen’s Gambit. It’s as entertaining of a binge-watch as you’ll find all year. Anya Taylor-Joy is a captivating performer. From her stylish outfits to her killer instinct, Taylor-Joy has a magnetic look in her eyes that reminds me of a young Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone. I just want to hang out Beth and drink a cocktail over a game of chess. Buy your Taylor-Joy stock now.

4. The Mandalorian

In my best Carl Weathers’s voice, “Mando!” Star Wars has reached new heights due to The Mandalorian. The bounty hunter tasked with returning Baby Yoda aka Grogu is an absolute blast. Even if you’re not a diehard Star Wars fan, this show is so fun and compelling that viewers can learn the ways of The Force without seeing any of the movies. Every episode is a fun adventure from start to finish. Season 2 continued to highlight where this show can go conceptually, and thanks to the recent Disney+ announcements, The Mandalorian will continue to open new doors in the Star Wars universe.

3. The Last Dance

The MVP of quarantine was The Last Dance. Spending two hours every Sunday night for five weeks with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls was one of the few highlights of 2020. From his rise in the 80s to his dominance in the 90s, The Last Dance brought fans on an emotional journey into the mindset of one of the most influential athletes of the last 100 years. When my mom and sister, who don’t play sports, are raving about a basketball documentary, then you know it’s fantastic. Jordan’s speech about winning and leadership is in my top ten scenes of the year.

https://twitter.com/ZekeHealy/status/1259884600769331205?s=20

2. Normal People

Normal People Hulu
Normal People / Hulu

The show that brought me to tears was Normal People, Hulu’s adaption of Sally Rooney’s novel about two young adults who fall in and out of love over the course of a few years. Normal People is one of the most heartbreaking and purest depictions of young love I’ve ever seen. It floored me both emotionally and mentally. The chemistry between Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones was undeniable. It’s the type of show that I will be thinking about for many years to come.

https://twitter.com/Danny_Giro/status/1256434483596865537?s=20

1. Better Call Saul

Better call saul
Rhea Seehorn and Bob Odenkirk in Better Call Saul / Greg Lewis/AMC/Sony Pictures Television

This was an easy decision. The best show TV show in 2020 was Better Call Saul. Most shows start off great and plateau in the middle seasons before declining towards the end. With Better Call Saul, it’s quite the opposite. Vince Gilligan’s prequel to Breaking Bad has gotten better every year, culminating with a perfect fifth season. Every episode is like watching a masterclass on acting, writing, and directing. The show is so strong that most fans care more about the status of the secondary lead, Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn), than the titular character, Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk). Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, and Tony Dalton all deserved Emmys for their performances. In particular, Seehorn can arguably make the claim that she’s giving the best performance on television today. She’s that damn good. Better Call Saul is no longer in the shadow of Breaking Bad. They are finally contemporaries.

Quick shoutouts to shows that just missed the cut and shows I didn’t get a chance to watch.

Honorable Mention: How To with John Wilson, Lovecraft Country, Ramy, Sex Education, Dash & Lily, The Real Bros of Simi Valley, Outer Banks

Did Not Watch: I May Destroy You (will 100% watch), The Boys, The Undoing, Ozark (Season 3), The Crown, Ted Lasso, Mrs. America, The Good Lord Bird

Editor’s Note: The Queen’s Gambit was originally at 4 and The Mandalorian was at 5. After a terrific Season 2 finale, The Mandalorian moved up to 4 while The Queen’s Gambit moved back to 5

What shows are on your top 10 lists? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

23 Thoughts About The 2020 Emmy Nominations

Better call saul

Who’s ready to argue and become “#madonline?” Whenever any list or nominations hit the Internet, in classic Internet fashion, we go right to Twitter to vent. Today was no different after the 2020 Emmy nominations were announced this morning. Below is my thread from this morning.

After taking the day to think, I came up with 23 thoughts.

1. I love that the nominations were announced at 11:30 AM EDT. I never understand why the Oscars announce their nominees at 8:20 AM EDT/5:20 AM PDT. I can’t process information that early. Frankly, the network that hosts the ceremony should have a primetime special to announce the nominations. I expect my check in the mail when a major organization steals that idea.

2. No Rhea Seehorn? I want to puke.

3. Watchmen deserved to lead the field with the most nominees with 26. Watchmen was a fantastic show from start to finish that eerily predicted what’s going on in the world in 2020. As I stated in my Emmy preview, “Watchmen should bring a broom for the clean sweep.”

4. Ramy Youssef is a rising star. I’m very happy he received an individual nomination, but I’m sad the show was not nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series.

5. No Bob Odenkirk? I want to vomit.

6. Speaking of rising stars, I’m elated Paul Mescal received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie. Normal People is at the top of my list for favorite shows in 2020. It’s a heartbreaking depiction of first love between Millenials. Mescal was excellent and has a bright future ahead of him.

7. As happy as I am that Mescal received recognition, I’m disappointed his costar, Daisy Edgar-Jones, was left out of the Outstanding Lead Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie category. It’s hard for me to reward one of the actors over the other because of their strong chemistry and connection. This won’t be the last we hear from Edgar-Jones.

8. No Normal People in the Outstanding Limited Series category hurts. If you haven’t heard by now, I loved Normal People.

9. ZENDAYA IS MEECHEE!

10. I, too, also share Laverne Cox’s excitement for Zendaya’s lead acting nomination for Euphoria. Zendaya is the standout on Euphoria. The sky is the limit for this insanely talented actress.

https://twitter.com/bywagnermoura/status/1288160201682620417?s=20

11. No Jonathan Banks? I want to gag.

12. HBO has their new Game of Thrones in the form of Succession. The Roy Family won’t dominate as Thrones did in the technical categories, but 18 nominations including one for Outstanding Drama Series position Succession to become HBO’s new staple program.

13. I’m still catching up on Succession and Ozark so I apologize for my lack of comments about both programs. However, Jeremy Strong as Kendall Roy is throwing 98mph fastballs every time he’s onscreen. He deserves his Emmy nomination.

14. THE MANDALORIAN IS UP FOR OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES! I’m still in shock, but it’s a great surprise. I can’t wait for Season 2.

The Mandalorian / Disney

15. No Tony Dalton? I want to heave.

16. I need to watch What We Do in the Shadows.

17. I miss Fleabag.

18. Unbelievable is a classic case of an excellent show coming out too early in the season. Unbelievable, a harrowing and emotional tale about sexual assault and the search for justice, premiered in September 2019 to rave reviews. Unbelievable nabbed nominations for Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Supporting Actress for Toni Collette, but the show’s two leads, Kaitlyn Dever and Merritt Wever, were snubbed from the lead acting category. If the show premiered in 2020, I bet Dever and Wever receive their well-deserved nominations.

19. I would have loved an Emmy nomination for Justin Hartley of This Is Us. However, Sterling K. Brown, Ron Cephas Jones, and Phylicia Rashad all received nominations so it’s a good consolation prize.

20. No Giancarlo Esposito? Oh wait, they did nominate Gus Fring! That’s cool, although Gus really hasn’t been “Gus” yet.

21. In a perfect world, Devs and Dave take home hardware. Maybe we’re in a simulation and need to find another outcome.

22. I can’t stop thinking about how Better Call Saul was snubbed so badly. I wrote about what would happen if the cast didn’t win any awards. However, I assumed most of the cast would receive nominations. Boy, was I wrong!

On one hand, the show scored a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. However, in the show’s best season, none of the major stars besides Esposito received acting nominations. What am I missing? I understand snubs happen every year, but Odenkirk was one of the favorites heading into nominations. Search “Rhee Seahorn” and you’ll find 20 articles about how she’s the MVP of the show and needs to receive an Emmy nomination. Jonathan Banks is a six-time nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actor, and yet he won’t hear his name called at the podium. Tony Dalton is the Breaking Bad universe’s best villain since Gus Fring, and he couldn’t even sniff the nominations. I should not be this mad about television when the world is in a pandemic, but here I am screaming at the Internet like Bob Odenkirk.

Better Call Saul didn’t even receive any directing or cinematography nominations. What is going on?

“Bagman,” Better Call Saul / Sony Pictures Television
Better Call Saul / Sony Pictures Television

There is a lot to celebrate about the nominations, but I can’t erase the sour taste in my mouth due to the lack of recognition for Better Call Saul.

23. We don’t deserve Rhea Seehorn. If I ever win an Emmy, I’m going to thank Rhea Seehorn.

For the complete list of nominations, click here.

Do you have any thoughts about the 2020 Emmy nominations? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.