2015 Emmy Predictions: Best Actress in a Comedy Series
It seems utterly inconceivable that Amy Poelher has never won an Emmy. Between her long-term stints on “Saturday Night Live,” “Parks and Recreation,” and hosting the Golden Globes — for all of which she served as both a creative mind and physical interpreter — the fact that she’s never been awarded television’s highest honor just seems silly. With her NBC sitcom over and done, she’s got one last shot at earning the trophy for a program that may form the basis of her legacy — but there are five other ladies looking to stop her.
READ MORE: Lisa Kudrow on How ‘The Comeback’ Began, How Season 2 Ended and a Potential Season 3
You have to start with the returning champ, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. A member of TV royalty, Louis-Dreyfus has won one or more Emmys for each of her landmark roles: “Seinfeld,” “The New Adventures of Old Christine,” and “Veep.” Edie Falco is also a favorite of the TV Academy, and had a hot streak to rival Louis-Dreyfus’ back in the late ’90s/early aughts. With four trophies in 12 tries, the former “Sopranos” star is looking at her swan song for “Nurse Jackie” (which she already won for in 2010). She’s certainly well-liked, as is fellow nominee Lisa Kudrow. This year marks her tenth nomination, and she’s won once before (for “Friends” in 1998).
No one, though, can hold a candle to Lily Tomlin. The television icon has been nominated 22 times now, hauling in six wins since her first nod in 1971 (plus five Daytime Emmy nods and one win). Meanwhile, Amy Schumer landed her first nod in this category after getting her first nomination ever last year for writing “Inside Amy Schumer.” Most of Tomlin’s wins were for writing, so the two should have plenty to talk about when they meet up in September. Whether or not that lowers their competitive spirit, well, that’s one thing we can’t predict.
Below are predictions for best comedy series from both Indiewire Awards Editor Peter Knegt and TV Critic Ben Travers. Check back as they might very well change ’em up between now and September, and stay up-to-date on all the races with our predictions in all the categories here.
The nominees:
Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
Lisa Kudrow, “The Comeback”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”
Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation”
Amy Schumer, “Inside Amy Schumer”
Lily Tomlin, “Grace and Frankie”
Ben’s predictions:
Will win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”
Could win: Amy Schumer, “Inside Amy Schumer”
Should win: Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation”
Shoulda been here: Ellie Kemper, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”
Peter’s predictions:
Will win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”
Could win: Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation”
Should win: Lisa Kudrow, “The Comeback”
Shoulda been here: Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson, “Broad City”
