My Picks for This Year's Emmys, Part 2

Now, the comedies. Since this has been a category where there are far more repeats than dramas, I know that my predictions are far less likely to be answered. Nevertheless, here we go.

BEST COMEDY

'Modern Family' has been in a slight decline, so it's probably not going to make it. 'Master of None' prevailed at the Critics Choice', but I'm not a hundred percent sure enough people saw it. 'Transparent' is an exceptional series - easily one of the best on the air - but there are a lot of people who question whether or not it is actually a comedy that may keep it from winning.

'Veep' is a very good series, and considering the level of political discord that we saw is only slightly less plausible than what's been happening this year, it may be more relevant. However, part of me would really like to see 'black-ish' prevail. It's funny, it's eerily prescient, and it deals with far more relevant issues that several of the dramas on the air. I'm pulling for 'black-ish', but I expect either 'Veep' or 'Silicon Valley' to prevail.

Should Win: 'black-ish'

Will Win: 'Veep'.

BEST ACTOR, COMEDY

Like last season, there are a lot of very deserving candidates up. Aziz Ansari was superb in 'Master of None', but he was nominated in two other categories, so he might prevail elsewhere. Thomas Middleditch is fine on 'Silicon Valley' - it's hard playing an 'almost' straight man. And Anthony Anderson has deserved an Emmy since 'The Shield'.

But all signs seem to point towards Jeffrey Tambor repeating for his wondrous work on 'Transparent'. Normally, I'd be a bit more irritated at this, but considering he spent the last twenty years continuously coming up short at the Emmys, I think that reparations are due. Besides, considering he won the SAG award and the Broadcast Critics', it would be shocking if he didn't win.

Should Win/Will Win: Tambor.

BEST ACTRESS, COMEDY

Now I have nothing against Julia-Louis Dreyfus' work on 'Veep'. She's profane, she's off-putting, she's hysterical - she more than deserves to win. But five straight wins? Isn't it about time they shared the love a little?

Considering that Rachel Bloom, who prevailed at the Globes and the Critic's Choice, was shut out and that Gina Rodriguez got ignored as well, the next most obvious choice is Amy Schumer, whose work was marvelous on her self-titled comedy. That said, I think a stronger argument could be made for first time nominee Tracee Ellis Ross, whose work on 'black-ish' as the slightly more sober Bow is a more than deserving comedienne on a network full of them.

Should Win: Ross.

Will Win: Dreyfus (sigh).

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, COMEDY

There are a lot of good contenders in this category. I have no real objection if Tony Hale picks up his third trophy (let's face it, his meltdown in the season finale was incredible), but considering that Matt Walsh will siphon some votes away from him, it's less likely than last year. Keegan-Michael Key is getting his last chance in this category, but considering that his co-star wasn't present (and that he nominated himself as a supporting actor) he might not prevail.

My personal favorite, much as it has been for the last two times out, is Andre Braugher. And considering that yet again he prevailed in the Broadcast Critics awards, and that he's never won in this category, I think that he's more than due.

Should Win/Will Win: Braugher.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, COMEDY

Mayim Bialik was robbed of a nomination. Let's just get this out of the way. Now I don't really object if Allison Janney wins her eighth Emmy overall, but once again, I kind of feel the need for some new blood.  Relatively speaking.

Anna Chlumsky was good, as always, on 'Veep', but she didn't have the same fiery flash of brilliance that she had last year. Niecy Nash was more than good on 'Getting On', but I'm not sure enough people saw that series for her to prevail. So I'm going with one of the 'Transparent' belles. Gaby Hoffman has been one of my favorite actresses, and her work on this series, while often overshadowed by Light and Landecker, has been among the best she's ever done. If one great former child actress can't win her, I'd be grateful if this one could.

Should win: Hoffman.

Will Win: Hoffman/Janney.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's conclusion.