My Picks For This Year's Critics Choice: Part 2, Comedy

BEST COMEDY SERIES

This may be the easiest pick of the night. Could Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or Schitt’s Creek upset? It is possible. But considering that the critics were the first people to notice Fleabag and the first groups to recognize it en masse, and considering that it was one of the great shows of the year, Fleabag pretty much has this one in its back pocket. And I have no problem with that.

Should Win/Will Win: Fleabag.

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES

Could Ramy Youseff, a long shot a week ago, end up pulling another upset and winning for his self-titled comedy? It’s honestly possible, considering that not even thought he had a chance at the Golden Globe.

However, I think it’s more likely to go to one of the veteran’s whose been up for this category and hasn’t had a win yet, and whose likely up for the last time. Which means it’s either Ted Danson for The Good Place or Eugene Levy for Schitt’s Creek. Levy’s speech would probably be more entertaining, but I’m going to give the barest of edges to Danson. Though you never know: Bill Hader could make it two in a row, and he was actually better this year than last year.

Should Win: Danson/Levy.

Will Win: Danson/Hader.

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES

Could Rachel Brosnahan make it three years running? Could Julia Louis-Dreyfus get a valedictory win for Veep? They could, but I’m betting know. Phoebe Waller-Bridge has been winning just about every Best Actress award in sight, and every argument I made about Fleabag applies more so to its creator/lead. She is the greatest hyphenate in a world of hyphenates.

Should Win/Will Win: Waller-Bridge.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY

This is where it gets tricky. Last week, I was sure Andrew Scott had a lock on this category for the Globes and then Stellan Skarsgard surprised even himself. Different awards, different category. Still, you can’t rule out an upset here. Henry Winkler was just as good last year as this year, and anyone who saw the fall finale for The Good Place knows just how incredible William Jackson Harper is.

Still, I feel relatively safe in picking Andrew Scott being anointed for his incredible work as ‘Hot Priest’. The Critics Choice have no problem giving three awards to the same series. Hell, they did it last year.

Should Win: Scott/Harper.

Will Win: Scott.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY

Ah, category with nothing in the Globes to guide me. Could they make it a three-peat for Alex Borstein? She is still absolutely Marvelous. But this year, I think there is a chance the Supporting Actress will go to a different supporting lady.

Sian Clifford could win if the Fleabag power extends to this category. (Helps that Olivia Colman isn’t here.  Rita Moreno could prevail – this is a show the critics love and she is a treasure. But this time, I think they’ll take the road not taken, and go with Janet/ D’Arcy Carden. In all candor, she deserved to win last year, and the fact that the Emmys didn’t even nominate her, I have a feeling that the critics will give her the prize.

Should Win: Carden.

Will Win: Carden (but you never know.)

Tomorrow, I finish up.