2026 Emmy predictions: best comedy series

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Only eight comedy series received votes in Round 1, with exiting favorite “Hacks” way out in front.Is the low number of contenders indicative of a down year for comedy, or the dominance of those eight?Either way, Trey Mangum says not to bet the farm on “Hacks” just yet: “ ‘Shrinking’ is coming off of its buzziest season yet, so I wouldn’t count out the upset here.” Among the projected nominees, “The Comeback” and “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” get the most panel buzz.Meanwhile, a Marvel series — the first since “WandaVision” to receive accolades from the BuzzMeter — enjoys major praise from half the panel, but no nomination picks: “While I’m the last person to advocate for a Marvel series (one universe is enough, dammit!),” grumbles Kristen Baldwin, “voters shouldn’t forget about ‘Wonder Man,’ a buddy comedy that values heart over superhero antics.”“My favorite long shot is ‘Wonder Man,’ Marvel’s love letter to Hollywood dreams and dreamers,” says Tracy Brown.

“Maybe the TV Academy will surprise me.“Lorraine Ali acknowledges the front-runners, but sighs, “My perfect-universe picks? ‘Wonder Man,’ ‘The Lowdown,’ ‘Big Mistakes’ and ‘Deli Boys.’ A girl can dream.”More predictions: comedy actor | comedy actress | comedy supp.

actor | comedy supp.actress1.

“Hacks”2.“Shrinking”3.

“Abbott Elementary”4.“The Bear”5.

“Margo’s Got Money Troubles”6.“The Comeback”7.

“Only Murders in the Building”8.“Nobody Wants This”Los Angeles TimesLorraine Ali1.

“Hacks”T2.“Abbott Elementary”T2.

“Margo’s Got Money Troubles”T2.“Shrinking”T5.

“The Bear”T5.“Nobody Wants This”T7.

“The Comeback”T7.“Only Murders in the Building”“Many recognizable titles will dominate this category: ‘Hacks,’ ‘Abbott Elementary,’ ‘Only Murders in the Building,’...