Emmys 2023: The top 15 Outstanding Comedy Series contenders
An ever-improving Abbott Elementary, the final seasons of Ted Lasso and Barry, and newcomers like The Bear make this one of the Emmys' toughest categories
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With the 2023 Primetime Emmy nominations just around the corner—they’ll be announced on July 12, and the show takes place on September 18—The A.V Club is breaking down this year’s contenders in some key races. After tackling dramas last week, we turn our attention this time to another big category: Outstanding Comedy Series.
Unlike that aforementioned dramas race, which has a couple of clear favorites, the comedy category is trickier to predict, thanks to breakout newcomers like The Bear and Poker Face, and the final seasons of established awards magnets Barry, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Ted Lasso. Plus, we’ve learned to never dismiss the ever-increasing allure of Abbott Elementary. To help narrow it all down, here are 15 promising comedies, which we’ve split into four categories: top contenders, strong possibilities, wild cards, and shows that should (but won’t) be nominated. And be sure to check back in next week, when we’ll dissect potential Outstanding Lead Actors (for both dramas and comedies) in one handy list.
14 Comments
The US version of Ghosts might be my favorite current sitcom. Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar are one of the most appealing sitcom lead couples ever & the ghost supporting characters are incredible
Beat me to it. Ghosts should be on this list.
Considering some of the brilliant comedies on TV right now, the critical success of Abbott Elementary is inexplicable. It’s derivative as hell and it’s just not that funny. I’ve tried to give it a chance, but in the end it’s just a boring, cookie cutter network sitcom with really, really good press.
I like Abbott Elementary but for whatever reason the way they use the documentary-style format irritates the hell out of me. With most shows shot like that I just tune it out
Um, this season of Barry was about as far from a comedy as you could possibly be. I’d wager Succession was closer to a comedy than Barry. (By design.)
reservation dogs is easily the best show on this list – sorry barry! would be an actual crime if its not at least nominated
Reservation Dogs is so good that you don’t understand while watching it how effortless it seems & you wonder why every show isn’t that good. But that kind of honesty & vision is harder than it looks like
This is a very strong field. Barring the 2 or 3 shows I don’t watch, I can’t be mad about any of these winning.
LOVE Somebody Somewhere; I hope it gets some recognition.
I’m a huge Barry stan, and I liked the final season, but it is easily the weakest the show has ever been, and while I think it’s going to get some nominations, I don’t expect any wins, unlike last year where I felt like it got kinda robbed.Personally pulling for Natasha and Poker Face.
Natasha Lyonne would be an extremely deserving winner
Really? That show was unwatchable for me.
I feel like it is Natasha Lyonne’s time for awards recognition. Some of it might be overdue love for her in Orange is the New Black and Russian Doll
Why Bear is in the comedy section????