2019 Emmys: Who will try and stop Alex Borstein from going back to back in Best Comedy Supporting Actress?

The Best Comedy Supporting Actress race is without a front-runner. Why? There’s a lot of ladies that any other year would have a legit chance of not only making the lineup but winning. 

Last year Alex Borstein (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) took the title besting seven other funny ladies: a trio from Saturday Night Live: Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant and Leslie Jones; Betty Gilpin (GLOW); Laurie Metcalf (Roseanne); Megan Mullally (Will & Grace) and Zazie Beetz (Atlanta). Beetz will sit this year out since Atlanta will not air new episodes during the eligibility period. Even with Beetz out unless there’s another tie someone from last year is going to be snubbed. Borstein as the defending champ and recent Golden Globe and SAG nominee should be safe. Also count on past two-time winner, McKinnon making the cut again. That leaves four potential spots open. 

Let’s take a look at who’s trying to nab one of four spots in Best Comedy Supporting Actress.

Live from New York it’s Super Competitive

• Aidy Bryant
• Leslie Jones
• Cecily Strong

It was a real shock when three ladies from SNL were nominated last year. But the competition has only doubled and this feat could be difficult to pull off again. Bryant might benefit from her new Hulu series, Shrill. Keep in mind Amy Poehler stayed in the Best Comedy Supporting Actress race (2009) after the first season of Parks and Recreation. If there’s one lady from SNL that hasn’t received her share of attention it’s Strong and like Bryant last year she could surprise. 

Veep Sweep

Anna Chlumsky

Chlumsky hasn’t missed since the first season scoring five consecutive nominations. And it would be a shock if Chlumsky didn’t return for the final season. And with her character morphing into a real-life political figure (Kellyanne Conway) Chlumsky might finally take home the trophy.

Are they watching???

• D’Arcy Carden, The Good Place
• Olivia Colman, Fleabag
• Betty Gilpin, GLOW

For this trio of ladies, it really depends on whether the television academy is watching their shows. Gilpin was the only cast member of GLOW to receive an Emmy nomination last year and she was snubbed at both the Golden Globes and SAG Awards. If, Ted Danson’s nomination last year wasn’t a fluke and The Good Place is on the way up. Look out for Carden to be a factor in the race—factor in her role in Barry and she could definitely sneak in. Colman might have just won an Oscar but it’s hard to believe she would receive a nomination and the star and creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge would be snubbed. Colman’s best chances might be in the Best Limited Series/TV Movie Supporting Actress category for Les Misérables.

The Revivalists

• Laurie Metcalf, The Conners
• Megan Mullally, Will & Grace

Both scored nominations last year—but both have been better. And the television academy doesn’t seem to love revivals as much as the networks do. Each faces the chance of being left out.

The Marvelous Mrs. Weissman

Marin Hinkle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Typically, after a show wins a Best Series prize they experience an uptick in nominations. Should this be the case for Mrs. Maisel lookout for season two standout Hinkle to sashay her way into a Best Comedy Supporting Actress nomination. 

Shows on the Rise

• Sarah Baker, The Kominsky Method
• Sarah Goldberg, Barry
• Nancy Travis, The Kominsky Method

Few predicted the success Barry received at last year’s Emmys. Goldberg with an increased role in season two on a show we know the television academy is watching could sneak in for a nomination. Netflix, wants to make a splash with The Kominsky Method should the series overperform look out for either Baker or Travis to possibly go along for the ride.

One Last or First Time

• Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory
• Rita Moreno, One Day at a Time

Bialik receive four consecutive nominations but hasn’t been nominated since 2015. With The Big Bang Theory coming to an end will the television academy want to send one of their veterans out with another nomination. EGOT winner and living legend, Moreno, has been snubbed for One Day at a Time’s first two seasons. Could the television academy come around now that this is their last chance?

My Preliminary Predictions 

• Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
• D’Arcy Carden, The Good Place
• Anna Chlumsky, Veep
• Betty Gilpin, GLOW
• Marin Hinkle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
• Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live

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Amanda Spears

Film and television fanatic. Awards expert. Proud founder of #PresentAll24. Freelance entertainment writer. Part time podcast guest. All time dog-mom.

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