Emmys 2016 Predictions: Can Kate McKinnon Or Judith Light Beat Allison Janney? [POLL, VIDEO]
The Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series has gone to the same person two years in a row. Can she make it a third year in a row in September?
Allison Janney won the Emmy for Comedy Supporting Actress in 2014 and 2015 for playing Bonnie Plunkett on CBS's multi-camera sitcom, Mom. She is nominated again this year and is nominated alongside much of the same competition she had last year. However, Emmy voters sometimes change their minds and go in a different direction from year to year, so it's no guarantee that she'll win again.
Let's take a look at the Emmy race this year for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series from least likely to win to most likely.
6. Gaby Hoffmann as Ali Pfefferman in Transparent
Hoffmann is on her second consecutive nomination for playing the youngest/most complicated Pfefferman child in Transparent. Her nomination last year was a bit of a surprise considering she's not the most well-known actress nor is she the most comedic on the Amazon series. Hoffmann's role did expand in season 2 of Transparent, but with so many traditionally funny ladies in the mix, we don't think she will get enough overall support to put her over the top this year.
5. Niecy Nash as Denise "DiDi" Ortley in Getting On
Like with Hoffmann, Nash's nomination was a huge surprise last year considering how low-rated Getting On had been. This was also her first-ever Emmy nomination, so it's not like she was a huge Emmy favorite before this. Regardless, Nash received another nomination this year and brought along co-star Laurie Metcalf in the Comedy Lead Actress category. Voters are clearly watching the show, and Nash's role as sympathetic nurse DiDi is a fan favorite. It's possible she could pull off an upset, but she probably doesn't have the overall popularity to get her the trophy.
4. Anna Chlumsky as Amy Brookheimer in Veep
This is Chlumsky's fourth consecutive Emmy nomination for playing constantly-frazzled Amy in Veep. Unlike her co-stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tony Hale, however, she has yet to win the Emmy. This season of Veep was the most heavily awarded by far, with 17 nominations in total so Chlumsky could definitely get swept into a big night for the show in September. But her overall lack of screen time in season 5 will probably prevent her from winning in the end.
3. Kate McKinnon as various characters in Saturday Night Live
McKinnon has a lot of things going for her that could get her the Emmy win this year. First, this is her third consecutive nomination for SNL and is the only regular star on the legendary series to be nomination for the past three years. She notably plays Hillary Clinton on the series and is frequently part of viral sketches. She also has a hit movie, Ghostbusters, out in theaters now. Despite all this, however, the fact remains that no SNL performers have ever won in the comedy categories, suggesting there might be a weird bias. But if anyone could break the pattern, it's McKinnon.
2. Judith Light as Shelly Pfefferman in Transparent
Despite this being for the second season of Transparent, this is Light's first nomination for the show. Some were shocked that she was unable to get into a field of eight actresses last year, but with her role being very expanded in season 2, it was no shock to see her this year. Light, who plays effervescent mother Shelly Pfefferman, submitted a very strong, comedic episode for consideration ("Flicky-Flicky Thump-Thump"). She is also a television legend, having worked with numerous actors over the years. Light has a very strong shot of winning, and it would not be shocking in the slightest if she actually did so.
1. Allison Janney as Bonnie Plunkett in Mom
Even as we entertain the idea of other actresses winning, we don't think voters have given up on Janney just yet. Janney is one of the most awarded actresses in Emmy history, with a whopping seven wins under her belt. She is also on the most traditionally comedic show in this category, appealing to a broad segment of the Television Academy. And in her submitted episode, "Terrorists and Gingerbread", she gets to show off her dramatic range as well as her comedy chops. It's a perfect combination of elements to get Janney her third win in a row.
What do you think?
The 2016 Primetime Emmys air live Sunday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on ABC.
