2024 Emmy Predictions: Best Comedy Writing
This year, for the first time since 1982, the last three consecutive Best Comedy Writing Emmy winners are nominated in the category simultaneously. Looking to emulate “Taxi’s” defeat of “M*A*S*H” and “Barney Miller” is reigning victor “The Bear,” which faces its most serious challenges from “Hacks” and “Abbott Elementary.”
The current comedy writing lineup is also the first since 2013 to include no new programs, with the six nominees having lasted for an average of three seasons so far. In this category alone, these half dozen shows boast a collective total of 17 nominations dating back to 2020.
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In order to determine the likeliest outcome of this contest, let’s take a closer look at each nominee. Be sure to make your predictions in this and 24 other Primetime Emmy categories by September 15.
“Abbott Elementary” – Quinta Brunson
Episode: “Career Day”
Reigning Best Comedy Actress champ Brunson has bounced back in this category a year after experiencing a post-win snub. Voters have now been asked to consider her respective writing and acting abilities in the third season premiere and finale, the former of which focuses on her character, Janine, moving from her classroom job to a district position.
“The Bear” – Christopher Storer and Joanna Calo
Episode: “Fishes”
Less than a year after achieving this honor for penning his show’s debut episode, Storer is seeking a repeat victory alongside one of his 2023 producing co-winners. In the lengthiest episode of the series to date, the central Berzatto family gather for a Christmas dinner that predictably devolves into chaos.
“Girls5eva” – Meredith Scardino and Sam Means
Episode: “Orlando”
Scardino, who won four writing Emmys for “The Colbert Report,” shares her second bid for this series with her former “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” producing partner and three-time “The Daily Show” writing victor Means. Their submission finds the titular pop group performing at a trophy wife’s birthday party while in the midst of a multi-city tour.
“Hacks” – Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky
Episode: “Bulletproof”
This trio are recognized for writing their show’s third season finale three years after winning this award for its pilot. Aniello is also nominated for directing the same installment, which ultimately alters the dynamic between main characters Deborah (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder).
“The Other Two” – Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider
Episode: “Brooke Hosts a Night of Undeniable Good”
As its title suggests, this concluded series’ submitted episode involves talent manager Brooke Dubek (Helene Yorke) organizing a mental health telethon to boost her younger brother’s music career. Before breaking into this category last year, Kelly and Schneider shared in six writing nominations for “Saturday Night Live.”
“What We Do in the Shadows” – Jake Bender and Zach Dunn
Episode: “Pride Parade”
Emmys newcomers Bender and Dunn bring their show’s total number of individual writing nominees to seven. Its sixth recognized teleplay focuses on its primary characters — a group of Staten Island vampires — helping their neighbor host a pride parade to benefit his comptroller campaign.
So, what will win the 2024 Emmy for Best Comedy Writing? While their present lifetime win totals indicate that “The Bear” is more popular than “Hacks” among TV academy members, the high likelihood of the former’s Ayo Edebiri losing Best Comedy Actress to Smart makes it vulnerable against its chief rival in other areas. As the two shows enter their first shared Emmys ceremony, the newer one’s levels of Gold Derby user support in this and the directing races are separated by a whopping 15 percentage points.
Analyzing the frontrunners’ submitted scripts reveals that the “Hacks” one follows a satisfying structure one would expect from a season finale while the “Bear” one moves more fluidly as it hits a series of strong emotional beats. Although “Fishes” is more likely to be lauded for its attention-grabbing acting and directing, it’s wisest to bet on Storer retaining his writing crown as well.
PREDICT the 2024 Emmy winners through September 15
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