Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

Nominees are pictured and listed in alphabetical order. Beware of spoilers for listed episodes.

Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk & Ian Brennan, Glee (Pilot)
This was the episode that got everyone talking, which now aired almost a year and a half ago back in May 2009. Yet it’s the only installment of the show recognized here and it’s a good bet to garner a good number of voters. Its only real competition is the episode listed right below: a pilot of another show that received many acting nominations and a bid for Best Comedy Series. It’s a crapshoot – one or the other should take home this award.

Steven Levitan & Christopher Lloyd, Modern Family (Pilot)
ABC’s family comedy is represented here for its beloved pilot, and I think that the writing on this show is one thing that can’t be ignored. The actors are great, as evidenced by the many acting nods the show garnered, but the characters are fantastic as well, and it’s in this excellently-composed pilot that everything comes together in a really great and endearing way. I’d put this above “Glee” in terms of writing, and I think it’s the frontrunner.

Greg Daniels & Mindy Kaling, The Office (Niagara, Parts 1 & 2)
This is the fifth episode of "The Office" to be nominated for an Emmy for writing, and “Gay Witch Hunt” is the series’ only win here. In an uneven season, this was unquestionably the strongest episode, a two-parter that saw its two most endearing members tie the knot. If not for the two new shows above, it might ideally be a shoo-in, but I think it will have to go unrewarded, especially since honoring the show doesn’t seem like anyone’s priority this year considering how most people now feel about it as a whole.

Matt Hubbard, 30 Rock (Anna Howard Shaw Day)
“30 Rock” has won in this category the past two years, and this is definitely the stronger of the two installments under consideration this year. Liz’s re-imagined vision of Valentine’s Day is funny, and the way that all of her previous boyfriends are worked into the script is entertaining. I think one of the newbies is going to take this, but don’t ever count out the juggernaut that is “30 Rock” when it comes to the Emmys.

Tina Fey & Kay Cannon, 30 Rock (Lee Marvin vs. Derek Jeter)
What does this episode have going for it? Tina Fey’s name. Against it? The whole Avery vs. Nancy plotline. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s something that depends heavily on having seen other episodes of the show (potentially annoying ones at that), whereas the “30 Rock” episodes that have won in the past haven’t been that type of installment. Additionally, Julianne Moore’s Boston accent will likely get most viewers to rank this episode last.

Who should win: “Modern Family” (my ballot)
Who will win: “Modern Family”

Next up: Best Drama Series