Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Directing for a Comedy Series

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

Lena Dunham, Girls (On All Fours)
Paris Barclay, Glee (Diva)
Louis C.K., Louie (New Year’s Eve)
Gail Mancuso, Modern Family (Arrested)
Beth McCarthy-Miller, 30 Rock (Hogcock/Last Lunch)

Each of these directors has been nominated exactly once before, for directing an episode of their current series, with the exception of McCarthy-Miller, who has two nominations to her name for her show. None has ever won, so the victor this year will be a first-time winner. “Modern Family” has won this award the past two years, which makes its victory likely, though “30 Rock,” which has never won before, could be recognized for its two-part series finale. “Glee” is well past its prime, while the episode of “Girls,” while decent, is much too dark for this category. That leaves “Louie,” which won for writing last year and may well win for acting this year, as the third challenger and potential upset. I’m not overly invested in this category as compared with most of the others.

What should win: Anything but “Glee”
What will win: It could be “30 Rock” or “Louie,” but why bet against Modern Family?

Next up: Best Writing for a Comedy Series