Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

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

Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary (Pilot)
Duffy Boudreau, Barry (710N)
Alec Berg and Bill Hader, Barry (starting now)
Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky Hacks (The One, The Only)
Steve Martin and John Hoffman, Only Murders in the Building (True Crime)
Jane Becker, Ted Lasso (No Weddings and a Funeral)
Sarah Naftalis, What We Do in the Shadows (The Casino)
Stefani Robinson, What We Do in the Shadows (The Wellness Center)

The trio from “Hacks” won this prize last year, beating out two episodes of “Ted Lasso.” The other two returning shows were all nominated the last time they were eligible, though none of them have won. Robinson has actually been nominated for both “Atlanta” and “What We Do in the Shadows” in the past, while Berg earned five nominations for “Silicon Valley” in addition to two bids shared with Hader for “Barry.” Hader and Brunson are also nominated as stars of their shows this year, and Hader and Aniello contend for directing. “Hacks” won for its pilot last year, following “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” in 2018 and “Modern Family” in 2010. While this is a competitive category, I think this ends up a likely win for Brunson, who may still manage to sweep other categories too.

What should win: The season finale of “Barry” is my choice.
What will win: I think Abbott Elementary can take this.

Next up: Best Directing for a Drama Series

Emmy Nominees: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

My predictions: 5/8

The nominees: Pilot (Abbott Elementary), 710N (Barry), starting over (Barry), The One, The Only (Hacks), True Crime (Only Murders in the Building), No Weddings and a Funeral (Ted Lasso), The Casino (What We Do in the Shadows), The Wellness Center (What We Do in the Shadows)

I’m not sure how we got an extra episode on this list, but that’s fine. We have two pilots - Abbott Elementary and Only Murders in the Building - and just one of two submitted episodes of Ted Lasso. Defending champion Hacks wisely only put one up for consideration, and Barry managed to get two of its three submissions cited, and they’re honestly two of the best half-hours of television I saw this past season. After the shock of three What We Do in the Shadows episodes being included last time the show was eligible, I’m fine with two episodes being included, especially since I enjoyed them.

What should win? “Barry” or “Only Murders in the Building”
What will win? I think this goes to Only Murders in the Building.

Emmy Predictions: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, July 12th. As always, chime in below in the comments with any thoughts of your own.

Last year’s nominees: In Case of Emergency (The Flight Attendant), Pilot (Girls5eva), There Is No Line (Hacks), Play (Pen15), Make Rebecca Great Again (Ted Lasso), Pilot (Ted Lasso)

The top contenders:
Pilot (Abbott Elementary)
Maggie (The Afterparty)
Rich Wigga, Poor Wigga (Atlanta)
Tarrare (Atlanta)
Three Slaps (Atlanta)
710N (Barry)
candy asses (Barry)
starting now (Barry)
Drowning Women (The Flight Attendant)
Pete's Wife (Ghosts)
The Vault (Ghosts)
B.P.E. (Girls5eva)
Tour Mode (Girls5eva)
Alone at Last (The Great)
The One, The Only (Hacks)
Everything is Bellmore (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Not Like a Shvantz Right in the Face (Minx)
True Crime (Only Murders in the Building)
Act of Grace (Our Flag Means Death)
Wherever You Go, There You Are (Our Flag Means Death)
It's Cow or Never (Peacemaker)
Luminary (Pen15)
F*ckin' Rez Dogs (Reservation Dogs)
Hunting (Reservation Dogs)
Brain Drain (Russian Doll)
Exquisite Corpse (Russian Doll)
Nowhen (Russian Doll)
Schmigadoon! (Schmigadoon!)
No Weddings and a Funeral (Ted Lasso)
Rainbow (Ted Lasso)
The Casino (What We Do in the Shadows)
The Wellness Center (What We Do in the Shadows)

The rundown: Like last year, Hacks submitted one episode and Ted Lasso submitted two, so expect those to return. I wouldn’t be as enthusiastic about The Flight Attendant, Girls5eva, and Pen15 returning, but it’s possible. Last time it was eligible, What We Do in the Shadows earned three bids in this race, while Atlanta, Barry, The Great, and Russian Doll were all nominated too. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel was also cited previously, and, from the freshman class, Abbott Elementary and Only Murders in the Building likely have the best shot.

The predicted nominees: Pilot (Abbott Elementary), Three Slaps (Atlanta), starting now (Barry), The One, The Only (Hacks), True Crime (Only Murders in the Building), No Weddings and a Funeral (Ted Lasso), Rainbow (Ted Lasso)

The predicted winner: I think Only Murders in the Building wins here.

Next up: Best Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

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

Steve Yockey, The Flight Attendant (In Case of Emergency)
Meredith Scardino, Girls5eva (Pilot)
Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky Hacks (There Is No Line)
Maya Erskine, Pen15 (Play)
Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly, Ted Lasso (Pilot)
Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly, and Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso (Make Rebecca Great Again)

Every nominee in this category is also up for producing this year, save for Scardino, whose show didn’t make the cut in the top race. She has been there before though for previous shows, and has four wins for writing “The Colbert Report.” Erskine earned a bid in this category two years ago for her show. Sudeikis and Hunt are also nominated for their performances on their show. “Schitt’s Creek” had two nominations last year and won. A few shows, including “My Name is Earl,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” and “Malcolm in the Middle,” have won this prize for their pilots without a nomination in the top category. There are four pilots nominated this year. While they are very often nominated, only two have won recently: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” in 2018 and “Modern Family” in 2010.

What should win: I’d be happy with “Hacks,” “The Flight Attendant,” or any of the “Ted Lasso” installments.
What will win: I see this going to the Ted Lasso pilot.

Next up: Best Directing for a Limited Series or TV Movie

Emmy Nominees: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

My predictions: 5/6

The nominees: In Case of Emergency (The Flight Attendant), Pilot (Girls5eva), There Is No Line (Hacks), Play (Pen15), Make Rebecca Great Again (Ted Lasso), Pilot (Ted Lasso)

Here we have four pilots and only one of two submitted episodes of a Best Comedy Series nominee, Pen15. Both installments of Ted Lasso that were on the ballot join the first episodes of The Flight Attendant, Hacks, and a show that received no other nominations despite higher hopes, Girls5eva.

What should win? “Ted Lasso” or “Hacks”
What will win? I see this going to the pilot of Ted Lasso.

Emmy Predictions: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

The 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, July 13th. As always, chime in below in the comments with any thoughts of your own.

Last year’s nominees: Whenever You’re Ready (The Good Place), The Great (The Great), Happy Ending (Schitt’s Creek), The Presidential Suite (Schitt’s Creek), Collaboration (What We Do in the Shadows), Ghosts (What We Do in the Shadows), On the Run (What We Do in the Shadows)

The top contenders:
Sword (Chad)
December 19 (Cobra Kai)
Split the Lark (Dickinson)
In Case of Emergency (The Flight Attendant)
Pilot (Generation)
Pilot (Girls5eva)
There Is No Line (Hacks)
Chapter 17. In All the Old Familiar Places (The Kominsky Method)
Let’s Meet (Made for Love)
Moments in Love, Chapter 4 (Master of None)
Pilot (Mr. Mayor)
Respect in the Workplace (Mr. Mayor)
Play (Pen15)
Vendy Wiccany (Pen15)
New York State of Mind (The Politician)
Pilot (Rutherford Falls)
Move (Shrill)
All Sales Final (Superstore)
Make Rebecca Great Again (Ted Lasso)
Pilot (Ted Lasso)
Rhymes with Broke (Woke)
Zoey’s Extraordinary Goodbye (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist)
Zoey’s Extraordinary Reckoning (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist)

Only one of last year’s nominated shows, Pen15, is eligible again, and it’s very likely to return, though it’s not clear for which (or both) of its two chosen episodes. There’s also Master of None, which went two for two when it was previously on in this category. Ted Lasso has half the episodes submitted here that it does for directing, and it’s a good bet they’ll both be included along with the single selections of Hacks and The Flight Attendant. That might fill up the category, with Girls5eva a strong contender and Made for Love also distinctly possible. Watch out for Mythic Quest and Cobra Kai, two shows I’ve never seen, which have four and one episodes submitted, respectively. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Generation, Shrill, or Dickinson made the cut too?

The predicted nominees: In Case of Emergency (The Flight Attendant), There Is No Line (Hacks), Play (Pen15), Vendy Wiccany (Pen15), Make Rebecca Great Again (Ted Lasso), Pilot (Ted Lasso)

The predicted winner: I think the first episode of Ted Lasso wins.

Next up: Best Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

AFT Awards: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

This is the twentieth category of the 14th Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television during the 2019-2020 season. This year, I’m including a shorter list, with just nominees and a few finalists, if applicable. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Writing for a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Finale (Casual), Episode 1 (Fleabag), Episode 6 (Fleabag), Everything Is Bonzer (The Good Place), Janet(s) (The Good Place)

Emmy nominees: Whenever You’re Ready (The Good Place), The Great (The Great), Happy Ending (Schitt’s Creek), The Presidential Suite (Schitt’s Creek), Collaboration (What We Do in the Shadows), Ghosts (What We Do in the Shadows), On the Run (What We Do in the Shadows)

Finalists: If Only You Knew (Dead to Me), Meatballs at the Dacha (The Great), Panty Pose (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), It's Comedy or Cabbage (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), 180 Almonds (Work in Progress), Run (Run), HR (Shrill), Pilot (The Politician), Chapter One Hundred (Jane the Virgin), Insufficient Praise (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Favorable Matchup (Brockmire), 162 (Work in Progress), Wait a Minute, Then Who Was That on the Ladder? (Avenue 5), We Know the Way Out (Trying)

The nominees:

And You Sir, Are No Peter the Great (The Great)
I Wonder What Grass Tastes Like (Kidding)
They (Ramy)
Pilot (Upload)

The winner:

Whenever You're Ready (The Good Place) was an endearing and fitting goodbye for its characters, providing the kind of resolution that truly feels right.

Next up: Best Directing for a Limited Series or TV Movie

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

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

Michael Schur, The Good Place (Whenever You’re Ready)
Tony McNamara, The Great (The Great)
Dan Levy, Schitt’s Creek (Happy Ending)
David West Read, Schitt’s Creek (The Presidential Suite)
Sam Johnson and Chris Marcil, What We Do in the Shadows (Collaboration)
Paul Simms, What We Do in the Shadows (Ghosts)
Stefani Robinson, What We Do in the Shadows (On the Run)

This is Schur’s fourth nomination following previous bids for “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation.” Levy is also nominated for acting and directing this year. Simms has two previous bids for “The Larry Sanders Show,” and Robinson has one for “Atlanta.” Only “The Great” isn’t up for Best Comedy Series. That said, a few shows, including “My Name is Earl,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” and “Malcolm in the Middle,” have won this prize for their pilots without a nomination in the top category. A show with two nominations hasn’t won since 2013.

What should win: I loved “The Great” but don’t consider its pilot anywhere near its strongest episode. This is an easy choice for me – the series finale of “The Good Place.”
What will win: I think that Schitt’s Creek is beloved enough after its impressive performance this year that its series finale takes this.

Emmy Nominees: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

My predictions: 2/7

The nominees: Whenever You’re Ready (The Good Place), The Great (The Great), Happy Ending (Schitt’s Creek), The Presidential Suite (Schitt’s Creek), Collaboration (What We Do in the Shadows), Ghosts (What We Do in the Shadows), On the Run (What We Do in the Shadows)

Well, if it helps, I only got one right in this category last year, so I’m improving! I did not foresee the love for What We Do in the Shadows, though at least it helps to explain its shocking Best Comedy Series nomination (it’s one of the shows I have to watch now). I didn’t foresee Schitt’s Creek doing so well, but I know its fans are thrilled. The first episode of The Great and the last episode of The Good Place are great inclusions that I’m very happy to see.

What should win? I haven’t seen almost half of these, so I won’t comment now.
What will win? I think Schitt’s Creek triumphs here for its series finale.

AFT Awards: Best Writing in a Comedy Series

This is the sixteenth category of the 13th Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television during the 2018-2019 season. This year, I’m including a shorter list, with just nominees and a few finalists, if applicable. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Writing in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Chapter One: Make Your Mark (Barry), The Burrito (The Good Place), Pilot (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), A Change of Heart (Santa Clarita Diet), Kimmy Disrupts the Paradigm! (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt)

Emmy nominees: ronny/lily (Barry), Episode 1 (Fleabag), Janet(s) (The Good Place), Anna Ishii-Peters (Pen15), Nothing in This World is Easy (Russian Doll), A Warm Body (Russian Doll), Veep (Veep)

Finalists: None

The nominees:

Everything Is Bonzer (The Good Place)
Janet(s) (The Good Place)
Finale (Casual)
Episode 6 (Fleabag)

The winner:

Episode 1 (Fleabag) reintroduced audiences to its characters after a long absence in the most utterly creative and twistedly delightful way.

Next up: Best Ensemble in a Drama Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

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

Alec Berg and Bill Hader, Barry (ronny/lily)
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag (Episode 2.1)
Josh Siegal and Dylan Morgan, The Good Place (Janet(s))
Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle and Stacy Osei-Kuffour, Pen15 (Anna Ishii-Peters)
Leslye Headland, Natasha Lyonne and Amy Poehler, Russian Doll (Nothing in this World is Easy)
Allison Silverman, Russian Doll (A Warm Body)
David Mandel, Veep (Veep)

This is the sixth year in a row that Berg is nominated thanks mostly to previous bids for “Silicon Valley”, and Hader returns from last year. Both are also nominated for writing. Hader, Waller-Bridge, and Lyonne are all nominated for acting. Mandel has two previous writing bids for his show. This episode of “Fleabag” is also up for directing. Poehler has plenty of previous nominations, with one bid in this category from 2012 for “Parks and Recreation and three for writing for the Golden Globes. Only “Pen15” isn’t nominated for Best Comedy Series. “Veep is the only previous winner in this category nominated this year with a trophy from 2015. A show with two nominations hasn’t won since 2013.

What should win: “Fleabag” or “The Good Place”
What will win: It’s far from a sure thing, but this is where Fleabag may just be able to pull off a victory.

Next up: Best Drama Series and Best Comedy Series!

Emmy Nominees: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

My predictions: 1/7

The nominees: ronny/lily (Barry), Episode 1 (Fleabag), Janet(s) (The Good Place), Anna Ishii-Peters (Pen15), Nothing in This World is Easy (Russian Doll), A Warm Body (Russian Doll), Veep (Veep)

It seems I accidentally only predicted four nominees here, though I’d like to think that I would have included the series finale of Veep along with the one puzzlingly nominated episode of Barry. I’m thrilled that The Good Place merited a mention here for a clever installment, though it’s a shame that actress and nominations announcer D’Arcy Carden didn’t get credit for that too. I guess I have to start watching Russian Doll, which earned bids for its pilot, which I saw, and its third episode, which I didn’t. I’m utterly shocked that Pen15 made the cut after having seen the first episode, but I’m happy that Maya Erskine, the standout star of the Tribeca film “Plus One,” is an Emmy nominee, so hopefully I’ll like that episode better than the first. And Fleabag, which I really have to catch up on, earned a nomination here along with a whole bunch of other bids.

What should win? I need to watch a few of these hours, but I’m all for “The Good Place” right now.
What will win? I think it will be the pilot of Russian Doll.

Emmy Predictions: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations will be announced on Tuesday, July 16th. As always, chime in below in the comments with any thoughts of your own.

Last year’s nominees: Alligator Man (Atlanta), Barbershop (Atlanta), Make Your Mark (Barry), Loud, Fast, and Keep Going (Barry), Pilot (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Fifty-One Percent (Silicon Valley)

The top contenders:
Episode 1 (After Life)
ronny/lily (Barry)
Pilot (Dead to Me)
Episode 1 (Fleabag)
Andre and Sarah (Forever)
Nothing Shattered (GLOW)
Perverts Are People, Too (GLOW)
Janet(s) (The Good Place)
Chapter 2: An Agent Grieves (The Kominsky Method)
Midnight at the Concord (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Vote for Kennedy, Vote for Kennedy! (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Fake News (Murphy Brown)
Between the Toes (Ramy)
Strawberries (Ramy)
Nothing in This World Is Easy (Russian Doll)
Veep (Veep)
Grace’s Secret (Will and Grace)

Half of last year’s slate is ineligible thanks to “Atlanta” and “Silicon Valley” not airing this past season. Though it’s far from the best-written episode of the season, expect the one submitted half-hour of Barry to be nominated, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel could expand to two slots with both of its submitted episodes. Given its prior dominance of this category when it was last eligible, Veep is guaranteed to be here for its series finale. Two freshman contenders, Ramy and Russian Doll, have multiple episodes submitted, while GLOW and the recently-returned Murphy Brown and Will and Grace could compete as well for any number of episodes. The Kominsky Method seems like the strongest new show that could be here, with Forever, Dead to Me, and After Life also possible. This could also be the year that Fleabag or The Good Place breaks through, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

The predicted nominees: ronny/lily (Barry), Chapter 2: An Agent Grieves (The Kominsky Method), Midnight at the Concord (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Vote for Kennedy, Vote for Kennedy! (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

The predicted winner: This seems like an easy place for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel to score.

Next up: Best Drama Series

AFT Awards: Best Writing in a Comedy Series

This is the sixteenth category of the 12th Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television during the 2017-2018 season. This year, I’m including a shorter list, with just nominees and a few finalists, if applicable. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Writing in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Horizons (Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency), Episode 1 (Fleabag), First Date (Master of None), Last Day on Earth (People of Earth), Chapter 9: Opening Statements (Trial and Error)

Emmy nominees: Alligator Man (Atlanta), Barbershop (Atlanta), Chapter One: Make Your Mark (Barry), Chapter Seven: Loud, Fast, and Keep Going (Barry), Pilot (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Fifty-One Percent (Silicon Valley)

Finalists: None

The nominees:

Kimmy Disrupts the Paradigm! (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt)
Chapter One: Make Your Mark (Barry)
The Burrito (The Good Place)
Pilot (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)

The winner:

A Change of Heart (Santa Clarita Diet) brilliantly structured the way in which this show’s characters try to normalize their daily lives and new reality.

Next up: Best Ensemble in a Drama Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

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

Donald Glover, Atlanta (Alligator Man)
Stefani Robinson, Atlanta (Barbershop)
Alec Berg and Bill Hader, Barry (Chapter One: Make Your Mark)
Liz Sarnoff, Barry (Chapter Seven: Loud, Fast and Keep Going)
Amy Sherman-Palladino, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Pilot)
Alec Berg, Silicon Valley (Fifty-One Percent)

Glover was nominated last year, and also contends this year for directing and starring in his show, as does Hader. Sherman-Palladino, previously nominated for a 1992 episode of “Roseanne,” is also up for directing. This is the fifth year in a row that Berg is nominated. The pilot installments of “Barry” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” are also nominated for directing. A show with two nominations hasn’t won since 2013.

What should win: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” or either episode of “Barry”
What will win: I think it will be The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, but it could also be the pilot of “Barry.”

Next up: Best Drama Series and Best Comedy Series coming this weekend!

Emmy Nominees: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

My predictions: 4/6, missing both “Barry” episodes

The nominees: Alligator Man (Atlanta), Barbershop (Atlanta), Chapter One: Make Your Mark (Barry), Chapter Seven: Loud, Fast and Keep Going (Barry), Pilot (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Fifty-One Percent (Silicon Valley)

I really didn’t expect such a warm welcome for Barry, which scored a nomination for both its pilot and its penultimate episode, both of which were great. Atlanta only managed two nominations, which isn’t bad, with Silicon Valley and the pilot of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel rounding out a diverse category.

Who should win? I’d give it to the pilot of “Barry” or “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
Who will win? I’ll pick The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel with both episodes of “Atlanta” waiting in the wings.

Emmy Predictions: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

The 70th Primetime Emmy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday, July 12th. As always, chime in below in the comments with any thoughts of your own.

Last year’s nominees: B.A.N. (Atlanta), Streets on Lock (Atlanta), Thanksgiving (Master of None), Success Failure (Silicon Valley), Georgia (Veep), Groundbreaking (Veep)

The top contenders:
Alligator Man (Atlanta)
Barbershop (Atlanta)
FUBU (Atlanta)
Chapter One: Make Your Mark (Barry)
Episode 3 (The End of the F***ing World)
Episode 7 (Episodes)
Pilot (GLOW)
Hella LA (Insecure)
Pilot (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel)
Fifty-One Percent (Silicon Valley)
Deep-Dish Pizza and a Shot of Holy Water (SMILF)
Grandpa Jack (Will and Grace)
Rosario’s Quinceanera (Will and Grace)

Three slots are open due to the absence of “Veep” and “Master of None,” but there are also some new contenders. Atlanta has three episodes, all of which could make the cut, while Silicon Valley and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel should be considered locked for their submitted installments. It’s worth noting that Episodes has received exactly one nomination in this category for each of its seasons, and though its last nomination was when it aired back in 2014, that statistic shouldn’t be ignored when it comes to its series finale. This is where new shows could shine, including Barry, GLOW, and my personal favorite, The End of the F***ing World, which would make me so happy if it managed a nomination here.

The predicted nominees: Alligator Man (Atlanta), Barbershop (Atlanta), FUBU (Atlanta), Pilot (GLOW), Pilot (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Fifty-One Percent (Silicon Valley)

The predicted winner: This seems like an easy place for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel to score.

Next up: Best Drama Series

AFT Awards: Best Writing in a Comedy Series

This is the sixteenth category of the 11th Annual AFT Television Awards, my personal choices for the best in television during the 2016-2017 season. Finalists and semi-finalists are included to recognize more of the impressive work done on television today. Nominees are pictured in the order I’ve ranked them.

Best Writing in a Comedy Series

Last year’s nominees: Bottles (Casual), Pilot (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), The Other Man (Master of None), The Morning After (You, Me, Her), Pilot (You, Me, Her)

Emmy nominees: Atlanta (B.A.N.), Atlanta (Streets on Lock), Master of None (Thanksgiving), Silicon Valley (Success Failure), Veep (Georgia), Veep (Groundbreaking)

Semi-finalists: A Woman First (Veep), Amarsi Un Po (Master of None), Chadwick's Angels (Making History), Chapter 10: A Hostile Jury (Trial and Error), Chapter 12: The Defense Rests (Trial and Error), Chapter 13: The Verdict (Trial and Error), Everything Is Fine (The Good Place), Georgia (Veep), Hooli-Con (Silicon Valley), Insecure as F*ck (Insecure), Kimmy Bites an Onion! (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Kimmy is a Feminist! (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Kimmy Learns about the Weather (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), Pilot (People of Earth), Racist as F*ck (Insecure), Rebel Rebel (Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll), Run for the Money (Vice Principals), Server Error (Silicon Valley), Terms of Service (Silicon Valley), The Floor (Grace and Frankie), The Gun (Grace and Frankie), The Heat (The Detour), The Principal (Vice Principals), The Tub (The Detour), Toast Can't Never Be Bread Again (Orange is the New Black), Weaponized Soul (Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency)

Finalists: Michael's Gambit (The Good Place), Kimmy Googles the Internet! (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), The Boyfriend Experience (Making History), Justice (Veep), Looking for Mr. Goodbrain, Part 2 (iZombie)

The nominees:

Episode 1 (Fleabag)
First Date (Master of None)
Last Day on Earth (People of Earth)
Chapter 9: Opening Statements (Trial and Error)

The first episode of Amazon’s superb and biting comedy, an exemplary installment of Netflix’s exploration of life and culture, an inspiring piece of alien engagement from TBS, and a standout absurd half-hour of NBC’s new mockumentary series were all very well-penned.

The winner:

Horizons (Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency) constructed a formidable and unparalleled premise and brought it to magnificent, marvelously entertaining life in its debut episode.

Next up: Best Ensemble in a Drama Series

Emmy Winner Predictions: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

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

Donald Glover, Atlanta (B.A.N.)
Stephen Glover, Atlanta (Streets on Lock)
Aziz Ansari and Lena Waithe, Master of None (Thanksgiving)
Alec Berg, Silicon Valley (Success Failure)
Billy Kimball, Veep (Georgia)
David Mandel, Veep (Groundbreaking)

Ansari won this award last year for another episode of his show. “Veep” won the year before that. Berg is nominated for the fourth year in a row in this category, and Mandel, who also contends for directing, is back for a second round. Donald Glover is up for directing and acting. A show with two nominations hasn’t won in a few years, and a number of shows have won two years in a row over the past decade.

What should win: I like “Silicon Valley” but either episode of “Veep” would be fine too.
What will win: It might be one of the “Atlanta” episodes, but I think that Master of None will be repeat.

Next up: Best Drama Series

Emmy Nominees: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

My predictions: 5/6, missing the second “Atlanta” episode

The nominees: B.A.N. (Atlanta), Streets on Lock (Atlanta), Thanksgiving (Master of None), Success Failure (Silicon Valley), Georgia (Veep), Groundbreaking (Veep)

Just like in the directing category, all submitted HBO content made the cut, which was good news for strong installments of Silicon Valley and Veep. One of two submitted episodes of Master of None was nominated, though I personally would have chosen two others altogether, not that the one selected, which I just watched, wasn’t quite good as well. I’m fond of one episode of Atlanta and not the other, but I suppose it’s good that it’s here. It does have a distinctive and notable style to it that comes across most in its writing.

Who should win? “Georgia,” maybe
Who will win? I think “Thanksgiving” will give Master of None a repeat win.