Emmys 2021: Let's see the nominations

 The 2021 Emmy nominations, which honor programming that aired substantially during the 12 months ending May 31, will be announced Tuesday. They are likely to be a predictable assortment of Hollywood favorites, with few surprises on the short list for television's biggest honor. While there are plenty of worthy actors and TV shows sure to be honored when the nominees are revealed, we're also guaranteed a slew of snubs of great performances and gorgeous series. But if I could control the Emmys, that surely wouldn't happen. 

From the expected nominees, such as Jean Smart and "The Crown," to the admirable long shots  ("For All Mankind" and "Superstore"), we pick the TV shows and actors we'd like to see nominated in major categories. It may be a wish list, but it's a deserving one. 

Comedy series

"Girls5Eva" (Peacock)

"Hacks" (HBO Max) 

"Shrill" (Hulu)

"Superstore" (NBC) 

"Ted Lasso" (Apple TV+) 

TV comedies have helped us get through the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic since last year, and the competition in this category is fierce. "Lasso" is bound to take the titleat the Emmys on Sept. 19, but it shouldn't overshadow the great work of its peers. "Superstore" incorporated COVID-19 into its storylines better than nearly any other show. And Aidy Bryant's "Shrill" offered a third and final season that outdid the brilliant two that came before. 

More:The best TV shows of 2021 (so far), from ‘Girls5Eva’ to ‘Mare of Easttown’

Drama actress

Aya Cash, "The Boys" (Amazon) 

Olivia Colman, "The Crown" (Netflix

Emma Corrin, "The Crown" (Netflix)

Mj Rodriguez, "Pose" (FX)  

Jurnee Smollett, "Lovecraft Country" (HBO) 

Corrin, who took on the monumental task of portraying Princess Diana in Netflix's drama about the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, is the safe bet in this category, and her performance lives up to the hype. But beyond the "Crown" stars, I'm pulling for Rodriguez, who helped make the final season of "Pose" exquisite, and Cash, who never got her Emmy due for FXX's "You're the Worst" and has a flashier role in "Boys."

More:Emmys 2020: The best and worst moments on a weird, virtual night, from 'Friends' reunion to hazmat suits

Comedy actress

Aidy Bryant, "Shrill" (Hulu) 

Maya Erskine, "Pen15" (Hulu)

Renee Elise Goldsberry, "Girls5Eva" (Peacock)

Charlotte Nicdao, "Mythic Quest" (Apple TV+)

Jean Smart, "Hacks" (HBO Max) 

All hail the year of Jean Smart. The veteran actress had her own renaissance with performances in HBO's "Mare of Easttown" and HBO Max's "Hacks," the latter of which is sure to get her a deserved Emmy nomination (and probably a win). Other worthy candidates include Erskine, the queen of cringe in Hulu's middle school comedy, and Nicdao, who brings grounding and sarcasm to Apple's videogame workplace comedy "Mythic." 

Comedy actor

Jason Sudeikis, "Ted Lasso" (Apple TV+)

Josh Thomas, "Everything's Gonna Be Okay" (Freeform)

It's been a weak year for leading men in comedy, and while the Emmy categories occasionally balloon to as many as eight nominees, it might be worth condensing to a few this time around. Especially when this year's Emmys will likely be a tribute to "Ted Lasso," echoing last year's "Schitt's Creek" lovefest, other shows need not apply. Sudeikis is undeniably turning in career-best work as the American football-turned-British soccer coach with a heart of gold. And creator and star Josh Thomas deserves recognition for Freeform's wonderfully insightful "Everything's Gonna Be Okay." The other slots? Not a huge number of really great performances competing. 

Limited Series

"I May Destroy You" (HBO)

"It's A Sin" (HBO Max)

"Mare of Easttown" (HBO) 

"The Queen's Gambit" (Netflix) 

"The Underground Railroad" (Amazon) 

Some of the best television of the year is competing in this category. Chess sensation "Gambit" and Pennsylvania murder mystery "Mare" are most likely shoo-ins for nominations, and both were superb shows. So were the excellent British drama "Destroy" and Barry Jenkins' great "Railroad," also favorites as nominees. HBO Max's "Sin" is less certain, but it's not just the best limited series of 2021 so far, it's the best TV show. The series, a chronicle of the worst part of the AIDS epidemic in London in the 1980s, is emotional and effective without a hint of cliché. 

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