This year, the final Oscar ceremony was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for screenplay for the first time since 2012 and for the sixth time ever. The potential win, which seems likely after the recent success at the Creative Arts Emmys, would be the first in that field since 1992, when the show hosted Billy Crystal humorously honored award winners such as “The Silence of the Lambs” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
The writing team of the 96th Academy Awards is competing for this honor with four stand-up comedians who released new specials between June and April. Among them is John Frueh (“Now more than ever”), who was awarded here just last year for the narrative sketch show “Would it kill you to laugh?”
To make sense of this complex election race, we’re taking a closer look at each nominee. Submit your predictions for this and 24 other Primetime Emmy categories by September 15.
“Alex Edelman: Just for us” – Alex Edelman
The second televised special in Edelman’s career was hosted by Alex Timberswho received a nomination for Best Pre-Taped Variety Special 2023 for “John Mulaney: Baby J,” with its star also coincidentally winning an award for Best Screenplay. As co-nominee Jacqueline NovakEdelman’s special previously existed as an off-Broadway show (which, unlike hers, eventually made it to Broadway).
“Jacqueline Novak: Get on your knees” – Jacqueline Novak
Novak adapted this Netflix special from her one-woman stage show of the same name, which earned her a Drama Desk Award nomination for Best Solo Performance in 2020. Coincidentally, the original version was produced and directed by her current challengers. Mike Birbiglia and Early, while the streaming version was directed by the five-time Emmy nominee Natasha Lyonne.
“John Early: Now More Than Ever” – John Early
Following the announcement of the offer for 2023 with Kate Berlant And Andrew DeYoungEarly has now earned sole credit for his first HBO special. Its June 17 release date was at least five months ahead of the other contenders, and at just over an hour long, it’s the shortest program on the schedule by about 13 minutes.
“Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool” – Mike Birbiglia
Birbiglia’s first Emmy nomination comes after more than a quarter-century of a career that includes half a dozen stand-up specials, the last three of which were distributed by Netflix. This is his fourth such collaboration with the director Seth Barrishwhose collaboration with the comedian began when they shot the film “Sleepwalk with Me” together in 2012.
“96. Oscars” – Jimmy Kimmel et al.
The 24 nominees include former Emmy winners Kimmel, Rory AlbaneseAnd Tony Barbieri and former Oscar nominee for best screenplay Carol Leifer And Jon Mack. The March ceremony’s nominations in six other categories (live variety special, directing, choreography, music direction, production design and sound mixing) make it the only program in that lineup to win in a field other than writing.
So what will win the 2024 Emmy for Best Variety Special Screenplay? Although Edelman has the support of more than 70% of Gold Derby users predicting this race, he should pay attention to the Oscar team, as their program already scored surprise wins in the producing and directing categories at last weekend’s Creative Arts event. The 22% support rate in this category is nothing to sneeze at, especially since it’s on track to grow even more between now and the main ceremony.
Edelman can take comfort in the fact that since 2009, only one variety show — “Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones” — has swept all three categories for producing, directing and writing. Since that was a taped stand-up show, it’s unlikely that the 96th Academy Awards will be able to match that success, especially since no award show has won for screenplay in over a dozen years. Kimmel and his co-writers may exceed expectations, but it’s still a lot less risky to bet on a comedy show here.
PREDICTIONS the 2024 Emmy winners until September 15
Make your predictions now at Gold Derby. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans as well as our experts and editors for the best prediction accuracy scores. Check out our latest prediction champions. Can you top our respected leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated as they influence our latest racetrack odds that strike fear into the hearts of Hollywood bosses and stars. Don’t miss out on the fun. Have your say and share your angry opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders flock daily to follow the latest awards buzz. Everyone wants to know: What do you think? Who are you predicting and why?
SIGN UP for Gold Derby Newsletter and Updates
