Emmys 2021: Lead Actor In A Comedy Series — Our 7 Dream Nominees!

After scooping up a Golden Globe and a SAG Award for his titular role as an underdog coach in Apple TV+'s breakout comedy Ted Lasso, Jason Sudeikis is setting his sights on what would be his first-ever Emmy nomination.

And make no mistake — the Saturday Night Live vet is gonna get one.

What's more, given the relative lack of formidable competition in the Lead Actor in a Comedy Series race, there is every reason to believe he will bring home the gold in September.

But don't let his frontrunner status detract from the fact that Sudeikis deserves all the kudos love coming his way — hence his inclusion on our Dream Emmy short list.

Scroll through the list below to review all seven of our Dream Nominees (remember, these aren't predictions; they're wish lists) and then tell us if our picks warrant a "Hell, yes!," "Um, no" or "How could you leave off so-and-so?!"For the record, 2021 Emmy nominations will be voted on from June 17-28, and unveiled on July 13. The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air on Sunday, Sept. 19 on CBS.

Scroll down for links to our previous Dream Emmy categories:

Outstanding Drama Series — Our 7 Dream NomineesOutstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — Our 7 Dream NomineesOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series — Our 8 Dream NomineesOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series — Our 8 Dream NomineesOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series — Our 7 Dream NomineesOutstanding Comedy Series — Our 7 Dream NomineesOutstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series — Our 7 Dream Nominees

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Truth be told, Epps has always been funny. Just look at his résumé, which is longer than a CVS receipt. But he really shined as an imperfect father trying his best to keep his marriage afloat in the Netflix comedy centered on family. Not everyone can go beat-for-beat with Wanda Sykes and Kim Fields, but Epps managed to do so while firmly standing on his own. In a show filled with comedic greats, Epps was both impressive and a key part of why the season worked so well.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: In Season 2, Freeman continued his quest of exploring the realism of parenting, sans all of social media's sugarcoating. Though Paul's temper proved problematic by the finale, we couldn't help but feel tickled as the actor committed to his character's short fuse and penchant for profanity. Despite his occasional descents into madness, Freeman's depiction of parenthood was refreshing, showing viewers that no matter how much we love our kids, it's OK to feel like drowning them sometimes. (Just don't actually do that.)

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: He's been making us giggle for years in various TV roles, but playing control-freak billionaire Byron Gogol yielded Magnussen's richest — and funniest — work yet. Using tech advances to spy on his wife Hazel wherever she went, Byron was a full-blown creep, but he also had a childlike innocence that made it hard to fully hate him, and Magnussen gracefully walked the fine line between hopeless romantic and dangerous stalker.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: We already know from his days on New Girl that Morris is hilarious, and he definitely brought the laughs as cartoonist Keef Knight on Hulu's sharp, timely satire. But he also brought a fresh layer of social consciousness, with Keef rethinking his entire career after facing racism head-on. Morris nimbly kept the show's surreal touches grounded while radiating a low-key charm that had us rooting for Keef to draw himself a new path.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: As with AFC Richmond, expectations were modest when Ted Lasso was promoted from NBC Sports pitchman to the lead character of his own Apple TV+ comedy. Yet Sudeikis instantly made us "BELIEVE" in the displaced college football coach, presenting him not as a folksy goof but a big-hearted mentor who inspired grouchy Roy, cocky Jamie, a vengeful Rebecca and even his suddenly divorced, downtrodden self to be better versions of themselves. As a football coach, Ted is fine. But as a life coach, Sudeikis made him an all-star.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: ABC's freshman comedy has a wealth of funny actors, but the crown jewel is Tatro as baby brother Connor. A fun-loving dude who struck it rich in private equity and now lives in Matt Damon's old house, Connor lives life like a frat boy who won the lottery, and Tatro put the goofy charms he first showed on American Vandal to great use here, while also revealing enough heart so we know Connor isn't just one big joke.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: No one in the universe is more perfect than Tudyk to play Harry Vanderspeigle, an alien hellbent on destroying the earth who experiences a Grinch-like transformation of heart. Not only did the actor's physical comedy accentuate the show's brand of sci-fi silliness, but he also elevated the character's quieter, dramatic moments as Harry befriended the town's inhabitants and explored the inner depths of humanity, his own included. Tudyk's love for his craft was palpable, and the fun he had on screen week after week was devilishly contagious.