Emmys 2022: Lead Actor In A Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees!

Last year's victor in this category, Jason Sudeikis, will have to clear a big hurdle en route to a repeat win (and, no, we're not referring to the PR fallout from CinemaCon-gate).

The titular Ted Lasso star's competition in the Lead Actor in a Comedy Series race will likely include not one but two comedy legends: Steve Martin and Martin Short.

Scroll through the list below to review all 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, 2022 Emmy nominations will be voted on from June 16-27, and unveiled on July 12. The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air on Monday, Sept. 12 on NBC.

Scroll down for links to our previous Dream Emmy categories:

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

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Burd's alter ego had to confront something jarring in Season 2: that he's kind of a jerk. At every turn, Dave was asked by friends and colleagues to examine his own selfishness and narcissism, and Burd brought a believable angst to the character as he tried to balance self-improvement with the all-consuming desire to put out a groundbreaking album. Dave's Episode 9 confrontation with his own ego was a standout, not only because it featured a hairless, diaper-clad version of Burd — although, yes, that too — but because it encapsulated the mix of goofiness, cockiness and neuroticism that makes Dave such a fascinating character study.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: We've come a long way from the goofy aspiring actor we met at the start of HBO's hitman comedy — and the darker things get for Barry Berkman, the richer and more riveting Hader's performance becomes. The SNL alum's dramatic chops cannot be questioned, as Season 3 finds Barry in an ugly downward spiral of depression and self-hatred, with Hader expertly letting his simmering rage boil over at times. He still gets off a few poker-faced punchlines along the way, but make no mistake: This is fully a dramatic performance at this point, and a masterful one.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: One of the things that makes The Great great, especially in Season 2, is Peter's twisted relationship with Catherine. Hoult says some of the most depraved and sadistic things as the Hulu comedy's embattled emperor, but his sincere delivery makes those horrific lines seem almost romantic — in Peter's own warped way, of course. This season, Hoult gave us a more complex antagonist as Peter grappled with being a better man for his wife and unborn child. And though Peter (mostly) failed his mission, Hoult succeeded in delivering another outstanding performance.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Martin clearly had enormous fun in the role of Charles-Haden Savage — TV's erstwhile police detective Brazzos, who is a bit of a Luddite compared to Martin Short's Broadway producer (and adorably ancient in the company of Selena Gomez's Mabel). He also slipped easily and warmly into the rom-com aspect of the series, when bassoonist neighbor Jan caught Charles' assorted interests. Martin's Season 1 run then ended with a physically comedic bang, as a drugged, semi-paralyzed Charles wriggled himself around the Arconia to out a killer, slaying us every step of the way.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: We all know how funny Short can be, both independently and when paired with frequent showbiz partner Steve Martin. But what set the role of Oliver Putnam apart was an innate sadness that impacted every harebrained decision the former Broadway director made, and every acting choice that Short made throughout Season 1. Whether Oliver was visiting his son to ask for a loan, pitching investors on doomed passion project Splash: The Musical, or reflecting on said flop in a bittersweet monologue, Short managed to keep us laughing despite an air of melancholy that washed over so many of his scenes.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: We knew of Sudeikis' comedy chops long before the arrival of the Apple TV+ sensation. What we didn't know was just how good the Saturday Night Live veteran would be when tasked with more dramatic material. He turned in a career-best performance in Season 2 as Ted's anxiety began to manifest itself at work, and later, when he began to work through his father's suicide.

WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Be careful what you wish for. Cary learned that big fame has big consequences in Season 2 of the delightful HBO Max comedy, and we loved watching Tarver squirm his way through a horror show of public humiliations. From a too-clingy boyfriend to a phony showbiz romance to a very private photo going viral, Cary was absolutely put through the wringer, but Tarver weathered the storm with subtle grace, cracking plenty of deadpan jokes along the way. It was a rough year for Cary... but a very good one for Tarver.