Emmys 2022: Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees!

Will the Big Four wrestle their way back into the Emmy conversation? Thanks to the breakout success of ABC's Abbott Elementary and CBS' Ghosts, the kudos-deprived broadcast networks may not have to sit on the sidelines this year.

Among the categories that stand to be impacted most by the return of TV's old guard: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

In fact, if our Dream Emmy scenario plays out, nearly half of the nominees in this race will hail from broadcast series.

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 NomineesOutstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: Few performers can so effortlessly toggle between comedy and drama as Borstein can. Already a two-time Emmy winner for her role as sidekick to Rachel Brosnahan's titular comedienne, the actress rose to what was arguably her most daunting occasion in Season 4's third episode, which revolved around the death of Susie's fastidious roomie Jackie (played by late cast member Brian Tarantina). In Borstein's hands, Susie's expletive-packed eulogy to Jackie shattered both our hearts and our funny bones, and represented the actress' finest work on the series to date.

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: Leota Adebayo served as a stand-in for us, the viewers, as the ARGUS newbie experienced firsthand the insane world of goo-guzzling Butterflies, affectionate bald eagles, super-intelligent gorillas and incredibly racist supervillains. In that capacity, Brooks very entertainingly conveyed every raised eyebrow, dropped jaw and utterly disgusted double-take, while also chronicling the character's maturity from gun-shy recruit to day-saving badass. What's more, her sweet, quieter scenes opposite John Cena did wonders to help the audience, as Leota did, understand Peacemaker/Chris Smith and how the imperfect antihero came to be.

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: It takes serious skill (and guts) to go toe-to-toe with a legend like Jean Smart, but in the HBO Max comedy's second season (premiering May 12), Einbinder does just that and more. Last season's cliffhanger gives the comedian plenty to work with, as her character Ava wrestles with the guilt and fear of boss Deborah discovering her ultimate betrayal. But despite all of the drama, Einbinder is able to find the funny, balancing her character's rough edges and major transgression with a soft sincerity that keeps us rooting for her.

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: As the seemingly superficial Principal Ava, who's proudly more in the know about VMAs beef and viral TikTok memes than school district funding, James was a scene-stealing, instantly quotable standout among a stacked ensemble. The actress' performance was so fresh, energetic and full of sass that it felt like she was not only schooling second grade teacher Janine Teagues (played by Quinta Brunson), but also the audience. And there's no one we'd rather have tell us what's cool and what's not than James and her effortlessly (overly?) confident alter ego.

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: Parham brought a particularly wonderful mix of maternal and kooky vibes to her role as Joyce's older sister, Shelly, on the HBO Max comedy. As the 1970s housewife and mother starting to question who she was as society shifted around her, Parham gave off a funny, surprising openness. We're not quite sure how her fish-out-of-water character provided a grounding note to her scenes with the Bottom Dollar crew, but she did. However, we are 100 percent sure that her gentle vulnerability as a sexually awakening Shelly spent time with Bambi cemented Parham's place as one of comedy's versatile greats.

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: As the faculty's unflappable elder statesman Barbara Howard, Ralph brought fantastic gravitas and grace to ABC's breakout sitcom — which made it all the funnier when she let loose a little. (Has anyone put "Sweet baby Jesus and the grown one, too!" on a T-shirt yet?) Ralph has been a national treasure since the days of It's a Living and Moesha, and it's been a treat to see her get such a richly layered showcase here. It's easy to see why Quinta Brunson's Janine is obsessed with her; we are, too.

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: No longer conspiring against Coach Lasso, AFC Richmond owner Rebecca Welton was able to let her guard down in Season 2, which afforded Waddingham the opportunity to be even funnier (and irresistibly charming to boot). One needn't look further than the episode "No Weddings and a Funeral" to understand why she deserves to be a repeat nominee — a 45-minute tour de force that allowed her to be equal parts romantic, comedic and dramatic as Rebecca juggled her conflicted feelings about her fling with Sam and the death of her philandering father. We may never get Rickrolled without tearing up again.

WHY SHE DESERVES A NOD: Wisocky's prim and conservative 1800s robber baron is a woman of many contradictions, and the actress brought all of those facets of Hetty to life — so to speak — with hilarious panache and skilled comedic physicality. (Just watch Hetty beg Isaac to kiss her nape and try not to burst out into laughter.) As Hetty formed a mother/daughter-esque relationship with Sam and became a confidant for Isaac in his own struggles, the actress also imbued her character with growing inner strength and sweet depth. Thanks to Wisocky, Hetty is one ghost by whom we wouldn't mind being haunted.