In my guides to the Drama Series and Limited Series/Movies categories I have noted that no such list will be perfect, because identifying the best of the best is a largely personal process. Also, it is not uncommon for television critics to run in packs, which can compromise the overall value of their assessments, depending on which pack captures the most attention.
I’ve done my best to remain pack-free when assembling the lists below. My personal favorites in each category are pictured.
Advice about the Limited Series and Movies categories will follow soon.
Outstanding Comedy Series
Atlanta (pictured at top and below) (FX)
Better Things (FX)
The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
black-ish (ABC)
GLOW (Netflix)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
Roseanne (ABC)
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson – black-ish (ABC)
Hank Azaria (pictured below) -- Brockmire (IFC)
Ted Danson – The Good Place (NBC)
Donald Glover – Atlanta (FX)
William H. Macy – Shameless (Showtime)
Jim Parsons – The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Pamela Adlon – Better Things (FX)
Alison Brie – GLOW (Netflix)
Rachel Brosnahan (pictured below) – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
Tracee Ellis Ross – black-ish (ABC)
Allison Janney – Mom (CBS)
Lily Tomlin – Grace and Frankie (Netflix)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Louie Anderson – Baskets (FX)
Titus Burgess – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
Ray Romano – Get Shorty (Epix)
Brian Tyree Henry – Atlanta (FX)
Tyrel Jackson Williams -- Brockmire (IFC)
Henry Winkler (pictured below) – Barry (HBO)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Mayim Bialik – The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Alex Borstein – The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon)
Betty Gilpin – GLOW (Netflix)
Kate McKinnon (pictured below left with Colin Jost) – Saturday Night Live (NBC)