CREDIT: Screenshots

I’ve been making an Emmy wishlist for most of my adult TV-viewing life. Every year, the task keeps getting more and more Herculean with the proliferation of an endless supply of new shows. I could easily name about a hundred people who deserve an Emmy in 2023, but instead, I’ve decided to do the opposite this year by just picking One Wish Per Category.

These aren’t necessarily my top choices in each category, but they are ones who could use the boost, as none of them appears to be the most likely to win, or even necessarily be nominated. (A few of them weren’t even included on the official Emmy ballot!) But they’re all worthy of viewers’ attention, so before the official nominations are announced on July 12, consider giving these a chance if you happen to ever enjoy that increasingly elusive phenomenon of “free time.”

Comedy Series: The Muppets Mayhem: Dr. Teeth and his bandmates take center stage in what is quite frankly the best Muppet show since the original.

Drama Series: Better Call Saul: It’s been nearly a year since the series finale, but because the last season was split into parts, Season 6 Part 2 is still eligible! Saul has been a frequent nominee, but not a frequent winner, and it will almost certainly lose to Succession again. But I’m in a Cinnabon mood, so maybe let’s send the BCS crew out on top instead.

Outstanding Television Movie: Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe: I actually included this on my Oscar wishlist, but it didn’t get a theatrical release, so I guess it’s technically eligible for the Emmys instead. Either way, it was one of the best movies of 2022, so let’s give it whatever trophies we can!

Animated Program: Beavis and Butt-Head: Speaking of our favorite residents of Highland High, there’s no show I’m more excited to watch week in and week out.

Scripted Variety Series: Sherman’s Showcase: This sendup of Soul Train, Solid Gold, and the like is a musical utopia.

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Alan Tudyk, Resident Alien: An alien impersonating a doctor in small-town Colorado is simply the role that Alan Tudyk was born to play.

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Sofia Black-D’Elia, Single Drunk Female: Chances are you’ve seen Sofia Black-D’Elia pop up in multiple charming supporting roles. Well, now she’s taken the lead as a recovering alcoholic on Freeform, and it’s just as charming.

Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Brandon Scott Jones, Ghosts: Brandon Scott Jones seems to be showing up on everything that’s worth watching lately (The Other Two, Renfield, etc.), and he shines brightest on CBS Thursday nights as a deceased Revolutionary War officer.

Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Nicole Byer, Grand Crew: Every time NBC cancels a great sitcom, I worry that comedy is dead. But then I realize that can’t be the case when I remember that Nicole Byer is still alive.

Lead Actor and Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Bob Odenkirk and Rhea Seehorn, Better Call Saul: While Saul probably won’t be taking home The Big Prize, maybe its two main stars actually have a chance at pulling it off? What a “Rhea” of sunshine that would be!

Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Alexandra Daddario, Mayfair Witches: I think there’s something to be said for becoming the lead of a supernatural series to tap into your full acting potential, and Alexandra Daddario in Mayfair Witches is just the latest example of that.

Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Nyambi Nyambi, The Good Fight: I’d be happy with anybody cleaning up for the last season of The Good Fight, and I’ll spotlight in particular Nyambi Nyambi, who’s been putting in quietly excellent work for all six seasons and really got to shine in the final batch of episodes.

Host, Reality/Reality Competition: Keke Palmer, Password: She got plenty of praise for Nope and hosting SNL, but did you know that Keke Palmer also became a game show host in 2022? I don’t think I need to say anymore to convince anybody that she killed it.