I hope you all enjoyed yesterday’s entry into Emmy Chatter, which took a look at the Movie/Miniseries race. Today, we’re going to take a gander at the Best Comedy Series race.
The Big Bang Theory
For: THE ratings hit of the group, consistently gets acting nominations, hasn’t won yet (overdue?)
Against: Hasn’t won yet even when it was a shoo-in, despite ratings tons of people don’t like it
Louie
For: Louis C.K. is beloved, he knows how to create hilarious lines along with social commentary, gets the best out of the actors
Against: It’s a “small” show competing with bigger, buzzier titles in the race
Modern Family
For: It has won every year since it’s been on air, still landing tons of acting nominations
Against: at some point another show has to win, the buzz for the show is non existent, no writing nomination
Orange Is The New Black
For: The buzziest show of the group, most acting nominations of the shows in this category, also has directing and writing noms, won several creative arts Emmys
Against: Hybrid shows struggle to win here (think Glee), new kid on the block, Veep
Silicon Valley
For: Has key nominations in directing and writing, if landing here is a surprise maybe there’s a ton of love from voters?
Against: No acting nominations, it was a surprise nomination, an extreme boys club show amongst super diverse ones
Veep
For: Emmy queen Julia Louis-Dreyfuss is at the center, the best season yet, writing nomination
Against: no directing nomination, Orange is the New Black, depends on the episodes submitted, key tech loses
The Chatter
Unlike with Drama Series, where we tend to know the winners even when it looks like something could upset, Comedy Series is like the Wild Wild West. It seems for the first time in a while, Modern Family is poised to lose, but we have all been down this road before and seen that show come back and win. However, I do think there’s much more competition this year than any year before. So who could step in? Well, I can’t tell you who won’t win, and that’s Silicon Valley and Louie. Both have well deserved nominations, but wins in this lineup would be tough. The Big Bang Theory, in a normal year would seem like a shoo-in given that its got the most viewers of any show in this lineup AND its cast just signed a Friends-esque deal, but after losing last year, I don’t know if it has the strength to muscle out buzzier shows. The cream of the crop in this category is Veep and Orange is the New Black, both strong hits with female characters at their core. Armando Iannucci and Jenji Kohan are both super respected EPs and both shows look to have big acting wins. Orange is the New Black certainly feels like it has the most weight but Veep is backed by the king of the Emmys in HBO.