Emmy Watch: Which Comedy Series will it be?
Saturday, April 4, 2020 at 12:41PM
by Abe Fried-Tanzer
We’re looking at another Emmy Awards category today – Best Comedy Series. Unlike the corresponding drama field, this one isn’t quite as overflowing with potential returning nominees. That said, it’s still worth taking a closer look to see which shows have the best shot at scoring a bid this year.
Last year’s big winner, Fleabag, has ended, though there’s always a chance it may return someday if fans clamor hard enough for it. Three-time victor Veep is also over, and both Barry and Russian Doll haven’t yet debuted their newest seasons. Previous winner The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is a sure thing, while the final seasons of Schitt’s Creek and The Good Place are probably safe, though they were both only nominated for the first time last year (for their fifth and third seasons, respectively)...
The Past Four Years
That’s already less to tackle than the Best Drama Series race, with just 3/7 of last year’s slate eligible compared with 6/8. Looking at the chart above, there are, however, two more shows that were nominated the last time they aired. Silicon Valley contended five times in a row before taking a break prior to its seven final episodes, which may not be sufficient to get it back into the race. Curb Your Enthusiasm has charted the most peculiar course of all, nominated for every season so far except its first, an impressive feat given that it skipped a season four times before, then six (!), and now it’s back in contention after last airing during the 2017-2018 season. In short, it’s been nominated consistently despite its remarkably inconsistent schedule. There’s no reason to expect it won’t be on the list again.
Other Contenders
It’s worth noting that there are a few past nominees still on the air that could return to the lineup despite not being nominated recently. GLOW got in for its first season but missed for its second, and it likely doesn’t have enough buzz to score for its third. Modern Family won this prize five times, tying the record set by Frasier, and only sat out the last two years. Nostalgic fans might want to honor it for its final season. The same isn’t likely to be true for Black-ish, which only made the cut three times, for its second through fourth seasons.
The next place to go is what we presume to be previous runners-up. The Kominsky Method won the Golden Globe last year but then found itself snubbed by Emmy voters, and so it could easily join the field. Though it hasn’t announced a premiere date for season two, if it does air in time, Dead to Me could be a popular choice. Insecure has probably come close to securing a nomination in the past, and the just-debuting season four might be coming at just the right time. Ramy didn’t get any Emmy love last year, but its star won a Golden Globe, and season two is dropping at the very end of May. And many expected Better Things to score a bid for its third season after back-to-back bids for star Pamela Adlon, and though she was snubbed last year, its content speaks for itself, and so voters might welcome the FX show to the lineup for the first time.
The Newbies
As far as new shows are concerned, two of the likeliest contenders haven’t yet premiered, but they feature Emmy-friendly faces. Merritt Wever is headlining Run, which debuts on HBO next week and comes from Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Vicky Jones, who directed the stage version of Fleabag. Netflix is releasing Space Force, which comes from Greg Daniels and stars Steve Carell, on May 31st. Avenue 5, from Veep creator Armando Iannucci, could be a contender, and despite only lukewarm enthusiasm for On Becoming a God in Central Florida and The Politician they might snag nominations. The musical comedy Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist is a dark horse, especially considering the lackluster reception for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend during its run. There are so many other possibilities, including Shameless and Kidding, two choices I’d love to see happen but don’t delude myself into thinking are realistic.
Predictions
I’m going to bet that Dead to Me misses the eligibility window, leaving our list looking something like:
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
- The Good Place
- The Kominsky Method
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Ramy
- Run
- Schitt’s Creek
What shows do you think have the best shot at Best Comedy Series this year?
ALL DISCUSSIONS THUS FAR
Reader Comments (26)
The love for the little show that could, SCHITT'S CREEK is really cresting. I'd bet money it's back. It might even win.
As long as The Good Place and Schitt's Creek get in I can be forgiving of almost anything.
I’m disappointed that Glow and Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist don’t seem to have the traction to make it in. They aren’t pure comedy in the traditional sense, but they are so wonderful. Also, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist has been a beautiful light these last couple weeks.
I want Schitt's Creek to win!!!!!!!!!! I'm also Canadian so I'm extra biased.
I only care about Annie Murphy winning.
Annie Murphy FTW
Agree with Tom. Can't they just have a joint win? And can they both PLEASE get all the acting nominations they deserve, aka basically their whole central cast?
GLOW's reaction has never really disappeared. It was always good, very good if not great. Which is why after tougher competition it missed but I would say with an empty field it can make a comeback here a la Homeland when the additional slots opened up. Especially since it's going to be Netflix's other big bet besides Kominsky.
I find it difficult to suss out whether the buzz for Schitts Creek and Good Place is real or INTERNET REAL you know?
The safe 5 are definitely:
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Schitt's Creek
The Good Place
Curb Your Enthusiasm
The Kominsky Method
Then it feels like it could be anyone of these:
Run - solid reviews so far but not great either
Silicon Valley - nominated every season
Dead To Me - is it coming out before end of May?
Ramy - were they able to finish production?
I think the buzz for Schitt's Creek is real. The trajectory of the show has been atypical, with it picking up more steam with each season. But it may be peaking and going out at the right time. With all the negativity in the atmosphere from politics and the pandemic, it's been providing a fun, safe space for people to go. The show's message about love, inclusivity, and growth strikes a chord in people. It's also picked up a lot of celebrity endorsements.
As my name suggests, I am Canadian so probably bringing a bias, but the people I've had watch the show - male, female, straight, gay - all get hooked.
BTW - for the past few nights, members of the cast or crew have been doing half-hour Instagram live sessions to raise money for food banks in Canada and the U.S. They've already raised over $100, 000. Pretty cool.
I think we'll be seeing a big SCHITT'S CREEK showing.
In Canada Levy (Dan) and Murphy submit lead as well and then the actors who play Patrick, Roland, Ted, Stevie, Jocelyn get supporting nominations. More competition at Emmys so Levy and Murphy would go supporting.
Schitt's Creek for the win. It's as well loved as Fleabag was, and it''s kept me sane for this last 3 years. Surely that counts for something.
It is Schitt's Creek year. I hope it wins multiple awards.
Seconded Peggy Sue. Damn Peggy Sue, isolation is turning you nice and enjoyable, love it! Keep up the positive growth!
Has a canadian show ever won the Emmy? The only canadian performer I remember won a major award was Tatania Maslany.
I'm with Tom G. As long as SCHITT'S CREEK and THE GOOD PLACE are nominated, I'm pretty fine. As for "internet real" perhaps there's a bit of that, but SC actually getting nominated last year, a Canadian show on Pop TV, is INSANE and feels more real. And hey just a couple months ago a foreign film won Best Picture so, let's keep dreaming folks.
Schitt’s Creek has been my favorite comedy since 30 Rock, and probably the only one I’d ever put in a Top 10 list of favorites aside from The Nanny, which, laugh if one must, is peerless in execution.
I’d love for O’Hara to win, but she was so much better in season five. Annie Murphy, however, has been sterling from the beginning, and her final (and near silent) diner conversation with Mutt was actually when I realized the show had a beating heart much bigger than I thought.
The Emmys would be forgiven for so much to give the town of Schitt’s Creek some love. So much.
GLOW is especially hurt because it comes out in the summer, so it’s always in contention for something that aired a year ago by the time the nominations come out.
How to Be a God has been deemed a drama so the Kirsten Curse continues.
I think Catherine O'Hara will win in actress even if the show doesn't. Although right now... Maisel again? How often do they go back to shows after not winning one year?
I too think it's Schitt's Creek's year, but that Good Place finale should win every TV writing award. I'm convinced it's the best finale for any television show, ever.
And Catherine O'Hara is bound to get the lion's share of acting awards from the quartet I hope the love gets spread around.
Update: Netflix just announced a May 8th premiere date for season two of Dead to Me. I think it makes the cut for this category, bumping Ramy.
The Good Place for the win. Multiple wins. Forget shows that needed 2 additional networks besides POP TV to have its series finale reach a million viewers. It's time for TV's best comedy which happens to be on a broadcast network the past four years running to finally be recognized. We had enough of an outlier show with Fleabag, the worst Comedy Series emmy winner of the past 35 years (just SIX EPISODES). Don't need another off-the-reservation one. And if Levy/O'Hara win, they will be lifetime achievement awards disguised as comedy lead actor and actress. William Harper and Manny Jacinto are eons better in supporting, and D'Arcy Carden & Jameela Jamil run up the score, quality-wise on Annie Murphy.
The broadcast network bias that permeates the Emmys needs to end this year. Because this is the end of the broadcast era at the Emmys. Everybody knows it. And thank God when the choice has never been more clear.
@Aaron
Canadian Emmy winning actors include Michael J. Fox, Donald Sutherland, Raymond Burr, William Shatner, Christopher Plummer, Barry Pepper, Eric McCormack, and Hume Cronyn.
Joining the chorus, I hope for a win for Schitt's Creek. So many great acting performance, led by the unique insanity of Catherine O'Hara as Moira. Such a pleasing show to watch as an escape from the insanity of the real world. Really every actor on the show is great.