Emmy Analysis: Can "Ted Lasso" beat itself to Outstanding Comedy Writing?
Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at 9:31PM The Film Experience Team takes a look at the episode submissions for all the major Emmy categories.
By Nathaniel R
Oustanding Writing in a Comedy Series has paired with the Comedy Series winner for the past three consecutive years even though a different show won each time (Mrs Maisel, Fleabag, Schitt's Creek). This was true even when the winning show had multiple writing nominations so it should have (theoretically) been splitting its vote. This suggests that the adorable and brilliant frontrunner Ted Lasso is going to win with ease... but which episode? WAIT, not so fast. Not long at all before that, Master of None and Louie both took this prize twice beating out their year's Comedy series winner (Veep and Modern Family). In the not-so distant case of Master of None vs Veep, Veep had multiple nominated episodes both times, theoretically splitting its own vote. This suggests Ted Lasso could also lose. But to what?
So let’s take a look at the nominees...
“In Case of Emergency” (Season 1, Episode 1) from The Flight Attendant
Written by Steve Yockey
Description (from ballot): Flight attendant Cassie Bowden has an extravagant, romantic, and very drunk night in Bangkok. When she wakes up in a horrific mess, Cassie must keep her wits to make it back to the US - where more trouble is waiting.
Category placement is an imperfect science but given that there are only two choices -- comedy or drama -- one supposes The Flight Attendant's dizzying inebriated thriller is funny enough to be placed here. The pilot episode is all foundational introducing you to the ensemble (though it's a very clear one-lead show), the central mystery (Cassie wakes up after blackout drinking to a dead man in her bed), and possible genre destinations this show might travel to: whodunnit? primetime soap? espionage thrills? sitcom quirkiness? character study? The biggest impression it makes, arguably and despite how enjoyable as it is, is how on earth will this terrified boozy mess wiggle out of this situation long enough to sustain a whole series rather than a movie or limited series? Is it satifsying enough of its own for Emmy. Not that voters vote that way, by 'episode submission', any longer.
Had the Emmys been held shortly after The Flight Attendant premiered it would have been considerably boosted by its watercooler popularity and recency. But in the intervening months buzz has faded so this has to be considered a long shot. Especially since the show has been renewed and voters may well feel they can wait to see if a second season really works. (This is Yockey's first nomination. He previously wrote for Scream: The TV Series, Supernatural, and Awkward.)
“Pilot” (Season 1, Episode 1) from Girls5eva
Written by Meredith Scardino
Description (from ballot): The members of Girls5eva reconnect after their only hit, "Famous 5eva," is sampled by an up-and-coming rapper, Lil Stinker.
With the constant crushing waves of new shows arriving I'll admit that I give series that don't grab me on the pilot fewer and fewer second-episode chances. Think of the enormous amount of movies you could watch in the running time of any single series if you aren't loving in episode 1? The premise here is what they used to call "high concept" in that its grabby and easy to explain in one sentence. The setup is ripe for comic hijinx and serialization and the cast is filled with funny talent (Renee Elise Goldsberry most promising MVP at first glance). But in this first episode (which is admittedly the only I've seen) it all plays extremely broadly and without the idiosyncracies and big laughs you might reasonably expect from one of the writers of The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. You see the jokes coming from pretty far away. But perhaps that's just me; the show has devoted fans.
This is Scardino's 14th nomination and she's won four times though it's her first nod in this particular category as well as her first solo nod. The lack of a Comedy Series nomination suggests that it just doesn't have big enough viewership numbers on the fledgling Peacock service to really compete for a surprise win for writing. Surely this nomination is the win in and of itself since the show received no other nods.
“There is No Line” (Season 1, Episode 1) from Hacks
Written by Lucia Aniello, Paul W Downs, Jen Statsky
Description (from ballot): Legendary Vegas comedian Deborah Vance is in danger of losing her residency. Meanwhile in LA, Ava, a young writer is desperate for a job. Their mutual manager Jimmy sets them up on a meeting, much to their chagrin.
Hacks is such a pleasure and that starts here, by foregrounding two character studies and letting the laughs emerge organically rather than as "jokes". It's an unexpected but satisfying way to approach a show about comedians. The bifurcated narrative of the pilot is all about the two narratives converging so that young bisexual writer Hannah (who we first meet friendless and jobless in Hollywood after being "cancelled" due to a gay joke that misfires) will end up in the employ of a famous comedian Deborah who is having her own career troubles. After their hate-at-first sight interview toward the end of the episode, Deborah and Hannah argue about the gay joke that destroyed Hannah's life. Now that the (bad) joke is in Deborah's head she wants to improve it. It's a beautiful full circle back to our point of entry but in a totally different context, making the episode wholly satisfying in and of itself. It brings the two worlds and sensibilities of these stubborn women together in such an uncomfortably combative way as to make us wonder what a new world born from these two separate headspaces, will bring. That's a pilot-perfect denouement, too, if you think about it, that people in the television industry might want to recognize as such.
Consider this a strong dark horse for the prize, especially if voters feel that Ted Lasso will be more than amply rewarded elsewhere (which it surely will). Hacks is on a more popular service (HBO), too, which might help... especially if voters feel like Lead Actress only is not quite enough of a statue haul for this instantly popular show; can't wait for season 2!
Aniello, Downs, and Statsky are alums of Broad City (2015-2019) though the Television Academy never "got" that show. This is the first Emmy love for Aniello and Downs. Statsky who was up twice for Outstanding Comedy Series with The Good Place.
“Play” (Season 2, Episode 6) from Pen15
Written by Maya Erskine
Description (from ballot): The school play has been cast. Maya has the opportunity to get her actual first kiss. Anna struggles to find herself.
Where to even begin with this utterly brilliant show? "Play" was a strong choice for the submission since the school play puts a hilarious spotlight on so many of Pen15's preoccupations (puberty and "firsts", cringe comedy and embarrassment, compare and despair emotional turmoil, adults as children/children as adults, intense friendships, and the search for your own identity). Maya is surprised to get the lead in the school play which throws Anna, more of a natural actress, for a loop. The play is a highly inappropriate Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf knockoff written by the drama teacher (Michael Angarano, who smartly plays it earnest and straight and completely without self-awareness... Tangent: The Guest acting categories have rno excuse for how terrible they are when there are so many terrific one-episode performances each year).
The episode makes room for absurdist jokes (like Anna breastfeeding Maya by the locker, or Maya imagining herself as a great actress complete with cigarettes and theatrical spotlight). What's more the written kiss between the leads in the play within "Play" also brings supporting character Gabe's (Dylan Gage) season two arc of realizing he's gay into sharp relief. Everyone is so uncomfortable and awkward and it's so so funny but also moving. How does this show do it? It's a miracle series.
With its well earned Outstanding Comedy Series nomination, it's clear that the critical enthusiasm and cult devotion for Pen15 has built it some momentum and helped it find industry devotees. But are there enough of them? The troubling miss of both lead actresses for the performances categories suggests that it's still too niche of a show to win a big prize. This is Erskine's second writing nomination. She was also up for this prize for Pen15's first season.
“Make Rebecca Great Again” (Season 1, Episode 7) from Ted Lasso
Written by Brendant Hunt, Joe Kelly and Jason Sudeikis
Description (from ballot): Rebecca celebrates her first anniversary as a divorcée as the team plays a match in Liverpool.
A wise episode submission choice. It's one of the best episodes of the nearly perfect first season but it shakes up the format, taking them out of their usual sets and familiar beats to an away game which they win (also shaking upthe formula since they usually lose). Ted's divorce plot is still going on but this episode is less Ted focused and gives ample room to the entire wonderful cast since everyone is uprooted and enjoying each other. That's true most notably of Juno Temple as Keeley and Hannah Waddingham as Rebecca, who both get great lines and terrific scenes to play. Their unexpected friendship might be the most satisfying of all of the first season's arcs and the episode is beautifully written from moment to moment, revealing new details or opening up new emotions for a surprising number of the characters you've already fallen for.
Brendan Hunt (who plays Coach Beard) and Jason Sudeikis (the titular character!) are both nominated for their performances as well as double-nominees in writing. These three nominations are their first brush with Emmy glory. Will voters want to throw all the statues at them or feel like the acting trophies are enough? Joe Kelly has previously been nominated for writing on Saturday Night Live.
“Pilot” (Season 1, Episode 1) from Ted Lasso
Written by Brendant Hunt, Joe Kelly, Bill Lawrence, and Jason Sudeikis
Description (from ballot): American football coach Ted Lasso is hired by a wealthy divorcée to coach the English soccer team AFC Richmond.
Pilot episodes are the mainstay of Emmy submissions for first-season series, probably because shows are still trying to raise awareness in their birth year and not all voters have yet sampled them. This pilot would be a fine and worthy episode submission for just about any show but the curious thing is that it's one of the weakest episode of Ted Lasso. That's because the joy of the series turns out to be its intricate and beautifully shaped interpersonal relationships and only a couple of those are easy to read / firmly established as we meet the characters: Brendan Hunt's Coach Beard and Jason Sudeikis's Ted Lasso have obviously been work partners for a long time as have Rebecca and Higgins in the football office. But that's it. The first episode plays a lot like Rebecca and Higgins will be the manipulative series villains (she has hired Ted in order to destroy her own team -- it's a long story) and Ted the clueless but benevolent American, but this series has much richer characterizations and plotlines in store. There are no true villains and almost every character -- even an instantly hateable journalist and the mean-spirited star player -- turn out to have grace notes and endearing moments. (Ted Lasso makes you realize how few comedies are just bursting with love for humanity in general.)
All that said if a Ted Lasso episode wins I think it will be this one as voters obviously don't analyze their choices too much and it is the introduction to this already beloved series. Bill Lawrence was previously nominated twice in Comedy Series for the network sitcom Scrubs. Like Hunt, Kelly, and Sudeikis he's never won.
Predictions
- "There is No Line (Pilot)" Hacks -- What the hell. i'm going for it and predicting an upset though I think Ted Lasso will win most of its other categories
- "Pilot" Ted Lasso
- "Make Rebecca Great Again" Ted Lasso
- "Play" Pen15
- "In Case of Emergency (Pilot)" The Flight Attendant
- "Pilot" Girls5eva
Personal Ranking
- "Play" Pen15
- "Make Rebecca Great Again" Ted Lasso
- "There is No Line (Pilot)" Hacks
- "Pilot" Ted Lasso
- "In Case of Emergency (Pilot)" Flight Attendant
- "Pilot" Girls5eva
Who are you rooting for?
Reader Comments (9)
Hacks feels like the kind of show that wins here based on the fact that is about... well, writing comedy and probably a good amount of voters might feel identified with it and as mentioned, pilot episodes are well regarded here.
Unless they go wild for Ted Lasso and give it everything, which is entirely possible
Of those I've seen:
1) The Flight Attendant although I don't think this show is a comedy, funny as it was
2) Hacks
3) Ted Lasso ("Rebecca")
4) Ted Lasso (Pilot)
I think your instinct is right on and it will be Hacks that wins. I think the pilot episode is good rather than great, with the Liverpool episode of Ted Lasso being both far funnier and emotionally satisfying.
I suspect it'll be the TED LASSO pilot that prevails, though HACKS would score my vote here (and in most categories).
Pulling for Flight Attendant all the way.
I'm torn on Hacks v. Flight Attendant, especially in the actress category when we get there. I think Kaley Cuoco deserves it by a hair for the entire range of emotions she goes through, but there's no denying the Jean Smartaissance
The fact that there are 4 pilots is an indication of just how exciting this past TV season was and where the real heat is in the Comedy races.
I think it's between Hacks and Ted Lasso. I really like both Ted Lasso episodes, but voters have never had a problem picking the non-pilot episode of a show when it's up against others (e.g., The West Wing, The Sopranos).
However, I agree that Hacks will succeed here. I actually think it could win best comedy series if HBO continues to wage a smart campaign. However, it has a strong Pilot that's consistently funny and even surprising. The one thing holding it back is if voters really don't like the Ava character since so much of the pilot is about her. But the writers smartly undermine her enough to please even those voters.
UGH "Play" is SO GOOD, probably my favorite episode of TV all year. I wouldn't count it out, especially since anyone who's ever done any theater at all will get every single brilliant joke, but the show MAY be too much of a cult thing to go up against Hacks and Ted Lasso.
Is it satifsying enough of its own for Emmy. Not that voters vote that way, by 'episode submission', any longer.
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