The Film Experience

The Film Experience Team has been analyzing the major Emmy categories...

Of the eight Comedy Series nominees, this is the first nomination in this category for six shows.By: Christopher James

Is it really all sewn up for Ted Lasso? The charming comedy about an American football coach recruited to coach “football” (aka soccer) in the U.K. broke the record for most nominations by a freshman series. In total, it earned an astounding 20 nominations, including Series, Actor, two Supporting Actress slots, four Supporting Actor slots, three Directing slots and two Writing slots. Can anyone stop the eternally optimistic Ted Lasso?

There are seven other series that are hoping to put up a good fight. Realistically though, only two freshmen series pose an actual challenge (and no, I’m not referring to Emily in Paris). HBO Max’s Hacks and The Flight Attendant hope to pull off an upset. Will they be able to muster up enough votes? Let’s take a look at the nominees for Outstanding Comedy Series and find out...

Black-ish (ABC)

Episode Submissions: “Hero Pizza”; “Age Against The Machine”; “Our Wedding Dre”; “What About Gary?”; “First Trap”; “Things Done Changed”

Description (from IMDB): A family man struggles to gain a sense of cultural identity while raising his kids in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood.

For its seven season run, black-ish always thrived on staying both topical and funny. It walked this tightrope for quite a while, though it has settled into a bit of a rut for the past couple years. This past year has given the Johnson family plenty to reflect on. COVID and the Black Lives Matter movement are at the forefront of the new season. The show surges back to life as it talks about allyship, the right way to fight for change and the stresses of essential worker, like Doctor Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross). Once again, Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross carry the show with their effortless charisma and energy. Unfortunately outside of the central couple, the show fails to energize on a week-by-week basis.

This is the fourth nomination in Outstanding Comedy Series. The past two seasons missed the top category. The Emmys don’t often nominate a show once they have fallen out of the main category, so this is a positive sign that voters still watch black-ish. Unfortunately, they haven’t ever loved it enough for it to be a threat to win. Over seven seasons, black-ish has only won one competitive award - Outstanding Contemporary Hairstyling in 2020. That total isn’t likely to increase this year.

Cobra Kai (Netflix)

Episode Submissions: “Nature vs. Nurture”; “The Right Path,”; “Miyagi-Do”; “King Cobra”; “Feel the Night”; “December 19”

Description (from IMDB): Decades after their 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament bout, a middle-aged Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence find themselves martial-arts rivals again.

When we recorded our Emmys prediction video, Nathaniel had championed Cobra Kai as a fun show worthy of recognition. Having never watched the show prior to this season, I went in with an open mind. Instantly, Cobra Kai won me over, even though I had never seen a minute of The Karate Kid. The show works best when the adult drama clashes with the teenage drama. There’s a really interesting inter-generational dynamic that drives season three. If not dealt with, the demons of the past will be passed down to future generations. Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) struggles to make Cobra Kai mean something, as the influence of his old coach Kreese (Martin Kove) has allowed aggression to fester in his former students. His rival Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) continues to struggle with “main character syndrome,” constantly centering himself so much that he finds it hard to appropriately mentor his students and parent his daughter, Samantha (Mary Mouser). A shocking act of violence in the season two finale fuels the drama in season three. The valley must contend with whether or not karate is a useful, productive outlet or a menace. Slowly but surely, Cobra Kai sneaks up on the audience. You won’t believe the fun you’ll have.

Fun doesn’t equal Emmy wins, though, even in the Comedy category. The show earned three other nominations, but lost all of them during the Creative Arts Emmys. While Cobra Kai is far from high art, it’s smarter and more charming than it has any right being.

Emily in Paris (Netflix)

Episode Submissions: “Emily in Paris”; “Masculin Feminin”; “Sexy or Sexist”; “Ringarde”; “Family Affair”; “Cancel Coutour”

Description (from IMDB): A young American woman from the Midwest is hired by a marketing firm in Paris to provide them with an American perspective on things.

LOL! Darren Starr’s latest comedy, Emily in Paris, was one of the final straws that finally got the Golden Globes cancelled this year. However, its Comedy Series nomination has earned merely a chuckle and shrug at the Emmys. To say you have to turn your brain off to watch Emily in Paris is an understatement. While watching the episodes, one feels their brain actively atrophying. While it is billed as a simple fish-out-of-water scenario, Emily in Paris is a tale of pluckiness masking gross incompetence. Yet, the self-described ambient show is a hilarious destressor. Perhaps this is why it did so well in the pandemic. Sometimes it’s fun to watch a dumb show that isn’t quite aware how dumb it is. Emily (Lily Collins) doesn’t just experience culture shock upon working in Paris, she actively and defiantly clashes against the local culture, working to make people bend to her American will. Is Emily in Paris good in terms of quality? No. Is Emily in Paris good for the world? No. Is Emily in Paris a joke that keeps on working? Bafflingly Yes. If one could offer a one-word review of Emily in Paris, it would be… ringarde.

Emily in Paris has the lowest nomination count of any nominee for Outstanding Comedy Series. The only other nomination the show received was Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Program (Half-Hour), which it lost to WandaVision. The polarizing reception of the comedy, low nomination count and general quality place Emily in Paris squarely at the bottom of the heap.

The Flight Attendant (HBO MAX)

Episode Submissions: “In Case of Emergency”; “Rabbits”; “Funeralia”; “Conspiracy Theories”; “Other People's Houses”; “After Dark”

Description (from IMDB): A reckless flight attendant with an alcoholism problem wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man - and no idea what happened. Unable to piece the night together, she begins to wonder if she could be the killer.

Who among us hasn’t gotten blackout drunk and woken up next to a dead man? The pilot of The Flight Attendant couldn’t be any more fun and entertaining. It’s a perfect setup, anchored by a delightfully frazzled central performance by Kaley Cuoco and a strong directorial hand by Susannah Fogel. The comic mystery unfolds like a great beach read for the first few episodes. Performances by Rosie Perez, Zosia Mamet and T.R. Knight adds further shading to the series in really interesting ways. Oftentimes, the mystery is more fun than the end, and that’s definitely true of The Flight Attendant. The final episodes substitute boozy fun for didactic pop psychology. Meanwhile, the central mystery putters to an unmemorable conclusion. All in all, The Flight Attendant is a fun ride, even if it gets a little bumpy in the end.

Right now, The Flight Attendant is the only Comedy Series, other than Ted Lasso, to have won an award at the Creative Arts Emmys. It won Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music (very well deserved). But this isn’t a strong harbinger for winning the Comedy Series prize. Fogel could possibly win Directing, but it has settled to the middle of the pack in most of its other categories.

Hacks (HBO MAX)

Episode Submissions: “There Is No Line (Pilot)”; “Primm”; “Falling”; “New Eyes”; “1.69 Million”; “I Think She Will”

Description (from IMDB): Explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old.

Few pilots are as self-assured as Hacks. The conflict between successful Vegas comedian Deborah Vance and a struggling upstart writer, Ava (Hannah Einbender), is perfectly dramatized right from the beginning. This isn’t just a show about an age gap. It’s also about the friction between lowbrow comedy for the masses and comedy elitism. Even when dealing with these tricky conflicts, Hacks never forgets to have fun. Megan Stalter steals every scene as Ava’s agent’s assistant. Additionally, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia alum Kaitlin Olsen takes what could’ve been a one-note role as Deborah’s deadbeat daughter and turns it into a layered and hilarious character. Speaking of the supporting cast, Carl Clemons-Hopkins commands each scene as Marcus, Deborah’s put upon COO. Marcus fills his life completely with work, until he gets away from Deborah for just a little bit and begins to explore life after work. Hacks is about people navigating transitions in their life and questioning whether to make a scary change or stick to the status quo. As Ava and Deborah collaborate on a new, daring act, Deborah always wonders whether she should just do what she’s always done. It’s fascinating to watch these characters figure out how to break their cycle.

Heading into the Creative Arts Emmys, Hacks was the most likely contender to take down Ted Lasso. Leaving the ceremony, Hacks went zero for ten nominations. It’s not a technically flashy show, but Jane Adams did have an outside shot at Guest Actress. It also had three slots in Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing, losing them all to Ted Lasso, which also took up three slots. The showdown at the Emmys will likely repeat in Outstanding Comedy Series, with Ted Lasso prevailing. Still, Jean Smart is out in front to win Lead Actress for Hacks. It also is a dark horse in Directing, Writing and Supporting Actress for Hannah Einbender.

The Kominski Method (Netflix)

Episode Submissions: “Chapter 17: In All the Old Familiar Places”; “Chapter 18: You Only Give Me Your Funny Paper”; “Chapter 19: And It's Getting More and More Absurd”; “Chapter 20: The Round Toes, of the High Shoes”; “Chapter 21: Near, Far, Wherever You Are”; “Chapter 22: The Fundamental Things”

Description (from IMDB): An aging actor, who long ago enjoyed a brush with fame, makes his living as an acting coach.

In past seasons, watching The Kominski Method was a slog of endless pee and boner jokes. However, season three (which happens to be the show’s final) was the right mix of melancholy and hopeful. Following Norman’s (Alan Arkin) death, Sandy (Michael Douglas) receives an unexpected inheritance. This causes friction with Norman’s kids, but allows Sandy to be more present with his about-to-be-married daughter, Mindy (Sarah Baker), and ex-wife, Roz (Kathleen Turner). There’s something touching about the family dynamic of Mindy, Sandy and Roz. Part of what helps bridge Sandy and Roz’s relationship is Mindy’s doofus fiance, Martin (Paul Reiser - a scene stealer). Even with just six episodes, The Kominski Method still wastes its time on a lot of tangents that don’t amount to much (see Morgan Freeman’s Emmy nominated cameo). Even with some laziness on the joke front, season three of The Kominski Method had enough poignancy to make it a nice, quick watch.

Obviously, something like The Kominski Method was made specifically for Emmy voters. It skews older and is set well within the Hollywood system. Some voters were probably filling out their ballots at the same Musso and Frank’s booth that Sandy and Norman used to dine at. Still, the show has not won a single Emmy in its run. With only six nominations, it’s far from the leader. If Ted Lasso and Saturday Night Live split votes between their multiple nominees in Supporting Actor, Paul Reiser could be a surprise winner. Other than that, The Kominski Method is likely to lose its other categories.

Pen15 (Hulu)

Episode Submissions: “Wrestle”; “Vendy Wiccany”; “Three”; “Sleepover”; “Play”; “Opening Night”

Description (from IMDB): The comedic story of middle school seen through the eyes of two 7th grade girls dealing with the awkwardness of being a teenager.

No show has made me laugh, cry and cringe as much this year as Pen15. Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine’s vision of middle school circa the early 2000s is a painful recreation of an incredibly awkward place and time. They wisely treat Anna and Maya’s problems with the level of severity that a pre-teen would at that time. No horror movie is more frightening than the minefield of a sleepover as seen through Konkle and Erskine’s eyes. Still, Pen15 isn’t just about what scared us as pre-teens. Season two effectively demonstrates how growing up means some relationships get strained. Anna and Maya’s friendship is threatened by an incredibly perceptive mean girl, Maura (Ashlee Grubbs), who has haunted my every nightmare. Elsewhere, Anna struggles with her parents' impending divorce. “Vendy Wiccany” blends all of this together beautifully, as Anna and Maya turn to a magical friend to bring them strength during hard times. Even in the darkest of times, they are each other’s strongest allies.

Yes, Pen15 only has three nominations - the second lowest tally of the group, in front of Emily in Paris. However, one of its nominations is in Writing, which is a key category. The other - Casting - is an apt citation for a show that relies on finding young talent. Other than Grubbs, Dylan Gage gives a heartbreaking performance as Gabe, the star of the school play struggling with his sexuality. While these three nominations are strong, they pale in comparison to the rest of the nominees in the category. If it stood a chance at Comedy Series, either Konkle or Erskine would’ve likely been nominated for Lead Actress.

Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)

Episode Submissions: “Pilot”; “Trent Crimm: The Independent”; “Tan Lines”; “Make Rebecca Great Again”; “All Apologies”; “The Hope That Kills You”

Description (from IMDB): Follows an American football coach Ted Lasso who heads to the U.K. to manage a struggling London football team in the top flight of English football.

This was a case of the right show at the right time. Last September, when Ted Lasso premiered, we were in the middle of a neverending pandemic and full of election anxiety. Then, a genial American flew to England and started inspiring soccer players with speeches. We all laughed and cried along with Ted’s antics, thanks to Jason Sudeikis’ heartfelt performance. The pilot set up a simple enough comedy. As the show developed, we were introduced to a rich ensemble comedy about the power of perseverance and kindness in the face of adversity. It isn’t all about the cheery, mustachioed Ted. The greatest arc of season one goes to Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham), the recently divorced owner of the club who goes from wanting to destroy it to wanting it to thrive. There are many more storylines that help fill out the world of Ted Lasso - Nathan’s (Nick Mohammed) rise to assistant coach, Roy (Brett Goldstein) grapples with age, Keeley (Juno Temple) rethinks her relationship with Jamie (Phil Dunster). It’s a rich world that you always want to spend more time in.

Ted Lasso was an unlikely frontrunner at first as the first series contender for Apple TV+, and yet it will likely rocket straight for the win. It took a few episodes for the tide to turn and for people to love the show. Still, much like Schitt’s Creek last year, voters are very likely to reward the show that got them through the pandemic and made them feel good. So far, Ted Lasso won three awards at the Creative Arts Emmys - Casting, Single-Camera Picture Editing and Sound Mixing. It very easily could run the gauntlet at the Primetime Emmys - Series, Actor, Supporting Actor (Goldstein), Supporting Actress (Waddingham), Directing and Writing. It’s hard for a show to do a complete sweep, so it will likely lose one or two of those. Yet, victory in the series category feels pretty clear.

Predictions

Ted Lasso
Hacks
The Flight Attendant
Pen15
The Kominski Method
Black-ish
Cobra Kai
Emily in Paris

Personal Ranking

Pen15
Hacks
Ted Lasso
Cobra Kai
The Flight Attendant
The Kominski Method
Black-ish
Emily in Paris

Who would you vote for?

ALL CATEGORIES REVIEWED