Emmy Category Review: Guest Actor in a Comedy

By Juan Carlos Ojano

Three men from Saturday Night Live, a “regular” guest actor in a Comedy Series frontrunner, a lead in an anthology series episode, and a comedy veteran receiving a posthumous nomination. These are the men nominated in this category. SNL has had at least two nominees in this category since 2013, peaking last year with four of the seven slots. Their last winner was in 2017. Meanwhile, performances from Comedy Series have bagged the last two wins. 

Let’s consider each nominee...

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"Dolittle"... again?

by Cláudio Alves

Doctor Dolittle's many literary adventures represent Hugh Lofting's biggest claim to fame. From 1920 to 1952, the English author published around children's books focusing on that eccentric Victorian veterinarian whose studies allowed him to speak to animals. The character is something of an iconic IP, so it's no wonder Hollywood has repeatedly tried to capitalize on its popularity. However, considering all the horrible stories and behind the scenes nightmares associated with these productions, it's a wonder any studio executive even considers putting on another Dolittle extravaganza.

The first of these misbegotten adaptations is a 1967 movie musical that's a good candidate to claim the title of "worst Best Picture Oscar nominee ever"…

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Golden Globes Men: Pick a Trio

by Nathaniel R

Men's fashion continues to be a bit more interesting than it was in previous decades though it's hard to fault a dapper classic tux. Herewith some men who caught the eye on Globes night.

Let's play a variation on do dump or marry. You can meet one of them for a drink at the bar, nab one for a quick selfie, and take one home in your limo. Who is it gonna be and why? 

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In Appreciation of Eddie Murphy in 'Dolemite'

by Murtada Elfadl

“Make That Shit Swing, Put Your Weight On It”

Eddie Murphy as Rudy Ray Moore says that to his musical accompanist the first time he takes the stage as Dolemite. He wanted more oomph, more swagger, just more to complement his stage appearance. And that’s also what Murphy does is his riotously funny and mesmerising performance in Dolemite is My Name.

He’s fully committed to the character. A comedian playing a comedian so of course he’s funny. He lands every joke from the stand up bits which are of course laugh out funny, to the silly aside jokes. For example watch him as plays off Luenell who plays his aunt in one scene, as he tries to cajole her out of money. It’s a full body performance with many physical jokes, karate chops, singing and dancing. Every minute he’s on screen you can’t take your eyes off him...

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Musings from SAG screenings (Pt 2): Judy, Bombshell, Little Women, and Dolemite

renee's first SAG winsIf you missed part one, we've invited a longtime SAG member to share this thoughts from SAG Nominating Committee screenings of the would be contenders... 

JUDY:  This one definitely got the most lackluster response.  When the movie was over, there was only a smattering of applause—though I had the feeling that had something to do with the way it ends.  It kind of ends with a whimper. But people got on their feet for Renee Zellweger—who appeared along with Finn Wittrock. They gushed about her performance—the acting, the singing, all of it.  And she had some interesting things to say about the research she did—particularly in regard to addiction. It’s an engaging performance, I think—but is it really as much of a “transformation” as people say?  I feel like you see a lot of Renee Zellweger in there—like, it’s as much Judy Garland playing Renee Zellweger as it is Renee Zellweger playing Judy Garland. Does that make any sense? And for what it’s worth, I hated the Oz stuff.  Was Louis B. Mayer a sexual predator?  You can’t just drop that suggestion into all the other horrible stuff and move on.  It all felt very undefined.

BOMBSHELL:  With no disrespect to Ms. Zellweger, the “transformation of the year” has got to be Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly...

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