Emmys 2016: Why ‘The Carmichael Show,’ ‘Veep,’ ‘black-ish,’ ‘Master of None’ deserve Comedy Series nods
We’re now firmly in the age of hyper-competition on TV, and we’re really not sure that there is a single genre that has ultimately felt this more than comedy. There are only a few ratings smash-hits in the genre these days, and there are a ton of smaller gems that have diehard followings, but could use more exposure. This is why we’re so thrilled that awards like the Emmys exist. Sure, you can be cynical and call them self-congratulatory, but they make people aware precisely of all of the variety they could be missing. One of these shows we’ve chosen below for our personal Comedy Series picks could become a new favorite of yours, and you just haven’t given it a chance yet.
In addition to our personal nominees, we’ve also got a poll attached for you to vote for your favorite. We’ll announce the winners when we get around to July 13, which is the day before the actual nominees are announced.
Outstanding Comedy Series – CarterMatt Picks
“black-ish” (ABC) – When the show is funny, you’re rolling on the floor; when it gets a little more serious, such as talking about policy brutality, it does so in a way that makes you wonder how you would speak to your own kids. It’s gone from being strictly a funny show to a bold and funny show as of late, and we love and appreciate the risks and challenges being taken here to elevate it to another. Smart writing, and excellent performances from Anthony Anderson and the whole cast.
“The Carmichael Show” (NBC) – If only more people new not only how funny this series was, but also just how creative and interesting it has become while still using the multi-camera format. Both the Bill Cosby and Donald Trump episodes were among the boldest things we’ve seen in a half-hour this year, and Jerrod Carmichael and the rest of the cast managed to broach these subjects without coming across as preachy towards any particular viewpoint. The show comes across as real (funny) people analyzing real situations from real life. If only more shows felt the same desire to really make the most of their time on the air.
“Master of None” (Netflix) – From Aziz Ansari casting his own parents to the way he has crafted a portrait of a working New York actor, there is something so wonderfully person and distinct about this show. It’s a perfect microcosm of his voice and his comedy, focused through a lens that is digestible, funny, and structured in a way where you get many different flavors every episode. You love burning through the episodes, and then you miss it when it’s gone.
“Silicon Valley” (HBO) – When it comes to one-liners alone, this may be at the top of a mountain somewhere. It’s a brilliant spoof of a certain part of the country, some of the people who live there, and also the ridiculous excess that many of them surround themselves in. Season 3 has built momentum over the course of the past month, and we’re now at a point where we’re laughing almost every second.
“Transparent” (Amazon) – We’re thrilled to live in a time where we not only have a show with a transgender lead character, but also when this same show offers up one of the best family portraits on television. You laugh with Maura and company because you know many of these people in your ordinary lives, you feel for them, and you deal with the same spectrum of emotions. This is a part of the genre we refer to as “relatable comedy,” and there are few shows that do it better.
“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” (Netflix) – It’s just plain funny. There are other shows that may go harder at making you laugh and cry simultaneously, or ones that go a little harder and edgier. “Kimmy Schmidt” is just delightful, entertaining TV comfort food that does still have enough of a bite and pop-culture relevance that keeps you on the edge your seat. Also, it has one of the strongest overall casts out there.
“Veep” (HBO) – You can go ahead and also throw “Veep” out there when it comes to its cast, since this is a real embarrassment of riches. When Armando Iannucci announced that he was stepping down after season 4, there was a brief thought that the show should go with him, given our fears of a “Community” crisis where the exit of the creator changes the show. Luckily, that didn’t happen here, and this world remains as wonderful and as absurd as ever.