Emmy Nomination Analysis: Best Directing for a Comedy Series/Best Writing for a Comedy Series

CATEGORY: Best Directing for a Comedy Series

NOMINEES: "Baby on Board" for Modern Family (directed by Steve Levitan), "Duckling" for Louie (directed by Louis CK), "Palestinian Chicken" for Curb Your Enthusiasm (directed by Robert B. Wiede), "Pilot" for New Girl (directed by Jake Kasdan), "She Did" for Girls (directed by Lena Dunham), "Virgin Territory" for Modern Family (directed by Jason Winer)

ANALYSIS: Previously, I had seen the Modern Family episodes and the New Girl pilot. "Baby on Board" was the very good finale, and my favorite part of the episode was the mexican soap opera spoof, which was coordinated perfectly here and fit so well into the episode. Levitan, one of the show's creators, did a really good job here, but there's nothing too extraordinary about the episode. The second episode, "Virgin Territory," was a pretty funny episode, but nothing too grand about it. There were no standout moments (except the sight of Manny driving that car which is a riot), so I don't think it's in the race that much. The New Girl pilot was very strong, in my opinion, and because of the limited ensemble, it did a great job getting us familiar with the cast, even smaller characters like Cece, who was only in two scenes the whole episode. The Academy loves rewarding pilot episodes in one of these two categories, so don't count out this one. "Duckling" is an hour-long episode that deals with Louie going to Iraq to entertain soldiers. This was my first episode of Louie, and I really enjoyed it. CK had such a good idea of the tone he wanted for the episode, and it was very interesting to watch. He's a frontrunner. Also a frontrunner is the new Emmy It girl, Lena Dunham, for her direction of "She Did." It's the season finale, and emotions are heightened, yet it doesn't feel like everything is on the line. In particular, the last five minutes are really beautiful. If Dunham's not winning Best Comedy Series or Best Actress in a Comedy Series, she's got a real good shot here. Finally, there's Palestinian Chicken. As I expressed in my analysis of Best Actor in a Comedy Series, I was not a fan of this episode. I found David to be very shrewd and I just wasn't a fan, so maybe I was biased by not giving it a very good chance here.

WHO SHOULD AND WILL WIN: "She Did" and "Duckling" kind of stand out from the rest of the crowd, which is ironic considering the directors of each episode are the most-nominated individuals at the Emmys this year. In a perfect world, each of them will take home at least one, and I think "Duckling" should do that for Louis CK.

RANKINGS: 
1. Duckling - Louie
2. She Did - Girls
3. Pilot - New Girl
4. Baby on Board - Modern Family
5. Virgin Territory - Modern Family
6. Palestinian Chicken - Curb Your Enthusiasm

CATEGORY: Best Writing for a Comedy Series

NOMINEES: "The Debate" for Parks and Recreation (written by Amy Poehler), "Pilot" for Girls (written by Lena Dunham), "Pregnant" for Louie (written by Louis CK), "Remedial Chaos Theory" for Community (written by Chris McKenna), "Win, Lose or Draw" for Parks and Recreation (written by Michael Schur)

ANALYSIS: Previously, I had seen both Parks and Recreation episodes, and "Remedial Chaos Theory." Easily, "The Debate" is the funnier of the Parks and Rec episodes, while "Win, Lose, or Draw" has the heart that fans adore the show for having. But last year's winner, "Caught in the Act" from Modern Family, was all about the laughs, so "The Debate" has the upper hand here. Also, "The Debate" was written (and directed) by Amy Poehler, so if she should lose the Best Actress in a Comedy Series award, this could be her consolation prize. "Remedial Chaos Theory" draws the same reaction from everyone when they watch it: impressed. The episode considers six different timelines that occur when a different member of the study group goes to pick up pizza. There are reoccurrences and running jokes, but it's amazing how every last detail is perfected in the script. This is Community's first major nomination, and in a just world, they'd already have a lot more Emmys. With this episode, they certainly stand a good shot at winning the gold for the first time. "Pregnant" is a very funny episode dealing with a range of topics from children to pregnancy to friends. CK's voice comes through loud and clear here, and it's a really funny episode that could stand a shot at winning. However, the buzziest episode here is the Girls pilot. Critically lauded when it first premiered, Dunham has been praised for so accurately captured the voice of this generation, and that's so apparent in the script for this first episode. Also reassuring is how fast the show finds it's tone, something comedies struggle with for the first few episodes.

WHO SHOULD WIN: Community is deserving of more Emmy love than it gets, so a win for this genius episode would make up for those egregious snubs.

WHO WILL WIN: The pilot for Girls is undeniably one of the strongest scripts for a comedy in quite some time. If CK is going to win directing (like I predict), then Dunham should take this award.

RANKINGS:
1. Pilot - Girls
2. Remedial Chaos Theory - Community
3. The Debate - Parks and Recreation
4. Pregnant - Louie
5. Win, Lose, or Draw - Parks and Recreation

What do you think? Will CK and Dunham prevail in these important categories, or can Parks and Recreation, Community, or New Girl, three shows snubbed in the Best Comedy Series category, pull through for a win? Am I underestimating Curb Your Enthusiasm and Modern Family? Let me know in the comments section below!

Evan