Today's installment of Emmy Race Analysis looks at the Writing for a Comedy Series category, where modern half-hour comedies are facing off against the hottest "comedy" in the race for the gold. Who will win? Let's look at the nominated shows and episodes...
Best Writing for a Comedy Series
"Episode 305" for Episodes (written by David Crane and Jeffery Klarik)
"So Did the Fat Lady" for Louie (written by Louis CK)
"I Wasn't Ready" for Orange Is the New Black (written by Liz Friedman and Jenji Kohan)
"Optimal Tip-to-Tip Efficiency" for Silicon Valley (written by Alec Berg)
"Special Relationship" for Veep (written by Simon Blackwell, Tony Roche, and Armando Iannucci)
"Episodes" is a show that the Emmys seem to like even though, uh, no one else really does. That sounds kind of harsh, but do you know anyone that watches this show? I don't. Anyway, it's about the television industry, so that probably plays a big part of why the Emmys like this show so much. Still, I was expecting something a little more substantial or special, but this seemed to be a pretty typical episode of "Episodes." The most impressive part (if impressive is the word you want to use) was the sex therapy session between the show's main couple, which had a few dramatic moments, but it wasn't really anything to write home about. Overall, the episode had some funny moments, my personal favorite probably being the conversation between the head of the network and his assistant where there was clear misunderstanding about the use of the word "hard" (think about it). Still, this is not the kind of episode worthy of an Emmy. Ever since "So Did the Fat Lady" aired, I'd heard a lot of buzz about this episode of "Louie" which dealt with weight issues, and I assumed this would be a surefire contender for the writing Emmy. When I watched the episode, I thought it was a usual quality episode of "Louie," but I didn't see anything that made it stand out until the final eight minutes of the episode, largely taking place in a single shot and a single monologue by guest star Sarah Baker, where she dissected society's attitude towards overweight women in the dating world. It's a very impressive scene and a lot of what Louis CK writes for his scene's co-star is brutal and honest, and although not particularly funny, it is very enlightening. The scene alone could grab the Emmy for CK, and the fact that the episode overall is very good and the Emmys love him in general spells out good things for the future.
"Orange Is the New Black" is a show that is probably less defined by its episodes, but more by its moments. Because of the large ensemble, a lot of stories are shoved into one episode and focus is always changing. There may be standout scenes or storylines, but the episodes are forced to jump around to cover the bases, so it makes sense that the show submitted (and got nominated for) its pilot episode. This is the episode from the first season that mainly focuses on one story as we begin the journey with Piper as she heads to prison. We also get flashbacks that chop up the story and we're introduced to some supporting players whose roles are more defined in subsequent episodes. The central focus certainly helps, and we know that Emmy voters really loved the show since it led all comedies in nominations this year. The writing categories have been friendly to pilot episodes, although not as friendly as the directing categories (where, surprisingly, the third episode of the first season of "OITNB" is nominated). Still, this episode has a good balance of laughs, drama, heart...it's certainly in the race for the win. I wasn't expecting a nomination for "Silicon Valley," a show I did not find particularly funny, but luckily, Emmy voters nominated the standout episode of the show's first season, their season finale. This is definitely the best episode of "Silicon Valley" thus far, but in my opinion, that's not saying a whole lot. Still, I could be underestimating a show that surprised everyone and got nods for Comedy Series, Writing, and Directing. But the competition is a little too stiff here for a victory, at least this year. That stiff competition includes a show that, like "OITNB," is making a real threat to the Comedy Series gold this year, "Veep." They've garnered their first writing nomination this year (how they missed the past two years, I'm still confused), and they'd surely be the frontrunner to win, but they submitted an episode that (and I say this as a fan of the show) was not among the best episodes of the season. It's still a great episode as Selina and her staff travel to London, and it brings that biting humor that "Veep" is excelling at above any other show on TV. But episodes like "The Choice," "Alicia," "Debate," or "Crate" would've been much better nominees and definitely could've had a greater shot at taking home the gold. Those are writerly episodes, with "The Choice" tackling a hot button issue in abortion and "Debate" satirizing political debates and the behind-the-scenes jackassery of political staffs. Still, "Veep" is only getting more love from the Emmys and could surprise even though their nominated episode isn't their best display of what makes "Veep" downright hysterical.
Rankings based on strength of episodes:
1. "So Did the Fat Lady" for Louie (written by Louis CK)
2. "I Wasn't Ready" for Orange Is the New Black (written by Liz Friedman and Jenji Kohan)
3. "Special Relationship" for Veep (written by Simon Blackwell, Tony Roche, and Armando Iannucci)
4. "Optimal Tip-to-Tip Efficiency" for Silicon Valley (written by Alec Berg)
5. "Episode 305" for Episodes (written by David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik)
"So Did the Fat Lady" is an excellent episode of television that has its strongest impact at episode's end, so that impression will stick in voter's minds. It also contains an important social message that the Emmys may wish to celebrate. "I Wasn't Ready" isn't a great example of the ensemble show that "OITNB" is now recognized as, but it's a well-written episode that really establishes the tone and charm that had audiences loving this show from the start. "Special Relationship" is not the best episode of season three of "Veep," but this show is the most consistently funny comedy on television and Emmy voters may know that, even if this episode isn't the best display of it. "Optimal Tip-to-Tip Efficiency," by comparison, is the strongest episode of "Silicon Valley," but the competition is just too stiff and the show just isn't Emmy worthy...yet. Finally, "Episode 305" is an average episode of television, but in my mind, I can think of plenty of episodes from other shows that could easily take their spot in this category (like "Beach House" from "Girls," "The Quarterback" from "Glee," and "The Wedding" from "Modern Family", in addition to several other "Veep" and "OITNB" episodes).
Rankings based on likelihood of winning:
5. "Episode 305 for Episodes
4. "Optimal Tip-to-Tip Efficiency" for Silicon Valley
3. "Special Relationship" for Veep
2. "I Wasn't Ready" for Orange Is the New Black
1. "So Did the Fat Lady" for Louie
This is a very hard race for me to call. I think it's down to the top two, although I see a threat from #3-4. "Episodes" isn't winning this award. There is absolutely nothing special about that episode and it is not deserving of an Emmy. "Optimal" is a very good episode, and I think that if the competition were weaker, it would have a better chance. Unfortunately, it just doesn't stand up to the top three. I've already expressed my disappointment with the "Veep" submission in this category, but it's still a great episode and voters could reward it based on their knowledge of how regularly hilarious "Veep" is anyway. But I had the hardest time deciding where to slot "I Wasn't Ready" and "Fat Lady." I see the arguments for both scripts winning. "OITNB" is a new show with an easily accessible episode that is easy to follow, has comedy, exudes sympathy, and is charming, despite the show's setting. "Fat Lady" is impressive in its final act, makes the audience really think, and sticks with you long after it has ended. I think, in the end, that's the kind of writing that is celebrated: something that changes the way you'd previously thought. That's what good writing does, and that's why (for now) I'm going with Louis CK for a second win here, but that prediction might change before the envelope is opened.
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