Why Inside Amy Schumer Should Win Every Emmy

Inside Amy Schumer

[photo Matthew Peyton]

Just a few weeks ago, Inside Amy Schumer was nominated for an Emmy in “Outstanding Writing For A Variety Series”. And as one browses the nominations, it’s hard to figure out: Why was IAS only nominated for one Emmy? With numerous comedic nods being doled out (over ten categories total), shouldn’t Amy’s name have popped up in at least a couple of divisions?

Here’s why the answer is “Yes, absolutely Yes.” As an eight-year comic, Amy is perhaps the youngest performer in any comedic category—and definitely the youngest leader of any comedy or variety series nominated. But this is only one of the factors that seems to put Amy in a category all on her own. Her contemporaries and Emmy competitors—people like Louis C.K., Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert—are also headliners of their own TV shows, but the format of their programs are so different from that of Inside Amy Schumer, it seems ridiculous to compare the series. Louie blends standup with drama. Colbert blends monologues with interviews and sketches. Fallon blends monologues with interviews, games and music. But Schumer blends…well, she seems to blend almost all of those elements, and with a tone that is entirely separate from anyone she’s up against. Whether she is talking to strangers on the street, impersonating a cat, or dramatizing a threesome between one chick and two dudes, her voice—smart, collected, and joyously vulgar—is always undeniably present. And with that voice Schumer is filling a void. In this Emmy field, the players belong to two comedy TV traditions: late night talks shows (Fallon, Kimmel) and news satire (Stewart, Maher, Colbert). Schumer stands alone in treading new territory.

Whether she is talking to strangers on the street, impersonating a cat, or dramatizing a threesome between one chick and two dudes, her voice—smart, collected, and joyously vulgar—is always undeniably present.

So why only one nod? With all of the show’s references to Schumer’s B.A. in Theater, and the uncountable number of times she has shed fake tears on IAS, one might peg Amy for a “best comedic actress” nominee. She may be “crying” because she’s been on hold with the cable company for three hours, or because she’s afraid she has herpes, but still—she makes you believe those tears. Kurt Metzger, a New York comic and staff writer on IAS, talked to us about Schumer, and he agrees, she has skills outside of telling a good joke: “Amy can really act, which always impressed me.” Metzger went on to discuss other aspects of Schumer’s talent, praising her for not having just one demographic. “She’s not trying to make a chick show. She gets an even split of male and female viewers.” Big Jay Oakerson, a comic better described as a staple of the New York comedy club scene, had a similar sentiment to give about Schumer’s ability to appeal to both genders, and work outside of gender altogether: “Amy is a unique talent in that she is incapable of being offended, and therefore open to push the envelope and test the borders of bad taste…Talent like that transcends “girl comic” and makes her simply a great comic.” Perhaps it is, as Oakerson suggests, her ability to discuss any topic— no matter how racey—while still appealing to a wide range of viewers, that makes us so surprised there aren’t more accolades for the show. Emmys or otherwise.

And we’re not alone. Respect for Schumer seems universal in the standup community. Dan Soder, a New York comedian and guest actor on Inside Amy Schumer, spoke to us recently, saying that Schumer has “busted her ass to get where she is.” He went on to mention the way she consistently brings up and coming comics on IAS for guest spots: “She gives comics like me a chance to be in a sketch on her show. That’s a great part of Amy. She gives back to the standup community. Jesus this is an ass-kissing quote.” And kiss you should, Soder.

But young comics aren’t the only ones giving thanks to Schumer. Jim Florentine, a senior comic in the standup game, gave Schumer a shout out during his recent appearance on SiriusXM’s Unmasked. Florentine told show host Ron Bennington that Schumer has helped his career a lot by having him on the show. He credits her for the fact that he was able to score gigs on the Showtime series, Californication, and HBO’s Girls. “The Amy Schumer show got me the Californication. It also got me on Girls, too, cause Judd Apatow knew me from Amy’s show, so I got a part on that this season too. So she’s been amazing for my career. She’s great to comics too. She really takes care of them. She respects the older comics—the guys that have been around for a while. She’s not this new and upcoming comic that’s like ‘Oh fuck those old guys, I’m the new person.'”

Originality. Talent. Hard work. Respect for her craft. Whatever you want to chalk it up to, everyone agrees: Amy deserves all the Emmys.




OUR TOP 5 AMAZING SKETCHES FROM SEASON TWO OF INSIDE AMY SCHUMER

top5schu

If for some reason you haven’t been watching Inside Amy Schumer, you’re missing some of the best sketch comedy on television. Here are our picks for the top five sketches of Inside Amy Schumer’s second season.

 

#5  “I’m So Bad”

Amy and her girlfriends tell each other why they’re such awful people.  Shut your dick off, you’re not bad, I’m so bad!

 


#4  “Hello M’Lady”

Schumer perfectly captures that age-old dilemma: “I don’t wanna lead this guy on, but I don’t wanna hurt his feelings either.” To which she gives the perfect response: “Oh, you can’t win.”


#3  “A Chick Who Can Hang”

Schumer and Dan Soder show us how guys actually just wanna date guys, A.K.A. “Chicks who can hang.”


#2  “You Would Bang Her?”

Writer Kurt Metzger makes a guest appearance as a market research participant who loves Amy’s boobs, but could due without her face. Which she seems to appreciate.

Screen Shot 2014-08-12 at 11.36.09 PM

 


 #1  “Elevator Conversation”

Colin Quinn, one of the many comedic heavyweights to appear on this season, guest stars in the sketch from hell.

 

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Kelsea Bauman is an LA-born, NY-based writer and editor. When not writing for The Interrobang, Kelsea writes web series, short stories, and screenplays. You can also find her making music videos and short films, and sometimes doing comedy–but shh, don’t tell anyone about that last part. She thinks she needs more practice first.
Kelsea Bauman
Kelsea Bauman
Kelsea Bauman is an LA-born, NY-based writer and editor. When not writing for The Interrobang, Kelsea writes web series, short stories, and screenplays. You can also find her making music videos and short films, and sometimes doing comedy–but shh, don’t tell anyone about that last part. She thinks she needs more practice first.