Apatow, Stiller Want to Add to Oscar’s Reach With Comedy Category

Judd Apatow recently called on the Academy to add to the prestigious list of Oscar categories, and now Ben Stiller has voiced similar thoughts.  It should come as no surprise that the award he wants to see join the ranks is none other than “Comedic Film.”  And he has a point.  Despite the long list of great comedies in film history, only five or so (depending on how purely you define comedy) comedic films have taken home the Best Picture Oscar.  And is it really fair to compare slapstick to suicide?  One liners to once in a lifetime love affairs?  Not that comedic films can be reduced to slapstick and one liners– but it has always been difficult to compete with serious subject matter when Acadamy Award nominations are on the line.  On the other hand, some feel that comedic films have traditionally had an easier time finding their rewards at the box office.

Watch the clip from the latimesblogs.com and decide for yourself.  Do comedic films deserve their own category? Which comedic films would you like to see nominated this year, or do you think could have been past contenders?

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