Patton Oswalt’s ‘Talking For Clapping’ Wins Best Comedy Album at Grammy Awards

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Comedian Patton Oswalt finally got his Grammy win, five years in the making, at Sunday’s award ceremony. Previously, Oswalt’s 2012 album Finest Hour and 2015’s Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time were both nominated for the year’s Best Comedy Album, but both fell short. It was Oswalt’s most recent special, the absolutely hilarious Talking For Clapping, that finally netted him a golden gramophone of his own. Oswalt faced stiff competition in the category, going up against Tig Notaro, David Cross, Margaret Cho and Amy Schumer,

This year’s Best Comedy Album category was noteworthy due to the historic number of female nominees; The specials from Cho, Notaro and Schumer have all received high praise since their release, including from Oswalt. During his acceptance speech, Oswalt was sure to mention that both Cho and Cross were huge inspirations for him when he first got into comedy, and that the emergence of comics like Schumer and Notaro shook him out of his complacency and motivated him to do better. For her part, Cho didn’t seem upset at Oswalt for the loss; rather, she took out her frustration on President Trump later in the show, while on stage.

The win was a bittersweet one for Oswalt, who lost his wife, Michelle McNamara, suddenly in April of last year (the day Talking For Clapping was released), leaving him to raise their daughter, Alice, on his own. After taking some time off, Oswalt began the process of getting back up on stage and trying to reconcile being a comedian when comedy was often the furthest thing from his mind. In the time since, he’s openly and honestly discussed his struggle with his fans, both live on stage and online, only further endearing himself to the legion of fans who love him for his sincerity and intellect.

“This has not been a fun year for me and a lot of people,” said Oswalt during his acceptance speech. “But I’m going to try to be as goofy and obnoxious as I possibly can. It was bitterly ironic being nominated, it’s bittersweet winning. I hope to be able to move beyond the bitterness. All of you, thank you all so much. Thank you,” he concluded.

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Bill Tressler

Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.
Bill Tressler

Bill Tressler

Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.