What defines comedy? Outside of traditional network sitcoms such as ABC’s current smash hit Abbott Elementary, premium cable and streaming services long toyed with the boundaries of what makes a comedy. For example, HBO’s Barry‘s status as a dark comedy (we’re talking pitch black) still works as its sense of humor works for many. FX’s Atlanta‘s third season seeks a more surrealist comedy slant. Hulu’s The Great takes an absurdist approach to his vaguely biographical tale of Catherine the Great. So, with the advent of two recent HBO Max series — Hacks and The Flight Attendant — we look at what makes a comedy series work. When can it stray from traditional laughs to discuss deeper, more emotionally resonant topics? And when does that dramatic turn go too far?
As always, we close with the Flash Forward to the media we’re most anticipating in the upcoming week.
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As Kaley Cuoco knows, there are so many epic espionage films and TV shows on now or in the pipeline. Coming soon is Joe and Anthony Russo’s The Gray Man starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans based upon Mark Greaney’s debut novel. Already here is The Ipcress File with newcomer Joe Cole, Mick Herron’s Slow Horses from the Slough House stables, The Courier about Greville Wynne played by Benedict Cumberbatch who looks astonishingly just like Wynne did in real life, Colin Firth in Operation Mincemeat, Olen Steinhauer’s All the Old Knives and let’s not forget Kaley Cuoco in the Flight Attendant.
Indeed, ignoring the fact based Operation Mincemeat and The Courier, there’s almost too much fictional espionage on the menu to cope with so why not try reading instead. If you liked Deighton, Herron or Wynne, we suggest a noir fact based espionage masterpiece could do the trick. Three compelling thrillers spring to mind. They are all down to earth, often curious real life Cold War novels you’ll never put down.
Try Bill Browder’s Red Notice, Bill Fairclough’s Beyond Enkription in The Burlington Files series and Ben Macintyre’s The Spy and the Traitor about KGB Colonel Oleg Gordievsky.
Talking of Col Oleg, he knew MI6’s Col Mac (aka Col Alan Pemberton in real life) who was Edward Burlington’s handler in The Burlington Files. Bill Fairclough (aka Edward Burlington) came across John le Carré (aka David Cornwell) long after the latter’s MI6 career ended thanks to Kim Philby. The novelist Graham Greene used to work in MI6 reporting to Philby and Bill Fairclough actually stayed in Hôtel Oloffson during a covert op in Haiti which was at the heart of Graham Greene’s spy novel The Comedians.
Like Megan, I was not looking forward to watching The Flight Attendant this season. I felt like the first season was great and dynamic and funny and self-contained. A second season was completely unnecessary. About a week ago, I broke down and started watching the second season, and I remembered that I really just like the show. I was able to devour four episodes in one sitting. Kaley Cuoco is so good at both comedy and drama. I like the mysterious parts and the mind palace this season is really good as well. However, I agree that The Flight Attendant season 2 is not a comedy. It is funny at times, but it is definitely a drama. I was on board with season 1 as a comedy, but not season 2. Nevertheless, if being in comedy gets it nominated, I’m okay with that.
Barry is very funny. It is dark, but it’s unmistakably a comedy. Hacks Season 2 has been very funny. It’s not even that dark. Sure, it has some serious moments, but none of them make me doubt whether it is a comedy. Russian Doll Season 2 is not funny. I did not laugh at all. There is not enough Alan. I really am not sure where I’d classify Russian Doll, but I guess it would go comedy because I believe that’s the intent of the creators.
Also, I loved the tangent about Sheryl Crow a couple weeks ago. It sounded like a conversation I would have with myself. My favorite Sheryl Crow song is “Light in Your Eyes”. I also love “Abilene”.
Both great songs!
It is genre fraud to say Flight Attendant, Barry and Russian Doll are comedies. They simply aren’t.
Offtopic, yes, but today, The Leo Awards, created by the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Foundation of British Columbia, revealed its nominations. Productions filmed in that province are eligible, and US broadcast network series made their mark. Winners announced July 5th and 9th.
Van Helsing – 8 nominations
Riverdale – 7
Superman & Lois – 5
The Good Doctor – 4
Kung Fu, Motherland: Fort Salem – 3 each
Midnight Mass, Schmigadoon, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Batwoman, DC Legends of Tomorrow – 2 each
Maid, Snowpiercer, Supergirl, Yellowjackets, The Flash, Virgin River, When Calls the Heart, Virgin River, Turner & Hooch, Resident Alien – 1 each.
Find out who got what here: https://www.leoawards.Com/2022/nominees_and_winners/nominees_and_winners_by_program_2022.php#Dramatic_Series
Comedy is not defined by Barry, Flight Attendant or Russian Doll because none of these ARE comedies. They are dramas with comedic elements. Netflix and HBO commit rancid category fraud because drama is that strong and comedy isn’t. They keep getting away with it.