Iliza Shlesinger, Lewis Black & Bert Kreischer Say It’s Time Stand-Up Got More Shine, Including a Dedicated Emmys Category
Stand-up comedy has been a staple of entertainment for decades, making audiences laugh and providing a platform for comedians to express their unique perspectives on the world. However, despite its popularity and cultural significance, stand-up comedy has often been overlooked in major awards shows, particularly the Emmys. But now, some of the biggest names in the industry are speaking up and calling for a dedicated Emmys category for stand-up comedy.
Iliza Shlesinger, Lewis Black, and Bert Kreischer, all successful stand-up comedians in their own right, recently joined forces to advocate for more recognition for stand-up comedy at the Emmys. In a recent interview, they expressed their belief that stand-up comedy deserves its own category, just like other forms of entertainment such as drama, comedy, and variety shows.
Shlesinger, known for her sharp wit and relatable humor, believes that stand-up comedy is a unique art form that deserves to be recognized on its own merits. “Stand-up comedy is not just a subcategory of comedy, it’s its own thing,” she said. “It’s a one-person show, and it’s a completely different skill set than acting or writing for a sitcom.”
Black, a veteran in the comedy world known for his no-holds-barred approach to comedy, also echoed Shlesinger’s sentiments. “Stand-up comedy is a pure form of entertainment. It’s just you and the audience, and you have to make them laugh without any props or special effects,” he said. “It’s a craft that requires a lot of hard work and dedication, and it deserves to be recognized at the highest level.”
Kreischer, known for his wild and outrageous storytelling style, also chimed in, saying that stand-up comedy is often overlooked because it’s not considered a traditional form of television. “Stand-up comedy is often seen as a live performance, not a TV show. But the reality is, most people watch stand-up specials on their TVs, laptops, or phones,” he said. “It’s time for the Emmys to catch up with the changing landscape of entertainment and give stand-up comedy the recognition it deserves.”
The call for a dedicated Emmys category for stand-up comedy is not a new one. In fact, many industry insiders have been advocating for it for years. However, with the recent success of stand-up specials on streaming platforms like Netflix, the need for a separate category has become even more apparent.
In the past few years, stand-up comedy has seen a resurgence in popularity, thanks to platforms like Netflix, HBO, and Amazon Prime Video. Comedians like Dave Chappelle, Hannah Gadsby, and Kevin Hart have all released highly successful stand-up specials, bringing the art form to a wider audience. And yet, despite this, stand-up comedy is still lumped into the same category as sitcoms and variety shows at the Emmys.
This lack of recognition for stand-up comedy is not only a disservice to the art form but also to the comedians who work tirelessly to make audiences laugh. It’s time for the Emmys to catch up with the changing landscape of entertainment and give stand-up comedy the respect it deserves.
A dedicated Emmys category for stand-up comedy would not only bring more attention to the art form but also open up opportunities for up-and-coming comedians to showcase their talents on a larger stage. It would also provide a more fair and equal playing field for stand-up comedians, who often find themselves competing against scripted shows and big-budget productions.
Moreover, a dedicated Emmys category for stand-up comedy would also be a step towards diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. Stand-up comedy has long been a platform for underrepresented voices to share their stories and perspectives, and a separate category at the Emmys would give these voices a chance to be heard and celebrated.
In conclusion, the time has come for stand-up comedy to get the recognition it deserves at the Emmys. Iliza Shlesinger, Lewis Black, and Bert Kreischer are just a few of the many voices in the industry calling for a dedicated category, and it’s high time that their voices are heard. Let’s hope that the Emmys will take note of this call and make a change that will benefit the entire stand-up comedy community.
