
Good One Why Can't Comedies Win Best Picture?
Feb 5, 2026
Allison Willmore, Vulture critic who decodes awards culture, and Griffin Newman, comedian and actor with podcasting chops, dig into why comedies are sidelined by the Oscars. They discuss classification games between comedy and dramedy. They trace historical eras, authorship and campaign tactics, and why some comedies are recast as dramas to win acclaim.
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Seriousness Rewards Restraint Over Funny Consistency
- The Academy rewards actors who show range by stripping back comedic mannerisms into dramatic restraint.
- Griffin Newman contrasts that with how they treat comedians who remain funny throughout a film.
Historical Waves Explain Comedy Nominations
- The Oscars historically nominated commercial comedies during the '80s boom, then shifted toward indie drama.
- Jesse David Fox traces how industry waves change which comedies get award notice.
Hidden Labor Of Prank Comedy Gets Miscast Credit
- Performers like Sacha Baron Cohen face hurdles: complex staged comedic acting is often seen as 'not real acting.'
- Jesse David Fox says the Academy gave a screenplay nod instead of best actor for Borat's achievement.




