Some of the biggest names in animation, including Seth MacFarlane and Matt Groening, have sent a strongly-worded letter to the Television Academy, complaining that “cartoons” should be allowed to compete in “both traditional comedy and animation [writing] categories,” according to EW. As the rule stands now, they can only do the latter, and MacFarlane & Co. are crying foul that an episode of “Community,” “Digital Real Estate Planning” (written by “Simpsons” writer Matt Warburton), successfully submitted to both.
Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy”), David X. Cohen (“Futurama”), and Al Jean (“The Simpsons”) are among the 52 writer-producers who signed a letter to the TV Academy arguing that it’s not fair that “Community” writers can submit their work in both traditional comedy and animation categories. Animated writers have long been told they can only submit episodes for animated writing slots, which are handed out during the less glamorous Creative Arts ceremony instead of the major prime-time telecast. (Via)
The thing that I find amusing about all this is if MacFarlane and Groening get their way and animation shows are allowed to compete for traditional writing awards, which they should, then the wrong shows would still be nominated, just in a different category. In a just world, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series would include episodes from “Community,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Archer,” “Bob’s Burgers,” and take your pick with two other shows — “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy” don’t deserve a regular writing award, just as they don’t deserve an animation writing award. Instead of complaining about dumb Emmy rules, why not make your shows better?
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They make a good point that last year they were told Community was granted a one time exemption, then this year they were granted another exemption. Just seems like bullshit reasoning on the academy’s part.
I also like the comment on the original article that Community should be classified as a variety show anyways.
Honestly to me it sounds like someone in the Academy gets that Community is genius, but can’t compete with the idiot comedies that will dominate most of the voting.
Fine, let Family Guy and The Simpsons duke it out in the comedy series category.
I have a great fondness for the golden years of The Simpsons but you need expensive drunken delusions (big bag of drugs) to think they would ever win anything outside of the animation category.
I bet the Simpsons would win just out of some sort of Lifetime Achievement feeling that would be going around.
The Montgomery Burns Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence??
They seem just as bad as the academy. They want to break into another category but don’t want anyone to break into theirs.
And while that ep of Community was not ground-breaking for animation it was still funnier than anything on Family Guy recently.
I’ve seen Snuff Films funnier than anything Family Guy has done
I don’t know, sometimes even if it’s not relevant, dumb rulers and the people who make them should be reminded that they’re ideas are still pretty dumb. Know what I mean? And while The Simpsons and Family Guy could just “get better” they are still attempting to get awards from an increasingly senile and hostile group of old people, for their show that is clearly focused on capturing the 13-20 male focus groups… They’re just not relevant. P.S. on The Simpsons, even if they were able to put out an outstanding season on par with seasons 4-10, any award would just be a token “lifetime” award to them. They should really just enjoy the fact that they help usher in this amazing era of TV.
Sounds like MacFarlane is acing his courses at the Kevin Smith School for Persecuted Rich People.
Bill Odenkirk signed the letter.
If someone wants to disagree with Bob’s brother, feel free, you’re a braver man than I.
I agree with the letter. I love Community, but it feels like the Emmys took a huge dump on animation this way.
Also, Archer deserves more awards.
Archer deserves ALL the awards.
They finally got Animated movies into the Best Picture race so I see no reason for animated tv shows to be any different. They’ll still lose, but there’s no reason they can’t play. (See: Miami Dolphins)
Animated shows can be nominated for Best Comedy Series, like Family Guy did in 2009 (HAHAHAHAHA), just not writing awards.
If they’re gonna bitch about it, then I say give them two options:
-They can keep their animation categories, wherein they’ve got pretty good odds of being nominated, and an outside chance of winning, or…
-They can be brought into the fold with the regular comedy categories, but the animated categories get expunged, since there’s no point to them if those shows are just normal comedies. Perhaps replace those categories with a “best animation” category that only evaluates aesthetics.
Honestly, I see their point. Just let them compete in both categories. Sure, most animated shows would probably never even get nominated, but it wouldn’t hurt.
Of course, then you’ll end up with some jackass from Glee or something arguing that they should get to compete in the drama and comedy categories…
Or, you know, we could give a damn and let themselves keep arguing and fuzzing as always.
Instead of complaining about dumb Emmy rules, why not make your shows better?
Seems easier to complain. That’s why I comment on blogs instead of writing for them.
I agree and/or disagree with your comment.
If “Family Guy” did a live action episode, I’d have no problem with it being nominated in the “traditional” comedy category. Well, no problem other the part where Family Guy sucks.
Seems everyone likes to hate on Family Guy these days. I won’t say it’s a great show, or used to be even as good as the heyday of The Simpsons, but I still find it entertaining. And I even have all my teeth and live in a real house!
Let’s be fair here – Community can submit to both Best Comedy, and then submit a separate mostly animated episode to the Animated section?
Then I completely agree that as soon as The Simpsons or Family Guy do an episode that is MOSTLY live action comedy then it should be allowed in the Comedy section.
It would be different if Community submitted a non-animated episode, but they haven’t.
I get where they’re coming from but, yeah, maybe if Comedy/Drama/whatever was labelled Live Action or something, but I don’t think it’s entirely comparable circumstances.
If you look at the list of people who signed you’ll notice 2 names missing. The only 2 names that have an animated show still worth watching. Coincidence? I think not. I’m with this guy, maybe these assholes should put less time into complaining who gets a handjob on stage and more time making their shows funny again.