Amy Poehler Critiques Oscars for Excluding Comedy Awards

## The Overlooked Genre at the Oscars

The Oscars have long celebrated films rich in drama, tension, and inspiration, often overlooking the vibrant world of comedy. While many award shows honor performances filled with depth and emotion, comedies seem to take a back seat during this prestigious event.

### Amy Poehler’s Perspective

On a recent episode of her **Good Hang** podcast, actress and producer Amy Poehler expressed her thoughts on this issue. She spoke with Benedict Cumberbatch from the acclaimed series **The Roses**, who highlighted the intricate art involved in delivering both physical comedy and sharp, witty dialogue. Cumberbatch noted, “If you can do comedy … you can do anything. I really do believe that.”

Poehler, known for her role as Leslie Knope in the beloved series **Parks and Recreation**, agreed wholeheartedly. She reflected on the annual Oscars, commenting, “Every single year at the Oscars, everybody [in comedy] gets blanked and all the serious people get up and accept and accept and accept. It’s some hot bullshit! Because comedy is not easy, and I got to tell you, both you and Olivia can do both.”

### Recent Trends in Oscar Nominations

Though the Oscars have begun to embrace films that blend humor with serious themes—such as **Anora** and **Everything Everywhere All at Once** taking home awards in recent years—traditional comedies often find themselves marginalized. A notable example is **Bridesmaids**, which was overlooked in 2012 despite being a standout film.

Last year, **Barbie**, directed by Greta Gerwig, received an impressive eight nominations. However, both Gerwig and lead actress Margot Robbie were notably absent from the Best Director and Best Actress nomination lists. Despite being the highest-grossing film of 2023 globally, it ultimately fell short in clinching the Best Picture award.

Isn’t it time we start recognizing the brilliance of comedy at the Oscars? What are your thoughts on this overlooked genre in award ceremonies?