Although 2024 has been a turbulent year in the wake of the global pandemic and industry-wide strikes, television has given us plenty to laugh about, with many beloved actors and…
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Perfection is rarely achieved in movies, but this heaven-sent concert doc hits the sweet spot. Over two days in January 1972, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin — she was 29 at the time — sweeps into the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts in front of a congregation and testifies to God in song. The blessed thing took nearly half a century to come out because director Sydney Pollack failed to sync the image with the sound. Then digital angels stepped in, and glory, glory, hallelujah!
Although 2024 has been a turbulent year in the wake of the global pandemic and industry-wide strikes, television has given us plenty to laugh about, with many beloved actors and actresses returning for new gut-busting seasons of our favorite shows. On this episode of the Variety Awards Circut video series presented by Paramount+, Variety TV editor Michael Schneider and senior features editor Emily Longeretta discuss the Emmy race for outstanding performance in a comedy.
Starting with leading ladies, “Abbott Elementary’s” Quinta Brunson emerges as the favorite, gunning for back-to-back honors for lead actress in a comedy. Other front-runners include Jean Smart for “Hacks” and Ayo Edebiri from “The Bear,” who has won Golden Globe and SAG Awards for her performance in the FX dramedy. Selena Gomez is vying for her first nomination this year with her performance in “Only Murders in the Building” and Kristen Wiig is also a contender for the new Apple TV+ series “Palm Royale.”
“There are a lot of other great names out there as well. One that I do want to highlight [is] Maya Rudolph,” says Schneider.
Rudolph is also starring in an Apple TV+ comedy of her own entitled “Loot,” which follows divorcee Molly Novak (Rudolph) who reopens her charitable foundation using a $87 billion settlement
“I don’t think as many people have seen [‘Loot’] on Apple TV+, but Maya Rudolph transcends titles,” he adds.
Moving on to the men, Jeremy Allen White is a strong favorite with a SAG Award, People’s Choice Award, Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy under his belt for his performance as Carmy in season one of “The Bear.” Martin Short and Steve Martin from “Only Murder” will also make a run at the category this year. However, the Academy could also reward HBO’s favorite curmudgeon, Larry David, giving him a perfect end to his legendary 12-season run of “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
“The last one I want to mention is Jharrel Jerome for ‘I’m a Virgo,’ because what a performance,” Longeretta says. “That’s a show that maybe a lot of people haven’t watched a ton of but he is really great.”
With Edebiri moving from supporting to lead actress, the category is “wide open for a new winner” according to Schneider. Meryl Streep for “Only Murders” could very well take home the crown come September, but Hannah Einbinder is also a worthy contender with her role as Ava Daniels in “Hacks.”
“And then you got the ‘Abbott Elementary’ cast and they are all killer,” Schneider says. “Janelle James was nominated last year – I expect her to be back. Sheryl Lee Ralph is a previous winner in this category and I expect her to be back.”
For best supporting actor, Ebon Moss-Bachrach is looking to reclaim his throne with his performance as Richie in “The Bear,” but he faces heavy competition in Tyler James Williams and Chris Perfetti from “Abbott Elementary.” Paul Rudd from “Only Murders” is also a strong choice for the category along with “Hacks” co-creator Paul W. Downs.
Watch the conversation in its entirety above.
