Episode 125: Darkness Over Light in Film and TV

Send us a text

The fact that the heavy drama The Bear has won Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series speaks volumes about how the industry values drama in comparison to comedy. Indeed, the last time a real comedy film won the Best Picture Oscar was 1977, nearly a half-century ago. Why do critics think dark material is so much better than light? Joe and Mark explore the long history of this cultural bias, why it’s important to think about who’s making such determinations, and whether great comedy will ever receive the recognition it deserves. (Recorded January 9, 2026.)