BENJAMONSTER AWARDS 2021: Outstanding Comedy Series

Here we are with Outstanding Comedy Series!

Check out the nominees and winner from 2020!

This year's nominees are:

DICKINSON (Apple TV+)

THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT (HBO Max)

GIRLS5EVA (Peacock)

HACKS (HBO Max)

PEN15 (Hulu)

SHRILL (Hulu)

SUPERSTORE (NBC)

TED LASSO (Apple TV+)

And the Winner Is...

TED LASSO

Apple TV+

Ted Lasso arrived on the scene in the Summer of 2020 but it was really in the fall that it started to become part of the zeitgeist. At the time, we were in the throws of a tumultuous election and bracing for another pandemic surge. It's no surprise that this was the perfect antidote for a rough time. With a relentlessly cheery outlook, Ted Lasso was the perfect antidote for 2020. As everything seemed to crumble around us, the show was both a reminder of what we had and also hope of what we could get back to. It was the most sunny show on TV since Parks and Recreation because even though some characters were cynical, the show itself didn't have a cynical bone in its body. On top of all, it was pretty darn funny with an ensemble that gelled quickly, some really strong writing and a unique premise. The second season is out now and now it has the added pressure of living up to the hype but I'm convinced Ted can do it.

Thoughts on the Rest of the Nominees:

Although Ted Lasso was a pretty easy choice for the winner, there were some excellent other nominees. Superstore ended an underrated six season run with a pandemic-themed season that actually worked where so many other shows failed at trying to incorporate COVID. The third and final season of Shrill was short and sweet with more consistency than it showed in its first two seasons. The second season of PEN15 was so delightfully odd and sweet at the same time while the second season of Dickinson also kicked it up a notch with the humor and stories. But some of the biggest threats to Lasso may have been its fellow freshmen. The Flight Attendant and Hacks both had really promising seasons thanks in large part to their leading ladies while Girls5Eva not only boasted the best theme song in recent memory but also had a madcap first season that was a lot of fun.

Tomorrow: Outstanding Drama Series!