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BENJAMONSTER AWARDS 2022: Outstanding Comedy Series

We've arrived at the final award - Outstanding Comedy Series. Check back tomorrow for a recap of all the awards!

Check out past results for this category from 2020 and 2021!

This year's nominees are...

ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (ABC)













BARRY (HBO)











GHOSTS (CBS)











HACKS (HBO Max)













THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL (Amazon)














ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING (Hulu)













THE OTHER TWO (HBO Max)











SCHMIGADOON! (Apple TV+)











TED LASSO (Apple TV+)













And the Winner Is...
ABBOTT ELEMENTARY
ABC
This was a really tough decision that I agonized over for quite awhile but I ultimately went with the freshest and funniest new sitcom to hit the broadcast network airwaves since the great early days of Modern Family (before it all went awry for that show). I was excited for Abbott Elementary back when I saw the trailer well before it became a sensation. I thought the pilot was a little underwhelming but then it just found its footing and got better and better each week with great episodes like "Desking" and the season finale coming near the end of its freshman year. The cast is spectacular, there is no bad or underdeveloped one in the bunch. And the show really wants to be inspirational and funny while also drawing some attention to the reality of inner city schools. It is never preachy, it is never trying too hard. It's just existing in its world and people are noticing and taking their own lessons from it. It's still early but I can see Abbott working its way into the all-time great conversation if it keeps this up.

Thoughts on the Rest of the Nominees:
This was a really tough decision with so many deserving nominees. Former winners The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Ted Lasso were perhaps victims of their own success in some ways as the seasons they were competing with this year were excellent but perhaps not quite as strong as their winning seasons. They are still top notch comedies though and should be treated as such. Hacks has been a close contender for two years in a row now with really smart writing and great performances. Barry is so dark and unlike anything else on TV. I appreciate the black comedy bits but it's hard to justify giving it an award for Outstanding Comedy Series when so much of it is a drama. Only Murders in the Building was a stylish and strong freshman comedy that made good use of its all-star leads. The Other Two got a little more visibility in its move to HBO Max and is perhaps the most purely funny show on this list. If it wasn't for Abbott Elementary, there might be more attention on Ghosts - another excellent new broadcast comedy that is very off-brand (in a good way) for CBS. Finally, Schmigadoon! was a delightful summer binge last summer that paid loving homage to classic musicals.

Tomorrow: A recap of all awards!
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