It is always interesting to watch how talk shows, especially those with a comedy element, deal with tragic situations. There's a thin line between trying to make people feel better and finding humor in the deadly cost of others.
Samantha Bee, host of the late-night TBS comedy talk show "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee" found that line perfectly right after the mass shootings in Orlando.
She started by pointing out that the norm is to offer words of encouragement and prayers to those affected by the tragedy. Bee said she would rather just scream for seven minutes.
The producers wouldn't let her. Bee found a way to make biting comments while still showing the deepest respect for the victims of the shootings and their families. She even offered up statistics as to the factors contributing to all these deaths. Maybe that connection starts with something she told TV critics at their winter meetings.
"I love talking to people. It's kind of the best part of my job. I learn something from every single person I talk to, and I really do love that. The people that we meet, they change me, and actually it means a lot to me," Bee says.
What she has is an ability to get to the truth and not shy away. She's a person who thinks in different terms, even in the way she looks at putting the TV show together.
"I definitely had this image in my brain of the open space like Tom Hanks' apartment in 'Big' where there's just pinball machines, and everybody just jams and throws basketballs around the room," Bee says.
She has created one of the quickest and smartest talk shows since Jon Stewart left "The Daily Show."
TCA NOMINEES
If you really want to see a list of the best TV to watch, check out the nominees for the annual Television Critics Association awards. The list is put together by those who watch way to much TV and have no stake in the winners.
That's why a program like "Full Frontal With Samantha Bee" gets nominated in the Outstanding Achievement in News and Information category rather than a "60 Minutes."
It's why Keri Russell's amazing work in "The Americans" ends up in the Individual Achievement in Drama category going against Bryan Cranston ("All the Way"), Rami Malek ("Mr. Robot"), Bob Odenkirk ("Better Call Saul"), Sarah Paulson ("The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story") and Courtney Vance ("The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story").
Russell should win the award every year, but this is incredibly tough competition. And, please note, the TV critics don't think there's a difference between men and women when it comes to acting.
The TCA is the only group that recognizes the outstanding qualities of Rachel Bloom from "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" or the mini-series "The Night Manager." The group also sees quality in new shows such as "Marvel's Jessica Jones," "Mr. Robot" and "UnREAL."
Winners (and they will be the best of the best) of the "32nd Annueal TCA Awards" will be announced Saturday, Aug. 6.
Here are a few of the categories:
Individual achievement in comedy: Aziz Ansari, "Master of None," Netflix; Samantha Bee, "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee," TBS; Rachel Bloom, "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," The CW; Aya Cash, "You're The Worst" FXX; Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep," HBO; Constance Wu, "Fresh Off the Boat," ABC
Outstanding achievement in reality programming: "I Am Cait," E!; "The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth," Showtime; "The Great British Baking Show," PBS; "Making a Murderer," Netflix; "MasterChef Junior," Fox; "Survivor Cambodia: Second Chance," CBS
Outstanding achievement in drama: "The Americans," FX; "Better Call Saul," AMC; "Game of Thrones," HBO; "The Leftovers," HBO; "Mr. Robot," USA; "UnREAL," Lifetime
Outstanding achievement in comedy: "black-ish," ABC; "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend," The CW; "Master of None," Netflix; "Silicon Valley," HBO; "Veep," HBO; "You're The Worst" FXX
