Is Julia Louis Dreyfus the best sitcom actress ever?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 11:13pm

With all due respect to the great Lucille Ball, its probably about time to have this conversation, now that Dreyfus has won 8 Emmys, including the last 6 in a row. 

I know for many nothing will ever get better than Lucille Ball, but Dreyfus has put together quite the streak. 

I'm not saying Ball isn't the greatest (maybe she still is, I don't know), but it's gotta be one of these two women at this point, with respect to the likes of Candice Bergen, Cloris Leachman, and Mary Tyler Moore. 

Thoughts?

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 11:29pm

Julia Louis Dreyfus is one of the most overrated comedic actresses of our time and without the material she's been given, she'd flounder. Those of us who have closely followed her from SNL day one know this all too well. She was terrible on there! 

[FrankieSay]

Posted: 9/17/17 at 11:33pm

Maybe one of the best living sitcom actresses, adam?

[Valentina3]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 12:05am

Liza's Headband said: "Julia Louis Dreyfus is one of the most overrated comedic actresses of our time and without the material she's been given, she'd flounder. Those of us who have closely followed her from SNL day one know this all too well. She was terrible on there!"

What utter bs, Liza. Her brand of physical comedy and skill is a big part of the reason the material given to her is that strong. Most popular comedic actresses themselves would flounder with that same material. Not to mention, there's plenty of episodes in Veep where writing leaves more to be desired but what she brings to table makes it a very satisfying watch none-the-less. She's certainly the best at the moment, as evidenced by her streak. Let's not diminish her talent just because she didn't peak in a variety sketch show multiple decades ago.

[FrankieSay]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 12:20am

Dreyfus's seasons on SNL ('82-'85) are not remembered as golden years by most long-time viewers. Everybody, even Lucille Ball (as she pointed out her entire life) is only as good as the writers that creat for them.

Julia L-D was 21 when she was cast on Saturday Night.  Perhaps some people are upset that she might have taken Christine Ebersole's slot from the season before, where Christine was famous for              and her many impressions, such as                          .  And who can forget her catchphrase that is still part of the vernacular today? "                              !"

 

Updated On: 9/18/17 at 12:20 AM

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 12:21am

Best living, for sure. She's fantastic on VEEP, but I'm not sure how much of it is her and how much is the fabulous writing. 

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 7:54am

I would say probably yes.

I wonder if she has considered taking herself out of consideration, the way that Candice Bergen did after her string of wins in the 1990s. Perhaps Candice would have the record today if she hadn't taken herself out of the running, who knows?

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 10:11am

Jay Lerner-Z said: "I would say probably yes.

I wonder if she has considered taking herself out of consideration, the way that Candice Bergen did after her string of wins in the 1990s. Perhaps Candice would have the record today if she hadn't taken herself out of the running, who knows?"

She was on a talk show where they asked her if she considered doing that and she was like "yeah, right." So I suspect the answer is no.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 10:32am

It's hilarious to think that she's just somehow lucked into two decades of varied, stellar, award-winning performances.  She was bracing and funny as hell is a really middling tv show in the 80's called DAY BY DAY.  Her comedic skill is sharper than anyone currently working and probably one of top two or three of all time.  

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 10:45am

I'm a fan of Veep and JLD, but I feel 6 in a row is insanely excessive and opens it up for criticism. I do not find her any better than Allison Janney, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Lily Tomlin, Bea Arthur, Mary Tyler Moore, Jean Stapleton, or Cloris Leachman. Nor do I find the character of Selina Myer better than Leslie Knope, Liz Lemon, Tara Gregson (Toni Collette in United States of Tara), Jackie Peyton (Edie Falco in Nurse Jackie), Edith Bunker, Maude Findlay, Laura Petrie, Mary Richards, or Louise Jefferson.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 11:30am

Betty White is living and - avoiding comparisons - a comparably accomplished sitcom actress.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 1:51pm

Of course, it's all subjective, but I have to agree with SonofRobbieJ (except it's nearly three decades now).  I don't think her accolades have been a result of good luck or could solely be attributed to the writers (or directors, for that matter).  As much as I hate Seinfeld, I'll watch episodes just for her performance because I think she proved early on that she was head and shoulders above the rest of the cast (incidentally, the character was not originally intended for the show and when forced to create Elaine, JLD won out over Rosie O'Donnell, Patricia Heaton and Megan Mullaly).  Her stint on Arrested Development was great.  But it was New Adventures of Old Christine when I recognized her as being one of the great American television comedic actors (female or male).  Veep simply confirmed it for me.

Oddly enough, as much as I HATE her politics, I have to rate Patricia Heaton pretty highly as a sitcom actress as well.  She branded the hapless housewife that became the template for several follow-up copycat sitcoms of the 90s and beyond.  Everybody Loves Raymond still makes me laugh, though 95% of the genius of the show I credit to the women of the cast, led by Patricia Heaton and Doris Roberts.  And I also enjoy her balance of the hapless housewife with the proud and unashamed embrace of the lower-middle-class family fate in The Middle.

And when it comes to winning streaks, just to annoy Robbie, I also must mention Helen Hunt.  Recently, I decided to revisit Mad About You because I couldn't remember the last time I saw it and I remembered it fondly, so I watched the first season and I think I understand at least part of why Robbie hates her so much.  In the first season at least, her character is BEYOND INSUFFERABLE.  OMG...I was left wondering how it possibly got picked up for another season.   I think the show started finding is footing towards very the end of the first season (with the exception of the HIDEOUS Jerry Lewis episode that must have been created as publicity for his stint in Damn Yankees) and my curiosity will have me continue watching to see how this show evolves, but GOOD LORD, she was as bad as Lorelei Gilmore (possibly the most hideously overrated and annoying female TV character of all time).

But I digress.  Julia Louise Dreyfus deserves every award and accolade she's received thus far.  Period.  And I'd give a vital organ for a chance to work with her.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 2:07pm

'And when it comes to winning streaks, just to annoy Robbie, I also must mention Helen Hunt.'

How very dare you!!!!! 

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 2:18pm

Aw, I love Jamie Buchman, and Mad About You. Season 3 is my favorite.

The four-in-a-row Best Actress wins were more for the dramatic or emotional elements that were on display sometimes in the show, rather than any comedic chops, though - such as the big fight at the end of season 4 (here!), or lovely little moments like this.

I think those victories from 1996 to 1999 inclusive were well deserved, sorry RobbieJ. :)

 

 

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 2:26pm

I fully admit that my hatred of Helen Hunt is completely irrational and totally my problem! 

[SonofMammaMiaSam]

Posted: 9/18/17 at 2:33pm

But completely shared by Deet, who had a run in with "that woman".  

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 1:18am

I still would give it to Lucy and Mary.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 4:42pm

How very dare you!!!!!

[ArtMan]

Posted: 9/19/17 at 8:22pm

Although I'm a fan, I would never call her the best sitcom actress ever.  However, if you have not seen the film, Enough Said, I strongly recommend it.  Not only is the movie, sweet and charming, but Julia is fantastic in the lead.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 9/20/17 at 2:21am

The writers write the words, the director directs and the actors do what they are told. JLD does the latter but does it HER way, and THAT is what makes her a winner.

How profound was THAT?

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 9/20/17 at 4:42am

To answer the main question from the OP.....

No.  She's good, but she's no better than a lot of her colleagues.  She's deserved her Emmys, but it's just because her competition isn't all that strong.  This isn't supposed to come off as me saying that I don't think she's great, she is, but her performance on VEEP isn't THAT good.  It's not 6 or whatever many Emmys good.  It's good and funny, but if a new comedy were to begin with a super strong female lead, I think she would be challenged.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 9/20/17 at 12:19pm

There have been new comedies with "super strong female" leads which started after Veep - Grace & Frankie, Moms, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

These have been nominated multiple times but haven't won over Julia Louis Dreyfus for a reason. I do expect her to get some decent competition next year from Debra Messing. It's supposedly Veep's last season so that will probably add some traction to her.

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 9/20/17 at 3:23pm

I still think it is absurd Amy Poehler never won for playing Leslie Knope. 6 consecutive nominations for one of the best sitcom characters in decades. I'll forever be bitter about it.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 9/20/17 at 4:12pm

Elizabeth Montgomery never won for her iconic role in Bewitched, so she's in good company.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 9/20/17 at 6:11pm

There is a LOT of politicking that goes on during the Emmy Season as there is with many award shows (hence all the "we would like to think the Academy for our nomination ads". She might very well be very good at it, as well as being good in her craft.