LOS ANGELES: American actress and comedian Amy Poehler has strongly criticised the Academy Awards, saying comedies are consistently overlooked despite the skill required to perform them.
Speaking on the latest episode of her podcast Good Hang, the Parks and Recreation star described the Oscars’ treatment of comedy as “some hot bulls—.” Poehler, 54, argued that comic performances demand as much talent as dramatic roles but rarely receive recognition.
“Comedy is not easy,” she said. “It’s very hard to pull off both physical comedy and really sharp, sarcastic wit. Both of those things are hard to do well.”
Poehler was joined by British actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman to discuss their new dark comedy The Roses, released on 29 August 2025. She praised both guests for their ability to transition seamlessly between comic and dramatic roles.
Cumberbatch agreed with her criticism of the Academy, noting that “comedies get the credit they deserve at award shows few and far between.”
Poehler complained that “all the serious people” tend to win Oscars, reinforcing the view that the Academy undervalues comedy. “If you can do comedy, you can do anything,” Cumberbatch added.
While some Oscar-winning films in recent years have contained comic elements — including Anora and Everything Everywhere All at Once — straightforward comedies rarely take top prizes.
Notably, Colman won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2019 for her portrayal of Queen Anne in The Favourite, a role blending humour and tragedy. But such recognition remains exceptional.
