Molly Shannon, Vanessa Bayer, and Jenifer Lewis in 'I Love That for You'.

Lowkey the Best New Comedy of 2022 Snubbed by Emmys

With the announcement of the 2022 Emmy Award nominations, the conversation inevitably turns to the snubs. After all, we’re still living in a time of high volume peak television, where the sheer number of excellent shows outstrips the spaces allotted for awards show categories. These are, of course, champagne problems. Great shows will still find their audience, and plenty of series will go on to fame and acclaim sans awards.

Recommended Videos

But there is one show that was snubbed that breaks my TV-loving heart. Showtime’s I Love That for You garnered zero nominations for its spectacular first season, which has largely gone unsung. ILTFY holds a 78 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 95 percent audience score. The Showtime series, created and executive produced by Vanessa Bayer (SNL) and Jeremy Beiler (SNL), stars Bayer as Joanna Gold, a woman who survived childhood cancer and dreams of being a host on the home shopping channel SVN.

When Joanna gets her big chance (and blows it) she panics, telling the network that her childhood cancer returned. They decide to keep her on, and Joanna’s fake cancer becomes a major selling point, launching her as one of the network’s rising stars. It’s a dark premise for a show, yet Bayer’s bubbly performance keeps her character sympathetic. Bayer spent seven seasons on SNL stealing scenes as a variety of characters, and she brings her keen sense of humor and patented awkwardness to the role. Bayer is so so good in this role: every forced smile, every dorky attempt to sound cool makes for a perfectly calibrated performance.

And she’s joined by a ridiculously stacked cast. Fellow SNL alum Molly Shannon plays Jackie, the network’s veteran star and Joanna’s idol, who hides a layer of sadness underneath her upbeat persona. The network is run by Hollywood legend Jenifer Lewis, who plays ruthless and exacting CEO Patricia Cochran who inspires both fear and loyalty in her employees. The supporting cast is phenomenal as well, with Johnno Wilson and Ayden Mayeri as vacuous network hosts, Paul James as the kind production assistant/love interest, and Matt Rogers as Lewis’s long-suffering assistant.

The series finds plenty of easy humor in the products sold by SVN, along with the patter and forced enthusiasm of home shopping hosts. But it’s clear that Bayer and company also have a deep love for the home shopping genre and its legions of devoted fans. The show also offers plenty of grace for its characters, who can behave abominably but still remain likeable.

Part of my disappointment regarding the Emmy snubs is the fact that show is getting little attention, and I worry it won’t get a second season. And that would be such a shame, because Bayer has created a dark, absurd, and hilarious little world, and I’m dying to see where they go in season 2.

I Love That for You is currently streaming on Showtime, with the first full episode available on YouTube.

(featured image: Showtime)

The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—


The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article All About Lady Danbury, the Coolest Member of ‘Bridgerton’s Ton
Lady Danbury on Netflix's Bridgerton.
Read Article Here’s How Long Contestants Remain Isolated on ‘The Circle’
Host Michelle Buteau on The Circle
Read Article We’re So Excited for What That ‘X-Men ’97’ Cameo Could Mean!
Scott Summers and the X-Men in X-Men '97 trailer
Read Article All About Simon Basset, ‘Bridgerton’s Handsome Duke of Hastings
Regé-Jean Page as the Duke of Hastings, Simon Bassett, in Bridgerton
Read Article How OJ Simpson Was Kind of Responsible for ‘Gargoyles’ Being Canceled
the main characters of gargoyles
Related Content
Read Article All About Lady Danbury, the Coolest Member of ‘Bridgerton’s Ton
Lady Danbury on Netflix's Bridgerton.
Read Article Here’s How Long Contestants Remain Isolated on ‘The Circle’
Host Michelle Buteau on The Circle
Read Article We’re So Excited for What That ‘X-Men ’97’ Cameo Could Mean!
Scott Summers and the X-Men in X-Men '97 trailer
Read Article All About Simon Basset, ‘Bridgerton’s Handsome Duke of Hastings
Regé-Jean Page as the Duke of Hastings, Simon Bassett, in Bridgerton
Read Article How OJ Simpson Was Kind of Responsible for ‘Gargoyles’ Being Canceled
the main characters of gargoyles
Author
Chelsea Steiner
Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.