'Bridesmaids' Star Melissa McCarthy Won an Emmy -- Is Oscar Next?
When "Bridesmaids" was released back in May, the film’s breakout star wasn’t its star, writer and producer Kristen Wiig.
No, Melissa McCarthy proved to be the audience favorite as Megan, Wiig’s character’s confident but crass buddy, who dispenses a life lesson or two while stealing scenes with her raunchy candor. And, now, McCarthy is a major award winner, having received the Emmy award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her starring role in “Mike & Molly.”
Suffice it to say that McCarthy didn’t show up in Hollywood a few months ago – she’s been working for well over a decade in both TV and film – but it seems like it’s taken the gifted comedienne years to become an overnight success. And the question that McCarthy’s Emmy win seems to pose is, can Oscar be far behind?
Consequently, it seems possible that her "Bridesmaids" performance augmented McCarthy's chances at the Emmys, if only because it reminded voters that she’s doing great work on a weekly basis on her regular small screen gig, and, well, the woman is damn funny.
So now it seems reasonable to wonder whether her Emmy win will increase her chances of a nomination at next year’s Academy Awards. Strictly in terms of "Bridesmaids," her character, Megan, is the anchor for the transformation Wiig’s character goes through – she doesn’t begin to rebuild her life until Megan gives her a sorely-needed (and literal) bite in the ass. And it’s precisely in that deceptively broad bit of comedy that gives the film its surest emotional footing and provides the story with its satisfying finale.
Additionally, the award for Best Supporting Actress – into which McCarthy’s performance surely falls – has always been a destination for Academy voters to reward unusual or unexpected performances (and performers) as much as it’s rewarded more conventional excellence. Fellow comedienne Mo’Nique won in 2009 for her devastating performance in "Precious," while Mira Sorvino took home the prize for playing an air-headed hooker in "Mighty Aphrodite." Marisa Tomei and Whoopi Goldberg won prizes for their comedic performances in "My Cousin Vinny" and "Ghost," respectively.
The Academy also tends to use the supporting actor and actress category to recognize nuanced, comedic performances. And with McCarthy’s visibility at an all-time high thanks to her new win – as well as her upcoming turn in Judd Apatow’s fall comedy "This is 40" – there don’t seem to be any limits to what she can achieve.
In other words, it might be time for Melissa to start trying on some more fancy dresses.
