Above: Arts Academy Editor Kelly Lyon, ACE
Photo credit: The Weaver House
Arts Academy Edit, the Portland-based editing house co-founded by Tommy Harden and Peter Wiedensmith, is pleased to announce that editor Kelly Lyon, ACE, has received a double nomination at the 76th Annual Emmy Awards, further cementing her reputation as one of the industry’s top comedy editors. Kelly’s exceptional work earned her recognition in the Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programs category for both Netflix’s “John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in LA” and Amazon Studios/Prime Video’s “Tig Notaro: Hello Again.”
“John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in LA,” a six-episode special series created by and starring John Mulaney, aired during Netflix is a Joke Fest. The offbeat talk show features special guests and outsiders filmed in Los Angeles, bringing a fresh twist to the late-night format. Kelly’s editing skills were critical in crafting the pre-taped sketches, which required a unique approach to pacing and narrative construction, especially given the largely unscripted nature of the content. Using Adobe Premiere Pro, Kelly deftly handled the complicated task of integrating live performances with pre-taped segments, ensuring a seamless viewing experience.
Tig Notaro: Hello Again, streaming on Prime Video, is a stand-up special showcasing Tig Notaro’s unique style of comedy. Tig is known for her dry delivery and sharp observational humor, and her performance required careful attention to pacing in the editing room. Kelly faced the challenge of maintaining the integrity of Tig’s live performance, particularly during the finale, which originally featured an unlicensed Adele song. Working closely with Tig and her wife, director Stephanie Allynne, Kelly was able to create a memorable and impactful ending. By using Adobe After Effects, she was able to creatively enhance certain sections while maintaining the authenticity of Tig’s performance.
“I am truly honored to receive my first Emmy nominations for ‘Everybody’s In LA’ and ‘Tig Notaro: Hello Again,'” shared Kelly Lyon, ACE. “Working with John Mulaney and Tig Notaro on these specials has been an incredible experience and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their unique comedic visions. Working on these projects has pushed me to explore new dimensions of timing and storytelling and I am thrilled to have our work recognized in this way.”
Kelly Lyon has proven her expertise and creativity in comedy editing time and time again throughout her remarkable career, which has included various high-profile projects. Her contributions to the entertainment industry are unparalleled. Her portfolio includes Emmy-winning specials such as “John Mulaney’s Baby J” and “Kid Gorgeous at Radio City,” as well as Emmy-nominated works such as “Amy Schumer Growing” and the “SNL at Home” episodes during the 2020 pandemic, which earned her an ACE Eddie Award nomination.
Kelly’s work extends beyond stand-up specials; she has edited digital shorts, parody commercials and music videos for NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” and edited projects such as Mike Judge’s stop-motion animated comedy “In The Know” for Peacock, “That Damn Michael Che” for HBO Max, “Portlandia” for IFC and contributed to the critically acclaimed “The Bear” for FX on Hulu. Her editing talents were also showcased on the Emmy Award-winning “SNL 40th Anniversary Special.”
“It’s absolutely no surprise that the Television Academy has recognized Kelly’s work: her work is phenomenal,” said Tommy Harden, owner and co-founder of Arts Academy Edit. “Not only is Kelly a talented editor, she is a true friend and collaborator to those lucky enough to work with her. The voices of the writers and artists who return to Kelly year after year for her wit, intelligence, playfulness and thoughtfulness speak for themselves.”
The 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards will be held at the Peacock Theater in LA and winners will be announced on September 7 and 8.
