If there's one highlight of 2020, it's that 'Insecure' is finally getting the credit it deserves

• HBO's popular comedy "Insecure" has picked up 8 Emmy nominations, including its first nod for the coveted Best Comedy Series.
• Showrunner Prentice Penny told Insider "Insecure" is simply trying to "tell stories where people of color are seen as basic and simple within their humanity, too."
• "There's this narrative that Black women, especially on television, are seen as do-it-alls," Penny explained. "But no, we're just as human and frail as anybody else and that's why we wanted to keep that title."

The fourth season of "Insecure" was undoubtedly the show's most accomplished and affecting installment to date.

With its trademark wittiness and astute eye for human reactions, interactions, and emotions, the show turned away from the broader implications of contemporary LA living.

It turned inwards, committing to a singular, tightly-crafted story about the most intimate aspects of the relationship between its two (im)perfect lead characters. Issa — a former drifter, turned community organizer (played by Issa Rae) –– and Molly — an accomplished, well-to-do lawyer (played by Yvonne Orji).

And if we can say anything positive about the year 2020, it's that it was the year "Insecure" was finally given the respect it deserves.

In its first few seasons, "Insecure" was often neglected by critics and overlooked by awards voters, with only the series creator and lead actor Issa Rae picking up acting nominations at both the Emmys and Golden Globes.

This year, however, "Insecure" finally broke through with a coveted Best Comedy Series Emmy nomination, an important establishment seal of approval all quality comedies seek (previous winners include "Fleabag," "Veep," and "The Office." ).

There was also further acting recognition for Issa Rae and an overdue first nomination for Orji, a big sign that critics and awards voters have begun to appreciate the show.

But why has it taken so long for critics and awards voters to take "Insecure," a Primetime HBO comedy series seriously?

Showrunner Prentice Penny doesn't have the answer, and he "stopped guessing" a long time ago.

"I'm not here to say our show should be nominated every year," he told Insider last week. "I'm just trying to make a good show."

'We just wanted to tell stories where people of color are seen as basic and simple within their humanity'

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Penny has had the sort of resourceful Hollywood career perfect for recounting in interviews like this.

He started out at the University of Southern California's prestigious film school (alums include George Lucas, John Singleton, and Ryan Coogler). He then worked a host of odd jobs, the most interesting being a spell working within Disney's theme park division.

He got his big break as a writer on the cult sitcom "Girlfriends," starring Tracee Ellis Ross, which, much like "Insecure," gives audiences a serious look into the complicated and multifaceted lives of young Black women.

"We just wanted to tell stories where people of color are seen as basic and simple within their humanity too," he told me about his early vision for "Insecure."

The first season premiered in 2016 with a slender eight episodes. It managed to attract a fiercely dedicated fanbase, which seemingly included President Donald Trump, who ended each Sunday night viewing with a detailed social media discussion on Issa's toxic relationship with her unfocused boyfriend, Lawrence. A week's worth of #Team Issa vs #Team Lawrence would often flood Twitter and Instagram.

Penny said that there was talk early on about changing the show's name from "Insecure" to something less nihilistic, but he says that he felt a sense of duty to portray a young Black woman who struggled with the same social and mental anxieties as everyone else.

"There's this narrative that Black women, especially on television, are seen as do-it-alls," he explained. "But no, we're just as human and frail as anybody else and that's why we wanted to keep that title."

He says that before "Insecure," only white creators were given the opportunity to produce "all the slice-of-life TV shows which normally we do not get to do."

Issa Rae is inspired by the sometimes complicated lives and relationships of young Black women

Before leading "Insecure," Issa Rae wrote and starred in "The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl," an award-winning short YouTube comedy. The web-series ran from 2011-2013.

At that time, Penny said he was working on "more mainstream white shows" because after the infamous writer's strike of 2007 — when screenwriters downed their pens demanding fairer remuneration — networks began to cancel production on shows that predominantly featured people of color.

Penny picked up credits on "Scrubs," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," and "Happy Endings. In 2015, after a series of fortunate events starting with his then-agent being old college friends with Issa Rae, he assumed the role of showrunner, writer, and frequent director on "Insecure."

As we spoke, I tried to compliment Penny on the show's innovative direction and visual style, something critics and fellow industry professionals have lauded across the show's four-season run. (The show picked up two cinematography Emmy nominations this year). But Penny graciously diverted all praise to Melina Matsoukas, who directed the pilot episode, calling her a "huge visionary," as well as Ava Berkofsky, the show's lead cinematographer. The two women, he says, are responsible for crafting the show's "elevated" cinematic style.

For him — and the audience, he hopes — the most salient part of the show is human exploration, the simple idea of a young person living in LA and just "navigating life and dealing with their insecurities."

As the writer's room for season five of "Insecure" has reconvened virtually, it's an exploration set to continue.

As for the Emmys, Penny said that on September 20, he would be watching "in quarantine" at home, hoping 2020 will prove to be better than anticipated.

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