How William Zabka turned ‘Cobra Kai’ into a comedy worth taking seriously

The Emmys aren’t until September, but I’m kicking off the Nominate “Cobra Kai” Movement now. Season 4 of Netflix’s martial arts series, and more pointedly its lead William Zabka, should be top contenders in the comedy categories. It did land a comedy series nomination last year after moving to Netflix, and its mini-mall brawls and karate championship showdowns made it stand out among kid-gloved nominees such as “Emily in Paris,” “Ted Lasso” and “The Kominsky Method.” Fans delighted in the ruckus and the humor, but the action may have distracted voters from “Cobra Kai’s” strength as an inventive, cohesive series that over four seasons has refined its comedic rhythm like its characters have perfected their fighting skills. Cobra Kai, usurped by John Kreese, is a threat to all that’s good and noble about karate, and the series continues to draw on the themes that made the films resonate: anger versus restraint, the wealthy versus the working class, winning at all costs versus moral responsibility.