Is 'The Bear' a comedy or drama? We answer
The 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards have sparked a debate over the genre of the popular FX on Hulu series, The Bear, yet again. Created by Christopher Storer, the show was nominated in several comedy categories, despite its intense and often dramatic storylines. This led to discussions among fans and critics alike, questioning whether The Bear is truly a comedy or leans more toward drama.
It set Emmy record with nominations; won 3 acting awards
The Bear made history by receiving the highest number of Emmy nominations for a comedy series in a single year, with a total of 23. The first season had previously won 10 Emmys. The second season, which received critical acclaim upon its release last year, has concluded the season with 11 wins. On Monday, cast members Jeremy Allen White, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach bagged three of the four Emmy Awards for comedy acting. However, it didn't win Best Comedy.
Emmy hosts address 'The Bear' genre debate
Emmy hosts Eugene and Dan Levy addressed the ongoing debate during their opening monologue at the awards ceremony. Eugene Levy said, "Now, I love the show, I love the show, and I know some of you will be expecting us to make a joke about whether The Bear is really a comedy — but in the true spirit of The Bear, we will not be making any jokes." And, it's true, the show hardly has jokes!
'The Bear' competes against traditional comedies
Despite the ongoing discussions, The Bear continues to compete in the comedy categories at the Emmys. It was up against traditional comedy shows like Hacks, Only Murders in the Building, and Abbott Elementary. Many viewers argue that the series is more of a drama due to its intense and often stressful plotlines.
'The Bear' plot and character arcs
The Bear follows the story of Carmy Berzatto (White), a renowned chef who returns to his hometown of Chicago to manage his deceased brother's sandwich shop. The series explores Carmy's journey as he transforms the shop into a high-end restaurant with the help of his sister Sugar, friend Richie, and staff members Sydney, Marcus, and Tina.
'The Bear' balances drama with satire
While The Bear features several intense and emotional scenes, it also incorporates elements of comedy through its celebrated satire. The show balances its dramatic moments with awkward character interactions and humorous remarks. By the third season, the characters of Neil Fak and his brother Teddy serve as the primary sources of comedy in the series. These elements could potentially defend its genre classification.
Industry professionals have gone against 'The Bear' in genre debate
Several industry professionals have also weighed in on the The Bear genre debate. Laraine Newman, a former Saturday Night Live cast member and actor Hannah Einbinder's mother, expressed her opinion on X earlier today, stating that The Bear was not a comedy. Niles Abston, a comedian and writer for the FX sitcom Dave, echoed similar sentiments after The Bear received its record-breaking Emmy nominations. While Einbinder lost to Colón-Zayas in the Supporting Actress category, her show Hacks won Best Comedy.
What does 'The Bear's cast say?
Despite the ongoing discussions, the cast of The Bear has defended the show's classification as a comedy. When asked about the genre debate in the press room at the 75th Primetime Emmys, White responded with a firm "Yes!" Moss-Bachrach added, "I feel like these ideas about comedy and drama are a bit outdated. We're all just trying to reflect the mess of being human, which is deeply hilarious, and we're all suffering."
