Emmys 2024: Why Is ‘The Bear’ considered a comedy?
It’s earned a record 23 Emmy nominations. But the question many are now asking is how a show that spotlights suicide and emotional abuse is considered funny?
The 2024 Emmys are here and reigning best comedy winner The Bear is expected to dominate the night once again. Breaking records for the most Emmy nominations in a single year, the popular FX program clocked 23 nominations ahead of this year's 76th Emmy Awards ceremony.
Set in the cauldron of a kitchen, and tackling themes of trauma, death, betrayal and emotional abuse — paired with rapid-fire dialogue, moody composition and fast camera work — the show is intense, anxiety-inducing viewing, leaving many to ponder why the The Bear is nominated under the Emmy’s comedy category.
Best drama vs best comedy
The previous record for most Emmy nominations was set in 2009 by Alec Baldwin’s comedy series 30 Rock, and follows sketch writer Liz Lemon as she deals with her arrogant boss and a cast of eccentric stars. It’s a far cry from the abrasive, addiction-ridden characters we meet in The Bear. Some have argued the decision to enter The Bear as a comedy was a strategic move to garner more awards. However, looking at the comedy category more broadly, it’s clear there’s been a major shift in the classification in recent years.
Its also not the first time a dramedy series has made its way into the comedy category with TV shows like Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black and Amazon Prime Video’s Transparent leading the charge back in 2014. More recently, shows like Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and Fleabag, along with HBO’s Barry and Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso have walked the line between funny and dark — and garnered critical acclaim.
“The show does have its moments, but it also has very light moments, too, very beautiful moments,” says The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri, who is nominated for Lead Actress In A Comedy Series for her role as Sydney.
What do the Emmy Awards consider a comedy series?
Historically, the Televison Academy has considered a comedy to be a half-hour of television and a one-hour show was automatically considered a drama. But in 2022 the rules changed to align with the dynamic and rapidly evolving television industry.
The program time restraints were eliminated for comedy and drama series categorisations, meaning length and number of episodes were no longer a determining factor when it came to Emmy nominations. Whilst this opened opportunities for longer form content to be considered, it also helped blur the lines.
The current rules and procedures for the upcoming 76th Emmy Awards ceremony, the Television Academy defines the distinction as content of the episodes being “primarily comedic for comedy series entries, or primarily dramatic for dramatic series entries.”
‘Fishes,’ the most chaotic episode of The Bear Season 2
The evolution of the ‘drama vs comedy’ argument also reflects a change in audience expectations. There’s an increased demand to have humour intertwined with the emotional complexities of real life. Shows like The Bear make it work.
One of the best episodes of season two — and arguably whole series — is Fishes. In a flashback to a Christmas Eve dinner five years before his brother’s death, main character Carmy, played by Jeremy Allen White, visits his dysfunctional family. The hour-long episode follows the Berzatto family dynamic and features guest appearances from big name stars like Jamie Lee Curtis, Sarah Paulson, John Mulanary and Bob Odenkrik. The anxiety felt by each character as they try to navigate the ticking time bomb that is Carmy’s mother (brilliantly played by Curtis) is so strong you feel like you’re sitting right there at the table with them.
The episode finds humour among the turmoil, and uses comedic relief, albeit dark, to show how love can be complicated for some families. It’s relatable.
Emmys 2024 best comedy nominees: Hacks, Abbott Elementary
Up against shows this year including Hacks, Abbott Elementary, Only Murders in the Building, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Bear was a big winner for its debut season at the 2023 Emmys, with Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Ayo Edebiri all receiving gongs.
Among The Bear’s list of 2024 nominations are:
- Best Comedy Series
- Lead Actor In A Comedy Series for Jeremy Allen White
- Lead Actress In A Comedy Series for Ayo Edebiri
- Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Liza Colón-Zayas
- Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Lionel Boyce and Ebon Moss-Bachrach
It’s also received nominations for production design, casting, cinematography, costumes, directing and guest stars.
The 76th Emmy Awards will air on September 16 at 10am AEST.
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