<img src="https://sb.scorecardresearch.com/p?c1=2&amp;c2=36750692&amp;cv=3.6.0&amp;cj=1"> ‘The Bear’ May or May Not Be a Comedy, but the Hulu Series Is Continuing a Problematic Emmys Trend
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
Your details are incorrect, or aren't in our system yet. Please try again, or sign up if you're new here.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Create a GAMURS
By g up, you agree to our and of Service.
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Choose a name
Choose a unique name using 3-30 alphanumeric characters.
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Choose your preferences
Choose how we communicate with you, opt out at anytime.
Something went wrong. Try again, or if the problem persists.
Check your email
An confirmation link was sent to your email. Don't forget to check your spam!
Enter the email address you used when you ed and we'll send you instructions to reset your .
If you used Apple or Google to create your , this process will create a for your existing .
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and of Service apply.
Reset instructions sent. If you have an with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or if the problem persists.
Photo via Hulu

‘The Bear’ may or may not be a comedy, but the Hulu series is continuing a problematic Emmys trend

But really, is this a comedy or drama?!

Like whether or not September is too early for Halloween decor or if it’s acceptable to carve pumpkins when it’s still 100 degrees out, one of 2024’s biggest debates is whether The Bear should be counted as a comedy or drama.

Recommended Videos

While we all knew the Hulu series would win big at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, we might not have anticipated just how ionate people would be about this subject. But there’s another topic we should focus on: The Bear‘s Emmy dominance might actually be a problem, and it only looks to continue as the night goes on.

X @swiftieun1corn pointed out a trend with TV’s biggest awards show: Rewarding the same TV show year after year.

when Modern Family won Outstanding Comedy Series from 2010 to 2014? While the ABC sitcom has some great episodes and a talented, likable cast, did it really need to win five years in a row? Believe me when I tell you, I love The Bear and all the kind-hearted employees of The Beef (even though I’m frustrated as I am with Jeremy Allen White’s Carmy, but that’s another story). But I can it that many other smart TV comedies deserve Emmys, from Abbot Elementary to Hacks. We all know The Bear is great, but the show doesn’t need a million more awards to prove that.

Although it was obvious which show would win this year, the other shows in the Comedy category have talented actors, clever scripts, and huge fanbases, just like The Bear. While I haven’t watched Palm Royale, I’ve heard it’s awesome. If an underrated show that needs more love can’t win at the Emmys and get the accolades it should, then where can that happen?

I’m thrilled Liza Colón-Zayas won for playing the amazing Tina and happy Ebon Moss-Bachrach took home the Best ing Actor in a Comedy award. Tina is so kind and Richie is the funniest The Bear character in my humble opinion. And you can’t not swoon when an actor tells Rolling Stone they are “proud of all of us” who work on their show instead of making their nomination all about them. But The Bear doesn’t need to win every single category.

And yet, this problem won’t be solved today… or next year… or the year after that. And while the same comedy series might keep winning, at least we can find some comic relief in whether The Bear is really a comedy. As Eugene Levy joked during the opening monologue in what was one of the best moments of the 2024 Emmys: “In the true spirit of The Bear, we will not be making any jokes.”

I personally find some scenes of the show hilarious (although I might be the only one who thought the Fak family’s season 3 jokes about haunting each other amusing). Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) and Carmy’s fighting can be humorous and Sydney’s (Ayo Edebiri) constant desire to smooth everything over and stay calm in the face of intense pressure has made me chuckle once or twice. But The Bear season 3 is more sad than funny, and if it was considered a drama, more than a few people would be vindicated. There are definitely dark comedies that toe the line between the two genres, from The Big C to Better Things and Nurse Jackie, but The Bear has more emotionally weighted moments than side-splitting ones.

Oh well. I look forward to watching the 2025 Emmys… and season 4 of The Bear. But let’s put some good vibes out into the universe and hope that some (actual) comedies can take home some trophies. And let’s that while the beloved Hulu show’s category may be confusing, Wednesday was also nominated for Outstanding Comedy in 2023!


We Got This Covered is ed by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about our Policy
Author
Image of Aya Tsintziras
Aya Tsintziras
Aya Tsintziras is a freelance writer at We've Got This Covered who has been writing about pop culture since 2014. She has a Masters of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University and enjoys writing about TV dramas, horror movies, and celebrities. When not working, she's reading a thriller novel, catching up on The Real Housewives, and spending time with friends and family.