Why is “The Bear” nominated for the Emmy for comedy?

With the announcement of the nominees for Emmy 2024 the series “The Bear” broke the record for mentions in the comedy categories with 23 nominations.

Although the debate over classifying “The Bear” — a series full of tense moments and complicated family relationships — as a comedy rather than a drama has already existed in previous editions of the awards, this year it takes on new contours: the series that previously held the record in the category was “30 Rock”, a program known for its humor and jokes, a reference among traditional comedies.

Some people spoke out on social media claiming that comedy series are unfair, while others were simply surprised that a show with so many emotional scenes and heavy themes would be in a category that should highlight humor. But after all, is “The Bear” a comedy or a drama?

Emmy Rules

According to rules from the 76th Emmy Awards: “Comedy and drama series are defined as multi-episode programs (minimum of six) where the majority of the running time in at least six episodes is primarily comedic for comedy series entries, or primarily dramatic for drama series entries.”

Entry in a category may be reviewed by the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

The rules are quite subjective in defining what is a comedy or a drama, and this represents a change from the previous rules. Until 2022, the year in which the current criteria came into effect at the Emmys, series with up to 30 minutes of duration per episode were included in the comedy category, while longer series were included in the drama category.

Episodes of “The Bear” are, on average, 30 minutes long.

The old rules have already sparked the same debate that surrounds this year’s awards: what happens to the dramedies ? Programs that deal with serious topics with irony and sarcasm or, on the contrary, that bring you to tears between one joke and another.

“The Bear” Cast Defends Their Place

Amid controversy, the cast of “The Bear” defends the series’ place in the comedy categories.

When asked by reporters at the last edition of the Emmys, Ebon Moss-Bachrach — who took home the statuette for best supporting actor in a comedy last year — responded by citing other series famous for alternating moments of tension and laughter: “Between ‘Succession,’ ‘Treta,’ and our show, I feel like those ideas about comedy and drama are a little outdated.”

“We’re all just trying to reflect the messiness of being human, which is deeply hilarious and we’re all suffering,” added the actor who plays “cousin” Richie.

At the same ceremony, the series’ executive producer Josh Senior said that the series entered this category because of its 30-minute episodes, but reinforced this point of view: “I think the show is true to life. Sometimes it’s funny and sometimes it’s real.”

The show’s star, Jeremy Allen White, argued in an interview with USA Today in 2022 that “The Bear” should be considered a “dramedy”.

“[A série] “It’s certainly funny sometimes,” White said. “We’re trying to make it feel like real life. Sad things can be funny. Funny things can make you sad, and there are all those moments.”

What about traditional comedies?

On social media, many industry professionals expressed their concern that dramedies may be taking up space for more traditional comedy series (which focus on jokes and funny moments).

Some even accuse producers of entering their series in the comedy category to avoid competing with more intense dramas and take home more statuettes.

Comedian and “Dave” writer Niles Abston tweeted about the record broken by “The Bear”: “The industry letting a show that is clearly a drama do this would probably be a joke on ‘30 Rock.’”

the industry letting a show that’s clearly a drama do this would probably be a 30 Rock bit https://t.co/mnXqP6gPfh

— niles (@NILES100) July 17, 2024

Another comedian and writer for the series “Alabama Jackson”, Ashley Ray also gave her opinion on social media: “One episode of ’30 Rock’ has more jokes than the entire series of ‘The Bear’.”

one episode of 30 rock has more jokes than all of the bear https://t.co/ggJd6h0czS

— ashley ray🍦stream ice cream money (@theashleyray) July 17, 2024

While some viewers and fans of the series agree, others disagree:

I still don’t like The Bear being nominated in comedy series categories because for me a comedy series is a comedy series so it’s not fair for The Bear to compete with Abbott Elementary when both have completely different proposals.

— natalia (@mal1gnantt) July 17, 2024

The bear: everyone traumatized, anxiety attack, mourning, abusive people, stabbing, car breaking into the house, overcoming…

Emmy: Comedy Series https://t.co/a0iAdwWV5p

— Thais Rocha (@tha_rocha) July 18, 2024

I love that The Bear is simply a mix of comedy, angst and depression all together. Seeing their anguish makes you desperate and you end up laughing. pic.twitter.com/Yb3UcYoX17

— pistachio (@pistachioIlatte) January 17, 2024

I see a lot of people questioning whether The Bear is actually a comedy. It is. Comedy doesn’t have to always use the same formula: overacting, gratuitous stupidity, flashiness, cheap jokes. Comedy can have nuance and can exist in chaotic environments like Carmy’s life.

— Luis (@luis_rodriguesk) July 18, 2024

On either side of the debate, the fact is that dramedies seem to represent a challenge for the Academy, which will have to deal with the fact that more and more programs adopt a closer approach to real life: with laughter and tears.

Launched in 2022, “The bear” follows Carmy, a young haute cuisine chef who is responsible for running his family’s small diner after his brother’s death. There, he seeks to transform the place while dealing with a resistant and disorganized team. All three seasons are available on Disney+ .

Check out the full list of 2024 Emmy nominees here.

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