The Bear's controversial placement in Emmy Awards' comedy category earns 23 nominations

"The Bear" has received an unprecedented 23 Emmy nominations, the highest ever for a comedy series in a single year. 

However, there is debate over whether the show, known for its intense and anxiety-inducing atmosphere, should have been categorized in the drama genre instead. Despite this, the cast and crew of the show have stood by its placement in the comedy categories.

In June, Variety disclosed that rival networks have attempted to urge the Television Academy to reconsider the category placement of "The Bear," based on information from several industry insiders. They noted that such efforts might face challenges, given the longstanding debate surrounding the categorization of comedy-dramas, which has influenced other programs in film and television award ceremonies.

How does the Emmy Awards define a comedy series?

As per the guidelines for the upcoming Emmy Awards ceremony, the Television Academy distinguishes between comedy and drama series based on whether the episodes are “primarily comedic for comedy series entries, or primarily dramatic for dramatic series entries.” 

The Academy retains the authority to reassess and adjust category assignments. The current criteria differ from earlier guidelines in place until 2021, where half-hour episodes were categorized as comedies and longer episodes as dramas. Episodes of "The Bear" generally run about 30 minutes, although some are longer.

The cast and crew of "The Bear" have stood by its classification as a comedy series. Following the show's Emmy wins last year, journalists questioned whether they perceive the series as a comedy, to which Jeremy Allen White, the Emmy-winning lead actor, affirmed, "Yes!"

Executive producer Josh Senior described the show as “true to life. Sometimes it’s funny, and sometimes it’s real. What we try to do is tell a real story.” Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who won an Emmy for his supporting role in “The Bear,” suggested “these ideas about comedy and drama are a little bit outdated.” 

White previously told USA Today in 2022 that he views the show as a “dramedy,” noting its blend of humor and realism: “certainly funny at times. We're trying to make it like real life. Sad things can be funny. Funny things can make you sad, and it has all of those moments in it.”

"The Bear," currently holding the title of Outstanding Comedy Series Emmy winner, secured its second consecutive nomination in the same category this year. 

Actors White, Moss-Bachrach, and Ayo Edebiri, all previous Emmy winners, also received nominations, alongside newcomers Lionel Boyce and Liza Colón-Zayas in the supporting actor and supporting actress categories. Meanwhile, the drama series "Shogun" topped all nominees with a total of 25 nominations.