Controversy at the Emmys: The Bear’s Comedy Win Raises Questions about Genre Classification

The recently concluded Emmys sparked controversy as the hit FX show, The Bear, took home several awards in the comedy category, despite being considered by many as a drama. Critics and fans took to social media to express their opinions, arguing that the show’s humorous moments did not make it a comedy.

While the first season of The Bear had comedic elements, the overall themes and storylines were focused on loss, grief, anxiety, identity, and stress, making it more fitting for a drama classification. Meanwhile, the winner of the best drama series, Succession, garnered attention for its comedic moments, leading some to call it a British comedy rather than an American drama.

The Bear’s placement in the comedy category sparked discussions about genre classification at the Emmys. Some theorized that the decision was a strategic move by the show’s producers to increase its chances of success. The Academy’s recent change allowing producers to position their shows in the genre they see fit further blurred the lines between comedy and drama.

The classification of The Bear as a comedy raised concerns about the recognition of more traditional and clearly funny comedies like Abbott Elementary, Ted Lasso, and Jury Duty. This also prompts a broader question about how comedy is viewed and appreciated as a genre. As TV comedy has evolved over the years, there have been various styles, from traditional sitcoms to cringe-comedy mockumentaries to more unconventional and surreal series.

Some argue that categorizing shows into comedies and dramas might be futile and that awards should do away with these divisions entirely. The Bear star Ebon Moss-Bachrach expressed his belief that the boundaries between comedy and drama are outdated and that all shows strive to reflect the messiness and humor of being human.