FX on Hulu TV series The Bear broke its own record for winning the most comedy Primetime Emmys on Sunday (September 15). However, the results sparked significant backlash, with some accusing the award show of committing “category fraud”. Others highlighted the show’s lack of comical storytelling, pointing to its more dramatic style.

Christopher Storer’s The Bear scored 11 trophies during the 76th Primetime Emmys on Sunday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, USA. 

That’s an improvement over last year’s 10 Emmys, which was the previous record for a comedy show, Variety reported on Sunday.

Among the series’ big wins, Jeremy Allen White, who plays Carmy Berzatto, took the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Moreover, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, as Richard “Richie” Jerimovich, won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

FX on Hulu TV series The Bear broke its own record 

Image credits: Rotten Tomatoes TV

Image credits: Rotten Tomatoes TV

Jon Bernthal, who plays Michael “Mikey” Berzatto, won Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, and Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays Donna Berzatto, won Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.

Nevertheless, the results drew criticism on social media. In Reddit’s community Emmys Awards, a person wrote: “The Bear came out just [two] years ago and it’s already at 22 Emmys which is more than The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, and Madmen. 

“It has already equaled the number of Emmys Modern Family has won. In fact, if it wins [eight]+ Emmys next year (which is very likely) then this will become the 4th highest-awarded TV show in Emmys history only behind Game of Thrones (59), Frasier (37) and The Simpsons (35). 

It won the most comedy Primetime Emmys on Sunday (September 15)

Image credits: ABC

“All within just [three] years. If they’re rewarding category fraud like this, what even is the point?

“Where do they draw the line? So a psychological, crime, drama, thriller, mystery type series can submit in the comedy category simply because the main character cracked a dad joke in one of the episodes which makes it eligible? 

“Please don’t make me laugh.”

The Bear is described on IMDb as a psychological drama and comedy. Its storyline reads: “Carmen Berzatto [Jeremy Allen White], a brilliant young chef from the fine-dining world, is forced to return home to run his local family sandwich shop – the Original Beef of Chicagoland – after a heartbreaking death in his family.”

Image credits: ABC

“A world away from what he’s used to, Carmy must balance the soul-crushing reality of trading in Michelin-star restaurants for the small ‘business’ kitchen filled with strong-willed and obstinate staff and his strained familial relationships, all while grappling with the impact of his brother’s suicide.”

However, the results sparked significant backlash

Image credits: ABC News

As The Bear announced its success this year at the awards ceremony on its official Threads account, plenty of people expressed their outrage, as someone penned: “I really, really, *really* need the Television Academy to fix the category criteria before next year’s #Emmys because The Bear sweeping comedy over shows like Abbott Elementary is actually infuriating. All those actors and actual comedies deserve better.”

A Threads user commented: “In the Emmys intro, Eugene Levy says while he knows people will be expecting a joke about whether or not The Bear is a comedy, ‘in the spirit of The Bear, we will not be making any jokes’ — which, ironically, is an utterly spot-on joke.”

Eugene Levy and his son Dan Levy took the stage at the top of the Emmys on Sunday night to kick off the awards show on ABC with jokes galore, including a roast of The Bear, Variety reported on Sunday.

The opening segment of the 76th annual Emmy Awards saw the duo playfully grill the FX on Hulu series, as Eugene said: “The Bear is nominated for 23 Emmys tonight, making it the most-nominated comedy in history.

“Now, I love the show, and I know some of you will be expecting us to make a joke about whether The Bear is really a comedy — but in the true spirit of The Bear, we will not be making any jokes.”

Some accused the award show of committing “category fraud”

Image credits: Rotten Tomatoes TV

Another person on Threads wrote: “The Emmys 2024 really need to fix The Bear being in the wrong category next year because so many deserving comedy actors aren’t getting their due.”

“The Bear is not a comedy. I will die on this hill. Emmys,” a netizen added.

An observer argued: “Seriously someone please tell me how The Bear is a comedy.”

Image credits: rem/thebearfx

A separate individual chimed in: “Having The Bear in the comedy category simply because the show is 30 minutes seems like a huge disservice to the actual comedy shows and actors. The Emmys need to fix this stupid rule.”

It’s been a year of breaking records for The Bear. In July, the second season of the hit FX series, which aired in June 2023, led the tally for comedy series with 23 nominations, including outstanding comedy series, Variety reported. 

Others highlighted the show’s lack of comical storytelling, pointing to its more dramatic style

That reportedly surpassed the 22-nomination Emmy record held by NBC’s 30 Rock since 2009.

During the 75th Emmys, season one of The Bear landed wins for best comedy series, best supporting actress in a comedy (Ayo Edebiri), best supporting actor in a comedy (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), best actor in a comedy (Jeremy Allen White), and best writing and best directing for a comedy series (both Christopher Storer), as per Variety.

Bored Panda has reached out to the Television Academy for comment.

Check out who won in the main categories at the 2024 Emmys

• Best Drama

“Shogun” (FX)

• Best Comedy

“Hacks” (HBO)

• Best Limited Series

“Baby Reindeer” (Netflix)

• Lead Actress In A Drama Series

Anna Sawai, “Shogun”

• Lead Actor In A Drama Series

Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shogun”

• Lead Actor In A Comedy Series

Jeremy Allen White, “The Bear”

• Lead Actress In A Comedy Series

Jean Smart, “Hacks”

• Lead Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series

Jodie Foster, “True Detective: Night Country”

• Lead Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series

Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”

• Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series

Liza Colon-Zayas, “The Bear”

• Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear”

• Supporting Actress In A Drama Series

Elizabeth Debicki, “The Crown”

• Supporting Actor In A Drama Series

Billy Crudup, “The Morning Show”

• Supporting Actress In A Limited Or Anthology Series

Jessica Gunning, “Baby Reindeer”

• Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series

Lamorne Morris, “Fargo”

• Best Comedy Guest Actress

Jamie Lee Curtis, “The Bear”

• Best Comedy Guest Actor

Jon Bernthal, “The Bear”

• Best Drama Guest Actress

Michaela Coel, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”

• Best Drama Guest Actor

Nestor Carbonell, “Shogun”

• Directing For A Drama Series

Frederick E.O. Toye, “Chapter Nine: Crimson Sky,” “Shоgun”

• Directing For A Comedy Series

Christopher Storer, “Fishes,” “The Bear”

• Directing For A Limited Or Anthology Series

Steven Zaillian, “Ripley”

• Writing For A Drama Series

“Negotiating With Tigers,” Will Smith, “Slow Horses”

• Writing For A Comedy Series

Steven Zaillian, “Ripley”

• Writing For A Limited Or Anthology Series

Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”

“That show is not a comedy,” a person emphasized

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