Current:Home > Contact-us'Hacks' star's mom and former SNL cast member slams 'The Bear,' says it's not a comedy-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
'Hacks' star's mom and former SNL cast member slams 'The Bear,' says it's not a comedy
View Date:2024-12-23 17:05:17
Laraine Newman knows comedy − and has some strong feelings about "The Bear" competing as one at the Emmys.
"Every time I think about The Bear being in the comedy category for the Emmys I can feel an ulcer developing," the OG "Saturday Night Live" cast member wrote on X on Sunday, the day of the award show.
At the Emmys, the hit FX series scored a whopping 23 nods, but the Max showbiz series "Hacks" − which stars Newman's daughter Hannah Einbinder − ultimately triumphed over the "The Bear" for the top comedy award of the night.
Eindbinder lost in the best supporting actress in a comedy series category to "The Bear's" Liza Colón-Zayas.
Newman isn't the only one who's questioned why "The Bear" competes as a comedy category at the prestigious award show.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
Social media users have as well, and Eugene Levy − who hosted this year's awards alongside his dad Joseph − even made a quip about it during the broadcast.
"'The Bear' is nominated for 23 Emmys tonight, making it the most nominated comedy in history," Eugene said. "Now, I love the show, 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."
So why is "The Bear" considered a comedy? USA TODAY's TV critic Kelly Lawler previously broke it down:
Why is 'The Bear' considered a comedy by the Emmys?
The series, about a family-owned Italian beef sandwich joint in Chicago that is transformed into a fine dining establishment by chef Carmy Berzatto, played by Emmy-winner Jeremy Allen White, isn't often laugh-out-loud funny.
The heavily dramatic plot involves the protagonist's brother dying by suicide, and inherited family trauma is a major plot point. Plus the profanity is frequent and derogatory.
"The Bear" is far from the only dramatic TV series ever to compete as a comedy for a better shot at Emmys glory. There have been many cases of what awards-watchers like to call "category fraud."
It's the age-old story of the Hollywood awards race.
Whether it's actors competing in supporting categories instead of lead roles, dramas competing as comedies or returning series sneaking into the limited series category, there is always a little bit of campaign finagling.
Back when Season 1 of "The Bear" premiered, before all the hype and nominations, White had his own thoughts about whether the series could be labeled a comedy.
"I guess if you had to, I would describe it as a dramedy," he told USA TODAY in 2022. "It's certainly funny at times. I don't think Carmy’s necessarily funny, but I think the situations that he finds himself in can be. I think it's interesting and funny to watch this young man who’s not a wonderful communicator trying to communicate what he wants and his feelings to a group of people who are also not excellent at hearing him. So I think there is comedy that comes out of that. I don't know if it's like knee-slapping funny. I think it can be at times. It's real, or we're trying to make it real, like real life. Sad things can be funny. Funny things can make you sad."
Contributing: Kelly Lawler, Erin Jensen and Patrick Ryan
veryGood! (49)
Related
- Wind-whipped wildfire near Reno prompts evacuations but rain begins falling as crews arrive
- 1 of last Republican congressmen to vote for Trump impeachment defends his seat in Washington race
- GOP primary voters in Arizona’s largest county oust election official who endured years of attacks
- Tierna Davidson injury update: USWNT star defender will miss match vs Australia in 2024 Paris Olympics
- Exclusive Yankee Candle Sale: 50% Off Holiday Candles for a Limited Time
- Republican Lt. Gov. Jon Husted reports $5 million in the bank ahead of 2026 run for Ohio governor
- Texas is home to 9 of the 10 fastest growing cities in the nation
- Ransomware attack disables computers at blood center serving 250 hospitals in southeast US
- Man waives jury trial in killing of Georgia nursing student
- Judge approves settlement in long-running lawsuit over US detention of Iraqi nationals
Ranking
- These Yellowstone Gift Guide Picks Will Make You Feel Like You’re on the Dutton Ranch
- Brad Paisley invites Post Malone to perform at Grand Ole Opry: 'You and I can jam'
- Christina Hall Reacts to Possibility of Replacing Ex Josh Hall With Ant Anstead on The Flip Off
- Donald Trump’s EPA Chief of Staff Says the Trump Administration Focused on Clean Air and Clean Water
- Some women are stockpiling Plan B and abortion pills. Here's what experts have to say.
- While Steph Curry looks for his shot, US glides past South Sudan in Olympics
- Chrissy Teigen and John Legend's Son Miles Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes
- Squid Game Season 2 First Look and Premiere Date Revealed—and Simon Says You're Not Ready
Recommendation
-
Oklahoma school district adding anti-harassment policies after nonbinary teen’s death
-
Carrie Underwood Replacing Katy Perry as American Idol Judge
-
2024 Olympics: British Swimmer Luke Greenbank Disqualified for Breaking Surprising Rule
-
Rudy Giuliani agrees to deal to end his bankruptcy case, pay creditors’ financial adviser $400k
-
Kyle Richards Swears This Holiday Candle Is the Best Scent Ever and She Uses It All Year
-
How (and why) Nikola Jokic barely missed triple-double history at 2024 Paris Olympics
-
Families face food insecurity in Republican-led states that turned down federal aid this summer
-
'Black Swan murder trial' verdict: Ashley Benefield found guilty of manslaughter