As ‘The Bear’ wins Emmys, social media debates whether it’s a comedy
For the second time this year, the Emmys returned to Los Angeles to celebrate the last year of television. (The award show, typically held each September, had postponed last year’s awards until this past January because of the writer’s and actor’s strike.
See the winners at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards
Eugene and Dan Levy became the first father-son duo to host the Emmys together. In their opening monologue, they addressed the award-show elephant in the room, whether or not FX’s “The Bear” is a comedy, the category it’s been nominated for its past two seasons. Earlier this year “The Bear” won Outstanding Comedy Series for its first season during the 75th Emmy Awards.
“I know some of you might 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,” said Eugene Levy to the crowd at the Peacock Theater.
"I know some of you might 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"
—Eugene Levy during his #Emmys opening monologue pic.twitter.com/8XQHzcy9rc
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) September 16, 2024
As the show picked up three early Emmys, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jeremy Allen White won again for their categories, outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series and outstanding lead actor in a comedy series. Liza Colón-Zayas won her first Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, becoming the first Latina actress to win the category.
Colón-Zayas’ speech was particularly touching for viewers watching at home. The actress started out by thanking her husband, who had told her to write a speech but she didn’t because she didn’t think it would be possible. “How? How could I have thought it would be possible to be in the presence of Meryl Streep and Carol Burnett and Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph and Hannah [Einbinder]?” said Colón-Zayas as she highlighted the other women nominated in the category.
She also used her speech to speak to viewers watching from home. “All the Latinas who are looking at me: Keep believing, and vote. Vote for your rights.”
Upon winning an #Emmy, Liza Colón-Zayas has a special message to all the Latinas… pic.twitter.com/KJg2FzYtRN
— Kenneth Romero (@KenRomeroCruz) September 16, 2024
Liza Colón-Zayas winning and everyone being happy for her has me in tears. And yes to her telling Latinas to vote for their rights. Love her! pic.twitter.com/H5YqTKCIE9
— Candidly Tiff (@tify330) September 16, 2024
While many online were thrilled for the cast to receive recognition for the award-winning show, viewers also took to social media to voice their opinion on whether or not the show falls into the comedy category.
The Bear already winning awards in the comedy category over talented people who were actually in comedic roles #Emmys pic.twitter.com/FzAgprP6WO
— Stephen (@dcsteve5) September 16, 2024
Can’t wait to spend the night yelling “IT’S NOT A COMEDY” every time The Bear shuts out a deserving actual-comedy nominee. #Emmys pic.twitter.com/etKEdVSoaN
— Marco Sav (@MarcoSav93) September 16, 2024
The Bear can’t be in the comedy category next year. Yes I know it’s a dark comedy and I like the show but we have to move it. But love that Liza Colón-Zayas won. #Emmys pic.twitter.com/leRaghlXYB
— Air-Rum (@__aarum) September 16, 2024
Jeremy Allen White won the best comedy award for his highly skilled dramatic acting in The Bear #emmys
— Meredith (@meralee727) September 16, 2024
Jeremy Allen White is hilarious! Everyone knows that people who go by three names are notoriously funny! Much funnier than comedy legends Larry David, Steve Martin and Martin Short!!!
— Mariya Alexander (@MariyaAlexander) September 16, 2024
the bear is a fantastic show full of incredible performances that i am now required to unfortunately root against bc of all this craven category fraud
— David Mack (@davidmackau) September 16, 2024
once again the members of the television academy have *no* idea what season of THE BEAR they're voting for
— Alison Herman (@aherman2006) September 16, 2024
So The Bear is just going to keep winning comedy awards pic.twitter.com/N6vN3y2Sgw
— Danny Pellegrino (@DannyPellegrino) September 16, 2024
"the bear is not comedy-"
pic.twitter.com/vsLlaXCsA7— ivy (suspended version) (@ohhhhhherewegoo) September 9, 2024
I still think it’s category fraud that THE BEAR is considered a “comedy” to the TV Academy, blocking actual comedies from winning.
But we already went through this in their season 1 and there’s no walking back from that decision.
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) September 16, 2024
They all know the fraud that the Emmys academy is committing by the Bear being awarded all the “comedy” awards always. We are all tired too, Tyler. pic.twitter.com/o4piJXBVBO
— Lima (@limighty) September 16, 2024
The Bear is not a comedy show idk why they keep getting away with category fraud every year pic.twitter.com/2bCgqtq2iy
— mazzy (@mazzypopstar) September 16, 2024
Is everyone ready for a CRAZY opinion??? The Bear is great and the cast is all doing stellar work, but the show is not a comedy and if I were an actor saying actual jokes in an actual comedy I’d be so fuckin annoyed watching every award get snatched away!!! #Emmys
— Andy Herren (@AndyHerren) September 16, 2024
Dreading the Emmys moment tonight when The Bear wins Best Comedy again instead of the actual best comedy, Hacks
— Adam Feldman (@FeldmanAdam) September 15, 2024