“We’re all suffering”: The Bear Star Ebon Moss-Bachrach Explains Why ‘Anxiety-Inducing’ Show is Still a Comedy Series
The Bear made Emmys history this year, sweeping the comedy categories and winning Best Comedy Series. But some viewers question whether the dark FX show truly fits the “comedy” label. At the 2024 Emmys, The Bear cast and crew stood behind their series’ comedy classification, arguing it reflects real life’s blend of humor and pain. On the Emmys press circuit, The Bear sparked debate about comedy vs drama categories being outdated. Despite touching on heavy themes like grief, mental health struggles, and workplace chaos, its 30-minute runtime made it eligible as a comedy.
Why Do The Bear’s Creators Consider It a Comedy?
According to Deadline, the show’s stars agree this genre-blurring is what makes it great. Asked if The Bear is definitively a comedy, Jeremy Allen White (who won Lead Actor) enthusiastically said yes. Executive producer Josh Senior explained they aim for emotional truth, whether that elicits laughs or tears from viewers.
Senior said The Bear simply “tells a real story”, oscillating between funny and dramatic moments like real life. Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who won Supporting Actor, believes rigid comedy/drama labels are outdated.
He argued The Bear reflects “the mess of being human, which is deeply hilarious and we’re all suffering. We want to tell the truth and make people feel things. If they’re laughing or crying…we can’t control what happens after that.”
The cast feels viewers label shows easily digestible genres when many modern series like The Bear straddle the line. They strive for authenticity, even if that means getting uncomfortably real at times.
Also Read: The Bear Star Jeremy Allen White Was Devastated After Ex-Wife’s Instagram Post After Brutal Divorce
What Comedy Does The Bear Pack Into Its Dark Moments?
Despite heavy themes, the cast said The Bear delivers distinctly funny moments. Moss-Bachrach and co-star Ayo Edebiri pointed to a Season 1 scene when the shop scores a C health inspection grade.
Moss-Bachrach noted the high-stakes health scare makes for comedic dysfunction.
“Nobody wants to take ownership of that C,” he said, explaining how the situational humor arises naturally from the drama.
Edebiri also cited funny character dynamics, like the way the chaotic kitchen crew bonds through their shared struggles.
So according to its stars, The Bear blends comedy and drama as fluidly as real life. Its anxiety-inducing tone reflects the characters’ mental states rather than adhering to genre constraints. In the end, its mission is emotional honesty, and the audience’s reaction is up to them.
