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Los Angeles, CA – Actress ayo Edebiri is carefully sidestepping a long-running discussion about the genre classification of Hulu’s critically acclaimed series, The Bear, as the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards approach. Edebiri, a nominee for two awards, addressed the matter in a recent interview with Vanity fair, deferring too industry experts on the categorization of the show.
The Categorization Controversy
For three years, debate has swirled around whether The Bear, a show centered on a young chef taking over his family’s Chicago sandwich shop, should be considered a comedy or a drama. The series has garnered 13 nominations as a comedy for the upcoming Emmy awards. Edebiri acknowledged the ongoing discussion, stating, “My feeling is that that is a question that is honestly above my pay grade.” She added, “That’s a question for the studios.We get asked a lot about it as actors and they don’t ask the producer, so that’s kind of my answer to that.”
The Emmy rules allow producers to select a show’s category, subject to approval by the Academy’s Industry Panel.According to the official rules, a show must be “primarily comedic” for a majority of its runtime across at least six episodes to qualify as a comedy ([1]). Once categorized, a show remains in that category for subsequent seasons.
Edebiri’s emmy Nominations and Directorial Debut
Edebiri has received two nominations for the 2025 Emmy Awards: one for her leading role as Sydney Adamu and another for directing the season three flashback episode, “Napkins.” Reflecting on her directorial debut,Edebiri described the script as “so beautiful,” explaining she “remembered reading it and seeing it in my mind,like really clearly.”
Did You Know? The Bear broke records at the 2024 Emmys with 23 nominations as a comedy series, surpassing NBC’s 30 Rock, which previously held the record with 22 nominations in 2009.
edebiri expressed her enthusiasm for directing, stating, “I really enjoy directing. I mean, more than like it, I really love it and I can’t wait to do it more. And it’s nice to get to wake up like an hour later because you’re not in hair and makeup. I enjoy that as well.”
Industry Perspectives on ‘The Bear’
FX chairman John Landgraf previously defended the show’s categorization, praising season two as “as good a season of television as I’ve ever seen,” and acknowledging its comedic elements ([3]). During the 2024 Emmy Awards ceremony, hosts Eugene and Dan Levy playfully acknowledged the controversy during their opening monologue.
Pro Tip: Understanding Emmy eligibility rules can provide valuable insight into the strategic decisions made by studios when submitting shows for consideration.
At the 2024 ceremony, Edebiri won her first Emmy for outstanding supporting actress.
| Year | Award | category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Won |
| 2025 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Comedy Series | Nominated |
| 2025 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series | Nominated |
All four seasons of The Bear are currently available for streaming on Hulu.
The Evolution of Genre in Television
The lines between television genres have become increasingly blurred in recent years,with many shows incorporating elements of both comedy and drama.This trend reflects a broader shift in storytelling, as creators seek to explore complex themes and characters in nuanced ways.The debate surrounding The Bear is emblematic of this evolution, highlighting the challenges of categorizing shows that defy easy classification. The rise of streaming services has further contributed to this trend, as platforms prioritize content that appeals to a wide range of audiences, regardless of genre conventions.
Frequently Asked Questions About ‘The Bear’
- What genre is ‘The Bear’? The show is officially submitted as a comedy for Emmy consideration, though debate continues regarding its categorization.
- Who is Ayo Edebiri? Ayo Edebiri is an actress and director known for her role as Sydney Adamu in ‘The Bear’ and her work on ‘Big mouth.’
- How many Emmy nominations did ‘The Bear’ receive in 2024? ‘The Bear’ received a record-breaking 23 nominations at the 2024 Emmy Awards.
- What episode of ‘The Bear’ did Ayo Edebiri direct? Edebiri directed the season three episode titled “Napkins.”
- Where can I watch ‘The Bear’? All four seasons of ‘The Bear’ are available to stream on Hulu.
What are yoru thoughts on the categorization of ‘The Bear’? Do you think it fits better as a comedy or a drama? share your opinions in the comments below!
We hope you enjoyed this insightful look into the world of ‘The Bear’ and Ayo Edebiri’s journey. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends and subscribe to our newsletter for more exclusive content!
