It’s unclear who had the last laugh during Sunday night’s Emmys, as The Bear broke its record set in 2023 with 11 wins but somehow failed to walk away with the statue for Outstanding Comedy Series. The Academy nominated The Bear 23 times, a record for a comedy series. Sunday’s awards recognized Season 2 of the Chicago-based show, which premiered last year.
The Bear’s 11 wins mark the most Emmys a comedy has earned in a single year, and tops the show’s previous standard of 10, set in 2023. Jeremy Allen White (Carmen Berzatto) repeated as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Richie Jerimovich) won again for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, beating co-star Lionel Boyce (Marcus Brooks), who was also nominated.
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Liza Colón-Zayas (Tina Marrero) took the stage and admitted she didn’t prepare a speech. She made history as the first Latina to win in her category, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series — a category packed with talent ranging from Meryl Streep to Carol Burnett (and that’s not even including the multiple Abbott Elementary nominees).
Park Ridge native Christopher Storer — the show’s co-creator whose childhood friendship with the family who runs Mr. Beef, the real-life downtown Chicago Italian beef stand, informed the series — won for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series. The award recognized Season 2’s emotional Christmas episode, “Fishes.”
During the Creative Arts Emmys, held Sunday, September 8, “Fishes,” which features a bevy of guest stars, was recognized. Jamie Lee Curtis (Donna Berzatto) won for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. Jon Bernthal (Michael Berzatto) won for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. Bob Odenkirk (Uncle Lee) and Will Poulter (pastry chef Luca) were also nominated for their roles in the episode. “Fishes” won for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Single-Camera Comedy Series.
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The episode “Forks,” which was filmed mostly at Chicago’s Michelin-starred Ever — with a quick run to Lincoln Park deep-dish legend Pequod’s — won Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half-Hour), as well as Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animation.
Finally, The Bear also won for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series.
Once again, there was a buzz about the show’s classification as a comedy. Co-host Eugene Levy quipped, “Now, I love the show, and 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.”
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What’s more, the show didn’t take home the trophy for Outstanding Comedy, with Vegas-set stand-up-themed Hacks winning that category. That ignited speculation over whether the show would have fared better as a drama (though it’s hard to beat the 11 wins it secured for its comedy designation). It’s something to watch in 2025, especially as the latest installment, Season 3, has received lukewarm reviews.
The show launched in 2022 and became a pop culture phenomenon, as it gave the general public a behind-the-scenes look at the pressures restaurant workers regularly deal with while spotlighting several Chicago venues. Some within the industry refuse to watch, saying the show’s portrayal of anxiety hits too close to home. The cast and crew have finished much of the work on Season 4, which may be the final chapter of the saga (FX has not confirmed).
