Renowned comedienne Susie Essman has voiced her opinions regarding the recent criticisms facing the show “The Bear.” During an exclusive interview, she expressed her thoughts on the misclassification of the Chicago-centric series, which, despite being labeled a comedy, she firmly believes is a drama.
“The Bear” has achieved significant acclaim, securing 11 major wins, including several Emmy Awards. Nonetheless, there has been ongoing debate among critics about whether the series truly belongs in the comedy category. Essman concurs with those who argue that it should be categorized as a drama.
She referenced a notable reaction from the mother of “Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder who expressed her frustration when Liza Colón-Zayas was awarded Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series over Einbinder. Essman admitted understanding her disappointment, yet she feels that the portrayal of “The Bear” as a comedy series is not justified.
Further discussing comparisons with her show “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which has often been overlooked in comedy award categories, Essman stressed that her primary aim has consistently been to entertain and evoke laughter, rather than winning awards.
Meanwhile, Jon Bernthal, one of the stars of “The Bear,” who recently won his first Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, appears to hold a differing viewpoint, adding to the multi-dimensional debate surrounding the show.
Through her insights, Essman sheds light on the challenges of properly categorizing television shows and how subjective the awarding process can be. Despite the disputes, “The Bear” remains a powerful and engaging drama that continues to draw in viewers with its compelling narrative and strong dramatic appeal.
