Why is The Bear a comedy series?

It is not up to the Television Academy (Emmy Awards) to pick which TV series can compete in which categories. Rather, the TV networks and streamers get to decide in which category they would like to field their show.

Hence, FX had long back decided to submit “The Bear” as a comedy, which is where it is to remain.

Their reason is also pretty straightforward: Comedy categories are less competitive than drama traditionally, meaning that all Emmys the TV show won at the last Emmy Awards were partially due to the network officials’ shrewd decision to shoot for the comedy gold.

Additionally, if The Bear had competed in the Drama category this season, it would have to stand against FX’s other heavyweight contender: “Shogun,” which secured 25 nominations, the highest for any series.

However, the network’s The Bear is not far behind Shogun either.

The Bear also was selected for so many Emmy nominations this year in the Comedy categories, including Outstanding Comedy Series, that it broke the record for the highest number of nominations for a comedy series in one year, with 23 nominations.

In 2009, NBC’s “30 Rock” had secured 22 nominations, the highest till now.

However, even though the producers of “The Bear” are most likely celebrating with the record nominations, many viewers of the infamously stress-inducing, tense series might be wondering about the whole “comedy” part of it all.

The Bear has thus far never failed at making you sad and being sad, which is unmistakable. Although, there is a sprinkle of some laughs here and there.

Nonetheless, considering how many Emmy Awards The Bear won in the same Comedy categories for the first season, it is safe to assume that it would undoubtedly be breaking more records as a “comedy” show at this year’s Emmy Awards, and if they keep up the writing, then for years to come.