The Bear might lose the comedy crown to The Studio this Emmy season, here's why

For three years, The Bear has cooked up a winning streak at the Emmys, serving anxiety-fueled storytelling with a garnish of sharp performances and an identity crisis that only deepened as the seasons progressed. Originally classified as a comedy — and let’s face it, sometimes questionably so — the FX/Hulu series quickly became an unstoppable force in its category. Jeremy Allen White’s twitchy, tormented Carmy and Ayo Edebiri’s brilliant Sydney helped The Bear sweep awards while pushing the genre boundaries so far, they’re practically in another zip code.

But something has shifted. Emmy voters are no longer laughing — at least, not with The Bear. The show’s recent stumble at the 2024 Emmys, where it lost Outstanding Comedy Series to HBO Max’s Hacks, signaled a possible changing of the guard. Now, in 2025, a bold newcomer is gaining ground. Enter The Studio — Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s chaotic, meta-slick series that’s not only truly funny, but also cleverly engineered to tickle Emmy voters’ funny bones.

This isn’t just about genre confusion anymore. It’s about the show evolving into something else — something richer, heavier, and harder to box — while The Studio proudly embraces the giddy absurdity of being a comedy. If the Emmys are meant to celebrate the best in laughter, then The Studio might just have the last laugh.

The Bear’s drama dilemma is finally catching up to it

The Bear is undeniably a powerhouse — raw, intense, and laced with the kind of emotional trauma that sticks with you longer than leftover risotto. But somewhere between Carmy’s panic attacks and extended family meltdowns, the comedy label started to feel like a clerical error. Season 3 leaned even further into the psychological spiral, culminating in a finale so bittersweet it could’ve easily slotted into a prestige drama lineup. There are moments of levity, sure, but they’re often buried beneath layers of grief, guilt, and gastronomy.

This evolution, though artistically commendable, has inadvertently made the show an awkward fit in its current category. Emmy voters — no strangers to nuance — might be growing weary of rewarding a series that feels like a drama masquerading as a comedy. The shift in tone isn’t just evident on screen; it’s reflected in the awards chatter too. With increasing competition, the show's tight grip on the comedy crown may finally be loosening.

The Studio has something The Bear lost: Joy

Trending

On the other hand, The Studio bursts into the scene like an energizing rush. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, seasoned comedy experts, created this show which serves as a satire on Hollywood’s big egos, creative pandemonium, and the pitch. It soars above the comedy genre with its lightweight approach to things such as celebrity glimpses and witty lines, all without being stupid. Entourage meets 30 Rock with a pinch of Curb Your Enthusiasm gives you the mix. The aftermath? The series is like a punchline that is also suitable for Emmys.

Most importantly, The Studio isn’t having an identity crisis. It knows what it is — and it commits. While The Bear is dissecting generational trauma in dimly lit kitchens, The Studio is delivering punchlines and industry parodies with machine-like precision. And Emmy voters? They’re responding. With a hefty nomination haul and genuine laugh-out-loud moments, The Studio might just prove that comedy — real, actual comedy — still has a seat at the grown-up table.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback