“the bear” nabs 23 emmy noms for best comedy-despite being insanely stressful and not funny

FX’s “The Bear”

FX’s huge hit broke records today as the most nominated comedy series in history-beating “30 Rock’s” 2009 record for 22 nominations. Jeremy Allen White was nominated for lead comedy actor. Ayo Edebiri is up for lead comedy actress, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Lionel Boyce were nominated for supporting comedy actors and Liza Colón-Zayas got a nom for best supporting comedy actress.

Look at all these funny folks!

Also making the list, Jamie Lee Curtis, who plays Donna Berzatto, Carmy’s dysfunction disaster of a mother in the series. Remember this “hilarious” scene from “seven fishes”? Watching it makes my chest tight.

If you don’t watch the show, it is about an award winning Chicago chef who returns home to take over the family business after his brother commits suicide. It is well written, insanely well directed and the acting is superb. Episode 7 “Review” from season one was filmed in one take, an incredible accomplishment, but not funny. The stress was visceral.

Yes, it is a damn good show, but is it funny and worthy of being in the comedy category? No. According to reports the producers knew they could not beat HBO’s juggernaut “Succession,” which is why they chose the comedy category.

And most likely the were right, the Roy family was outstanding and in it’s five-year run, “Succession” won a total of 81 awards including nineteen Primetime Emmy Awards, eight Critics Choice Awards, nine Golden Globe Awards, two Producers Guild of America Awards, four Writers Guild of America Awards, and one Peabody Award.

The Bear Season 2

Some critics do uphold the comedy status saying it is a dark, dark show that does have fleeting moments of funny and it’s a half hour, the traditional sitcom length. Insiders insist the hidden gems of levity clarify its comedy status. John Mullany and the Fak brothers do take the edge off…

…but for me the few light moments to break the stress work as breathers so I can gather myself, they are a respite on an emotional uphill climb that makes me worry all the time.

But I guess once you are in a category you have to stick with it? There are a lot of funny shows nominated this year so winning best comedy could be hard.

“Abbottt” is still a huge hit, new comer “Palm Royale” grabbed lots of attention with Kristin Wiig and Carol Burnett and “Hacks” is having a moment. Also, Season 3 of “The Bear” has been less loved by fans. It’s feeling like a little less “Yes Chef” and little more “WTF Chef?” as Carmy and his staff take on opening a new restaurant.

But I am still watching and it is a fantastic show with an incredible cast. I just wish they were fighting a fair fight in the Drama Category.

Also, a big shout out to the little show that could FX’’s other nominated comedy, “What We Do In the Shadows”, that has been making me laugh for 5 seasons . It’s about vampires who live on Staten Island, so if “The Bear” triggers your anxiety make some time for these funny blood suckers.

it’s good for your soul, if you still have one.