2024 Emmy Awards: Live updates, winners, speeches and more
“Bear” has a ton going for it. The series was a real hit and received 23 nominations, a record for a comedy series. It dominated the last Emmy Awards, which is usually a sure bet for future success on the show (see: “Last Week Tonight,” “Modern Family,” “Mad Men” or “Game of Thrones,” all habitual winners).
But there are some warning signs for “bears.” The show's third season, which premiered in June, received a much cooler reception than the first two, just as Emmy voting was underway. Voters are technically considering a second season of the show from 2023, but separating them can be confusing even for industry insiders.
Additionally, when “The Bear” broke nominations records in July, some observers were shocked that the series — a tense workplace show often described as more stressful than funny — was even considered a comedy.
“Hacks,” the Max series starring Gene Smart, has been nominated for its well-received third season and could have a decent chance of an upset. Over the summer, “The Bear” did not win at the TCA Awards, while Smart won an award for best comedy performance and “Hacks” took top comedy honors. “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is also nominated for its final season, and may receive a large share of sentimental votes. The HBO series won just two Emmys during its 12-season run (Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series in 2003 and Outstanding Picture Editing for a Single-Camera Comedy Series in 2012, two relatively minor awards).
Then there's “Abbott Elementary,” which has already won four Emmys for its first two seasons and is still in the hunt for outstanding comedy.
But then again, this is the Emmy Awards, where upsets are usually the exception, not the rule.
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