Laraine Newman, the mother of Hacks star Hannah Einbinder, expressed her discontent regarding The Bear's classification as a comedy at the 2024 Emmy Awards, where it garnered 23 nominations. Following her daughter’s loss to Liza Colón-Zayas for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Newman took to social media, stating, "F—. THE. BEAR!!!!!!!" before deleting the post and clarifying her stance that, while she appreciates the show, she does not view it as a comedy. Emmys cohost Eugene Levy also weighed in on the controversy during the ceremony, acknowledging the show's complicated genre. Critics and fans have raised similar concerns about the show's heavy themes overshadowing its comedic elements, prompting discussions about 'category fraud' in award nominations. Despite the debate, The Bear went on to set a record with 11 wins in the comedy category this year, highlighting the industry's ongoing struggle with genre classifications. As the show prepares for its third season, questions remain about whether it will continue to compete in the comedy category or shift to drama.