It’s unclear who had the last laugh at Sunday night’s Emmys, as The Bear broke the record set in 2023 with 11 wins, but somehow failed to take home the statuette for Outstanding Comedy Series. The Academy nominated The Bear 23 times, a record for a comedy series. Sunday’s awards went to season 2 of the Chicago-based show, which premiered last year.

The Bear‘s 11 wins mark the most Emmys a comedy has earned in a single year, surpassing the show’s previous record of 10, set in 2023. Jeremy Allen White (Carmen Berzatto) repeated as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Ebon Moss-Bachrach (Richie Jerimovich) won again for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, beating out co-star Lionel Boyce (Marcus Brooks), who was also nominated.

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Liza Colón-Zayas (Tina Marrero) took the stage and admitted she didn’t have a prepared speech. She made history as the first Latina to win her category, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series — a category packed with talent ranging from Meryl Streep to Carol Burnett (not to mention the multiple Abbott Elementary School nominees).

Park Ridge native Christopher Storer — the show’s co-creator, whose childhood friendship with the family that runs Mr. Beef, the real-life Italian beef stand in downtown Chicago, inspired the show — won for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series. The award went to the emotional Season 2 Christmas episode, “Fishes.”

At the Creative Arts Emmys, held on Sunday, September 8, “Fishes” was recognized, with a host of guest stars. Jamie Lee Curtis (Donna Berzatto) won for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. Jon Bernthal (Michael Berzatto) won for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. Bob Odenkirk (Uncle Lee) and Will Poulter (pastry chef Luca) were also nominated for their roles in the episode. “Fishes” won for Outstanding Picture Editing for a Single-Camera Comedy Series.

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The episode “Forks,” which was largely filmed at Chicago’s Michelin-starred Ever — with a brief run at Lincoln Park deep-dish legend Pequod’s — won the award for Best Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series (Half Hour), as well as Best Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half Hour) and Animation.

Finally, The Bear also won the award for Best Casting for a Comedy Series.

Once again, there was a buzz about the show being classified as a comedy. Co-host Eugene Levy joked, “Now, I love the show, and I know some of you might be expecting us to make a joke about or The Bear is actually a comedy. But in the true spirit of The Bear“We’re not going to make any jokes.”

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Additionally, the show failed to win Best Comedy, with stand-up comedy set in Vegas. Tricks won that category. That led to speculation about whether the show would have fared better as a drama (though it’s hard to top the 11 wins it had for its comedy designation). It’s something to keep an eye on in 2025, especially since the latest installment, Season 3, has received lukewarm reviews.

The show launched in 2022 and has become a pop culture phenomenon for giving the general public a behind-the-scenes look at the pressures that restaurant workers regularly face while spotlighting several Chicago locations. Some in the industry are refusing to watch, saying the show hits fears too close to home. The cast and crew have wrapped up much of the work on Season 4, which could potentially be the final chapter in the saga (FX has not confirmed this).