For Halloween, my friend Lauren Lombardi, FCRH ’25, and I dressed as Carmy from Hulu’s hit show, “The Bear.” The costume was just one of many things I’ve done to show my love for the 2022 masterpiece.
Easily one of my favorite shows, “The Bear” is a fast-paced “dramedy” based out of a family-owned Chicago sandwich shop. It follows Carmy Berzatto, a young, accomplished chef who, following a family tragedy, must leave the world of fine dining and Michelin Stars to help run his brother’s hole-in-the-wall restaurant. While Carmy, who left home at a young age to pursue culinary greatness, reunites with family and friends, viewers get to explore the Berzatto family dynamic. Despite Carmy and his coworkers constantly butting heads and the restaurant’s chaotic serving style, the shop always finds a way to come out on top.
What first drew me to “The Bear” was my love for the main character’s actor, Jeremy Allen White. I love Jeremy Allen White (JAW). I can’t keep track of the number of people that I have yelled, “J.A.W., J.A.W., J.A.W.” at. I have also been known to show strangers pictures of White and joke that he is a Fordham Gabelli student. If you have ever spoken to me, odds are high that I have found a way to work Jeremy Allen White into the conversation. White, who rose to fame with his role as Lip in “Shameless,” is a fantastic actor. He plays the “sad, miserable, down-on-my-luck” character very well. White’s amazing co-stars, Ayo Edebri, Matty Matheson and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, only fuel the fire of greatness that is “The Bear.”
Aside from the amazing cast, the quick timing of “The Bear” does well at keeping my generation’s short attention span. At times, its fast-paced nature is even too much for me. When watching episode six of season two, I got so worked up that I had to pause the show and take a walk. (If you have seen that episode, you know why.) Even though the show gets my heart racing, I can’t get enough of it.
Another great aspect of “The Bear” is its ability to make me hate and love a character at the same time. The show’s creator, Christopher Storer, had a perfect approach to season two. Over the expanse of the season, Storer dedicated individual episodes to exploring each character’s motivations, as well as their trials and tribulations. For me, the exploration resulted in a roller coaster of emotions. At the beginning of episode seven of the second season, I hated Richie. By the end, I sympathized with his character and even found myself relating to “cousin!”
Also, I want to take this time to add that I was an O.G. fan of “The Bear.” Not a season two bandwagon fan, but a fan back when the cast was full of unknown actors and actresses. Full of nobodies. I liked the show before it began featuring already famous stars — not that I don’t appreciate season two’s John Mulaney, Joel McHale and Will Poulter features.
You might be thinking, why would anyone care this much for a cooking show? But it is not just a cooking show — it is so much more. It is a show about family and love and finding yourself in your 20s. On paper, “The Bear” is about a sandwich stop, but it also addresses important issues like trauma and addiction. It even includes a little bit of romance for all of you rom-com lovers! Speaking of romance, I’ll say what everyone who has watched the show is thinking: Carmy and Sydney belong together. Despite what doubter and known Claire/Carmy shipper Emma Holmgren, FCRH ’25, thinks, I know they would make the perfect couple. Hulu, forget Claire, let’s make “Sarmy” happen! Take that, Holmgren.
In summary, I love “The Bear,” and I love Jeremy Allen White, and you should too. Let’s get White an Emmy! (Then an EGOT, then world domination.) Before I wrap this up, can I let you all in on a secret? I’ve yet to finish season two of “The Bear.” I’m a fake fan, I know. I will get to it at some point soon, I promise.
