Experts slugfest: How will Emmy voters respond to ‘The Bear’ Season 3?

“The Bear” is back… to lock in its Season 2 Emmy wins? Gold Derby editors and Experts Christopher Rosen and Joyce Eng are here to discuss its brand new third season and how, if at all, it’ll affect the current Emmy race (spoilers, obviously).

Unlike Season 2, Season 3 dropped after nominations voting closed, so the 10 new episodes have no impact on what we’ll get on July 17. But they could influence Phase 2. While still mostly positive, the Season 3 reception has been less rapturous than that of Season 2 (especially from viewers). If the overwhelming love for “The Bear’s” second season propelled it to 10 Emmy wins for Season 1, could the softer Season 3 response put its Best Comedy Series defense under high alert? Especially when the probable runner-up, “Hacks,” is contending with its best season yet?

SEE Experts slugfest: Anonymous Emmy ballots revealed and Phase 1 campaign winners

Two of “The Bear’s” supporting actress hopefuls, Liza Colón-Zayas and Abby Elliott, were given spotlight episodes in Season 3 that could aid their Season 2 candidacies, like how Season 2’s” “Forks” boosted Ebon Moss-Bachrach to a win for Season 1. We discuss why it might not be a similar situation this year for the duo, who would face a fierce competitor in “Hacks'” Hannah Einbinder.

Elsewhere, we discuss how Season 3 is “The Bear’s” funniest one yet, a potential Robert Downey Jr. snub and more.

Email your questions to slugfests@goldderby.com.

Timestamps:
Intro and “The Bear” Season 3 — spoilers, obviously (0:00)
Season 3’s impact on Season 2’s Emmy chances (30:44)
Listener questions (49:30)