Great News: Bob Odenkirk Has Joined The Cast Of "The Bear"
Variety - Bob Odenkirk is trading Cinnabon for Italian beef, as the “Better Call Saul” star has joined Season 2 of FX’s delicious hit dramedy series “The Bear,” Variety has learned exclusively from sources.
Character details for Odenkirk are being kept under wraps, but the actor is said to be boarding the show in a guest role. FX and reps for Odenkirk declined to comment.
After its debut, “The Bear” became FX’s most-watched half-hour series and took home trophies from the Screen Actors, Writers and Producers Guild Awards. Additionally, White won the Golden Globe for best actor in a TV series, musical or comedy. Season 1 of “The Bear” is available to stream on Hulu.
I don't care what anybody says, I love this show. Not because it's based in Chicago. Not because it gives a raw, unglamorous look at the absolute grind that is the restaurant industry, and not because the acting is so good. I like it just because it's one of those shows you can throw on at the end of the day, unwind to, and enjoy beginning to end. It's a a genuinely "good" show, with all the caveats listed above, but it's also great in its simplicity and the fact that it doesn't require any brain power to watch.
If that makes it a "guilty pleasure" type show than so be it.
But last season was excellent. Episode 7 was one of the best 30 minutes of television you'll see anywhere. And it ended in an unpredictable, yet heartwarming place, that sets up this season perfectly.
My review and encouragement to watch the show can be read in this blog from last year here - (don't mind the moronic title please)
Now for this upcoming season...
---SPOILER ALERT---
The first season finale, which aired in June 2022, showed Carmy finding over $300,000 in the tomato cans in The Original Beef's kitchen. The group came together to collect the money and decided to close down the sandwich ship in favor of a new restaurant: The Bear.
Show runner Christopher Storer noted that the second season would pick up from the ups and downs in the finale. “Nobody’s fixed and everyone’s a work in progress,” he shared with Variety in January 2023. “Every second counts.”
The screenwriter continued: “Season 2 really is about the opportunity to start fresh and what does that mean. What does Carmen and Sydney’s dream restaurant look like? But also at the same time, what does a dream restaurant in 2023 look like? I think that’s the thing they’re sort of battling with."
And that's all before adding the man Bob Odenkirk!
There's no mention of who Odenkirk will play in this upcoming season, but if I was a wagering man, I would bet he'll be either the landlord of the new restaurant space, or the main investor in the project, backing Carmy but not allowing him to have full autonomy. (A storyline they could basically write based on Curtis Duffy and Grace, and which would play out great in the show).
Either role would be a great foil for him.
Show starts back up in a little over a month. Plenty of time to knock out season 1 if you haven't already!