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The family Xmas episode is worth watching. For me that episode put me in a unique stress, which id love to experience again. It was very stressful and I’d like to replicate that unique feeling. No show ever made me feel that way before
Edited
I had a literal panic attack after watching that episode. Obviously the events themselves were outlandish, like the car through the house, but it was the MOOD. It perfectly captured the feeling of being in a chaotic, traumatic family environment, where there’s this need to walk on eggshells because there’s a vague, looming threat that you just can’t navigate without being on the defensive. I can’t even explain it. But whatever fucked up shit the person who wrote that had to go through to understand that feeling and convey it… well. Yeah. It fucked me up more than any horror movie, more than anything really. Hit me right in my soul in a really intense and brutal way. I did not enjoy it lol. Had to turn the tv off and smoke some cigarettes while I calmed down and contemplated life after that one. It might be the best episode of tv I’ve seen in 10 years or more. And somehow also the worst tv experience in that same time frame lol
The older I get, the more I appreciate my family for making scenes like that in shows and movies completely unrelatable to me from a personal standpoint. When you're young, you don't have the perspective to realize and appreciate it but man, I sure do now.
Yo it wasn’t until I met my girlfriends family for thanksgiving when I was 20. Nobody yelled, nobody stormed out, nobody drank too much or bullied anyone … they just ate and laughed and went home happy. I thought it was the craziest thing
The first time I had a panic attack in front of my girlfriend (now wife) was the first time I was at her parents house for a holiday. It was completely stable and great - and I had a panic attack because I’m so used to the eggshells, yelling, etc. It made me realize how not regular some of my family interactions were growing up.
I could not shake it that first night. I felt like something HAD to go wrong. It’s been 7 years now and I genuinely look forward to visiting my in-laws. Great folks.
Same! My in-laws holidays are relaxed, cheerful, and laid back. It’s wonderful. I have refused my family holidays for 3 years now. It’s not worth it. Fuck bad vibes during this already stressful season
I'm glad I'm not alone with this.
The holiday episode could have _been_ my family growing up, maybe cranked to 11, when my family was typically an 8, but still really close to home. The yelling, the drunken fights, the accusations, mom in the kitchen drinking a bit too much getting angry that she isn't getting any help despite refusing it at every turn, even the weird talk of starting your own business selling baseball cards, were dead on the money.
When I started dating my wife, and hearing about her family's "fights", I'm like, I know this is traumatic for you, but this is the _worst_ it gets?! Your mom is slightly annoying trying to give you advice? Wow.
And then she experienced her first Kiyote Family Thanksgiving, with my mom screaming at me at the top of her lungs that I was leaving a little early to go to my wife's (then girlfriend's) parent's thanksgiving, ruining "her" holiday.
Though, luckily, since covid they have kinda chilled out a _whole_ bunch. It's been a few years since there was a major blowup, when it used to be an every holiday thing.
I haven't brought anyone home yet, but I think it's going to be weird for anyone I bring. My family is small. Small small. My only living relatives are my parents and brother and we're all very chill. Holiday dinners are just 4 people having a nice meal in the dining room rather than the kitchen. I don't even know if we have more than 4 dining room chairs anywhere 😅
My entire family and myself moved out of the state, and the particular night I watched that episode I was super homesick. Haven’t gathered with them all together in 5 years. Balled my fucking eyes and laughed my ass off. It was the truest most genuine portrayal of Midwest family dysfunction I’ve ever seen on television. For about an hour I felt like I was transported at my parent’s house.
I was so high when I watched that episode, I had to turn it off. The anxiety was too much. A few friends who happened to be sober (lol) said the same thing. Can we talk about the gun shots in the first or second episode? That shit felt like they were trying to say Chicago business owners use guns to get the attention of the people waiting in line.
With respect to the gun, it was pretty clear that the customers were shocked and terrified, and of course the staff freaked out. So I don't think it's meant to portray that kind of gun usage as normal.
The Christmas episode was rough as hell. My family is small now (most of the grandparents etc. were older) but I recognized that episode a lot as reflective of my polish family. And my parents still get grumpy with each other during holidays - during thanksgiving my brother and I were just texting wtf back and forth after we got kicked out of the kitchen trying to help.
However, I do keep the clip of Ritchie discovering his purpose (which I think is the next episode?) and driving after staging because it makes me super happy.
It’s not like the perfect Chicago show but I think the second season found its footing more and is more of a love letter to Chicago.
Both here. Honestly couldn't watch more than 2 episodes. Same reason I dont like playing Overcooked 2 on the Switch, just too much stress from the past life in kitchens.
He is currently in a movie with Zac Efron about the Von Erich wrestling family. If you know anything about the Von Erichs then you know that you are correct
Wow, I feel so validated. I have not heard anyone else say this— I actually couldn’t even finish season 1 because I found the show incredibly stressful.
I made it through one episode and my watch told me my heart rate was too high for not being in active movement. It was too much telling for someone with an anxiety disorder for sure. Which is a shame because I keep hearing how good it is, I just can't handle it.
anyone here old enough to remember the 90s graffiti around Wicker Park and other 'cool' neighborhoods that said "708ers Go Home" and "Bomb the Suburbs!"?
773 as a tattoo is fucking stupid.
Upski. Wonder what ever happened to him and what he's up to. Was a wild book, he came to a bbq event I put on for my crew in 95. Nice guy. I haven't heard bomb the suburbs in years, shit. Good callback.
Yeah, no one gets areacode tattoos here, but I can also see someone getting it as a sign of where they're from after they've moved away, but doesn't want to be another person with a chicago flag tattoo. I think that fits the character.
Also, this may be just me, but it did pop into my head while watching the show that a 773 probably makes a better tattoo visually than a 312.
My perception growing up:
312: your dads office number
630 or 708: you’re from a normal suburb
847: Ooh, an aristocrat!
773: You’ve seen some shit, and are probably a White Sox fan.
I think that’s why 773 was the pick. Also remember Chicago Vocational grad Juice Williams rocking the 773 on his eye black while playing QB for Illinois in the late aughts.
That's exactly how I remember it growing up. I was in the western suburbs back when it was still 312 before they rolled out 708.
But still, I think the tat is just a platitude to try and ring in some Chicago pride. Whatevs.
Growing up I had three of those area codes for the same phone number. - 312, 708, 847.
I've had a 708 cell for almost 20 years now. Had a 630 pager at one point.
Area codes change frequently in the area. Getting a tattoo of one seems the least genuine thing about the show... but maybe to the younger generation they seem a bit more concrete?
Haha I thought the same when I saw it for the first time, everyone knows 312 is where it's at! And besides, who the fuck gets a tattoo of their area code?? It felt like a ham fisted attempt to cram something specifically "Chicago" into the show.
On the other hand, I have my fair share of shitty tattoos, in real life, so..
> everyone knows 312 is where it's at!
As someone who grew up in the 773 area and is about the same age as the main character, I kind of disagree with this.
312 was viewed as the snobby area downtown and 773 was the "real Chicago." I think if I were to get either it would be 773, but like you said, getting an area code as a tattoo is dumb in general.
maybe it's a generational thing, but 312 gives me that you live downtown or something whereas 773 let's me know they you're a true Chicagoan to the bone, who's been in all kinds of neighborhoods
I love my 312 area code and will never change. I called in an order to the Greek Islands in Lombard and the guy on the phone made fun of me for it and told me it wasn't cool anymore. Ok dude. I mean, maybe it isn't. I live it in the suburbs now so I know I'm not cool anymore but you don't need to point it out!
For what its worth there are still a lot of those around. I have two phone numbers one is 312 but my other is a 773, and so is my moms and my sisters and best friends. But yeah I have noticed a lot more 312 numbers
[Here's a recent thread](https://reddit.com/r/chicago/comments/17p7fu5/the_bear_renewed_for_season_3/) from when folks were talking about it a few days ago.
I’d say Richy is the only Chicago character in the show. He lambast suburbanites, he thinks every one is too soft these days, dismisses his bad date for not knowing any Chicago history, thinks he knows more than he does, is very comfortable around guns and drugs. He’s half the bartenders that I love in this city. His dead brother talking about getting smashed at Ceres is solid. Also Mulaney visiting Chicago saying “you’re all insane drunks but I love it” is a very Chicago transplant thing to do.
It’s a good thing it’s more universal. They do a good job of sprinkling it in without going full Bojack.
Bit of a self report but, I don't hear Chicago accents much. But when I encounter a real one in the city I savor it. It makes me kinda nostalgic for some reason.
Lol. Love some of the smaller family stores off Harlem where the old guys are pure Chicago and the younger ones aren't but occasionally slip into it when arguing with their parents about who ordered da fuckin eggplant.
Mayfair's got em too. I've been told that when I drink my accent gets pretty bad lol - thanks mom, dad and grandparents for mutating my speech for life.
Yeah I have a few drinks and are around my neighborhood/childhood friends my accent gets thick fast. My now husband was highly amused to discover this one St Pats.
I have only known 3 completely separate landlords, all in their 50s, who were the only ones i have ever met with the thick accent. I do know a lot of natives in their 20s who have a unique accent that is much more subtle. It only comes out when they speak quickly or say certain words
I watched the show before reading the book, which may bias my feelings, but I felt like the show created a more powerful relationship between Jeevan and Kirsten.
Station 11 isn't a Chicago show BUT for the couple of episodes that were in it, the locations were on point. They all made sense in relation to each other.
There was a point in it, when they were walking on the lake front trail flyover by Navy Pier (which was brand new at the time) with groceries, when I was getting ready to make fun of it for choosing it just for a cool shot, but then they walk up to the Lake Point Tower, the one building that that path would make sense to take, I was sold.
The inconsistent geography sometimes bugs me, but that's going to happen with any non-documentary.
it's a good show. Very well cast and performed. I like the visceral food beauty aspect and use of music. It doesn't feel inherently Chicago to me. Change a couple details and it could easily be about Brooklyn or Queens.
I thought the Netflix show Easy did a really good job with geography. Each episode was based on a different couple living in Chicago. They stayed true to different people from different neighborhoods as far as them staying in mostly the same area. They also used any businesses they filmed in actual names and staff as extras.
Agreed. I love this show but it being set in Chicago has so very little to do with anything. most of the scenes take place inside. In the restaurant, in a car, in a house. Etc. whereas shows that have the city be a “character” or a part of the show require interaction with the city. Atlanta, Seinfeld, High Maintenance all so much better job making the city a part of the show.
Southside does a good job of making the south side a character I think. Also, I think they got the south side attitude correct. They explore the people of the southside and its not this trope of violent despair. People live in houses and have block parties and have families and relationships and are multidimensional. The characters and situations are familiar to me as someone who lives and works on the south side.
Yeah, Southside completely nailed the feel of the southside. It was super refreshing to see it portrayed as it actually is, as opposed to, you know, a violent hellhole where you're constantly dodging bullets.
It's a shame it didn't get picked up for a season 4.
The River North of the show just isn't River North. They half-assed and almost immediately abandoned anything related to Italian Beef. Characterization related to iconic local food is inconsistent. Italianish people with big, unwieldy families and a mom who has a personality disorder live in lots of cities.
That's all fine. Chicago and especially the restaurant scene make for effective set dressing. It's just not about Chicago. It's about the culture of certain kinds of restaurants and the fraught emotions that get wrapped up in creative expression.
High Maintenance is a great counter example because it is pretty unmatched in recent years in its focus on the minute details of its setting.
Yeah or like how Sydney seems to live by the Clinton Green Line and takes two trains to work rather than walk one mile. Little details like that never actually matter.
Might get crucified for this opinion but in the grand scheme of US culture, Brooklyn, Queens and Chicago share more similarities than differences. Like sure there are definitely differences but I would expect that Brooklyn (especially) and Chicago have a very similar feel to someone who is from neither.
I used to live at Orleans and Superior, which is like a block or two from the beef shop. I didn't like how they portrayed River North to be some shitty part of town. But the show overall felt very Chicago. Omg that Christmas episode gave me PTSD.
Completely correct, and along with that I'd say the show does a very good job of feeling like it takes place in Chicago without making that a point of the show. Like you know it's not in New York, California, Seattle, etc just by how the characters are without them needing to make references to how Da Bears did last night or anything like that. Though perhaps that also just comes across from having lived in the Chicago area. Perhaps the average viewer would think it's NY without the establishing shots and Italian Beef being known as a Chicago thing.
Not sure why this is getting up voted so much. As an Italian American myself this city is just as much influenced by us as polish people. Most of Chicago's unique food is from Italian Americans, Italian beef, chicken vesuvio, deep dish.
Aside from Italian beef being the premise of the show, the creator of the show is an Italian American from Chicago and there are alot of references to Italian culture throughout especially the 7 fishes episode.
A little bit tongue in cheek and a little bit channeling the spirit of my mother. Another comment mentioned the concept of "white ethnics," which encompassed Catholics and the huge Italian, Irish, and Polish diasporas. There are obviously large Italian and Irish Catholic communities in NYC and Boston respectively, and I can think of at least a few media depictions of each (whether they're good depictions I can't say). As for Polish Catholics, I can't think of any depictions off the top of my head, and since it's my understanding many ended up in rust belt cities like Chicago, it'd be nice to see the relatively rare media depiction of Chicago include the Polish. Give me Wigilia for Christmas and pączki and stuff.
That's not meant to deny additional Italian stories onscreen and it makes sense the show reflects the creator's experience. And ultimately, I can't claim any pressing need for representation since I grew up void of Polish culture (I gravitated towards Judaism instead, much to my mother's chagrin). But my mom was raised connected to her Polish heritage and community in Hamtramck. She'd have loved to see the "Berinskis." Maybe another show will tell their story someday.
ETA: The almighty algorithm recommended me [this clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4IletJ7-Tw) from the Simpsons just now. No Polish Catholics in sight!
No shit. As a fellow Eye-talian American, we get shit on whenever we pipe up in any of the food related subs for being proud of our contributions to the American culinary landscape. Folks get apocalyptically mad if you point out that Italians historically weren't considered white (none of my family were listed as Caucasian on their entrance papers) until the white establishment needed more people to push back against the various Civil Rights legislation in the mid 20th century.
A lot of our forebears came here with next to nothing, fought against anti-immigrant & anti-Catholic hate, built a life for themselves, and became an integral part of American culture. It's the story of deprivation, diaspora, and success. Seriously, [go take a look at some of the rhetoric from the early 20th century](https://blogs.dickinson.edu/modern-us-history/anti-italianism/) -- looks a lot like what folks say about Central American immigrants now!
We still face cultural erasure, to some extent. Depictions of Italian Americans in media still show us as dumb tough guys with mob connections, or greasy hornballs (sometimes both at once).
Felt like the first season was too hamfisted with the Chicago references but I still loved it.
Second season Chicago references felt a lot more natural, but at the same time, it barely felt like it was set in Chicago at times.
Final verdict: Not enough malört
I feel like your experience probably depends a lot on where you are currently. I only lived in Chicago for 5 years and I moved out two years ago. When I watched the show it was very obvious to me that it was Chicago and I loved the references. Even just visiting local restaurants made me feel nostalgic.
I feel like if your every day experience is living in Chicago watching the show you might not even realize how much the show FEELS like Chicago but to someone outside it’s a noticeable vibe.
It’s the same with how I grew up in Southern California and whenever I watched a movie filmed in LA with nature scenes in chaparral or with uncommon things like outdoor high schools I barely noticed anything odd because to my mind that was always just a normal high school or normal foliage.
I like the references but a lot of the Chicago stuff is wildly inaccurate. The restaurant is located in a nice area, but it’s portrayed as a dumpy area. A lot of the scenery is more like Chicago in 1980 rather than Chicago in 2020. You will never ever be alone on a train or an architecture tour like the characters. Also, no beef stands bake their own bread.
Agreed. They have The Beef in River North and portray the neighborhood as a place where people start shit on the corner and shoot into the air carelessly. That’s not the neighborhood for that. Plus, I understood that Sydney came from a modest background, but she takes the pink line from Clinton which makes me think she’s in the west loop..? These don’t fit IMO.
However, the drone scenes all over the city make you fall in love all over again.
I could not make sense of why she would be at that stop unless it’s the one she lives closest to, and if that’s the case, her dad has money.
I think that stop transfers with green line, so maybe coming in from west, but if that’s the case, why not show the starting stop?
It’s a little too on the nose for me that there’s a gigantic Malört advertisement above the beef.
Also I can’t see a business in River North calling itself anything of *Chicagoland.* You’re literally in Chicago. You would just say that.
I read somewhere that a criticism is it seems the show is written by someone from Indiana. They’ve been to Chicago, can get some deep references, but overall there’s a lot that has you scratching your head. I’d agree it’s pretty obviously written by a non-local but still shows enough love for the city that they must be somewhat near…
I realize this is a quick google search but too lazy for that 😅
I felt that the gentrification aspect was not the worst case of creative liberty. That area has changed rapidly enough that those characters all would have experienced it.
Or if it’s set like half a mile north of where the real Mr Beef is, then it also makes more sense.
A lot of the conversations in the show were “accurate” but the location and settings in them were not. Richie lamenting gentrification would be an accurate conversation but he could not possibly be saying that in River North recently
Agreed. And all of the 1980s-esque songs made everything feel even more off to me. It doesn't feel or look like a Chicago show, just a show set in Chicago with some footage that doesn't really make sense.
I see almost empty architecture tour boats passing daily by my office and have been on an empty train in the recent past
Agree on the area for the restaurant, but until recently, west river north seemed sketchy
I feel the same. I enjoy it as a show, but not a Chicago specific show. They get too many things wrong, so I choose to enjoy the acting, etc instead of focusing on the location.
The location is wrong. The restaurant is supposed to be set in River North? River north is not a neighborhood where you have a bunch of thugs hanging out on the street corner. River north is corporate chains, nightlife and mid-upper scale establishments. Not a struggling neighborhood beef shop in a semi-sketchy area. I don't get it, even if you didn't know Chicago, a quick look at the area will show that in all of River North you only have maybe a dozen buildings that are a single story business like the beef shop is.
There are multiple episodes where they are making it look like gunshots and drive-by shootings are a common enough thing. There's no place in River North where you can just casually walk outside and fire a gun off in the air to grab people's attention without 4 squad cars pulling up.
Something like Pilsen/Bridgeport would have made a lot more sense. Has more of a mix of residential areas. Definitely the more southside blue collar feel it seems like they are going for. They even show Sydney waiting at the pink line which would by right in the area.
All credit to Ashley Ray Harris for originally pointing this out, but season 1’s “gentrifying the local greasy spoon” plot makes absolutely no sense in River North. Pick Andersonville, Rogers Park, Pilsen, Beverly.
Yes, restaurants in River North are dealing with the effects of gentrification, but we’re supposed to believe that these characters are emotionally affected by the loss of working class roots in (checks notes) River North?
A character like Ritchie, who lives constantly in the past? Absolutely. I grew up with plenty of people like him and could slot any of those people right into that role pretty effortlessly. In his case, the "working class roots" is a convenient scapegoat stand-in for the fact that the high school mentality never ended and he's tired of the world moving forward to pass him by. It's, like, his defining character flaw.
I liked the Alice's Lounge and Margie's Candies cameos along with the occasional shots in and around the L. So mainly it's a nice little treat to see some real-life locations. Beyond that there's a lot about the show that doesn't ring true at all or seems very contrived. Real mixed bag of a show if I ever saw one. I hope the next season tones down the "montage of a character set to soft rock as they sit alone looking sad" aspect.
It’s a decent show but it’s pretty ridiculous at times. They can’t get through a single service without something terrible happening.
Also the first season was kind of dumb. The cousin goes outside and fires a gun in the air in River North? They have two Michelin star chefs that decide to start a beef place but they are worried about money? I’m pretty sure if that ever happened there would be a line out the door.
Funny enough, have had several shootings on the block in the past couple of years (I live down the street); was walking my dog when they were filming that scene and got pretty startled until I saw the weird furrys lined up / the filming production.
For real. A couple weeks back the actual Mr Beef chef did a collab with Paulina Quality Bread and the line was out the door and down the block. You even had to reserve a pick up time at least a week in advance.
I don't like how often people say cousin. It's just not that often. It's like the show has a quota. Other than that, I really like the show, but it doesn't have anything that makes it *have* to be in Chicago, which I feel like is what makes a good location show. It used to, with the beef joint. They are surprisingly rare outside of this area.
>It's like the show has a quota.
I felt this way about all the scenery montages in the second season. It's like the show's creators saw the feedback that fans of the show really liked the shots of the city, and decided to punctuate literally every scene transition in the second season with more shots of Chicago.
I don’t know I think this is family to family. South side Mexican here, all my cousins call each other cousin or cus. It has always drove me crazy haha.
Pretty sure it’s just a Richie thing, and Richie call’s everyone cousin in response. Everyone calls Richie Cousin, and Richie calls everyone Cousin, but the rest of the characters don’t call each other that.
It's just Richie and Carmen, and maybe Carmen's sister. They are "like" family, but not blood relatives, so they call each other cousin. It's weird, and from my experience, not a Chucago thing. I have that thing with my actual cousin, but we don't say it that often. Mostly just in writing.
It gets a lot of things very right, some things close, others not at all.
But of all the Chicago shows I've seen TV do, this is the closest to how things are.
Grew up on the south side and I’ve been in and out of many beef and hot dog stands in my day, I know many families that owned beef and Vienna hot dog stands, and I don’t think I’ve ever once heard any of the workers swear or fight. Totally a misrepresentation of working class culture by writers who don’t know anything about it. Shameless does the same thing. IMO the movie Backdraft gets the Chicago middle class representation very well. No wonder- Ron Howard is serious about his craft.
You probably right but there's a reason they fought, especially that first season. All the staff were pushing back at the change Carmy was trying to make. He was making their jobs "harder" and it was change, and most people don't handle change well. And it's a HUGE change.
So that was why they fight. I think that's believable.
I value this response. You make a good point. Doesn’t entirely change my mind, but I see your perspective. That being said- for minimum wage i think they walk out but your point still stands.
See... change is hard. LOL
But seriously, thanks for the kind reply. Yes, I think a few of them would have quit. I guess the one guy did, if I remember correctly, and the druggie got fired.
I don’t disagree, but there would be no show without that conflict. I don’t think it’s the writers being clueless, but more them having to have something interesting going on.
If the writing was better they could incorporate more realistic conflict without making the characters seem like Neanderthals just because they’re from the south side.
What characters are portrayed as neanderthals? Overall I think they portray the working class characters as being pretty competent. Tina in particular, who starts the show as an old-school line cook and proves that she can keep up with professionally trained Carmy and Sydney.
Richie is definitely portrayed as an asshole and I would agree that at times they went way over the top with his character. But that is also is why the second season episode "Forks" was so great, as staging at the fancy restaurant gave Richie a purpose and showed that even he can absolutely excel when he is in the right role.
> Backdraft gets the Chicago middle class
*working class*
Fire fighters are working class, blue collar and Backdraft absolutely nails one segment of that category.
**In sociology,** *middle class* is retail clerks, office workers up through the manager ranks, and professionals including doctors and lawyers, etc. All white collar and regardless of income. They have a common thread of salaried and mostly knowledge work.
*Blue collar* is mostly wage paid and work with hands ie physical labor.
**Income is a separate scale** of social ranking. There is a middle income category that is often conflated with middle social class. Mere income rankings are very crude predictors of social behavior and values while the *class* rankings are fairly accurate when broadly applied.
Example = As we know, some blue collar trades people make more in a year than many white collar, middle social class workers. At the cartoon level of behavior we also expect the very successful plumber and the middle rank lawyer with the same annual income will probably live very different life styles and probably hold different social values. Including speech patterns and even subject matter. IOW, income alone does not predict for behavior or values.
Fun show. Almost none of the actors even bothers trying to hide their own regional accent (Ebon Moss-Bachrach did a pretty decent job in the first season if I remember but then I think it’s kind of drifted since then). Beyond that, nice to have a show that references Chicago stuff even if it’s heavy handed or inaccurate sometimes.
I can’t watch it due to my ptsd from being a chef. But that’s all cooking shows that have people yelling. But as far as Chicago vibes is great. The fact that the actor also played on shameless, another great Chicago series, is a good transition. I’m also a fan of The League but it definitely encompasses some of the burb life.
I feel like it presents a Chicago that is grittier / rawer than it actually is for most Chicagoans, much like Shameless does.
That said there are some redeeming qualities that do honor the city. The Lin Brehmer Chicago montage that starts S1E7 was a nice moment and added some credibility.
I love the Bear as a show but the fact that the restaurant is located in current day River North and portrayed as a gritty neighborhood is something that takes me out of the immersion.
River North was a bit like that when I moved to the city 15 years ago but it's totally different now.
My brother, who works in Chicago restaurants, cannot take it seriously because he's always like how the fuck are these people not fired?? Specifically Tina in S1.
He also goes on rants about how Carm sends people to stage overseas and the business is paying to put some of the characters through culinary school and he's like yeah that's unrealistic and I would just hire people who already know this stuff.
I always respond it's a drama and these characters are supposed to be a family but he won't have none of it lol.
The most accurate review I can say I've read for the show is that it's written by a person from Indiana.
But damn, I will say this about the show... That Christmas flashback episode was WILD.
Full on cried after that episode because I had similar family drama at holiday dinners right down to the car being driven into the house by an alcoholic mother.
Overall, its pretty spot on. I feel like I've known all the characters in my life, previously. They go a little overboard with things sometimes like the Malort billboard but mostly its pretty good.
It's great to see a show try to capture authentic Chicago life, but it feels like this show goes out of its way to beat us over the head with a Chicago hammer to the point it feels forced.
The opening sequence of season one episode seven stands out as, in my opinion, the greatest digital montage of Chicago ever created. Kind’ve makes me emotional.
https://youtu.be/Dhn8gQsV2GE?si=ln6MSihPEgrGi0_g
I love it! It’s got a real Chicago vibe and one the best on screen representations of what it’s like to live in a kitchen. Saying that, it gives me hard core PTSD haha. It makes me re-fall in love with cooking, but also reminds me of why I left the industry. Great acting and story telling.
It is not a Chicago show. It is a show about working in the restaurant industry, and more broadly about art and suffering, that is set in Chicago. Which is fine, but it doesn’t make it a Chicago show for me, and the vibe I get is that people are starting to align how they see Chicago with what they watch on the show.
The opening aerial shots are about the only thing I like. I don’t ever recognize any part of the city they are in, and I can’t handle how much everyone is screaming all the time. Feels pretty toxic & I’ve worked hard to remove that from my life. Sometimes the scenes will be thoughtful and poignant but that doesn’t balance out the screaming/stress enough to make it worth it.
That show is really hard for me to stomach. It's just constant panic throughout the entire thing, screaming and yelling, it seems like such an easy script to write. It feels like the show is just an emotion, not a lot of real content. Maybe it gets better the further you go, but I also find some of the characters pretty hard to connect with, and the actress that plays the sous chef is honestly so bad, she's always making the same face and her over-confidence when talking shit to the owners is so out of place for any real kitchen.
I think it’s fine, but I still think it’s hilarious that the ultimate premise of the show is that this guy is like bringing fine dining to Chicago or something
Wow you're the first to ask!
It's pretty good but I consider it a suburbanite show, clearly not originated by someone actually from Chicago. If you know what Chicago is really like, it's annoying.
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Good story and great acting. But man, 30 minutes straight of people yelling at each other is stressful.
So, you’ve worked in kitchens or had a dysfunctional family or both? That Christmas episode reminded me why I go to therapy
The family Xmas episode is worth watching. For me that episode put me in a unique stress, which id love to experience again. It was very stressful and I’d like to replicate that unique feeling. No show ever made me feel that way before Edited
I had a literal panic attack after watching that episode. Obviously the events themselves were outlandish, like the car through the house, but it was the MOOD. It perfectly captured the feeling of being in a chaotic, traumatic family environment, where there’s this need to walk on eggshells because there’s a vague, looming threat that you just can’t navigate without being on the defensive. I can’t even explain it. But whatever fucked up shit the person who wrote that had to go through to understand that feeling and convey it… well. Yeah. It fucked me up more than any horror movie, more than anything really. Hit me right in my soul in a really intense and brutal way. I did not enjoy it lol. Had to turn the tv off and smoke some cigarettes while I calmed down and contemplated life after that one. It might be the best episode of tv I’ve seen in 10 years or more. And somehow also the worst tv experience in that same time frame lol
The older I get, the more I appreciate my family for making scenes like that in shows and movies completely unrelatable to me from a personal standpoint. When you're young, you don't have the perspective to realize and appreciate it but man, I sure do now.
Yo it wasn’t until I met my girlfriends family for thanksgiving when I was 20. Nobody yelled, nobody stormed out, nobody drank too much or bullied anyone … they just ate and laughed and went home happy. I thought it was the craziest thing
The first time I had a panic attack in front of my girlfriend (now wife) was the first time I was at her parents house for a holiday. It was completely stable and great - and I had a panic attack because I’m so used to the eggshells, yelling, etc. It made me realize how not regular some of my family interactions were growing up.
were you like getting more and more stressed as the calm night progressed waiting for the proverbial car to come crashing through the living room?
I could not shake it that first night. I felt like something HAD to go wrong. It’s been 7 years now and I genuinely look forward to visiting my in-laws. Great folks.
Same! My in-laws holidays are relaxed, cheerful, and laid back. It’s wonderful. I have refused my family holidays for 3 years now. It’s not worth it. Fuck bad vibes during this already stressful season
I'm glad I'm not alone with this. The holiday episode could have _been_ my family growing up, maybe cranked to 11, when my family was typically an 8, but still really close to home. The yelling, the drunken fights, the accusations, mom in the kitchen drinking a bit too much getting angry that she isn't getting any help despite refusing it at every turn, even the weird talk of starting your own business selling baseball cards, were dead on the money. When I started dating my wife, and hearing about her family's "fights", I'm like, I know this is traumatic for you, but this is the _worst_ it gets?! Your mom is slightly annoying trying to give you advice? Wow. And then she experienced her first Kiyote Family Thanksgiving, with my mom screaming at me at the top of her lungs that I was leaving a little early to go to my wife's (then girlfriend's) parent's thanksgiving, ruining "her" holiday. Though, luckily, since covid they have kinda chilled out a _whole_ bunch. It's been a few years since there was a major blowup, when it used to be an every holiday thing.
I haven't brought anyone home yet, but I think it's going to be weird for anyone I bring. My family is small. Small small. My only living relatives are my parents and brother and we're all very chill. Holiday dinners are just 4 people having a nice meal in the dining room rather than the kitchen. I don't even know if we have more than 4 dining room chairs anywhere 😅
Odenkirk is such a dark horse in that ep
Give yourself some credit! I think you explained that atmosphere/environment very well!
My entire family and myself moved out of the state, and the particular night I watched that episode I was super homesick. Haven’t gathered with them all together in 5 years. Balled my fucking eyes and laughed my ass off. It was the truest most genuine portrayal of Midwest family dysfunction I’ve ever seen on television. For about an hour I felt like I was transported at my parent’s house.
I was so high when I watched that episode, I had to turn it off. The anxiety was too much. A few friends who happened to be sober (lol) said the same thing. Can we talk about the gun shots in the first or second episode? That shit felt like they were trying to say Chicago business owners use guns to get the attention of the people waiting in line.
With respect to the gun, it was pretty clear that the customers were shocked and terrified, and of course the staff freaked out. So I don't think it's meant to portray that kind of gun usage as normal.
Dysfunctional family here. My partner watched the show, it was difficult for me.
I worked in kitchens for years. This show both gives me ptsd and reminds me why I miss it
The Christmas episode was rough as hell. My family is small now (most of the grandparents etc. were older) but I recognized that episode a lot as reflective of my polish family. And my parents still get grumpy with each other during holidays - during thanksgiving my brother and I were just texting wtf back and forth after we got kicked out of the kitchen trying to help. However, I do keep the clip of Ritchie discovering his purpose (which I think is the next episode?) and driving after staging because it makes me super happy. It’s not like the perfect Chicago show but I think the second season found its footing more and is more of a love letter to Chicago.
The Christmas episode almost put me back in therapy.
Both here. Honestly couldn't watch more than 2 episodes. Same reason I dont like playing Overcooked 2 on the Switch, just too much stress from the past life in kitchens.
I know its still early in his career, but I'm coming to assume anything with Jeremy Allen White as a lead is gonna be trauma porn.
He is currently in a movie with Zac Efron about the Von Erich wrestling family. If you know anything about the Von Erichs then you know that you are correct
Wanna know what its like to be in a high speed, high stress, creative environment? Thats what it's like.
love it. And hate it.
Wow, I feel so validated. I have not heard anyone else say this— I actually couldn’t even finish season 1 because I found the show incredibly stressful.
I made it through one episode and my watch told me my heart rate was too high for not being in active movement. It was too much telling for someone with an anxiety disorder for sure. Which is a shame because I keep hearing how good it is, I just can't handle it.
THATS CHICAGO, AMIRITE????
No one is going to get a "773" tattoo unless it includes "202-LUNA."
It should have just been a Chicago flag tattoo.
Right? It's not like 773 is some badge of honor that harkens back to some OG Chicago native.
anyone here old enough to remember the 90s graffiti around Wicker Park and other 'cool' neighborhoods that said "708ers Go Home" and "Bomb the Suburbs!"? 773 as a tattoo is fucking stupid.
Upski. Wonder what ever happened to him and what he's up to. Was a wild book, he came to a bbq event I put on for my crew in 95. Nice guy. I haven't heard bomb the suburbs in years, shit. Good callback.
Yeah, no one gets areacode tattoos here, but I can also see someone getting it as a sign of where they're from after they've moved away, but doesn't want to be another person with a chicago flag tattoo. I think that fits the character. Also, this may be just me, but it did pop into my head while watching the show that a 773 probably makes a better tattoo visually than a 312.
My perception growing up: 312: your dads office number 630 or 708: you’re from a normal suburb 847: Ooh, an aristocrat! 773: You’ve seen some shit, and are probably a White Sox fan. I think that’s why 773 was the pick. Also remember Chicago Vocational grad Juice Williams rocking the 773 on his eye black while playing QB for Illinois in the late aughts.
As someone who grew up in the southwest suburbs, and still has a 630 cell phone from it, this tracks 100%.
That's exactly how I remember it growing up. I was in the western suburbs back when it was still 312 before they rolled out 708. But still, I think the tat is just a platitude to try and ring in some Chicago pride. Whatevs.
Growing up I had three of those area codes for the same phone number. - 312, 708, 847. I've had a 708 cell for almost 20 years now. Had a 630 pager at one point. Area codes change frequently in the area. Getting a tattoo of one seems the least genuine thing about the show... but maybe to the younger generation they seem a bit more concrete?
Mine is 588-2300
Haha I thought the same when I saw it for the first time, everyone knows 312 is where it's at! And besides, who the fuck gets a tattoo of their area code?? It felt like a ham fisted attempt to cram something specifically "Chicago" into the show. On the other hand, I have my fair share of shitty tattoos, in real life, so..
I know a few Miami folks with 305 tattoos, I don’t think area code tats are really a Chicago thing but they are a thing generally
> everyone knows 312 is where it's at! As someone who grew up in the 773 area and is about the same age as the main character, I kind of disagree with this. 312 was viewed as the snobby area downtown and 773 was the "real Chicago." I think if I were to get either it would be 773, but like you said, getting an area code as a tattoo is dumb in general.
maybe it's a generational thing, but 312 gives me that you live downtown or something whereas 773 let's me know they you're a true Chicagoan to the bone, who's been in all kinds of neighborhoods
I love my 312 area code and will never change. I called in an order to the Greek Islands in Lombard and the guy on the phone made fun of me for it and told me it wasn't cool anymore. Ok dude. I mean, maybe it isn't. I live it in the suburbs now so I know I'm not cool anymore but you don't need to point it out!
I’m one of the few 773’s still around, even since the days of my moms old landline. Everyone I know is 312 😭.
There are a lot of 773s, no? I thought it’s a loop-unloop split
For what its worth there are still a lot of those around. I have two phone numbers one is 312 but my other is a 773, and so is my moms and my sisters and best friends. But yeah I have noticed a lot more 312 numbers
[Here's a recent thread](https://reddit.com/r/chicago/comments/17p7fu5/the_bear_renewed_for_season_3/) from when folks were talking about it a few days ago.
I’d say Richy is the only Chicago character in the show. He lambast suburbanites, he thinks every one is too soft these days, dismisses his bad date for not knowing any Chicago history, thinks he knows more than he does, is very comfortable around guns and drugs. He’s half the bartenders that I love in this city. His dead brother talking about getting smashed at Ceres is solid. Also Mulaney visiting Chicago saying “you’re all insane drunks but I love it” is a very Chicago transplant thing to do. It’s a good thing it’s more universal. They do a good job of sprinkling it in without going full Bojack.
He also has the most believable Chicago accent ever performed on television.
Bit of a self report but, I don't hear Chicago accents much. But when I encounter a real one in the city I savor it. It makes me kinda nostalgic for some reason.
You need to make a trip to a few stores out in Norridge. Chicago accent alive and well
Lol. Love some of the smaller family stores off Harlem where the old guys are pure Chicago and the younger ones aren't but occasionally slip into it when arguing with their parents about who ordered da fuckin eggplant.
Mayfair's got em too. I've been told that when I drink my accent gets pretty bad lol - thanks mom, dad and grandparents for mutating my speech for life.
I don't have the accent regularly but if I am with my brothers and I'm drinking, it comes out full force.
Yeah I have a few drinks and are around my neighborhood/childhood friends my accent gets thick fast. My now husband was highly amused to discover this one St Pats.
I have only known 3 completely separate landlords, all in their 50s, who were the only ones i have ever met with the thick accent. I do know a lot of natives in their 20s who have a unique accent that is much more subtle. It only comes out when they speak quickly or say certain words
Dennis Farina?
Dandruff, tons.
Yes it was spot on! I actually bet my girlfriend money that he was from here! Googled him and was shocked and amazed he is from Massachusetts. 🤯
The Mulaney thing is great too becaue he's from Chicago.
Man when I was a consultant, Ceres was always the worst mistake of the night. But almost once a week we made it. That story felt so familiar.
GOFASTBOATSMOJITO
Check out Station 11 on HBO!!
Southside while you’re at it, it’s hilarious.
[удалено]
They did. It’s on HBO.
The best show nobody I know has seen
I've seen it! Twice! And will watch it again sometime.
Such a good show, this reminded me to read the book that I bought last year
I haven’t read it yet, but I did read Sea of Tranquility (same author/universe) and it was awesome.
The show was great but I found the book to be a million times better. One of my all-time faves.
I watched the show before reading the book, which may bias my feelings, but I felt like the show created a more powerful relationship between Jeevan and Kirsten.
This show is an all-timer.
Station 11 isn't a Chicago show BUT for the couple of episodes that were in it, the locations were on point. They all made sense in relation to each other. There was a point in it, when they were walking on the lake front trail flyover by Navy Pier (which was brand new at the time) with groceries, when I was getting ready to make fun of it for choosing it just for a cool shot, but then they walk up to the Lake Point Tower, the one building that that path would make sense to take, I was sold.
>Station 11 Tried to give it a a shot but it was so boring.
The inconsistent geography sometimes bugs me, but that's going to happen with any non-documentary. it's a good show. Very well cast and performed. I like the visceral food beauty aspect and use of music. It doesn't feel inherently Chicago to me. Change a couple details and it could easily be about Brooklyn or Queens.
I thought the Netflix show Easy did a really good job with geography. Each episode was based on a different couple living in Chicago. They stayed true to different people from different neighborhoods as far as them staying in mostly the same area. They also used any businesses they filmed in actual names and staff as extras.
Easy was definitely a show that I think was effective in trying to be about the North Side rather than just set here.
Easy was INCREDIBLE at capturing Chicago. I thoroughly enjoyed it and sad they didn’t get to truly wrap it up (I think covid derailed it?)
Agreed. I love this show but it being set in Chicago has so very little to do with anything. most of the scenes take place inside. In the restaurant, in a car, in a house. Etc. whereas shows that have the city be a “character” or a part of the show require interaction with the city. Atlanta, Seinfeld, High Maintenance all so much better job making the city a part of the show.
If we’re talking a show reflecting a city, The Wire has to top any list no?
100%
The wire is the best american thing put on film. Not the most enjoyable; the best.
Yeah probably. Though the sopranos nails north jersey as well
Southside does a good job of making the south side a character I think. Also, I think they got the south side attitude correct. They explore the people of the southside and its not this trope of violent despair. People live in houses and have block parties and have families and relationships and are multidimensional. The characters and situations are familiar to me as someone who lives and works on the south side.
Yeah, Southside completely nailed the feel of the southside. It was super refreshing to see it portrayed as it actually is, as opposed to, you know, a violent hellhole where you're constantly dodging bullets. It's a shame it didn't get picked up for a season 4.
I never really saw Atlanta as set in Atlanta. It felt so much like Twin Peaks after the first season.
Yeah it definitely peels itself away from it as it delves more into the magical realism
For sure. Donglover clearly took some inspiration from Dan Harmon in that wierd madcap shit from Community.
It sorta seems more likely that Dan Harmon took his inspiration from Glover - at least some of it.
Atlanta might be my all time favorite show but yeah, Atlanta is just where those characters started. Where they ended up is in the stratosphere.
The River North of the show just isn't River North. They half-assed and almost immediately abandoned anything related to Italian Beef. Characterization related to iconic local food is inconsistent. Italianish people with big, unwieldy families and a mom who has a personality disorder live in lots of cities. That's all fine. Chicago and especially the restaurant scene make for effective set dressing. It's just not about Chicago. It's about the culture of certain kinds of restaurants and the fraught emotions that get wrapped up in creative expression. High Maintenance is a great counter example because it is pretty unmatched in recent years in its focus on the minute details of its setting.
The River North in the show is the River North from 20+ years ago.
Your talking about how they went to Schaumburg on lake shore drive lol
Yeah or like how Sydney seems to live by the Clinton Green Line and takes two trains to work rather than walk one mile. Little details like that never actually matter.
I was unnecessarily frustrated by this. They even said they were on 90/94
Might get crucified for this opinion but in the grand scheme of US culture, Brooklyn, Queens and Chicago share more similarities than differences. Like sure there are definitely differences but I would expect that Brooklyn (especially) and Chicago have a very similar feel to someone who is from neither.
I used to live at Orleans and Superior, which is like a block or two from the beef shop. I didn't like how they portrayed River North to be some shitty part of town. But the show overall felt very Chicago. Omg that Christmas episode gave me PTSD.
River North is characterized as being shitty because it WAS shitty when the creator of the show lived here
Do they even need to shoot season 3 in Chicago? Now that the beef is a completely different restaurant the exterior shots could be anywhere.
I think it’s a show about the restaurant industry set in Chicago, not a show about Chicago
Completely correct, and along with that I'd say the show does a very good job of feeling like it takes place in Chicago without making that a point of the show. Like you know it's not in New York, California, Seattle, etc just by how the characters are without them needing to make references to how Da Bears did last night or anything like that. Though perhaps that also just comes across from having lived in the Chicago area. Perhaps the average viewer would think it's NY without the establishing shots and Italian Beef being known as a Chicago thing.
I feel like they should be Berinskis, not Berzattos
underrated comment
Not sure why this is getting up voted so much. As an Italian American myself this city is just as much influenced by us as polish people. Most of Chicago's unique food is from Italian Americans, Italian beef, chicken vesuvio, deep dish. Aside from Italian beef being the premise of the show, the creator of the show is an Italian American from Chicago and there are alot of references to Italian culture throughout especially the 7 fishes episode.
A little bit tongue in cheek and a little bit channeling the spirit of my mother. Another comment mentioned the concept of "white ethnics," which encompassed Catholics and the huge Italian, Irish, and Polish diasporas. There are obviously large Italian and Irish Catholic communities in NYC and Boston respectively, and I can think of at least a few media depictions of each (whether they're good depictions I can't say). As for Polish Catholics, I can't think of any depictions off the top of my head, and since it's my understanding many ended up in rust belt cities like Chicago, it'd be nice to see the relatively rare media depiction of Chicago include the Polish. Give me Wigilia for Christmas and pączki and stuff. That's not meant to deny additional Italian stories onscreen and it makes sense the show reflects the creator's experience. And ultimately, I can't claim any pressing need for representation since I grew up void of Polish culture (I gravitated towards Judaism instead, much to my mother's chagrin). But my mom was raised connected to her Polish heritage and community in Hamtramck. She'd have loved to see the "Berinskis." Maybe another show will tell their story someday. ETA: The almighty algorithm recommended me [this clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4IletJ7-Tw) from the Simpsons just now. No Polish Catholics in sight!
No shit. As a fellow Eye-talian American, we get shit on whenever we pipe up in any of the food related subs for being proud of our contributions to the American culinary landscape. Folks get apocalyptically mad if you point out that Italians historically weren't considered white (none of my family were listed as Caucasian on their entrance papers) until the white establishment needed more people to push back against the various Civil Rights legislation in the mid 20th century. A lot of our forebears came here with next to nothing, fought against anti-immigrant & anti-Catholic hate, built a life for themselves, and became an integral part of American culture. It's the story of deprivation, diaspora, and success. Seriously, [go take a look at some of the rhetoric from the early 20th century](https://blogs.dickinson.edu/modern-us-history/anti-italianism/) -- looks a lot like what folks say about Central American immigrants now! We still face cultural erasure, to some extent. Depictions of Italian Americans in media still show us as dumb tough guys with mob connections, or greasy hornballs (sometimes both at once).
The only egregiously unrealistic scene was when Syd goes to Avec and Donnie Madia is nice to her.
or walking into Kasama with no line
Or on the first episode when the cousin guy steps outside and fires a gun in the air. In west loop?? Like Yeah alright lol
river north
You right. Even more to my point tho lol
Felt like the first season was too hamfisted with the Chicago references but I still loved it. Second season Chicago references felt a lot more natural, but at the same time, it barely felt like it was set in Chicago at times. Final verdict: Not enough malört
I feel like your experience probably depends a lot on where you are currently. I only lived in Chicago for 5 years and I moved out two years ago. When I watched the show it was very obvious to me that it was Chicago and I loved the references. Even just visiting local restaurants made me feel nostalgic. I feel like if your every day experience is living in Chicago watching the show you might not even realize how much the show FEELS like Chicago but to someone outside it’s a noticeable vibe. It’s the same with how I grew up in Southern California and whenever I watched a movie filmed in LA with nature scenes in chaparral or with uncommon things like outdoor high schools I barely noticed anything odd because to my mind that was always just a normal high school or normal foliage.
This is a really good point. Currently living in Milwaukee and the show felt very Chicago to me.
This guy malorts 🤢
I like the references but a lot of the Chicago stuff is wildly inaccurate. The restaurant is located in a nice area, but it’s portrayed as a dumpy area. A lot of the scenery is more like Chicago in 1980 rather than Chicago in 2020. You will never ever be alone on a train or an architecture tour like the characters. Also, no beef stands bake their own bread.
Agreed. They have The Beef in River North and portray the neighborhood as a place where people start shit on the corner and shoot into the air carelessly. That’s not the neighborhood for that. Plus, I understood that Sydney came from a modest background, but she takes the pink line from Clinton which makes me think she’s in the west loop..? These don’t fit IMO. However, the drone scenes all over the city make you fall in love all over again.
I could not make sense of why she would be at that stop unless it’s the one she lives closest to, and if that’s the case, her dad has money. I think that stop transfers with green line, so maybe coming in from west, but if that’s the case, why not show the starting stop? It’s a little too on the nose for me that there’s a gigantic Malört advertisement above the beef. Also I can’t see a business in River North calling itself anything of *Chicagoland.* You’re literally in Chicago. You would just say that.
I read somewhere that a criticism is it seems the show is written by someone from Indiana. They’ve been to Chicago, can get some deep references, but overall there’s a lot that has you scratching your head. I’d agree it’s pretty obviously written by a non-local but still shows enough love for the city that they must be somewhat near… I realize this is a quick google search but too lazy for that 😅
It was so funny to see them write a white ethnic gang fight in there, like it’s the Daley era or something lol
I felt that the gentrification aspect was not the worst case of creative liberty. That area has changed rapidly enough that those characters all would have experienced it. Or if it’s set like half a mile north of where the real Mr Beef is, then it also makes more sense.
A lot of the conversations in the show were “accurate” but the location and settings in them were not. Richie lamenting gentrification would be an accurate conversation but he could not possibly be saying that in River North recently
Agreed. And all of the 1980s-esque songs made everything feel even more off to me. It doesn't feel or look like a Chicago show, just a show set in Chicago with some footage that doesn't really make sense.
I see almost empty architecture tour boats passing daily by my office and have been on an empty train in the recent past Agree on the area for the restaurant, but until recently, west river north seemed sketchy
But if they did, I would be their customer.
Some of the earlier episodes were super cheesy with the Chicago references, but overall I’ve really enjoyed it so far.
I feel the same. I enjoy it as a show, but not a Chicago specific show. They get too many things wrong, so I choose to enjoy the acting, etc instead of focusing on the location.
The location is wrong. The restaurant is supposed to be set in River North? River north is not a neighborhood where you have a bunch of thugs hanging out on the street corner. River north is corporate chains, nightlife and mid-upper scale establishments. Not a struggling neighborhood beef shop in a semi-sketchy area. I don't get it, even if you didn't know Chicago, a quick look at the area will show that in all of River North you only have maybe a dozen buildings that are a single story business like the beef shop is. There are multiple episodes where they are making it look like gunshots and drive-by shootings are a common enough thing. There's no place in River North where you can just casually walk outside and fire a gun off in the air to grab people's attention without 4 squad cars pulling up. Something like Pilsen/Bridgeport would have made a lot more sense. Has more of a mix of residential areas. Definitely the more southside blue collar feel it seems like they are going for. They even show Sydney waiting at the pink line which would by right in the area.
You havent been to the mcdonalds on Chicago? River north definitely has thugs hanging out on the street corner.
i find it funny that Jeremy Allen White isn't even from Chicago but he's become Mr Chicago
All credit to Ashley Ray Harris for originally pointing this out, but season 1’s “gentrifying the local greasy spoon” plot makes absolutely no sense in River North. Pick Andersonville, Rogers Park, Pilsen, Beverly. Yes, restaurants in River North are dealing with the effects of gentrification, but we’re supposed to believe that these characters are emotionally affected by the loss of working class roots in (checks notes) River North?
A character like Ritchie, who lives constantly in the past? Absolutely. I grew up with plenty of people like him and could slot any of those people right into that role pretty effortlessly. In his case, the "working class roots" is a convenient scapegoat stand-in for the fact that the high school mentality never ended and he's tired of the world moving forward to pass him by. It's, like, his defining character flaw.
I liked the Alice's Lounge and Margie's Candies cameos along with the occasional shots in and around the L. So mainly it's a nice little treat to see some real-life locations. Beyond that there's a lot about the show that doesn't ring true at all or seems very contrived. Real mixed bag of a show if I ever saw one. I hope the next season tones down the "montage of a character set to soft rock as they sit alone looking sad" aspect.
It’s a decent show but it’s pretty ridiculous at times. They can’t get through a single service without something terrible happening. Also the first season was kind of dumb. The cousin goes outside and fires a gun in the air in River North? They have two Michelin star chefs that decide to start a beef place but they are worried about money? I’m pretty sure if that ever happened there would be a line out the door.
Funny enough, have had several shootings on the block in the past couple of years (I live down the street); was walking my dog when they were filming that scene and got pretty startled until I saw the weird furrys lined up / the filming production.
For real. A couple weeks back the actual Mr Beef chef did a collab with Paulina Quality Bread and the line was out the door and down the block. You even had to reserve a pick up time at least a week in advance.
I enjoy complaining about the misrepresentation of chicago while meanwhile watching every episode as it's launched
I don't like how often people say cousin. It's just not that often. It's like the show has a quota. Other than that, I really like the show, but it doesn't have anything that makes it *have* to be in Chicago, which I feel like is what makes a good location show. It used to, with the beef joint. They are surprisingly rare outside of this area.
>It's like the show has a quota. I felt this way about all the scenery montages in the second season. It's like the show's creators saw the feedback that fans of the show really liked the shots of the city, and decided to punctuate literally every scene transition in the second season with more shots of Chicago.
I don’t know I think this is family to family. South side Mexican here, all my cousins call each other cousin or cus. It has always drove me crazy haha.
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It's not. They call each other that because they're "cousins". But not really.
Pretty sure it’s just a Richie thing, and Richie call’s everyone cousin in response. Everyone calls Richie Cousin, and Richie calls everyone Cousin, but the rest of the characters don’t call each other that.
It's just Richie and Carmen, and maybe Carmen's sister. They are "like" family, but not blood relatives, so they call each other cousin. It's weird, and from my experience, not a Chucago thing. I have that thing with my actual cousin, but we don't say it that often. Mostly just in writing.
It gets a lot of things very right, some things close, others not at all. But of all the Chicago shows I've seen TV do, this is the closest to how things are.
I simply can’t bring myself to get through it.
Grew up on the south side and I’ve been in and out of many beef and hot dog stands in my day, I know many families that owned beef and Vienna hot dog stands, and I don’t think I’ve ever once heard any of the workers swear or fight. Totally a misrepresentation of working class culture by writers who don’t know anything about it. Shameless does the same thing. IMO the movie Backdraft gets the Chicago middle class representation very well. No wonder- Ron Howard is serious about his craft.
You probably right but there's a reason they fought, especially that first season. All the staff were pushing back at the change Carmy was trying to make. He was making their jobs "harder" and it was change, and most people don't handle change well. And it's a HUGE change. So that was why they fight. I think that's believable.
I value this response. You make a good point. Doesn’t entirely change my mind, but I see your perspective. That being said- for minimum wage i think they walk out but your point still stands.
See... change is hard. LOL But seriously, thanks for the kind reply. Yes, I think a few of them would have quit. I guess the one guy did, if I remember correctly, and the druggie got fired.
I don’t disagree, but there would be no show without that conflict. I don’t think it’s the writers being clueless, but more them having to have something interesting going on.
If the writing was better they could incorporate more realistic conflict without making the characters seem like Neanderthals just because they’re from the south side.
What characters are portrayed as neanderthals? Overall I think they portray the working class characters as being pretty competent. Tina in particular, who starts the show as an old-school line cook and proves that she can keep up with professionally trained Carmy and Sydney. Richie is definitely portrayed as an asshole and I would agree that at times they went way over the top with his character. But that is also is why the second season episode "Forks" was so great, as staging at the fancy restaurant gave Richie a purpose and showed that even he can absolutely excel when he is in the right role.
Shameless can kiss my south side ass. Eff that show
Totally. That show is hot garbage.
> Backdraft gets the Chicago middle class *working class* Fire fighters are working class, blue collar and Backdraft absolutely nails one segment of that category. **In sociology,** *middle class* is retail clerks, office workers up through the manager ranks, and professionals including doctors and lawyers, etc. All white collar and regardless of income. They have a common thread of salaried and mostly knowledge work. *Blue collar* is mostly wage paid and work with hands ie physical labor. **Income is a separate scale** of social ranking. There is a middle income category that is often conflated with middle social class. Mere income rankings are very crude predictors of social behavior and values while the *class* rankings are fairly accurate when broadly applied. Example = As we know, some blue collar trades people make more in a year than many white collar, middle social class workers. At the cartoon level of behavior we also expect the very successful plumber and the middle rank lawyer with the same annual income will probably live very different life styles and probably hold different social values. Including speech patterns and even subject matter. IOW, income alone does not predict for behavior or values.
love it but doesnt exist on the same plane as real chicago
the bear is like a surrealist version of chicago
Transplants love it.
Bursting’ my buttons with pride!
The show runners love Chicago and it shows. Especially in season two.
Fun show. Almost none of the actors even bothers trying to hide their own regional accent (Ebon Moss-Bachrach did a pretty decent job in the first season if I remember but then I think it’s kind of drifted since then). Beyond that, nice to have a show that references Chicago stuff even if it’s heavy handed or inaccurate sometimes.
I can’t watch it due to my ptsd from being a chef. But that’s all cooking shows that have people yelling. But as far as Chicago vibes is great. The fact that the actor also played on shameless, another great Chicago series, is a good transition. I’m also a fan of The League but it definitely encompasses some of the burb life.
I feel like it presents a Chicago that is grittier / rawer than it actually is for most Chicagoans, much like Shameless does. That said there are some redeeming qualities that do honor the city. The Lin Brehmer Chicago montage that starts S1E7 was a nice moment and added some credibility.
At least it doesn’t show Chicago as a horrible scary place to live. I like the show
I love the Bear as a show but the fact that the restaurant is located in current day River North and portrayed as a gritty neighborhood is something that takes me out of the immersion. River North was a bit like that when I moved to the city 15 years ago but it's totally different now. My brother, who works in Chicago restaurants, cannot take it seriously because he's always like how the fuck are these people not fired?? Specifically Tina in S1. He also goes on rants about how Carm sends people to stage overseas and the business is paying to put some of the characters through culinary school and he's like yeah that's unrealistic and I would just hire people who already know this stuff. I always respond it's a drama and these characters are supposed to be a family but he won't have none of it lol. The most accurate review I can say I've read for the show is that it's written by a person from Indiana. But damn, I will say this about the show... That Christmas flashback episode was WILD. Full on cried after that episode because I had similar family drama at holiday dinners right down to the car being driven into the house by an alcoholic mother.
I love the show Man Seeking Woman but no one talks about it
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Love The Bear
It’s no Easy
A favorite for me
Overall, its pretty spot on. I feel like I've known all the characters in my life, previously. They go a little overboard with things sometimes like the Malort billboard but mostly its pretty good.
It's great to see a show try to capture authentic Chicago life, but it feels like this show goes out of its way to beat us over the head with a Chicago hammer to the point it feels forced.
The opening sequence of season one episode seven stands out as, in my opinion, the greatest digital montage of Chicago ever created. Kind’ve makes me emotional. https://youtu.be/Dhn8gQsV2GE?si=ln6MSihPEgrGi0_g
I love it! It’s got a real Chicago vibe and one the best on screen representations of what it’s like to live in a kitchen. Saying that, it gives me hard core PTSD haha. It makes me re-fall in love with cooking, but also reminds me of why I left the industry. Great acting and story telling.
Good enough scenic shots to make me miss the city and enough little Easter eggs like the guy named Cicero to make me happy.
It is not a Chicago show. It is a show about working in the restaurant industry, and more broadly about art and suffering, that is set in Chicago. Which is fine, but it doesn’t make it a Chicago show for me, and the vibe I get is that people are starting to align how they see Chicago with what they watch on the show.
The opening aerial shots are about the only thing I like. I don’t ever recognize any part of the city they are in, and I can’t handle how much everyone is screaming all the time. Feels pretty toxic & I’ve worked hard to remove that from my life. Sometimes the scenes will be thoughtful and poignant but that doesn’t balance out the screaming/stress enough to make it worth it.
I do think the anti-gentrification views of the characters ring hollow in ... *checks notes* ... River North.
It captures the city well I think.
Terrific show, bonus points for nailing the vibe of a restaurant in the city and the people who would work there.
That show is really hard for me to stomach. It's just constant panic throughout the entire thing, screaming and yelling, it seems like such an easy script to write. It feels like the show is just an emotion, not a lot of real content. Maybe it gets better the further you go, but I also find some of the characters pretty hard to connect with, and the actress that plays the sous chef is honestly so bad, she's always making the same face and her over-confidence when talking shit to the owners is so out of place for any real kitchen.
It’s a fantastic show that highlights a lot of the “things” I love about Chicago. I’ll continue to promote this show to my friends that will “get it”.
Unlikable characters yelling at each other. Definitely absorbing but tiring.
I think it’s fine, but I still think it’s hilarious that the ultimate premise of the show is that this guy is like bringing fine dining to Chicago or something
This comment reads like you didn’t watch the show, you just saw a summary somewhere on the internet.
The second season literally has an episode where one of the main characters trains in a Michelin-star restaurant in Chicago (Ever).
Wow you're the first to ask! It's pretty good but I consider it a suburbanite show, clearly not originated by someone actually from Chicago. If you know what Chicago is really like, it's annoying.
I’m so tired of hearing about it. It is a fine show but people in Chicago can’t stop talking about it.
Love it