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Hi.

My name is Gary Zidek. Welcome to The Arts Section. Tune into the radio program every Sunday morning on WDCB 90.9 & 90.7 FM or listen to it online here. I'll be showcasing a variety of arts & entertainment stories.

Italian Beefs, a Guy Named Cicero & a Murray Brother Story, THE BEAR Gets Chicago

Italian Beefs, a Guy Named Cicero & a Murray Brother Story, THE BEAR Gets Chicago

WDCB’s Gary Zidek catches up with author and GQ magazine contributor Jason Diamond to chat about the new FX series THE BEAR.

“Chicago is a city full of nuances that you just have to not only understand, but appreciate.” - GQ writer Jason Diamond talking about the challenges past films and TV shows have had depicting Chicago.

(let) Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Richard 'Richie' Jerimovich and Ayo Edebiri as Sydney Adamu in THE BEAR

The new FX show THE BEAR comes form first-time showrunner Christopher Storer and stars Jeremy Allen White as Carmen Berzatto, aka “Bear”. Carmen is a world-class fine-dining chef who has returned to his hometown of Chicago to save his family’s Italian Beef restaurant. The shop is called the ORGINAL BEEF OF CHICAGOLAND in the show, but bears a striking resemblance to Mr. Beef in the River North neighborhood. The show features a cast of true Chicago characters who go by names like Cicero, Cousin and Gary. And it’s the characters who are THE BEAR’s true strength, every one in the show feels like a version of someone we’ve all met before. Beyond that, it nails the details of what it’s like working in a restaurant. The fast-pace and claustrophobic feeling of working with a bunch of people in a hot kitchen. On top of all that, THE BEAR captures what Chicago is actually like better than most films or TV shows.

The fictional Italian beef spot in THE BEAR.

You can check out Jason Diamond’s GQ piece on THE BEAR by clicking here. And all 8 episodes of THE BEAR are available to stream on Hulu.

Theater Project Exploring Bi-Cultural Identity Receives Joyce Award

Theater Project Exploring Bi-Cultural Identity Receives Joyce Award

Hooking Up At Cleve Carney Museum of Art

Hooking Up At Cleve Carney Museum of Art