This is a silly TV Series idea.
BERNIE THE CITY BEAR
A Half-Hour Comedy Series
LOGLINE: A sophisticated black bear food critic navigates life in the big city while trying to balance his refined urban lifestyle with his wild instincts, one bow tie at a time.
SERIES OVERVIEW: "Bernie the City Bear" is a charming adult animated comedy that follows Bernie, a 400-pound black bear who's traded the forest for the concrete jungle. As the city's most respected (and only) ursine food critic, Bernie brings his uniquely refined palate and disarming charm to a world still getting used to a bear riding the subway.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Primary: Adults 18-34 Secondary: Urban professionals 25-45 The show's clever humour and social commentary will appeal to fans of "BoJack Horseman," "Tuca & Bertie," and "Bob's Burgers."
MAIN CHARACTERS:
- BERNIE: Our protagonist is a food critic with impeccable taste and a collection of bow ties. Despite his sophistication, he still occasionally has to fight the urge to raid dumpsters.
- MARIA: A raccoon chef and Bernie's best friend who runs an underground supper club in the park.
- GREGORY: Bernie's human neighbour, an anxious accountant who gradually becomes his closest friend and voice of reason.DIANE: The elderly bridge club champion who took Bernie under her wing and now treats him like her oversized grandson.
- CHEF MARCEL: A pretentious restaurant owner who is Bernie's nemesis, constantly trying to discredit him as "just a bear."
SEASON ONE ARC: The first season follows Bernie as he tries to earn a prestigious food critic award while dealing with:
- His editor insists he review more honey-based restaurants (his known bias)
- A dating show that wants him as their next bachelor ("Bear Looking for Love")
- His mother visits from the woods and is horrified by his "unnatural" lifestyle
- A viral video of him accidentally dancing to street music that makes him an internet sensation
- The annual food festival where he must face off against Chef Marcel
EPISODE EXAMPLES:
"The Honey Trap" Bernie must recuse himself from reviewing the city's hottest new meadery due to his species bias, leading to an identity crisis about what makes him a "real" food critic.
"Bear Minimum" During a heatwave, Bernie's expensive AC breaks down, forcing him to choose between his dignity and his natural instincts when the city opens cooling centers.
"Unbearable Lightness of Dating" Bernie tries speed dating but keeps intimidating his potential matches accidentally by standing up to full height or unconsciously growling at waiters.
VISUAL STYLE: Sophisticated 2D animation with a warm, urban colour palette. The city feels lived-in and diverse, populated by both humans and animals living in harmony. Bernie's expressions are subtle and nuanced, playing against the expected "bear" stereotypes.
THEMES:
- Finding identity between natural instincts and chosen lifestyle
- The value of creating your own family
- Urban life vs. natural inclinations
- Breaking stereotypes and prejudices
- Food as a universal language
FRANCHISE POTENTIAL:
- Bernie's Guide to City Living (book series)
- Mobile game: Bernie's Restaurant Rush
- Merchandise featuring Bernie's signature bow ties
- Possible spin-off following Maria's underground supper club
"Bernie, the City Bear" offers a fresh take on the fish-out-of-water story, combining sophisticated humour with heart. It explores modern urban life through the unique lens of a character who bridges the gap between the natural and human worlds while making us laugh and challenging our assumptions about where we truly belong.
