Richie’s 7 References From Movies & Famous People In The Bear Explained

FX’s The Bear offers a gritty look into the human condition through the eyes of the masterminds behind the most ambitious restaurant in Chicago, and throw show is filled with pop culture references, many of which come from Cousin Richie. The Emmy-winning series takes a deep look at each of its characters, developing everyone’s backstories, personal interests, and idiosyncrasies as it progresses. A fan and critic’s favorite is certainly The Bear‘s Richie “Cousin” Jeremovich (Ebon Moss-Bacharach), whose often abrasive personality masks a deep emotional core with unique pop culture interests.

Throughout The Bear, Richie frequently quotes celebrities, movies, and television shows to get his point across. Richie is one of The Bear‘s characters who does not know life outside of Chicago, and it is clear that he bases much of his worldview on what he has learned through the popular media and his own life experience working in the fast-paced kitchens of the city’s restaurants. From the works of Ridley Scott to belting a Taylor Swift song in The Bear season 2, Richie’s diverse interests truly enrich his character.

7 Richie Calls People “Replicants” In Reference To Blade Runner

Richie Is Clearly A Ridley Scott Fan

Richie is, in all his chaos, often the person who calls for order and brings the ambitious kitchen of The Bear back down to earth after heated arguments and the many trials of running a high-end restaurant. From heading outside with a megaphone and a gun to dispel an angry mob to screaming “I love you” at Carmy while he is stuck in a freezer, Richie uniquely manages to ground himself and his coworkers throughout The Bear.

In season 1, episode 5, Richie enters the restaurant, at first, the Beef, which acclaimed chef Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) inherits from his late brother, and asks them all “what’s good you f*ckin replicants.” A replicant is a bioengineered humanoid in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and refers to a race of beings that look human but are robotically programmed for a specific mission.

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Richie likely made this reference due to the ongoing division at the Beef, as Carmy works on slowly turning it into a high-end restaurant as opposed to the neighborhood sandwich spot it has been for generations. Carmy is highly organized and methodical, whereas Richie and the rest of the kitchen staff are used to working in organized chaos. One by one, realizing that Carmy’s new system is more efficient in the long run, the staff take his side, leading Richie to joke that they must be “replicants” since they are blindly following Carmy, who they do not know as well.

6 Richie References Black Hawk Down

It Is Another Moment That Showcases His Affinity For Sci-Fi

In season 1, episode 7 of The Bear, chaos erupts when the Beef’s new digital order system is overwhelmed with more orders than the group can handle. It all culminates in one of The Bear‘s most morbidly funny moments when chef Sydney Adamu (Ayo Edebri) accidentally stabs Richie while they are in a heated argument. Richie then delivers his nonchalant “I got stabbed“, to which Carmy replies “probably f*cking deserved it.”

Ebra (Edwin Lee Gibson), one of the Beef’s original cooks, stitches up Richie’s wound and attempts to distract him from the pain under the guise of a story about his life in Somalia before he came to the U.S. as a refugee. After he is done, Richie realizes that Ebra was simply reciting the plot of Black Hawk Down, another Scott-directed war film set in Somalia. Richie then says, “Wait, is this shit f*ckin’ Black Hawk Down? F*ckin Piven.“

This film reference offers a small glimpse of what is to come with Ebra’s character, and how his American friends and coworkers view his culture and journey. All the while, the completely unbridled chaos being likened to a war movie matches the tonality of the episode, including its (accidental) violent stabbing.

5 Richie Has A Framed Alien Poster In His Home

His Solo Episode Zeroes In On His Love For Sci-Fi

In season 2, episode 7, titled “Forks,” Richie gets the main character treatment, and viewers get a window into the balancing act of his life between working at the Beef and co-parenting his young daughter who he shares with his ex-wife. As the team readies to turn the Beef into the titular “the Bear,” Carmy sends each member of his kitchen out for further culinary training.

This means Richie goes to work for Chef Terry (Olivia Colman) for a bit to learn the ropes of an experimental fine dining restaurant like Ever. Establishing shots depict Richie cleaning up his home after his daughter was there. The juxtaposition of his Alien posters with his young daughter’s crayons splayed across the table creates an interesting point visually – that Richie is still stuck between childhood and adulthood.

His love of sci-fi could potentially stem from his lack of exposure to new places outside his Chicago neighborhood, or his inability to face reality. This all changes in “Forks” when Terry challenges Richie in ways that build his character into one that continues to emerge as a viewer and critical favorite.

4 Richie Also Owns A White Squall Poster

His Connection To Ridley Scott Continues To Grow

Also in Richie’s home is a framed White Squall poster. This Scott film is a dramatization based on the real sinking of the Albatross in 1961 and is classified as a disaster survival film with coming-of-age elements. Richie’s affinity for the film is emblematic of his own journey that plays out in “Forks.” It is arduous at times, but he finds camaraderie with his chosen family at the restaurant.

The Albatross, the name of the real boat that remains the same in White Squall, could also bear its own double meaning. The metaphoric phrase of an albatross around one’s neck refers to a psychological burden or guilt. The concept was born from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1797 poem “The Rime of The Ancient Mariner,” in which a sailor accidentally kills an albatross, a sign of bad luck, and the other sailors force him to wear the bird around his neck while on board as a reminder (via Poetry Foundation).

While the storyline has not been fully fleshed out just yet, it is clear that Richie’s albatross in The Bear is his guilt over how things ended with his ex-wife Tiff (Gillian Jacobs). It has thus far been insinuated that their relationship likely ended due to his financial and professional instability in life, and his general lack of ambition. “Forks” sees Richie take a major step in healing from these feelings, and helps him realize his true passion and talents.

3 Richie Quotes David Lee Roth Of Van Halen

He Uses The Quote To Explain His Lack Of Etiquette

Throughout season 2, an evolved yet stuck-in-his-ways Richie continues to defend his chaotic behaviors. He tells Carmy’s sister Natalie (Abby Elliott), “I’m not like this because I’m in Van Halen. I’m in Van Halen because I’m like this.” The quote connects to the central themes of the show and Carmy’s own worries about whether the restaurant business breeds chaos for everyone or if it requires the touch of broken people.

It is clear that while he may lack a formal college education, Richie has learned to relate his life experience to his favorite pieces of media to help people understand him. Roth is known for his energetic yet erratic stage presence, and this is something that Richie could only hope to emulate as he prepares to run the front of the house of the newly renovated The Bear. The quote summarizes Richie’s often rash decisions and quick thinking perfectly.

2 Richie And Syd Mention Coach K’s Book

Syd First Receives It As A Gift From Her Father

Mike Krzyzewski, known widely as Coach K for his time coaching the University of North Carolina at Chapell Hill’s all-star basketball team, dropped a book on leadership in 2000. “Leading With The Heart” was released to generally positive reviews, and offered refreshingly positive leadership advice based on mutual respect and honesty.

Syd’s father gifts her a copy of the book when she tells him about her promotion to head chef through the ranks of The Bear. Richie, being familiar with college basketball, recognizes the book, and strikes up a conversation about it, as does Marcus (Lionel Boyce).

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While Syd does not follow college basketball, she becomes engrossed in the advice the book has to offer. A pillar of the book is also knowing when to delegate and when to serve, which is a big part of Richie’s journey as well. Coach K’s inclusion in The Bear is in part a homage to his hometown of Chicago.

1 Richie Belts This Taylor Swift Song In His Car

Richie Bumps “Love Story” In “Forks”

Throughout The Bear, it is shown that Richie’s daughter has an affinity for pop superstar Taylor Swift. He bonds with her over Swift’s music and even manages to snag tickets to “The Eras Tour” for both of them and her mother, Tiff. Flashbacks later reveal Tiff wearing a t-shirt with Swift’s 1989 album cover on it while she is pregnant, revealing that Tiff was a fan of Swift’s first and imbued the love and appreciation for her music into their daughter.

Given Richie’s clear regrets about how things ended with Tiff, it becomes clear that he feels connected to both her and their daughter through Swift’s music. While he does not truly understand the hype at first, everything changes when he blasts “Love Story” and belts along in his car after driving home from Chef Terry’s restaurant, Ever. “Love Story” was an early career hit single for Swift, and gives Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet a happy ending.

While Richie might have felt he and Tiff were star-crossed lovers, his love story in “Forks” is about life and finding purpose. He finds joy in serving customers and creating memorable experiences for them on their travels or milestone occasions, and learns that his personality is not a detriment, but a strength when used positively. It is a pivotal scene and arguably one of the most important pop culture moments in The Bear so far.

Source: Poetry Foundation

Set in a Chicago sandwich shop, The Bear follows Carmy Berzatto, a young professionally trained chef who returns to take over his family business after the unexpected death of his brother. At odds with many of the shop’s employees due to his culinary training, Carmy struggles to maintain order and keep the shop from failing entirely. Jeremy Allen White stars as Carmy alongside Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Ayo Edebiri. 

Release Date

June 23, 2022

Seasons

2

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu , Dis

Writers

Christopher Storer

Directors

Christopher Storer

Showrunner

Christopher Storer

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