Emmys 2024: Hacks' Surprising Triumph Sparks Celebration and Debate

In a surprising twist at the 2024 Emmys, HBO's "Hacks," starring Jean Smart, took home the award for Outstanding Comedy Series, beating out the heavily favored "The Bear." This victory has sparked both celebration and debate among TV fans.

The January 2023 Emmys saw "The Bear," starring Jeremy Allen White, win six awards in the comedy category, although many argued it leaned more towards drama due to its intense depiction of a restaurant's chaotic kitchen. Fast forward to last night’s Emmys, where hosts Eugene and Dan Levy cheekily addressed the ongoing debate about "The Bear's" classification: "We know some of you might expect us to joke about whether 'The Bear' is really a comedy... but in true 'Bear' fashion, we will not be making any jokes."

While "The Bear" continued its success, clinching four awards, including Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Supporting Actress, it fell short of the top prize. Instead, "Hacks" emerged as the unexpected winner for Outstanding Comedy Series, a result that delighted many viewers who felt it was a win for genuine comedy.

On social media, there was a sense of vindication for "Hacks." One user tweeted, "I believe three hours of collective live-tweeting that 'The Bear' is not a comedy actually metaphysically changed the name inside the Outstanding Comedy envelope to 'Hacks,'" while another simply noted, "The Emmys said 'The Bear' is not a comedy."

The win for "Hacks" was seen as a victory for authentic humor. The show, created by Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky, explores the dynamics between an aging stand-up comedian, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), and a young writer, Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder). Their contrasting personalities and generational clash drive the show’s comedy, providing a fresh perspective in Hollywood’s comedic landscape.

Jean Smart's portrayal of Deborah Vance has been widely praised, earning her the Outstanding Leading Actress in a Comedy award for the third time. Her acceptance speech humorously acknowledged HBO’s rebranding to Max: "...everybody at HBO. At…Max – I'm sorry. Just what we needed, another network."

"Hacks" has been applauded for its portrayal of complex characters and the generational divide, making its triumph at the Emmys a significant and celebrated moment in the world of television.