Surprise Upset at 2024 Emmy Awards As HBO’s ‘Hacks’ Wins Best Comedy

The 2024 Emmy Awards concluded with a notable surprise, as HBO’s “Hacks” usurped expectations by winning the Best Comedy category. Despite “The Bear” from FX dominating the ceremony with numerous victories, it did not secure the top prize for Best Comedy.

“Hacks,” which follows an aging comedian as she mentors a younger comedian, triumphed in part due to the stellar performance of Jean Smart, who secured the award for Best Actress in a Comedy. This victory comes after Smart had previously won the Best Actress in a Comedy for her role in “Hacks” at the 2023 Emmys.

Over three seasons, “Hacks” has been nominated 48 times at the Emmys, winning nine, including three victories at this year’s ceremony. Besides Best Actress and Best Comedy, it won Best Writing for a Comedy Series, attributed to the creative talents of Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky.

Meanwhile, “The Bear” made a remarkable mark by clinching 11 wins, setting a record for most wins by a comedy series in a single year, surpassing its previous record of 10. Jeremy Allen White was recognized again with the Best Actor trophy for the second consecutive year. Supporting actors Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Liza Colón-Zayas also received accolades, with Colón-Zayas becoming the first Latina actress to win in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy category.

Prior to the Primetime Emmy Awards, “The Bear” achieved substantial success at the Creative Arts ceremony, securing seven awards, including one for Jamie Lee Curtis as Best Guest Actress in a Comedy.

In a competitive field, other shows in contention for top honors included ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” “Reservations Dogs” on FX, “Curb Your Enthusiasm” from HBO, “Palm Royale” on Apple TV+, and “What We Do in the Shadows” from FX.

The decision to categorize “The Bear” as a comedy has sparked debate, with some questioning its fit due to its dramatic elements. The Television Academy of Arts and Sciences, responsible for organizing the Emmy Awards, has defended its approach, allowing producers to decide their show’s genre classification. They argued that humor is a primary component of “The Bear.”

Despite the controversy, the evening highlighted the remarkable achievements and substantial talent represented in the comedy genre. The show’s witty script and Jean Smart’s valuable performance indeed connected with voters this year, showcasing the resilience and appeal of “Hacks.”