The 2024 Emmy Awards were a little boring tonight until they got to the final award.
Surprise! HBO’s “Hacks,” an actual comedy, won over “The Bear,” a drama cloaked as a comedy in the wrong category..
“Hacks” also won Best Actress for Jean Smart and best writing for a comedy. Not bad!
“The Bear” still won comedy prizes for Best Actor, Supporting Actress and Actor, and Guest Actor and Actress. My favorite of these was Lisa Colon-Zayas winning Supporting Actress for an absolutely splendid episode about her character.
Much of the night was dull but not offensively so, and some presenters got to get their digs in. The best was Candice Bergen, looking stunning, recalling how stupid former VP Dan Quayle was when he attacked “Murphy Brown” for having a child with no husband. The connection was made to JD Vance. And Bergen ended with “Meow,” a great touch.
Candice Bergen, who famously drew the ire of then-Vice President Dan Quayle when Murphy Brown raised a child as a single mother, reflects on how much has (not) changed since then in one of the #Emmys best moments. pic.twitter.com/4Gn5DbXAop
— Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) September 16, 2024
“Shogun” was the big winner of the night, breaking records as Best Drama and picking up numerous other awards including Best Actor and Actress in a Drama. They picked up 16 awards all together.
So interesting that HBO managed to convince voters that “The Bear” is not a comedy. “Hacks” certainly should have won. “The Bear” should go into Best Drama next time. This was a cynical ploy, and it was rejected. For HBO, “Hacks” is now a stunning success. I hope we’ll have seven total seasons.
PS Best Tweets of the night came from Laraine Newman, mother of actress Hannah Einbinder, co-star of “Hacks.” Newman was one of the original “SNL” Not for Prime Time Players.
Full list to follow…
I think the Bear is a great show but IMHO it’s not a comedy- not even a dark comedy.
— Laraine Newman (@larainenewman) September 16, 2024
