Hacks sets Emmy nominations record but Widow's Bay sweeps comedy
Hacks made Emmy history and then lost almost everything.
The HBO comedy entered its fifth and final season with 24 nominations, the most ever for a comedy series in a single year, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It left with two. One was a picture-editing prize at the Creative Arts Emmys, which honour technical and craft categories ahead of the main telecast. The other kept a streak alive.
Jean Smart won best actress in a comedy for Hacks. It was her fifth win in the category for the role, reported by Consequence, and made her the first woman to win the best actress Emmy for every season of a television series.
The comedy story belonged elsewhere. Widow's Bay won 14 of the 19 Emmys for which it was nominated. It took every comedy category presented on Monday night except best actress, and it won Best Comedy at the 2026 ceremony, as listed by The New York Times.
The Bear managed a single win from its haul. That went to Rob Reiner as guest actor. Beef had a colder night. Its second season arrived with 16 nominations and left empty-handed in all major categories. That is a sharp turn from 2023, when the first season won eight awards including both lead acting prizes.
In limited series, DTF St. Louis won best limited series. That was its only win on the main telecast. Its supporting actor, supporting actress and writing awards were presented at the Creative Arts Emmys. Sally Field won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, the Television Academy lists confirm.
Two drama acting prizes went to familiar names. Allison Janney won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for The Diplomat, reported by Deadline. It was her eighth career Emmy. Tom Pelphrey won supporting actor in a drama for his work on Task, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Variety delivered the night's clearest changing of the guard. The final season of Stephen Colbert's Late Show won the combined best variety series category and best writing for a variety series. The variety series contest had been made an area award, a format that allows more than one winner. Colbert's show was the only winner. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver went home empty-handed. Saturday Night Live won once, for best makeup, and missed on 11 other nominations.
What makes this stand out is the maths. A record 24 nominations produced two trophies. A 19-nomination haul produced 14.
The 78th Emmy Awards were hosted by Mariska Hargitay and aired live on NBC and Peacock on Monday, September 14 at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET.
