FX was the network to beat with the likes of Shōgun and The Bear on its slate, but HBO/Max did walk away with some Emmy honors at the 2024 ceremony.
One of the big wins was that HACKS was able to get away with top comedy honors!
OUTSTANDING COMEDY SERIES
Hacks • HBO | Max • Universal Television in association with Paulilu, First Thought Productions, Fremulon Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment
HACKS got another win for putting the right words in Deborah Vance’s mouth.
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Hacks • Bulletproof • HBO | Max • Universal Television in association with Paulilu, First Thought Productions, Fremulon Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment Written by Lucia Aniello, Written by Paul W. Downs, Written by Jen Statsky
And the icing on the cake for HACKS is that Jean Smart won for her role yet again.
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Hacks • HBO | Max • Universal Television in association with Paulilu, First Thought Productions, Fremulon Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment; Jean Smart as Deborah Vance
The other big win was for Jodie Foster, proving that she still has game as if you should have doubted. Her portrayal of Danvers in TRUE DETECTIVE: NIGHT COUNTRY took the honor. Kellie Reis did not take her category, but that an Indigenous person got the nomination hopefully was a thrill enough.
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A LIMITED OR ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOVIE
True Detective: Night Country • HBO | Max • HBO in association with Peligrosa, Neon Black, Anonymous Content, Parliament of Owls and Passenger; Jodie Foster as Detective Elizabeth Danvers
No surprise for this next mention. LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER once again bests its category. 
OUTSTANDING SCRIPTED VARIETY SERIES
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver • HBO | Max • HBO in association with Peyance Productions and Avalon Television; John Oliver, Executive Producer/Host Tim Carvell, Executive Producer; Liz Stanton, Executive Producer; Jeremy Tchaban, Co-Executive Producer Catherine Owens, Supervising Producer Whit Conway, Producer; Kaye Foley, Producer Laura L. Griffin, Producer; Christopher McDaniel, Producer Kate Mullaney, Producer; Matt Passet, Producer Megan Peck Shub, Producer Wynn Van Dusen, Producer Marian Wang, Producer Charles Wilson, Producer; Rebecca Etchberger, Producer Nicole Franza, Line Producer
Here is something to look forward to because we haven’t reviewed ALEX EDELMAN: JUST FOR US yet.
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY SPECIAL
Alex Edelman: Just For Us • HBO | Max • HBO in association with Above Average; Written by Alex Edelman
At the Creative Arts Emmy ceremony, held separately, there were three HBO/Max shows honored. Two of those awards were for writing. Both John Oliver’s (LAST WEEK TONIGHT) and Conan O’Brien’s (CONAN O’BRIEN MUST GO) gigs won them.
Writing for a Variety Series – Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO | Max) DANIEL O’BRIEN, Senior Writer, OWEN PARSONS Senior Writer, CHARLIE REDD Senior Writer, JOANNA ROTHKOPF, Senior Writer, SEENA VALI, Senior Writer, JOHNATHAN APPEL, Writer, ALI BARTHWELL, Writer, TIM CARVELL, Writer, LIZ HYNES, Writer, RYAN KEN, Writer, MARK KRAMER, Writer, SOFÍA MANFREDI, Writer, JOHN OLIVER, Writer, TAYLOR KAY PHILLIPS, Writer, CHRISSY SHACKELFORD, Writer
Writing for a Nonfiction Program – Conan O’Brien Must Go (HBO | Max) Ireland Written by JESSIE GASKELL, CONAN O’BRIEN, MATT O’BRIEN, MIKE SWEENEY
And, believe it or not, THE IDOL won one. It won for the category that you’d expect —
Choreography for Scripted Programming The Idol (HBO | Max) Routines: Rehearsal/Music Video Shoot/Dollhouse NINA MCNEELY, Choreographer
Okay, so not the strongest showing for HBO this time around. Awards are only exciting for the people who care about them. Just enjoy what you want to enjoy, whether it is acclaimed or not. If FX’s shows and Netflix’s Baby Reindeer deserved the majority of the wins then so be it.
