“The Bear” is such an Emmy favorite that no one would have minded if the series had won another Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series.

But that didn’t happen.

“Hacks” pulled off a surprise win, taking home first place at the conclusion of the 76th Emmy Awards on Sunday.

A big part of this is due to series star Jean Smart, who won her third Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her portrayal of experienced comedian Deborah Vance in the show.

So did Paul W. Downs from New Jersey.

Downs, who grew up in Sussex, created the show with Jen Statsky and Lucia Aniello. He also plays talent manager Jimmy in the series.

Downs accepted the award alongside his co-creators, shortly after receiving the Emmy for Outstanding Screenplay for a Comedy Series.

When he heard host Catherine O’Hara announce “Hacks” as the winner, Downs covered his face in shock while his wife, Aniello, put her hands on her head.

MORE: Meet ‘Hacks’ star and co-creator Paul W. Downs (Interview). Emmy winner on his comedy awakening in New Jersey.

Although they have previously won an Emmy for writing, this is the first time “Hacks” has won the Emmy for outstanding comedy series. The show has been nominated in this category since 2021, the year it premiered on Max. This year, “Hacks” won a total of three Emmys.

The series’ win for best comedy follows ongoing debate over whether or not “The Bear,” with its tense, high-drama atmosphere, belongs in the comedy category. The popular FX/Hulu series won 11 Emmys this year – including acting awards for Jeremy Allen White, Liza Colón-Zayas, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jon Bernthal – setting a new record for most awards for a comedy season.

“We are so lucky to be able to live our dream and make television, and it wouldn’t be possible without our ‘Hacks’ family,” Downs, 41, said as he accepted the award alongside the show’s cast and creative team, including stars Smart and Hannah Einbinder.

“All of our writers, all of our actors, all of our staff who make our dreams come true, literally,” he said. “I mean, look at the camera people tonight who do such an incredible job and make this show possible. Thank you to the staff. Thank you so much.”

“When we proposed this show about two women, one of whom was over 60, we didn’t know if we would sell it,” Downs continued.

“About 20% of our population is over 60 and of that, only 3% of these characters are on TV. I’d love to see more of them because, although I’m a great young supporting actor, I really want to play a good old leading role.”

Aniello also spoke about the show’s important role as a comedy.

“Comedy is obviously very important to us but we really feel that it can bridge divides,” she said. “When you laugh with someone you have something in common with them so please support comedy, it speaks truth to power. It really does. So support your local comedian and we have to go because in five days we start filming the next season.”

“Hacks” was nominated for 16 Emmys this year for its third season. Aniello, Downs and Statsky won the writing Emmy for the episode “Bulletproof.”

In the series, Einbinder, a real-life stand-up comedian, plays Ava Daniels, a young comedy writer. Daniels reluctantly takes a job writing for Smart’s veteran comedian Vance in Las Vegas after a poorly received tweet branded her an outsider in Hollywood.

Beginning with the series’ Emmy-winning pilot episode in 2021, the dynamic bond between Vance and Daniels has evolved and taken on new dimensions.

Downs’ character Jimmy is Vance and Daniels’ manager.

“We make a show about comedy because for us, as three weird, lonely kids, it was what made us feel connected to other people,” Downs said as she accepted the Emmy for outstanding writing for a comedy series.

Then Statsky and Aniello whispered something in his ear – it turned out they were popular, or rather not unpopular – so Downs adjusted his remarks.

“It made a lonely weirdo and two semi-popular girls feel connected to other people,” he said. “And if you watched that show, or felt seen by the show and laughed at it, we thank you, because you made us feel more connected to the world.”

Smart’s 2024 Emmy for his portrayal of Vance followed additional awards for the role in 2021 and 2022.

Downs, Aniello and Statsky already won an Emmy for outstanding writing for a comedy series in 2021 for the pilot “There is No Line.” Aniello won an Emmy for directing the same episode.

“Hacks” wins the Emmy for outstanding comedy series ahead of “Abbott Elementary,” “The Bear,” “Leave it, Larry!”, “Only Murders in the Building,” “Palm Royale,” “Reservation Dogs” and “What We Do in the Shadows.”