A Night of Surprises at the Emmys: “Shogun” Dominates, “Hacks” Upsets “The Bear

A Night of Surprises at the Emmys: “Shogun” Dominates, “Hacks” Upsets “The Bear”

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The 76th Annual Emmy Awards were a night filled with surprises, milestones, and history-making moments, as FX’s Shogun emerged as the biggest winner, capturing best drama honors and breaking an Emmys record that had stood for over a decade, as was reported by The New York Times. Meanwhile, in an unexpected twist, Hacks dethroned the critically acclaimed The Bear to win best comedy, a category in which the latter had been heavily favored.

FX’s Shogun, a lavish retelling of life in feudal Japan, set a new standard at the Emmys by winning 18 awards in total. According to the information provided in the NYT report, this remarkable achievement not only earned Shogun the prestigious best drama series honor but also shattered a 16-year-old record for the most awards won by a single show in one year. The previous record was held by the HBO mini-series John Adams, which had garnered 13 Emmys in 2008.

One of the most significant aspects of Shogun’s success was its achievement as a foreign-language series. While produced by FX, an American network, and streaming on Hulu, approximately 70% of the show’s dialogue is in Japanese. Indicated in the NYT report was that although foreign-language shows such as Netflix’s Squid Game have won Emmys in the past, Shogun made history by securing the top drama award, marking a major breakthrough for non-English language content in one of television’s most prestigious categories.

Hiroyuki Sanada took home the best actor award for his portrayal of a noble samurai navigating the brutal intricacies of Japanese feudal society. His performance was widely praised for its emotional depth and nuanced portrayal of a complex character. Similarly, Anna Sawai won the Emmy for best actress in a drama, recognizing her stellar performance that anchored much of the series’ emotional weight, as was pointed out in the NYT report. These acting wins solidified Shogun’s place in the annals of Emmy history, celebrating the artistry and impact of a story deeply rooted in Japanese culture.

Shogun’s dominance at the Emmys signals a growing acceptance and appreciation for international stories, reflecting television’s increasingly globalized landscape. The NYT report explained that while foreign-language shows have gradually gained traction in the U.S., Shogun’s victory in the best drama category stands out as a watershed moment for cross-cultural storytelling.

The night’s biggest upset came in the comedy category, where Hacks triumphed over The Bear, last year’s winner and the heavy favorite to repeat. The Bear, a tense and often emotionally charged workplace dramedy set in Chicago’s restaurant industry, had dominated the awards circuit in recent months, garnering widespread acclaim, according to the NYT report. The show made headlines in July when it broke the record for the most Emmy nominations for a comedy series, fueling expectations that it would sweep the major categories.

However, Hacks, a sharply written and critically lauded series, gained unexpected momentum as the night unfolded. Writers Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky won for best writing in a comedy series, defeating The Bear in a category it was expected to dominate, the report added. This victory signaled a shift in the evening’s tone, with Hacks proving that it was a serious contender despite The Bear’s industry buzz.

For some, the backlash against The Bear being included in the comedy category contributed to its loss. While the show is undeniably masterful, its intense, high-stakes workplace drama, set in the gritty world of Chicago’s restaurant industry, has led many to question whether it should even be classified as a comedy. Some critics and industry insiders argued that the show’s emotional weight and lack of traditional humor made it a more fitting candidate for the drama categories. The report in the NYT said that even Emmy host Eugene Levy hinted at this debate during the ceremony, quipping, “In the true spirit of The Bear, we will not be making any jokes.”

While The Bear did not clinch the top award in the comedy category, it did not leave the Emmys empty-handed. Jeremy Allen White secured his second consecutive win for best actor in a comedy, further solidifying his reputation as one of television’s most compelling talents. The NYT report indicated that White’s portrayal of Carmy, a high-strung chef trying to rebuild his family’s failing restaurant, has been widely praised for its raw emotional intensity and complexity.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach also repeated his success from last year, taking home the award for best supporting actor in a comedy for his role as Richie, Carmy’s brash and impulsive cousin. Meanwhile, Liza Colón-Zayas won her first Emmy for best supporting actress in a comedy, recognizing her standout performance as Tina, a loyal but beleaguered staff member caught in the maelstrom of the restaurant’s chaos.

Despite these individual triumphs, the broader disappointment for The Bear in the best comedy category may reflect the industry’s evolving understanding of genre and how the lines between comedy and drama are increasingly blurred in modern television.

Here is a list of all winners at the 2024 Emmy Awards:

Drama Categories

Best Drama Series: Shogun (FX)

Best Actor in a Drama Series: Hiroyuki Sanada (Shogun)

Best Actress in a Drama Series: Anna Sawai (Shogun)

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Peter Mullan (Shogun)

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Thuso Mbedu (The Woman King: The Series)

Best Directing for a Drama Series: Justin Kurzel (Shogun)

Best Writing for a Drama Series: Ramin Bahrani (The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die)

Comedy Categories

Best Comedy Series: Hacks (HBO Max)

Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Jeremy Allen White (The Bear)

Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart (Hacks)

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear)

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear)

Best Directing for a Comedy Series: Lucia Aniello (Hacks)

Best Writing for a Comedy Series: Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky (Hacks)

Limited or Anthology Series/TV Movie Categories

Best Limited or Anthology Series: The Last of Us (HBO)

Best Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series/TV Movie: Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us)

Best Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series/TV Movie: Dominique Fishback (Swarm)

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series/TV Movie: Murray Bartlett (The Last of Us)

Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series/TV Movie: Niecy Nash-Betts (Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story)

Best Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series/TV Movie: Craig Mazin (The Last of Us)

Best Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series/TV Movie: Craig Mazin (The Last of Us)

Variety and Reality Categories

Best Variety Talk Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Best Variety Sketch Series: Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Best Reality Competition Program: RuPaul’s Drag Race (VH1)

Best Directing for a Variety Series: Liz Patrick (Saturday Night Live)

Best Writing for a Variety Series: The Writers of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

Other Major Awards

Best Television Movie: Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (The Roku Channel)

Best Documentary or Nonfiction Series: The 1619 Project (Hulu)

Best Animated Program: Arcane (Netflix)

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