'Hacks' creators Jen Statsky, Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello attend the show's season five premiere in April 2026. Araya Doheny/Getty Images Logo text Hacks has been a perennial Emmy Awards contender since its first year of eligibility in 2021. The HBO Max comedy earned 64 nominations for its first four seasons, winning 12 times.
The show’s final season, however, surpassed all of its predecessors — and every other comedy series in Emmy Awards history — with a record 24 nominations (or 25, including one for the short-form series Hacks: Bit by Bit). Hacks broke the record of 23 comedy series nominations previously set by The Studio in 2025 and The Bear in 2024.
Hacks creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky used the word “overwhelming” to describe their feelings after learning their show had broken and Emmy nominations record Wednesday.
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“It’s obviously our last go round for the Emmys, so it feels like such an incredible way to end,” Downs told The Hollywood Reporter. “The fact that so many of [the cast and crew] are being recognized, and for the first time for many of them, just feels incredibly gratifying. Because we could not have made this show without any of them.”
The show’s first-time nominees include Megan Stalter for best supporting actress in a comedy; recurring player Lauren Weedman and guest star Leslie Bibb for best guest actress in a comedy; and makeup artists Brittany White, Erin Blinn and Veronica Rodarte (along with repeat nominee Keith Sayer). Hacks also received its first nomination for best original music and lyrics for Carlos Rafael Rivera and David Stal.
Aniello, Downs and Statsky also earned a writing nomination for the series finale (also titled “Hacks”) and share in the show’s best comedy series nomination. Downs was also nominated for best supporting actor in a comedy for his on-screen role as manager Jimmy Lusaque Jr., and Aniello earned a directing nod for the finale.
Downs also noted that “it’s been really hard to say goodbye to the show and the people we have made it with for five seasons, who we love so much.” With a two-month run-up to the awards, the cast and crew are going to be together some more.
“It does feel, honestly, that kind of the most exciting part of this whole thing is that we know are going to be able to see them,” Downs said. “We have scheduled time to see them and celebrate them and …”
“And coordinate outfits,” Aniello added. “A lot of mood boards are coming.”
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