The Emmys Crowned New Television Favorites as “Widow’s Bay” and “Hacks” Made Their Mark

Los Angeles — The 78th Emmy Awards brought together television’s biggest stars Monday night, with Mariska Hargitay serving as host as a broad lineup of shows competed for the industry’s top honors.

Before the ceremony, HBO Max’s medical drama “The Pitt” led all programs with 25 nominations. “Hacks” ranked next with 24 nominations, setting a record for the most nominations ever received by a comedy series.
The awards featured a crowded field of acclaimed dramas, comedies and limited series.

Drama nominees included “The Diplomat,” “The Gilded Age,” “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,” “Paradise,” “The Pitt,” “Pluribus,” “Slow Horses” and “Your Friends & Neighbors.”

The comedy category included “Abbott Elementary,” “The Bear,” “Hacks,” “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” “Nobody Wants This,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “Shrinking” and “Widow’s Bay.”

Jean Smart won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for “Hacks,” while Kate O’Flynn received Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for “Widow’s Bay.”

“Widow’s Bay” added several major comedy awards, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Matthew Rhys and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Stephen Root.

O’Flynn prevailed in a highly competitive supporting-actress race that also featured Dale Dickey of “Widow’s Bay,” Hannah Einbinder of “Hacks,” Janelle James of “Abbott Elementary,” Michelle Pfeiffer of “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” Megan Stalter of “Hacks” and Jessica Williams of “Shrinking.”

The limited-series competition was similarly packed, with “All Her Fault,” “The Beast In Me,” “Beef,” “DTF St. Louis” and “Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette” among the nominees.

“DTF St. Louis” emerged as a standout in the limited-series categories, with members of its cast also earning acting honors.

The ceremony also handed out awards for reality and variety programming, along with directing and writing, contributing to a full evening of television recognition.

As awards season gets underway, the 78th Emmys provided another indication of the shows and performers emerging as defining forces on television.