“The Bear” is such an Emmy favorite that no one would have been surprised if it won Best Comedy Series again.

But that’s not what happened.

“Hacks” pulled off a surprise victory, taking home the top honor at the conclusion of the 76th Annual Emmy Awards on Sunday.

Series star Jean Smart, who won her third Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (and her sixth overall) for her role as seasoned comedienne Deborah Vance, had a lot to do with it.

The same was true for Paul W. Downs of 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 they accepted the Emmy for Outstanding Screenplay for a Comedy Series.

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

MORE: Meet ‘Hacks’ Star and Co-Creator Paul W. Downs (Interview) Emmy Winner on His NJ Comedy Awakening.

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

The series’ best comedy win comes amid ongoing debate over whether “The Bear,” with its tense, dramatic atmosphere, should be considered a comedy series. The hit FX/Hulu series won 11 Emmys this year — including acting nods for Jeremy Allen White, Liza Colón-Zayas, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jon Bernthal — setting a new record for most single-season comedy wins.

“We are so happy to be able to fulfill our dream of making television. We couldn’t have done it 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 cast, all of our crew who are making our dreams come true, literally,” he said. “I mean, look at the camera people tonight who are doing such an incredible job, making this show possible. Thank you to the crew. Thank you.”

“When we presented 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 they only make up 3% of those characters on television. I’d like to see more of them because although I’m a great young supporting actor, I really want to be a good old leading actor.”

Aniello also spoke about the important role the series plays as a comedy.

“Comedy is so important, obviously, to us, but we really feel like it can bridge the gap,” 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 gotta go, because we’re starting filming the next season in five days.”

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

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

Since 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 the manager of both Vance and Daniels.

“We’re making a show about comedy because, as three weird, lonely kids, that’s what made us connect with other people,” said Downs, who accepted the Emmy for Outstanding Screenplay for a Comedy Series.

Then Statsky and Aniello whispered in his ears — it turned out they were popular and not unpopular, respectively. So Downs modified his remarks.

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

Smart won an Emmy in 2024 for his role as Vance, after also winning the role in 2021 and 2022.

Downs, Aniello and Statsky previously won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series in 2021 for the pilot episode, “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,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “Palm Royale,” “Reservation Dogs” and “What We Do in the Shadows.”