Co-star and co-creator Paul W. Downs also addressed the crowd, noting that the team didn’t know if the series would initially sell, given that it featured two female characters, one of whom — stand-up comedy legend Deborah Vance, as played by Jean Smart — was over 60.

Paul W. Downs (holding the Emmy) accepts the Emmy for outstanding comedy series for "Hacks" alongside co-creators Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, stars Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Rose Abdoo, Christopher McDonald and Carl Clemons-Hopkins Sunday in Los Angeles. Christopher Polk | Variety via Getty Images