This year’s TV comedy series Emmy nominees showcase how Hollywood lampoons itself with both affection and insight. From HBO Max’s returning favorite Hacks to Apple TV+’s fresh contender The Studio, several shows combine humor with an exploration of the industry’s most difficult moments. Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building shifted part of its season from New York to Los Angeles, focusing on a murder linked to a veteran stunt performer, while FX’s vampire mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows closed out its final season with the ending of its documentary-within-a-show storyline.
Other nominees like ABC’s Abbott Elementary featured crossover moments with FXX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and titles such as Apple TV+’s Shrinking and Netflix’s Nobody Wants This set their stories against distinctive Los Angeles–area communities, reflecting the city’s pervasive influence on contemporary comedy.
Blending Industry Satire and Emotional Depth
Mocking the entertainment world requires a delicate balance between insider references and broader audience appeal. Shows must poke fun at Hollywood while still honoring the classic films and personalities that shape it. The challenge lies in sending up an industry that sustains these shows without alienating viewers unfamiliar with its inner workings.
John Hoffman, showrunner and co-creator of Only Murders in the Building, explained how he approached this task by filtering the Hollywood satire through characters who are outsiders. He referenced the legacy of comedies like The Larry Sanders Show but emphasized the necessity of telling stories through leads unaware of showbiz culture.
Season four’s murder victim was Sazz Pataki, portrayed by Jane Lynch, a stunt double and close friend of Steve Martin’s character Charles-Haden Savage. Hoffman shared,
“My wish here was to take a work friend and say, ‘What were they really doing?’ If they’re a victim, you get to explore what their life was really like, and [her] devotion to this man.”
—John Hoffman, Showrunner and Co-Creator
He highlighted that the industry’s competitive side was less relatable than the moments of genuine connection, such as meeting at the 101 Coffee Shop to nervously share an early draft of a screenplay with creative partners.
“Where you’re all holding hands and you meet up with people in the 101 Coffee Shop, and you share your first act of a screenplay you’re working on nervously, and you get to have creative partners who are going to help and guide you through.”
—John Hoffman, Showrunner and Co-Creator
Hacks’ Meta Commentary on Hollywood and TV History
After focusing much of its storyline on Las Vegas, Hacks returned its narrative to Los Angeles this season, adopting a meta approach to Hollywood satire. The series incorporated the Universal Studios backlot tour, featured real entertainment journalists in a press conference scene, and included a character reciting the famous television line from Desperate Housewives,
“Oh Mary Alice, what did you do?”
—on the actual set where it was first filmed.
The show’s creators—Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky—emphasize that their humor comes from love rather than scorn. Executive story editor Ariel Karlin contributed the Housewives reference, drawing on her extensive TV knowledge. Statsky noted their status as industry outsiders who worked hard to break in, while Aniello stressed the importance of supporting a media environment that constantly evolves.
Downs, who grew up watching British comedies in suburban New Jersey, appreciates the value of niche humor. He remarked,
“If only three people laugh at a reference to [industry restaurant] Mother Wolf, it’s worth it … to have that added layer of specificity.”
—Paul W. Downs, Co-Creator of Hacks
Playful In-Jokes and Industry References Among Nominees
The three co-creators of Hacks also made a notable cameo on Apple TV+’s The Studio, portraying versions of themselves accepting a Golden Globe award. Their characters humorously thanked Netflix executive Ted Sarandos, despite his lack of influence over their real careers. This kind of playful insider joke highlights the shows’ ongoing dialogue within the entertainment world, layering humor with subtle industry commentary.
The Significance of Embracing Hollywood’s Quirks Through Comedy
The TV comedy series Emmy nominees this year illustrate how the entertainment industry can be both critiqued and celebrated through sharp writing, thoughtful character development, and a genuine connection to the realities behind the glamor. By weaving together insider references and heartfelt moments, these shows allow audiences to laugh at Hollywood while understanding the human experiences beneath the surface.
This blend of humor and sincerity suggests that future productions will continue to explore Hollywood’s complexities, using comedy as a tool to scrutinize, appreciate, and ultimately humanize an industry often viewed as distant or untouchable.
