Hannah Einbinder officially has her Emmy moment, and it came with a censor button.
At the 77th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, held Sunday night at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Einbinder took home her first-ever Emmy win for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Ava Daniels in Hacks. The Max original, which has built a devoted following for its razor-sharp wit and queer sensibility, saw its fourth consecutive nomination year deliver long-overdue gold for the 30-year-old star.
Einbinder, visibly emotional as she took the stage, was met with roaring applause, but her speech quickly made headlines for more than just heartfelt gratitude. About a minute in, part of her message was bleeped out by CBS during the live broadcast, leaving viewers buzzing online about what exactly she said.
Though the official transcript hasn’t been released, audience members in the room and lip readers across social media allege Einbinder exclaimed, “This f—ing show saved my life,” before continuing on with her thank-yous.
The star also went on to say ‘Go Birds, f— ICE, and free Palestine!”
This year’s category was packed with heavy hitters. Einbinder triumphed over comedy royalty and fan favorites alike: Catherine O’Hara and Kathryn Hahn (The Studio), Jessica Williams (Shrinking), Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear), and Abbott Elementary’s Janelle James and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
Notably, this win follows four consecutive nominations for Einbinder in the same role — a rare feat for a performer whose first major TV credit was Hacks itself. Her character, a queer, disgraced comedy writer attempting to rebuild her career with legendary stand-up Deborah Vance (played by Smart), has become a touchstone for LGBTQ+ viewers navigating both identity and ambition in a chaotic world.
The moment felt full-circle for fans who remember Einbinder’s mother, SNL alum Laraine Newman, making headlines last year after her candid (and since deleted) post on X following Einbinder’s loss to Colón-Zayas. “F—. THE. BEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Newman wrote at the time, later clarifying she respects the series but didn’t view it as a comedy.
The star also confirmed on the Emmys red carpet on Sunday that the HBO Max comedy series will conclude with its upcoming fifth season.
“It will feel different,” Einbinder told E! host Heather McMahan. “We’re going to start [filming] next week, and knowing it’s the last season is really bittersweet. But I think it’s right, you know? It’s nice to do something as many times as it should be done. Not overstay your welcome. Rip it and do it and laugh and cry.”
