Jean Smart’s Deborah Vance in “Hacks” and Lisa Kudrow’s Valerie Cherish in “The Comeback” are positioned as Emmy rivals as both comedy series conclude, making this awards season their first and final direct contest. The matchup matters because both characters embody veteran performers seeking renewed relevance, while Smart and Kudrow are established Emmy winners whose shows have become defining late-career projects.

The article focuses on Deborah’s fictional pursuit of an EGOT in the fifth-season opener of “Hacks”, despite debate over whether her Daytime Emmy would qualify. Smart has won seven Emmys, including four consecutive comedy actress awards for “Hacks” from 2021 to 2025, and could add another in 2026; the wider EGOT discussion notes roughly 22 competitive title holders, or 28 when honorary awards are included.