Experts slugfest: ‘Hacks’ finale sets up Emmy showdown with ‘The Bear’

It felt like “Hacks” just returned (it did), but Season 3 is now over — and it wrapped up with arguably its best finale yet. Gold Derby editors and Experts Christopher Rosen and Joyce Eng are here to discuss the killer finale and the Max comedy’s Emmy chances with the season in the rearview.

“Hacks” set the stage for a scintillating Season 4 (not yet ordered) in the final minutes of “Bulletproof” when Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pulls a trump card over Deborah (Jean Smart). Unlike its Season 2 ender, no one can mistake this for a series finale. The episode also capped off “Hacks'” strongest season yet, but will it be able to take down “The Bear”? The reigning Best Comedy Series champ feels unbeatable in the top category, especially with Season 3 looming, but perhaps “Hacks” can walk away with other trophies?

SEE Experts slugfest: ‘Shōgun’ stirs up drama — our updated Emmy predictions

Just under the wire, HBO and Netflix are dropping two last-minute contenders, the former with the TV movie “The Great Lillian Hall,” starring Jessica Lange, out on Friday — the last day of eligibility — and the latter with the Benedict Cumberbatch ’80s-set limited series “Eric,” out Thursday. It used to be that late dates were great dates so you’d be fresh in voters’ minds, but with so much TV now and despite the pedigree of these projects, are they too little too late?

Elsewhere, we discuss whether “Under the Bridge” is being underestimated and more.

Email your questions to slugfests@goldderby.com.

Timestamps:
Intro and “Hacks” Season 3 finale — spoilers, obviously (0:00)
What Emmys could “Hacks” win? (19:55)
“The Great Lillian Hall” reactions (34:26)
“Eric” reactions (43:07)
Listener questions (49:29)