Hacks: "You Know, Crying Gives You Wrinkles."
Hacks is an American comedy-drama television series created by Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky that premiered on May 13, 2021, on HBO Max. Starring Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, and Carl Clemons-Hopkins, the series centers on the professional relationship between a young comedy writer and a legendary stand-up comedienne. The series received critical acclaim and won accolades including Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing, Outstanding Directing, and for Smart, Outstanding Lead Actress, as well as the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy.
Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas stand-up comedy diva, needs to re-invent her aging act to avoid losing her residency at the Palmetto Casino. Ava is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant. When Ava's manager sends her to work as Deborah's new head writer, the two slowly bond as Ava pushes her new boss to take more risks and Deborah, in turn, helps Ava start to work through her personal problems.
The show is raw and authentic and shows how difficult it is for a young professional to grow their career in the entertainment industry while also showing how it can be difficult to stay relevant as a once famous celebrity.
There are plenty of laughs throughout the show, but it’s the unforced emotional truths that make Hacks a right and proper vehicle for Jean Smart to shine and expose her talent.
Deborah Vance is a battle-hardened veteran of the standup comedy scene who now lives in Las Vegas. Vance is playing 100 shows a year at the Palmetto casino in between promoting her products on the shopping channel QVC, while also doing paid daytime events. She does this all while never, ever letting down the fans who still adore her, even if they follow in smaller droves than they once did.
It can be difficult as no star becomes famous without also making enemies along the way and Jean Smart does a good job showing how one can be ambushed by spontaneous hecklers but also prepared for potential foes.
Hannah Einbinder plays a fantastic sidekick but the two are not always on good terms. As Deborah and Ava’s relationship grows, it does so through a variety of trials and tribulations which are easy for the duo at times, but also awkward and incredibly difficult at other times.
