By Susan Granger
Back in 2021, HBO Max premiered “Hacks,” an audacious, five-season comedy series about two women: a boomer standup diva and a millennial joke writer who – through generational friction – eventually became artistic soulmates.
Starring Jean Smart as droll, deadpan Deborah Vance and Hannah Einbinder as bisexual, eco-conscious Ava Daniels, “Hacks” went on to win 12 Primetime Emmys, and – now – it’s come to an end.
So let’s look back.
When she’s first introduced, legendary Deborah lives in a luxurious mansion in Las Vegas, paid for by her ‘residency’ on the casino stage. Realizing that she’s continually re-hashing old material, her astute agent, Jimmy (Paul W Downs, who doubles as one of the series’ writers), pairs her with Ava, a ‘woke’ young comedy writer whose rising career tanked after she posted an ill-advised tweet about a right-wing Senator.
Despite their obvious differences, Deborah and Ava develop a collaborative interdependence that’s reflected as Deborah’s career soars, leading to her eventual ascendance to hosting a late-night network TV show, only to suffer the wrath of an autocratic boss (Tony Goldwyn), enduring an exile in Singapore and spurring her onto a sold-out Madison Square Garden gig.
Meanwhile Deborah has spent years coping with her resentful daughter DJ (Kaitlin Olson), a recovering addict who cajoles her into teaming-up on “The Amazing Race.” Plus, there’s Deborah’s enterprising business partner Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins), housekeeper Josefina (Rose Abdoo) & assistant Damien (Mark Indelicato).
“Hacks” showrunner/creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky have also scripted plum supporting roles for Downs and his obnoxious scene-partner Kayla (TikTok’s Meghan Stalter).
FYI: Hannah Einbinder is the real-life daughter of original SNL’s Laraine Newman – and if Jean Smart wins another Emmy this year, she will tie with Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus for the record of most Emmy wins.
On the Granger Gauge of 1 to 10, the conclusion of “Hacks” is a total 10 – with all five seasons now streaming on HBO Max. Hooray for “Hacks”!
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Susan Granger
Westport resident Susan Granger grew up in Hollywood, studied journalism with Pierre Salinger at Mills College and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with highest honors in Journalism. In addition to writing for newspapers and magazines, she has appeared on radio and television as an anchorwoman and movie critic for many years. Read all her reviews at susangranger.com.
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