Hacks (2021-2022)

Broad City writers Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky got together to create Hacks for HBO Max in 2021, giving the always amazing Jean Smart the vehicle she deserves! Just on the cusp of turning 70 herself, the former Designing Woman stars as legendary Las Vegas entertainer Deborah Vance, whose act is on the verge of becoming hopelessly stale and dated. Rather than risk becoming a has-been, Deborah enlists the help of 25-year old Ava (Hannah Einbinder, daughter of original SNL cast member Laraine Newman) to help freshen up her act and breathe new life into it in hopes of appealing to a younger and more hip audience. The only problem is that Ava is your typical entitled Gen-Z layabout who understands the trends but can't really harness them or predict them, and certainly can't turn it into comedy! These two poorly mismatched souls are bound to learn more from each other about life than they are entertainment, as Deborah takes Ava under her wing as a fellow female in an industry that is horrific to women, helping to prepare her for a rough life ahead. The show has a bitter undercurrent that makes it very similar to some of the more acerbic shows in HBO's history like Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Comeback. It's also got the potential for some nice skin in the future, but nothing in the first episode outside of a brief peek at Josh Lopez's hot and hairy chest when he hooks up with Einbinder after delivering her some food. Looks like Josh forgot we ordered the sausage!