Hacks, season 4, is full of ups and downs, highs and lows. Comic Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) reaches the pinnacle of success only to throw it away for the sake of friendship and honesty. Then she drowns in the lowest of lows.
Hacks begins with Deborah and her writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) in the nastiest, snarkiest and most petty of feuds. Even though Ava is now head writer on Deborah’s new gig as the first woman to host a late night show, they continue to spat until episode 6. The last four episodes of the season are equally tumultuous for different reasons.
Deborah achieves her dream. She’s the host of late night and her show reaches number one! At last. Then she blows it. But, not to worry, by the end of episode 10 she’s back in a fighting mood and determined to get back on track. This is the perfect lead in for season 5, which has been approved.
Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder deserve a lot of credit for the success of Hacks. They are perfect together whether they are happy with each other or angry with each other. But credit should also go to Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs. These two created the series and do quite a lot of the directing, too.
Paul W. Downs also plays Jimmy, the agent. He and his wacko assistant Kayla (Megan Stalter) add to the comedy. This year they hire a funny assistant named Robbi (Robby Hoffman) who does a brilliant job as well.
This many seasons into a successful show, I don’t need to remind you that it’s funny and deep at the same time. So instead let’s talk about the guest regulars for the season. Winnie Landell (Helen Hunt) is the corporate head who is pushing the show to success. Bob Lipka (Tony Goldwyn) is an even higher up network boss. Stacey (Michaela Watkins) is the HR representative who has to chaperone the feuding comic and head writer everywhere they go. Julianne Nicholson plays Dance Mom, a frequent guest on Deborah’s show and a hilarious drain on Jimmy’s time.
Cameo appearances when you have a top comedy show are pretty impressive, too. This season we had Carol Burnett, Jimmy Kimmel, Kristen Bell, Rosie O’Donnell, Randy Newman, Melissa Etheridge, Katie Couric, and Antoni Porowski playing themselves.
So many brilliant actors. So many big names. It results in pitch perfect work in every episode and makes the series a joy to watch – even when you are annoyed with Deborah and Ava for fighting so much.
Congratulations to everyone involved in keeping this show fresh and fantastic for 4 seasons. I’m looking forward to season 5!
Hacks is streaming on Max.
I am up to the christening so only a few episodes left. I haven’t enjoyed this season as much but truly love most of the characters on here and look forward to next season. I have been a Jean Smart fan since Designing Women. Loved her on Samantha Who? and especially in Mare of Easttown. I just got to see her last night from the second row in Call Me Izzy on Broadway and she is terrific. What a legendary actress. I could literally watch her read the phone book. Her brilliant timing mixed with that regal playfulness is unmatched. And those cheekbones!
Ohh, seeing her live sounds wonderful. I know you’ll enjoy the rest of the season.