There’s a long list of Max original comedies that didn’t last more than a season or two.
However, Hacks has broken away from the pack and recently returned to Max for its fourth season on April 10.
This sharply written comedy featuring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder has already become a two-time Emmy winner for Best Comedy Series, while Smart has picked up two wins for Best Actress in a Comedy Series.
With the new season on the horizon, this is the perfect time to catch up on Hacks. And here are the reasons why Hacks is Watch with Us’ pick for the one comedy show you need to watch in April.
Jean Smart Is a Comeback Queen
Is it really a comeback when a star hasn’t left the spotlight? Jean Smart has worked steadily since she was one of the leading cast members of Designing Women four decades ago on CBS. But in the last decade alone, Smart has had standout supporting roles in Fargo, Legion and Watchmen before finally landing at the top of the call sheet again with Hacks.
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Smart’s character, Deborah Vance, is a legendary comedian who seems to share some history in common with the late Joan Rivers. Decades in the past, Deborah was going to be the first woman to host a late-night TV talk show before it all fell apart. When Hacks begins, Deborah has been a headlining act in Las Vegas for decades even as her star power has dimmed.
The show is ostensibly about the relationship between Deborah and a much younger comedy writer, Ava Daniels (Einbinder). But it’s also the story of Deborah’s comeback, which doubles as Smart’s return to prominence as well.
Without Smart’s charismatic performance, it would be pretty hard to like Deborah. She can be mean or even cruel at times, and she has been known to stab people in the back — especially the people who get close to her. There are also deeper layers to Deborah’s persona that explain why she behaves that way. Smart handles the big comedy moments and the smaller character notes with firm conviction. She’s a star, and it’s about time that Hollywood remembered to treat her like one.
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Hannah Einbinder More Than Holds Her Own as Ava
It takes two to tango, and Hacks wouldn’t be as entertaining as it is without Einbinder’s Ava Daniels to play off of Smart’s Deborah. At the start of the series, Ava’s career as a comedy writer in Hollywood is seemingly over. Signing on to work with Deborah was a Hail Mary for Ava to hold on to any chance of regaining what she lost.
Ava is far from perfect, but there is something special about the way she and Deborah find common ground. Einbinder is also a very funny actress, and Hacks has been her breakout role as well. At some point in the future, Einbinder will likely headline her own comedy series. But for now, it’s just a joy watching her share the screen with Smart.
Hacks Occasionally Goes to Some Dark Places
We’d hesitate to say that Hacks is all about the power of female friendship, because the relationship between Deborah and Ava can be downright toxic.
Throughout the series, when Deborah and Ava have been at odds, they’ve done things to hurt each other’s careers — and not by accident either. It wouldn’t be incorrect to describe what they’ve done to each other as betrayals, and yet neither Deborah nor Ava has ever been able to permanently sever their bond.
That’s because on some level, Ava and Deborah actually do care about one another. Much like the two famous cowboys from Brokeback Mountain, they just can’t quit each other.
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Season 4 Introduces a New Power Dynamic
There are spoilers ahead if you’re not current with Hacks through season 3.
At the end of season 3, Deborah almost ruined Ava’s opportunity to be the head writer of her new show. Instead of simply absorbing that betrayal, Ava blackmailed Deborah and made sure that the coveted creative role went to her, much to Deborah’s obvious resentment.
It might be hard for Deborah and Ava to find a way back to being friends after that. But for the first time, Ava has real power in their relationship. She can’t be easily dismissed, fired or threatened by Deborah. Does that mean Deborah will forgive and forget what Ava did to land her new position? We’d bet against it, but it should be hilarious to see how their new dynamic plays out in season 4.
Hacks season 4 is streaming on Max. New episodes debut every Thursday.
