We’re halfway through the final season of Hacks, so what have our beloved comedy duo been up to?
Ep. 2: “Number One Fan”
The gang is back in New York and meeting with Madison Square Garden to secure the venue for Deborah (Jean Smart). It doesn’t quite go according to plan, but it’s ok because Deb knows she can rely on her “Little Debbies” or so she thinks… First off, absolutely favorite nickname I’ve ever heard for a celebrity following, and second, good luck, babe. You’ve burned so many bridges on your way to the top of Late Night, they don’t want you. Time for some major ass kissing! “Just think, today you’re being paid to be yelled at, and for some people, that’s a kink.” Ann Dowd’s appearance as Blue Alien is legendary. But she helps make Deb realize she owes the fans her presence. And in return, they will get her that venue through whatever means possible…truly any means possible. I mean, September 11th isn’t that bad, right? It’s kind of a meme at this point for Gen Z, so honestly, I think she can make something of it. But the point being: her fans will show up for her if she makes sure to show up for them. 
Meanwhile, Ava (Hannah Einbinder) is turning 30 and coming to terms with the fact that she doesn’t really have friends. But she’s okay with that. Deb is her best friend, and the two actually reconcile the conversation from last season. It was a beautiful moment seeing this friendship hit its real stride in complete honesty and love. What a rollercoaster of a relationship since the first season! “Well, it makes sense. I’m your number one fan.” That Jesse McCartney cameo will live rent-free in my brain forever, though. Not to steal away from the touching moment, but my Millennial self was losing it over him.
On the periphery, in this episode, Jimmy (Paul W. Downs) loves Ava’s new script about a girl who lives in the mall and wants to shop it around. But his and Kayla’s (Megan Stalter) company is still bleeding and needs a fresh infusion of clients and cash. Luckily for Jimmy, his Xena obsession lands him a rewatch podcast and none other than Renée O’Connor, who played Gabrielle, as a new client. And she hands over some nice cash right on day one, very honorable of her, without even having anything inked yet. On the final note for the episode, my love of Robby Hoffman continues. HBO, please keep casting her in everything. She is a delight. Her little coffee tray was so damn cute. I’d love to have Randi as an assistant. She’s the bomb.
Ep. 3: “No New Tricks”
Deb’s in Vegas for an event at the Palmetto: the unveiling of the new artist in residency. Deb and Ava both get some male attention in this episode. The new artist in residency, Nico (Christopher Briney), is a young, rockstar type, clearly giving Harry Styles gender fluid expression vibes. And it does seem like he’s actually into Deb. I understand attraction has no actual laws or limits, but I just don’t see it. Maybe I’m just a judgmental ass, I don’t know, but a 50-year age difference just feels too much to me for any real similarities between them. He’s very private and closed off from paparazzi, much the opposite of Deb. She’s using what she can for publicity since she’s under a gag order. Sadly, when you build a relationship on dishonesty, it can easily crumble.
For Ava, she’s clicking with this guy who reveals he’s a sex worker. Not unrealistic in the Vegas area or anywhere in America at this point, but Ava is supportive…until she realizes his true passion. This plot line also appeared on another comedy I enjoy, The IT Crowd, wherein a woman becomes unattracted to a man because he wants to be a magician. And both times it has made me double over in laughter. Watching him struggle to light the match was just too good. In the end, his desire to do tricks instead of turn tricks has him walking away. “I’m gonna make it as a magician, and I’m gonna prove you wrong.” Good for you for following your dreams, man. Mayor Jo (Lauren Weedman) is disappointed to say the least, “You’ve got 18 hours to find me a new Sunday boy.” Better hustle, Ava!
Delightfully, Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins) returns this episode, and I’m just so happy he’s back to being around regularly. There’s an old casino being torn down, and he’s trying to decide if he wants to take it on. Deb is quite cautious at first, which was disappointing. For someone who has talked about investments so many times over the seasons, not to immediately consider this possible investment together was shocking. She does come to her senses, and even if Marty (Christopher McDonald) didn’t make it down the aisle, Marcus and Deb said, “I do.” The real estate agent was played by Lucia Aniello, who is not only fantastically funny but also one of the show’s creators and is married to Paul Downs. They are absolutely adorable together in post-show interview clips, but her little bit part stole this episode!
Ep. 4: “Who’s Making Dinner?”
The opening of this one is just downright painful as Deb is gagged and stuck testing material in front of her staff. You’re definitely not going to get the best response from people you pay to be there. But she can’t be in front of a camera anywhere, so what’s a gal to do? “Not everyone is as easy to work with as you.” Good one, Jimmy. Ava’s a bit more worried about the content and Deb’s obsession with sending a message about silencing women, and this overuse of y’all that came from nowhere. Valid, Ava. I’m pretty worried about the y’all thing, too. But there are more pressing matters to attend to right now.
Ava got a meeting for her very original idea, and while it’s great, it’s not going to make the studio any money, so it’s a pass. However, if Ava can come up with something, a reboot or sequel, or mass marketable like all the other slop these days, then it’s an automatic buy-in! Eww. I can’t lie, that whole meeting was so funny and well-written, but the idea of it left such a bad taste in my mouth. And I appreciate that that is very much the point of the scene; it still gave me the ick. As for Deb, there is a ceremony coming up celebrating the 50th anniversary of the show Deb created with her ex-husband Frank (Peter Strauss), and new, unreleased interview footage of Frank is being shown. The whole thing is an unhappy walk down memory lane for Deb, triggering bad memories of a man stealing her credit, hitting on women right in front of her, and eventually stealing away with her sister. It’s no surprise she’s making hasty and poor decisions to get in front of cameras. Did it feel good, Deb? Because it looked like it hurt.
In the end, the new footage reveals how highly Frank did think of her, and she acknowledges how much she needed to hear that. This scene was painfully relatable to me, and I appreciated seeing Deb finally process all that. The good times don’t last long because soon the cuffs are out. I mean, I guess it depends on what you call a good time… But she has a restraining order, and it seems like the Network people are on top of it. But in the drunk tank, Deb’s finally feeling free and letting herself feel her comedy instinct. One thing this show has exhibited is that Deb’s comedy is at its best when she’s being herself. When she forces it, the comedy dies. She finds her voice again, bails out the girlies, and I’m left wondering what happened to make a girl kick a police horse… But at least Ava has her reboot idea: “Who’s Making Dinner?” Gen Z edition. Honestly, as far as a reboot goes, I actually don’t hate it.
In the background, Jimmy has a flirtation back and forth with an event coordinator (Anna Konkle) that had me dying. Kayla and Randi do nothing to help the situation, of course. The escalating drama provided the perfect humorous contrast to the heaviness of Deb’s trauma. A tip of my cap to the writers and directors on this episode. Deb’s really going through it, but the episode didn’t feel like a panic attack or therapy session because some blonde chick is over here sticking her butt into Jimmy’s crotch. Fantastic.
Ep. 5: “D’Amazing Race”
Our team is focused on creating the best possible hospitality team for their new casino, The Diva. How fitting. It was so unexpected and so damn funny. Josephina (Rose Abdoo) and Damien (Mark Indelicato) always crack me up, and I just love everyone’s little notepads. Synchronized note-taking. New Olympic sport in the making? “I did not want to bring you today. Prove me wrong!”
Always love it when a DJ (Kaitlin Olson) episode appears, and this one absolutely takes the cake. It doesn’t surprise me that DJ is obsessed with The Amazing Race. I love how connected it is to her sobriety. I just expected her to love the spectacle and insanity of it all. Deb tries throwing legal loopholes, but DJ is already on top of it and begging her mom for this one thing. It’s a rollercoaster from the very beginning with hilarious celebrity cameos from the Property Brothers and Trisha Paytas. But as the challenges continue, besides the ankle injury, you can see the mother and daughter failing to communicate. They’re certainly talking and yelling at each other, but what are they really saying? Unsurprisingly, they don’t make it. Hard news to hear while wearing ridiculous clown make-up, but DJ’s glad she did it, and she got to spend time with her mom and that’s all she’s ever wanted anyway. Cue my waterworks. Deb needs to learn to let the reins go and let DJ take chances, even if it could be a mistake. But at the same time, DJ shouldn’t completely disregard her mom’s advice and expertise. Life experience means something, and even if DJ’s path will be different, perspectives are important. But honestly, this girl would make a killing on QVC. 
While Deb’s away, Ava will play. Or at least be quite mischievous. When Ava and Deb saw her sister Kathy (J. Smith Cameron) over control of the show, it was quite rough. I did appreciate finally learning the salt and pepper shakers lore. But what exactly is Ava doing? I have to be honest, I was pretty scared at first. But then I remembered, this girl’s best friend is Deborah Vance, so I know she learned some stuff. Back to the season one antique shop! We love a throwback moment! And we love a con artist moment. Ava truly is Deb’s little protege and passes off mommy dearest’s salt and pepper shaker fakes to Kathy. Quite a little giggle the two shared over it. Some might say peak girlhood moment. Who am I to judge?
With five episodes of the show left, we can only imagine what other hijinks will be in store as Deb prepares for Madison Square Garden and the biggest show of her life. I’ve loved being along for this journey and absolutely falling in love with these characters. Here’s hoping for some insane drama and antics before wrapping it up in a bow. This is for Deborah Vance! There better be a bow!
