A Gig's a Gig

Ep 3 delivers sharp comedy and a powerful close.

Jean Smart's Deborah Vance takes a corporate gig, initially resisting Ava's push to modernize her act. Hannah Einbinder's Ava, lonely in Vegas, spars with Deborah, creating tense yet funny moments. The gig's rocky start turns electric when Deborah roasts the crowd, proving her comedic chops. The final five minutes steal the show: a raw unforgettable emotional hook.

Lucia Aniello's direction keeps things lively, though early pacing wobbles. Supporting cast, like Carl Clemons-Hopkins, adds flavor, but subplots feel light.

At 7.5/10, this episode hooks with its heartfelt climax, leaving you eager for more of this dynamic duo's journey.

Ava, who Deborah feels is getting tiresome, gives her the job of going into the furnace room where everything she has ever done is stored. She is asked to archive everything, which, of course, is an impossibility. The room is wall to wall videotape, journals, scripts, on and on. It is as if Deborah's past is in the room. Ava is given this task because she feels she need to know the real Deborah. As this episode transpires, she begins to see all aspects. Deborah is adored by people. She is really quite funny. While she is so judgy of everything, she will do any kind of promo, even if it seems base. The scene where Ava watches a talk show where Deborah is the host is quite moving.

Hacks launched with two hilarious episodes.

Alas, it didn't last.

Uptight "comedy" writer Ava Daniels gets a text from the ex girlfriend. She lifts her shirt and sends an immodest text back. Deborah Vance catches her at it. Which gives the writers a chance to emphasize that Daniels is, um, batting from both sides of the plate.

Yawn.

There was only one funny scene in this entire episode: Vance and Daniels jump an open-top, double-decker tour bus. Vance goes into her shtick and, like a comedian working a club, mines comedy gold from Daniels appearance and demeanour.

In the end, it felt like a very special after school special about what I don't know but it was tedious. In the real world, the comedian would have fired the miserable ginger right there in the pizza shop for that crack about the sister's mail drop.

I'll give it one more episode to right the ship.