Hacks

"Hacks" (S04, 10 eps, 30-min, MAX) at the end of S03, Deborah gets her late show finally but will not let Ava be head writer to play it "network safe". Ava surprises at the end, by soft-blackmailing her into the job, but Deborah is seething... and as S04 opens we see she will make life hell for Ava... they pretty much go bk-n-fth all season, but when Deborah lightly embarrasses a high profile guest on her show AND Ava is caught be the source of a story about that guest, the network chief says that Ava has to pay for it or Deborah's show is done. On her next live show, she torches the network by supporting Ava and says goodbye to everyone because she's finished. She and Ava fly to Singpore where she does a residency of translated-shows (so she doesn't brk her non-compete) but Ava tires of all that, they have a falling out and she tells Ava to go home. Final scene is that Jimmy frantically calls Ava stating the TMZ has run a piece that Deborah is dead! Ava runs to her room, finds her alive, but as they read the premature obit Deborah is incensed that they say that she retired to Singapore after ruining the late night franchise. She and Ava are to return to the US immediately to confront that, and that'll be where S05 starts. This was another outstanding season, episode to episode, not a wasted scene anywhere. And head writer, Lucia, has won several Emmies for her writing and directing efforts. It's criminal that Hannah can't get past the nomination level when Jean has won two for the show!

"Hacks" (S03, 9-eps, 32+ mins, MAX) This series, starring Jean Smart, continues to shine among so much streaming dross out there. "Deborah Vance" and her on-again-off-again assistant and head-writer "Ava Daniels" have such an entertaining, co-dependent relationship that it's just always fun from situation to situation. The series writing is funny, intriguing, and plausible. It's just so good in all the important dimensions. And at the season's finale, "Ava" finally makes a really important step in her growth, and that would be a good launch into a season four, if we're fortunate enough to get that green-lit, let's really hope so.

Are you watching the new season of this show? If not, you're missing one of the best comedies out there. Based on a friend's suggestion, we flew through the first two seasons last year and absolutely loved it. I wasn't sure they needed another go at it after the neat and tidy ending in S02, but as I should've expected, one can never get enough of the inestimable Jean Smart, who was always my favorite "Designing Women" alum, and who is at the top of her game here. We've watched the two episodes of S03 available so far, and it's better than ever. It's so funny and well-written, the dynamic between the two leads is great, the supporting cast is terrific, and I'm much less annoyed with the Ava character than in the first two seasons. I definitely recommend checking this out or adding it to your (probably) voluminous queue.

Wonderful show, great writing, great cast. What I am most annoyed by are the two seconds of Oldies music between scenes. They add nothing but a burst of music louder than the dialogue. Are they supposed to be there to scare awake geriatric watchers? We don't need constant musical references to understand and enjoy shows, Hollywood. If you make the writing strong and cast well, it's not necessary to add music or laugh tracks or any other outdated TV cheesiness.

The other thing is the recent edition of nude lesbian love scenes. Completely unnecessary. Rather than being a spicy addition, they only serve to make me sad for the actresses who still have to put up with this nonsense. Just stop it already, Hollywood. We're not interested in your male gaze BS anymore.

The writing, cast, and show idea are enough. It's really not necessary to throw in the garbage elements.

The most prolific actress to come out of "Designing Women," Jean Smart is wickedly funny while also capable of serious dramatic roles in shows like "Fargo." In her golden years, she is everywhere, mostly playing supporting roles like Kate Winslet's mom in "Mare of Eastown." Finally, though, she gets to be the lead in her own series, showcasing her talents and wit for all of us to enjoy. "Hacks" is essentially a buddy comedy but with your non-typical duo: an aging rich lady with an entitled Gen-Z female sidekick instead of your typical two white men. This combo takes you to unprecedented fresh jokes, and thanks to the undeniable chemistry of the two actresses, "Hacks" is one of the funniest new comedy series to come around.

I finally got around to watching Hacks recently and have to say I really enjoyed it. I never got excited about watching this even though I've heard nothing but great things about it since it came out. It just looked like a show that was aimed more for women and I'm not one. I was wrong...really wrong. It's hilarious and absolutely enjoyable for everyone. The last time I was this wrong about a show was The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I didn't think that was a show for me either and I ended up loving it. While I didn't think Hacks wasn't as good as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel it's still a really good show. Jean Smart & Hannah Einbinder have such great chemistry that they literally will make you laugh out loud. Don't be like me and put this show off because you think it's aimed at a certain demographic because everyone will like it.