Hacks

While watching the first two episodes I thought maybe this is ever so loosely based on Joan Rivers.

There's a reason Hacks has been nominated for so many awards since it debuted a few years ago, because it's laugh out loud funny. Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder deserve every bit the love they've been getting since this came out. Smart especially has had a lot of good roles over her career but this is easily the best performance of her career. Smart and Einbinder take two very unlikable characters and not only make you laugh but will make you root for them. This show works best when these two are together on screen. Every episode is perfectly paced and shows how these characters continue to evolve. As soon as you finish an episode you immediately want to watch the next and that's the best thing you can hope for out of a good tv show.

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 If you make the writing strong and cast well, it's not necessary to add music or laugh tracks or any other outdated TV cheesiness.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.