For “Hacks” co-creator, writer, director and co-star Paul W. Downs, Season 3 of the Emmy Award-winning series offered the chance for a new honorific: series regular. Downs and his frequent scene partner Meg Stalter were upped to full-time cast members for the Season 3 episodes, as their characters – respectively, talent manager Jimmy and his loyal assistant Kayla – became more integrated into the show’s story.
“I had to go method. I had to really be booking things for Jean Smart,” Downs jokes during a recent exclusive video interview with Gold Derby about the status change.
Co-created by Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, the third season of “Hacks” focuses primarily on the contentious and often fruitful relationship between the legendary comedian Deborah Vance (Smart) and her former comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) as they reconnect and work toward Deborah’s ultimate goal of hosting a late-night show. The third season, which...
“I had to go method. I had to really be booking things for Jean Smart,” Downs jokes during a recent exclusive video interview with Gold Derby about the status change.
Co-created by Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, the third season of “Hacks” focuses primarily on the contentious and often fruitful relationship between the legendary comedian Deborah Vance (Smart) and her former comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) as they reconnect and work toward Deborah’s ultimate goal of hosting a late-night show. The third season, which...
- 5/23/2024
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Days of our Lives’ Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans) will appear on the acclaimed Max dramedy Hacks on Thursday, May 23 as a heightened version of herself. Hall will play the mother of Jimmy, whose portrayer, Paul W. Downs, is not only one of the show’s creators, but a fan of the soap. “I was told by Paul and [creator] Lucia Aniello that Paul’s mom was a longtime fan of Days and of Marlena, and then she introduced him to the show when he was a toddler,” Hall shares. “So when they were looking for a person to play Paul’s mother, they said, ‘Wait a minute, are we crazy? Why don’t we see if we can get Deidre.’ ” Though the show had been recommended to Hall, she hadn’t had a chance to watch it yet, but quickly became a big fan. “When I told one of my best friends,...
- 5/22/2024
- TV Insider
The Producers Guild of America has announced the first round of speakers for the 2024 edition of the Produced By Conference, which is taking place on the Fox studio lot in Century City on Saturday, June 8.
Those confirmed to speak so far include Alan Poul (Tokyo Vice), Angela Russo-Otstot (Cherry), Brad Simpson (Crazy Rich Asians), Charles Roven (Oppenheimer), Greg Berlanti, Ghaith Mahmood (Partner of Latham & Watkins), Howard Gordon (Accused), Jack Rapke (Cast Away), Paul W. Downs (Hacks), Jeff Schaffer (Curb Your Enthusiasm), John Wilson (How To with John Wilson), J.T. Rogers (Tokyo Vice), Jen Statsky (Hacks), Kate Crawford (Atlas of AI), Lori McCreary (Madam Secretary), Lucia Aniello (Hacks), Lynette Howell Taylor (A Star Is Born), Mike Farah (@fter Midnight), Renard T. Jenkins, Roxanne Taylor (the Goat) and Tommy Oliver (Juice Wrld: Into The Abyss).
Confirmed to moderate discussions are Amy Gravitt...
Those confirmed to speak so far include Alan Poul (Tokyo Vice), Angela Russo-Otstot (Cherry), Brad Simpson (Crazy Rich Asians), Charles Roven (Oppenheimer), Greg Berlanti, Ghaith Mahmood (Partner of Latham & Watkins), Howard Gordon (Accused), Jack Rapke (Cast Away), Paul W. Downs (Hacks), Jeff Schaffer (Curb Your Enthusiasm), John Wilson (How To with John Wilson), J.T. Rogers (Tokyo Vice), Jen Statsky (Hacks), Kate Crawford (Atlas of AI), Lori McCreary (Madam Secretary), Lucia Aniello (Hacks), Lynette Howell Taylor (A Star Is Born), Mike Farah (@fter Midnight), Renard T. Jenkins, Roxanne Taylor (the Goat) and Tommy Oliver (Juice Wrld: Into The Abyss).
Confirmed to moderate discussions are Amy Gravitt...
- 5/14/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
As Hacks unveils its third season, viewers rediscover the fiery comedic synergy between Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder), proving once again why this show is a beacon of brilliance in a streaming world often marred by premature cancellations. Lucia Aniello illuminates their evolving journey, saying, It gave us an opportunity for Deborah to open herself up just a little, to be honest with somebody who isn’t ordinarily in her ecosystem and for her to say something that maybe she didn’t even realize she thought of. This season, we see Deborah reveling in newfound notoriety while grappling with
The post Hacks Season 3 Hits New Heights with Its Funniest Episodes Yet first appeared on TVovermind.
The post Hacks Season 3 Hits New Heights with Its Funniest Episodes Yet first appeared on TVovermind.
- 5/9/2024
- by Steve Delikson
- TVovermind.com
Makeup design doesn’t always mean prosthetics or extremes — that’s why the Emmy Awards smartly single out contemporary makeup design as its own category. But too often, those more immediately arresting designs are the ones that get all the attention. Not anymore. Join IndieWire in celebrating the makeup artists creating subtle, character-specific work for contemporary shows.
“Hacks” is a show of contrasts, and that tells in the makeup design, too. Part of the joy of the three-season sparring match between Vegas standup stalwart Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and L.A. comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) is how different they are. Their makeup reflects this. Deborah requires a base level of glam before she considers herself fully dressed, while Ava, representing smart girls everywhere who grew up post-Title IX, actively repels the idea of cultivating a look. At least initially.
One of the things that makeup department head Debora...
“Hacks” is a show of contrasts, and that tells in the makeup design, too. Part of the joy of the three-season sparring match between Vegas standup stalwart Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and L.A. comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) is how different they are. Their makeup reflects this. Deborah requires a base level of glam before she considers herself fully dressed, while Ava, representing smart girls everywhere who grew up post-Title IX, actively repels the idea of cultivating a look. At least initially.
One of the things that makeup department head Debora...
- 5/9/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
With a career spanning 25 years, music supervisor Matt Biffa is a specialist in source music research and copyright clearance. His projects include Sex Education, I May Destroy You, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Paddington, Carol, The End of the F**king World and, most recently, the HBO Max comedy series Hacks.
Biffa joined renowned music services company Air-Edel as a receptionist in 1996, where his impressive knowledge of music was quickly recognized. He cut his creative teeth sourcing music for commercials, such as Jonathan Glazer’s “Swimblack” campaign for Guinness. As Biffa began cultivating relationships with key members of the music industry, he moved into feature films, where he has garnered a reputation for being a canny negotiator and a veritable walking encyclopedia of the history of popular music.
In 2021, together with Ciara Elwis, Matt won the award for Outstanding Music...
Biffa joined renowned music services company Air-Edel as a receptionist in 1996, where his impressive knowledge of music was quickly recognized. He cut his creative teeth sourcing music for commercials, such as Jonathan Glazer’s “Swimblack” campaign for Guinness. As Biffa began cultivating relationships with key members of the music industry, he moved into feature films, where he has garnered a reputation for being a canny negotiator and a veritable walking encyclopedia of the history of popular music.
In 2021, together with Ciara Elwis, Matt won the award for Outstanding Music...
- 5/6/2024
- by Cydney Fisher
- Film Independent News & More
“Hacks” opened its first episode of its first season with a bravura tracking shot that followed its stand-up star Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) from door to casino floor to backstage to stage of the Palmetto Casino. The opening shot of Season 3 echoes that original — but with several twists.
The biggest one is the reveal that the figure we’ve been following from behind, wearing Deborah’s sequined jacket from the pilot episode, hair done up in the exact same way, is actually a lookalike. She’s one among many Deborah Vance-ettes, so to speak, at the launch of slot machines themed in the actual comedienne’s honor.
It’s a strong opening statement from the show’s co-creators Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, and Paul W. Downs, one that tells us exactly the ride we’re going to be on in Season 3 of the Max series. “Hacks” isn’t just mining comedy bits.
The biggest one is the reveal that the figure we’ve been following from behind, wearing Deborah’s sequined jacket from the pilot episode, hair done up in the exact same way, is actually a lookalike. She’s one among many Deborah Vance-ettes, so to speak, at the launch of slot machines themed in the actual comedienne’s honor.
It’s a strong opening statement from the show’s co-creators Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, and Paul W. Downs, one that tells us exactly the ride we’re going to be on in Season 3 of the Max series. “Hacks” isn’t just mining comedy bits.
- 5/3/2024
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
Jean Smart is ready for the red carpet.
The Emmy and Golden Globe winner is dressed in a midnight-blue gown with gold accents. Her blonde hair is styled and piled as high as the gods. Her makeup? Flawless.
“I’m nervous,” I tell her.
“You have nothing to be nervous about,” she replies, placing her hands on my shoulders. “You’ve interviewed me dozens of times.”
True, but this time is different. I am about to interview Smart while I’m pretending to be Marc Malkin and she’s pretending to be Deborah Vance.
Spoiler alert: I make a cameo as myself in the Season 3 premiere of “Hacks.”
“Do you want to run lines?” Smart asks me.
“Sure,” I say, before reciting my fake interview question.
Smart delivers Vance’s response perfectly. A couple of seconds later, I’m directed to a faux red carpet built to look like the Time100 Gala,...
The Emmy and Golden Globe winner is dressed in a midnight-blue gown with gold accents. Her blonde hair is styled and piled as high as the gods. Her makeup? Flawless.
“I’m nervous,” I tell her.
“You have nothing to be nervous about,” she replies, placing her hands on my shoulders. “You’ve interviewed me dozens of times.”
True, but this time is different. I am about to interview Smart while I’m pretending to be Marc Malkin and she’s pretending to be Deborah Vance.
Spoiler alert: I make a cameo as myself in the Season 3 premiere of “Hacks.”
“Do you want to run lines?” Smart asks me.
“Sure,” I say, before reciting my fake interview question.
Smart delivers Vance’s response perfectly. A couple of seconds later, I’m directed to a faux red carpet built to look like the Time100 Gala,...
- 5/3/2024
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
[Warning: The below contains Major spoilers for Hacks Season 3, Episodes 1 & 2, “Just for Laughs” & “Better Late.”] Hacks is back and more ambitious than ever as Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) turns her sights on Late Night! But as long as Deborah’s been longing after the coveted TV gig, showrunners Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky have been cooking up her Season 3 arc of chasing after it. But the first priority was getting Deborah and her writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) back together after Season 2’s professional breakup. While Ava’s done well by getting a writing job with a political comedy series, Deborah’s success following her streaming special continues to unfold, but she’s surrounded by those who live to praise her, leading to a much-needed heart-to-heart and wake-up call when she and Ava run into each other at the Just For Laughs comedy festival in Canada. Upon reconnecting, Deborah finds herself in an interesting...
- 5/2/2024
- TV Insider
The Steely Dan classic “Dirty Work” is all about toxic relationships, and so it pairs like a fine wine with Season 3 of Max’s Hacks, thanks to a new cover by King Princess Consequence is premiering exclusively.
The pop musician’s take on “Dirty Work” appears at the end of Season 3 Episode 2, “Better Late,” and originated from King Princess’ friendship with series star Hannah Einbinder. In a statement, King Princess revealed: “Hacks is hilarious and so is my good bud, Hannah Einbinder. She asked me to sing ‘Dirty Work’ and it was a no brainer. Everyone should watch this show, it’s tremendously iconic.”
Listen to the King Princess cover of “Dirty Work” below.
In the new season of Hacks, comedy icon Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is on the prowl for a new challenge after her triumphant stand-up special a year ago, while Ava (Einbinder), the confidante Deborah fired, forges her own path.
The pop musician’s take on “Dirty Work” appears at the end of Season 3 Episode 2, “Better Late,” and originated from King Princess’ friendship with series star Hannah Einbinder. In a statement, King Princess revealed: “Hacks is hilarious and so is my good bud, Hannah Einbinder. She asked me to sing ‘Dirty Work’ and it was a no brainer. Everyone should watch this show, it’s tremendously iconic.”
Listen to the King Princess cover of “Dirty Work” below.
In the new season of Hacks, comedy icon Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is on the prowl for a new challenge after her triumphant stand-up special a year ago, while Ava (Einbinder), the confidante Deborah fired, forges her own path.
- 5/2/2024
- by Liz Shannon Miller
- Consequence - Music
“Hacks” is, and has always been, a relationship comedy. The HBO Max series from Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky takes an exhaustively progressive Gen Z comedy writer and pairs her with a legendary stand-up comic whose worldview has become as stale as her jokes. The first season harvested humor from their prickly interactions, as both Ava (Hannah Einbinder) and Deborah (Jean Smart) felt each other out while finding a working rhythm. In Season 2, they took their show on the road, driving their fragile yet fruitful new connection toward a creative explosion or a close-quarters’ flare-out.
Ava and Deborah’s relationship is strictly platonic — Deborah’s running jokes about Ava’s “huge” hands negate any romantic assumptions, which the show itself has also acknowledged as a sneaky running joke of its own — but they’re not without romance. “Hacks” fits the comfortable mold of a romantic-comedy. Its Hollywood...
Ava and Deborah’s relationship is strictly platonic — Deborah’s running jokes about Ava’s “huge” hands negate any romantic assumptions, which the show itself has also acknowledged as a sneaky running joke of its own — but they’re not without romance. “Hacks” fits the comfortable mold of a romantic-comedy. Its Hollywood...
- 5/2/2024
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Let’s get one thing straight: The Hacks Season 2 finale, “The One, the Only,” was never designed to be the end of Deborah and Ava’s story. To be sure, these are perilous times for even critically acclaimed shows, so series creators and writers Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky may very well have been thinking that the second season finale would be the last episode of their show.
- 5/2/2024
- by Danette Chavez
- Primetimer
At the end of its second season, “Hacks” seemed to have written itself into a corner. On the heels of a hit special, veteran stand-up Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) fired Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), the young writer whose perspective helped push Deborah out of a yearslong creative rut. While harsh, the move was uncharacteristically selfless on Deborah’s part, cutting Ava and her valuable advice loose in an act of tough love. But even as forcing Ava to step out of her shadow showed Deborah’s growth, it also broke up the professional partnership that helped define the Max comedy and propel “Hacks” to acclaim.
This cliffhanger was further prolonged by Smart’s heart surgery and, of course, two concurrent Hollywood strikes. Yet, miraculously, Season 3 — which premieres May 2 — shows little signs of sweat. If any strain came with following through on such a tectonic shift, or getting back in gear...
This cliffhanger was further prolonged by Smart’s heart surgery and, of course, two concurrent Hollywood strikes. Yet, miraculously, Season 3 — which premieres May 2 — shows little signs of sweat. If any strain came with following through on such a tectonic shift, or getting back in gear...
- 5/1/2024
- by Alison Herman
- Variety Film + TV
While the idea of comedy on television has been warped by the Emmys, some shows can deliver the joke factories that once littered the TV landscape. Three-camera sitcoms may be out of vogue, but Hacks takes the best bits of those shows and applies them to a single-camera setup. Hacks shines as the best of both worlds with withering jokes and incredible performances. It’s among the most poignant and topical shows of the moment while laying track that will allow it to hold up in the decades to come. It does not hurt that Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder are two of the funniest people on television.
Hacks Season 3 Plot
Deborah Vance (Smart) continues to dine out on the success of her special. She’s the toast of the comedy world, no longer confined to Las Vegas. Meanwhile Ava (Einbinder) succeeds away from Deborah. As a producer on a John Oliver-esque show,...
Hacks Season 3 Plot
Deborah Vance (Smart) continues to dine out on the success of her special. She’s the toast of the comedy world, no longer confined to Las Vegas. Meanwhile Ava (Einbinder) succeeds away from Deborah. As a producer on a John Oliver-esque show,...
- 4/29/2024
- by Alan French
- FandomWire
The world is bleak and we could all use a laugh and yet, for some reason, the shows we classify as “comedies” these days — “The Bear”, “Ted Lasso”, and more recently, “Baby Reindeer” — all tend to deal in subject matters that don’t always give us the ha-ha’s we’ve come to expect from the genre. There are outliers however, such as “Abbott Elementary”, which, in a recent episode, managed to find the funny in the unfunny of one of the previous shows listed, as well as “Hacks”, whose delayed third season begins on May 2 and couldn’t be more needed.
Ahead of the Season 3 premiere, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky spoke to The Hollywood Reporter to share their views on the lost art of comedy.
“To even be making a comedy today, we feel really lucky,” Statsky said. “For some reason, there seem to be fewer and fewer of them.
Ahead of the Season 3 premiere, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky spoke to The Hollywood Reporter to share their views on the lost art of comedy.
“To even be making a comedy today, we feel really lucky,” Statsky said. “For some reason, there seem to be fewer and fewer of them.
- 4/27/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including events for Poolman, A Man in Full and Hacks.
TCM Classic Film Festival
After kicking off with a Pulp Fiction reunion on April 18, the TCM Classic Film Festival continued through the weekend, as Jodie Foster had her handprints and footprints enshrined in concrete at the Tcl Chinese Theatre and then appeared at a screening of her film The Silence of the Lambs; Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins reunited for a screening of their film The Shawshank Redemption; and Mel Brooks introduced a closing night presentation of his film Spaceballs.
Jodie Foster signs her autograph in cement during the Handprint and Footprint Ceremony TCM Host Eddie Muller, Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins and TCM Host Dave Karger attend ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ screening Mel Brooks speaks onstage at the ‘Spaceballs’ screening
Poolman premiere...
TCM Classic Film Festival
After kicking off with a Pulp Fiction reunion on April 18, the TCM Classic Film Festival continued through the weekend, as Jodie Foster had her handprints and footprints enshrined in concrete at the Tcl Chinese Theatre and then appeared at a screening of her film The Silence of the Lambs; Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins reunited for a screening of their film The Shawshank Redemption; and Mel Brooks introduced a closing night presentation of his film Spaceballs.
Jodie Foster signs her autograph in cement during the Handprint and Footprint Ceremony TCM Host Eddie Muller, Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins and TCM Host Dave Karger attend ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ screening Mel Brooks speaks onstage at the ‘Spaceballs’ screening
Poolman premiere...
- 4/26/2024
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Discovery has announced the movies, TV shows, and live sports that will be available on the Max streaming service in May. The Max May 2024 lineup includes season three of the comedy series Hacks, the drama series Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, and the unscripted series Thirst with Shay Mitchell.
The May schedule also includes the comedy special Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die, as well as the original documentaries Stax: Soulsville, U.S.A. and MoviePass, MovieCrash. Turtles All the Way Down, Stop Making Sense, and The Iron Claw are some of the films coming to the service.
Featured Programming
Hacks Season 3 (Max Original Comedy Series)
The nine-episode season debuts with two episodes on May 2, followed by two new episodes each week, concluding with the season finale on May 30.
Logline: A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special...
The May schedule also includes the comedy special Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die, as well as the original documentaries Stax: Soulsville, U.S.A. and MoviePass, MovieCrash. Turtles All the Way Down, Stop Making Sense, and The Iron Claw are some of the films coming to the service.
Featured Programming
Hacks Season 3 (Max Original Comedy Series)
The nine-episode season debuts with two episodes on May 2, followed by two new episodes each week, concluding with the season finale on May 30.
Logline: A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special...
- 4/24/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) are right back where they started in the Hacks season three trailer.
After Deborah let Ava go as a way for her to spread her wings and grow as a writer, Ava finds herself unable to move on without her mentor.
Since viewers last saw Deborah, her special has become a smash hit and she’s become a bigger star than she ever was. “Your career has never been hotter. Did you ever think you’d be back on top?” asks a reporter on a red carpet. Deborah, who has reclaimed her diva status, not-so-humbly responds, “Yes.”
When Ava realizes she’s at the same event as Deborah, she’s informed by agent Jimmy LuSaque (co-creator Paul W. Downs, who was promoted to a series regular for season three) that Deborah has not just hired a new writer — she’s now employed two to replace Ava.
After Deborah let Ava go as a way for her to spread her wings and grow as a writer, Ava finds herself unable to move on without her mentor.
Since viewers last saw Deborah, her special has become a smash hit and she’s become a bigger star than she ever was. “Your career has never been hotter. Did you ever think you’d be back on top?” asks a reporter on a red carpet. Deborah, who has reclaimed her diva status, not-so-humbly responds, “Yes.”
When Ava realizes she’s at the same event as Deborah, she’s informed by agent Jimmy LuSaque (co-creator Paul W. Downs, who was promoted to a series regular for season three) that Deborah has not just hired a new writer — she’s now employed two to replace Ava.
- 4/16/2024
- by Tatiana Tenreyro
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Hacks” is back on Max for Season 3 on May 2, and the streaming service released a new trailer for the Emmy-winning comedy on Tuesday.
In Season 3, Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) reunites with Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) after Deborah fired her at the end of Season 2 so Ava could pursue her own dreams. Now, after months apart, they’re both at different places in their careers – with the success of her special, Deborah is back on top, while Ava has enough self-respect to demand that Deborah not make fun of her appearance (yeah right) – and they’re going to try to take advantage of their momentum. “Anything I want to do, I have to do them now,” Deborah tells Ava. She has to strike while the curling iron is hot.
Hacks Season 3 is coming after a two-year break, which included recovery time for Smart after a heart procedure. Smart has won two...
In Season 3, Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) reunites with Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) after Deborah fired her at the end of Season 2 so Ava could pursue her own dreams. Now, after months apart, they’re both at different places in their careers – with the success of her special, Deborah is back on top, while Ava has enough self-respect to demand that Deborah not make fun of her appearance (yeah right) – and they’re going to try to take advantage of their momentum. “Anything I want to do, I have to do them now,” Deborah tells Ava. She has to strike while the curling iron is hot.
Hacks Season 3 is coming after a two-year break, which included recovery time for Smart after a heart procedure. Smart has won two...
- 4/16/2024
- by Liam Mathews
- Gold Derby
Max has revealed the official trailer and key art for the third season of its Emmy-winning Hacks series, which will premiere on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
The nine-episode third season will debut with two episodes, followed by two new episodes each week, concluding with the season finale on May 30.
In the new season, a year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.
Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award winner Jean Smart and Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominee Hannah Einbinder return alongside Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo.
Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace, and Tony Goldwyn are among the previously announced guest stars for the third season.
Hacks was created and is...
The nine-episode third season will debut with two episodes, followed by two new episodes each week, concluding with the season finale on May 30.
In the new season, a year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.
Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award winner Jean Smart and Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominee Hannah Einbinder return alongside Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo.
Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace, and Tony Goldwyn are among the previously announced guest stars for the third season.
Hacks was created and is...
- 4/16/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
“Hacks” is back, and Max has revealed the official trailer and key art for the show’s long-awaited Season 3. The new installment of “Hacks,” which Variety chronicled in this recent feature, returns on Thursday, May 2, with two episodes on Max. The nine-episode season will continue with two episodes each week, up until the season finale on May 30.
Here’s this season’s logline: “A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.”
Smart and Einbinder star along with Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo and Lorenza Izzo. Guest stars this season include J. Smith-Cameron, Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace, Tony Goldwyn, and Aristotle Athari.
Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky are the show’s exec producers.
Here’s this season’s logline: “A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.”
Smart and Einbinder star along with Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo and Lorenza Izzo. Guest stars this season include J. Smith-Cameron, Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace, Tony Goldwyn, and Aristotle Athari.
Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky are the show’s exec producers.
- 4/16/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov, Lexi Carson and Jack Dunn
- Variety Film + TV
Deborah Vance is back on top, baby.
Emmy winner Jean Smart’s “Hacks” character, stand-up comedian Deborah Vance, has finally returned to the top of her game in Season 3 of the hit Max series. Deborah’s former writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) sets out to confront her after learning Deborah hired new writers following the success of her special.
The nine-episode Season 3 debuts with two episodes, followed by two new episodes each week, concluding with the season finale on May 30. The official logline reads: “A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.”
Lead actress Smart is an Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award winner, with co-star Einbinder also an Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominee. Former supporting stars Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter are now moved up to series regulars,...
Emmy winner Jean Smart’s “Hacks” character, stand-up comedian Deborah Vance, has finally returned to the top of her game in Season 3 of the hit Max series. Deborah’s former writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder) sets out to confront her after learning Deborah hired new writers following the success of her special.
The nine-episode Season 3 debuts with two episodes, followed by two new episodes each week, concluding with the season finale on May 30. The official logline reads: “A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.”
Lead actress Smart is an Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award winner, with co-star Einbinder also an Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominee. Former supporting stars Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter are now moved up to series regulars,...
- 4/16/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Updated, 8 Am: Max has unveiled the official trailer for Season 3 of Hacks. In it, we get a glimpse of a chance encounter in an elevator for Deborah (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) and a friendly reunion between the pair. Hacks premieres its nine-episode third season on May 2. Watch the new trailer above and previous teaser trailer below.
Previously, March 1: Max has dropped a teaser trailer for season 3 of Hacks, which returns May 2 for nine episodes.
A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles. The season concludes on May 30.
Related: 2024 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming
Also returning to the comedy this season is Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo.
Previously, March 1: Max has dropped a teaser trailer for season 3 of Hacks, which returns May 2 for nine episodes.
A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles. The season concludes on May 30.
Related: 2024 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming
Also returning to the comedy this season is Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo.
- 4/16/2024
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Hacks’ stars and producers prep for show’s overdue Season 3 return by defending why women are funny
At last, our long national nightmare is nearly over.
It only seems like the much-decorated Max comedy “Hacks” has been away forever. It’s actually been less than two years. Overcoming strikes by writers and actors and a health crisis involving star Jean Smart – who won the Emmy for Best Comedy Actress in each of the show’s first pair of seasons – the series returns for Season 3 on May 2. The streamer will roll out two episodes on May 2, 9, 16 and 23 before running the finale of the nine-episode season on May 30.
“Hacks” was something of an Emmy juggernaut in 2021 and 2022 before going Awol due to a 10-month production delay in 2023. It earned 15 nominations in its first season and 17 in its second. It converted six of those 32 nominations (which included a pair of Best Comedy series bids) to wins, including the two for Smart as well as for the show’s writing and directing.
It only seems like the much-decorated Max comedy “Hacks” has been away forever. It’s actually been less than two years. Overcoming strikes by writers and actors and a health crisis involving star Jean Smart – who won the Emmy for Best Comedy Actress in each of the show’s first pair of seasons – the series returns for Season 3 on May 2. The streamer will roll out two episodes on May 2, 9, 16 and 23 before running the finale of the nine-episode season on May 30.
“Hacks” was something of an Emmy juggernaut in 2021 and 2022 before going Awol due to a 10-month production delay in 2023. It earned 15 nominations in its first season and 17 in its second. It converted six of those 32 nominations (which included a pair of Best Comedy series bids) to wins, including the two for Smart as well as for the show’s writing and directing.
- 4/11/2024
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
Gerri is heading West.
J. Smith-Cameron, the actress best known for her two-time Emmy-nominated performance as acid-tongued general counsel Gerri Kellman on “Succession,” is joining the cast of “Hacks” Season 3 as a recurring guest star, Variety reports.
Details of Cameron’s role are being kept under wraps, but it’s very easy to see her trading barbs with Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), or being polite but cutting with Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder).
“Hacks” is a Max comedy series about the professional and personal relationship between an aging Las Vegas stand-up comic (Smart) and the young writer (Einbinder) she hires to help her modernize her material. Smart has won two Emmys for her performance, and the series has earned two nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, among many other nominations.
The main cast also includes Paul W. Downs (who co-created the show with Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky), Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins,...
J. Smith-Cameron, the actress best known for her two-time Emmy-nominated performance as acid-tongued general counsel Gerri Kellman on “Succession,” is joining the cast of “Hacks” Season 3 as a recurring guest star, Variety reports.
Details of Cameron’s role are being kept under wraps, but it’s very easy to see her trading barbs with Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), or being polite but cutting with Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder).
“Hacks” is a Max comedy series about the professional and personal relationship between an aging Las Vegas stand-up comic (Smart) and the young writer (Einbinder) she hires to help her modernize her material. Smart has won two Emmys for her performance, and the series has earned two nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, among many other nominations.
The main cast also includes Paul W. Downs (who co-created the show with Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky), Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins,...
- 4/5/2024
- by Liam Mathews
- Gold Derby
Two years ago, in the Season 2 finale of “Hacks,” it appeared that Deborah Vance and her protégé Ava Daniels had reached the end of the road. Deborah (Jean Smart), a jaded Las Vegas comic, and Ava (Hannah Einbinder), the young and eager joke writer she’d hired, had together crafted a TV special that showcased Deborah’s wit and her willingness to change with the times. It was a perfect merging of what Deborah brought to the table and what she’d learned, at times unwillingly, from her young partner — and, having decided they’d done all they could together, Deborah fired Ava.
What a surprising place to arrive, after the rollicking two-year journey these characters had undergone! But there was a problem with a finale this satisfying. “People are like, ‘It felt like it could have been the end,’” recalls co-creator Jen Statsky. “And you’re like, ‘No! No!
What a surprising place to arrive, after the rollicking two-year journey these characters had undergone! But there was a problem with a finale this satisfying. “People are like, ‘It felt like it could have been the end,’” recalls co-creator Jen Statsky. “And you’re like, ‘No! No!
- 4/4/2024
- by Daniel D'Addario
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: It’s late January on the Las Vegas Strip, and a woman with a tall beehive hairdo and dressed head to toe in a sequined pink pantsuit steps in front of the fountain outside Caesars Palace clutching multiple bags of high-end designer shopping. This is Jean Smart, in the guise of her Hacks headliner Deborah Vance, preparing to shoot among the last of her scenes for the much-delayed third season of the Max and Universal Television comedy series.
It has taken a long time to get here, “and part of that was my fault,” Smart tells Deadline self-deprecatingly, referring to the season’s first significant pause in production, on February 14 2023, when Smart went in for what she later described as a successful heart procedure. She announced the news on Instagram, a little under two years after her beloved husband, actor Richard Gilliland, had passed away suddenly following heart complications.
It has taken a long time to get here, “and part of that was my fault,” Smart tells Deadline self-deprecatingly, referring to the season’s first significant pause in production, on February 14 2023, when Smart went in for what she later described as a successful heart procedure. She announced the news on Instagram, a little under two years after her beloved husband, actor Richard Gilliland, had passed away suddenly following heart complications.
- 3/26/2024
- by Joe Utichi
- Deadline Film + TV
SXSW organizers on Monday announced the Audience Award winners for the festival’s recently wrapped 31st edition.
The list includes Tracie Laymon’s dramedy Bob Trevino Likes It, which prevailed in Narrative Feature Competition, and the action thriller Monkey Man marking Dev Patel’s directorial debut, which dominated the Headliner section. Other notable winners included A24’s Sing Sing starring Colman Domingo, which won out in Festival Favorite, and Kyle Hausmann-Stokes’ dark veteran dramedy My Dead Friend Zoe, starring Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales and Ed Harris, which won in Narrative Spotlight.
“We are beyond grateful to all our filmmakers, audiences, and volunteers for creating one of the most exciting SXSW Film & TV Festivals ever,” said Claudette Godfrey, VP Film & TV. “We knew our audiences would flip for our program filled with explosive studio films, surprising indie dramas and comedies, riveting TV, powerful documentaries, gripping gems from around the world, and groundbreaking Xr,...
The list includes Tracie Laymon’s dramedy Bob Trevino Likes It, which prevailed in Narrative Feature Competition, and the action thriller Monkey Man marking Dev Patel’s directorial debut, which dominated the Headliner section. Other notable winners included A24’s Sing Sing starring Colman Domingo, which won out in Festival Favorite, and Kyle Hausmann-Stokes’ dark veteran dramedy My Dead Friend Zoe, starring Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales and Ed Harris, which won in Narrative Spotlight.
“We are beyond grateful to all our filmmakers, audiences, and volunteers for creating one of the most exciting SXSW Film & TV Festivals ever,” said Claudette Godfrey, VP Film & TV. “We knew our audiences would flip for our program filled with explosive studio films, surprising indie dramas and comedies, riveting TV, powerful documentaries, gripping gems from around the world, and groundbreaking Xr,...
- 3/18/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
With multiple Emmy Awards to its name and the full support of Warner Bros. Discovery, Hacks has never been the little comedy that could, but it's poised to reach even greater heights in Season 3. For the first time in the show's run, comedy legend Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) has reclaimed her place atop the mountain, and co-creators Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky make the most of her elite status, recruiting a host of new guest stars to play powerful figures in Deborah's orbit. Tom Cruise's famed coconut cake even makes an appearance — and it becomes the very thing that reunites Deborah and her young writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder), whom she fired at the end of Season 2 in hopes that Ava would seek out her own career opportunities.
- 3/12/2024
- by Claire Spellberg Lustig
- Primetimer
SXSW can’t get enough of Jean Smart.
The crowd at Austin’s Paramount theater erupted as Smart walked down the aisle to find her seat at the Saturday morning world premiere of “Hacks” Season 3, in which she plays aging comedian Deborah Vance. The Max comedy series has been off the air for two years, during which Smart suffered a health scare and underwent a heart procedure that delayed production.
“We love you, Jean!” an attendee screamed as the applause began to die down. “Love you back!” she called out.
The theater went wild again when Smart first appeared on screen during the premiere, and again —this time with a standing ovation — when she took the stage alongside co-star Hannah Einbinder and series creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky for a post-screening Q&a.
“This show, kind of like Deborah Vance, gets knocked down a thousand times...
The crowd at Austin’s Paramount theater erupted as Smart walked down the aisle to find her seat at the Saturday morning world premiere of “Hacks” Season 3, in which she plays aging comedian Deborah Vance. The Max comedy series has been off the air for two years, during which Smart suffered a health scare and underwent a heart procedure that delayed production.
“We love you, Jean!” an attendee screamed as the applause began to die down. “Love you back!” she called out.
The theater went wild again when Smart first appeared on screen during the premiere, and again —this time with a standing ovation — when she took the stage alongside co-star Hannah Einbinder and series creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky for a post-screening Q&a.
“This show, kind of like Deborah Vance, gets knocked down a thousand times...
- 3/9/2024
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
“It’s a little early for comedy,” “Hacks” co-creator Jen Statsky told the audience at South by Southwest on Saturday, March 9. In her defense, it was noon, but to counter — it’s never too early for “Hacks.”
The Emmy-winning HBO comedy created by Statsky, Lucia Aniello, and Paul W. Downs has been away for two years, one of many shows proving the aphorism “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” as production delays in Hollywood kept it from its adoring fans. Those fans packed Austin’s Paramount theater on Saturday to cheer and cackle and give a standing ovation to star Jean Smart — one of the only SXSW premieres dealing not solely in hype and hope, but with a dedicated audience who know and love the series.
“Hacks” Season 2 ended with Deborah (Smart) firing Ava (Hannah Einbinder), encouraging her to pursue her own writing career and success instead of continuing to...
The Emmy-winning HBO comedy created by Statsky, Lucia Aniello, and Paul W. Downs has been away for two years, one of many shows proving the aphorism “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” as production delays in Hollywood kept it from its adoring fans. Those fans packed Austin’s Paramount theater on Saturday to cheer and cackle and give a standing ovation to star Jean Smart — one of the only SXSW premieres dealing not solely in hype and hope, but with a dedicated audience who know and love the series.
“Hacks” Season 2 ended with Deborah (Smart) firing Ava (Hannah Einbinder), encouraging her to pursue her own writing career and success instead of continuing to...
- 3/9/2024
- by Proma Khosla
- Indiewire
Hannah Einbinder was moved to tears. Nick Thune was moved to sing. John Leguizamo shared hard truths. Samantha Bee rallied the crowd on behalf of womens rights. And everyone who took part in Variety’s Power of Comedy Awards on Friday made fun of the awards themselves, now in their second year at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
“Nothing is more show business-y than an award that says ‘We love that you’re here’ two years after network executives have said ‘We need you to be gone,’ ” Bee told the packed house at the famed Acl Theater, a nod to the demise in 2022 of her TBS series “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.”
Bee, who was honored by presenter Brooke Shields with the Comedy Innovator award for being one of very few women to host a late-night comedy series, noted that the event coincided with International Woman’s Day.
“There’s no...
“Nothing is more show business-y than an award that says ‘We love that you’re here’ two years after network executives have said ‘We need you to be gone,’ ” Bee told the packed house at the famed Acl Theater, a nod to the demise in 2022 of her TBS series “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.”
Bee, who was honored by presenter Brooke Shields with the Comedy Innovator award for being one of very few women to host a late-night comedy series, noted that the event coincided with International Woman’s Day.
“There’s no...
- 3/9/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton and Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival — which runs March 8–16 in Austin, Texas — has cooked up an eclectic spread of studio crowd-pleasers, enterprising TV premieres, and indie gems aiming to break through. Here is some of the most promising fare.
Babes
The canon of Ilana Glazer-led indies about childbearing expands. Following 2021’s “False Positive,” Glazer plays pregnant once again in “Babes,” this time from a film script she wrote with Josh Rabinowitz in Pamela Adlon’s feature directorial debut. The Neon comedy follows Eden (Glazer), who gets pregnant from a one-night stand and seeks help from Dawn (Michelle Buteau), a married mother of two. In other words, “Babes” lets the “Broad City” star do what she does best: lean heavily on the support of a best buddy.
Black Twitter: A People’s History
Come to “Black Twitter: A People’s History” for a who’s who of the funniest moments Black...
Babes
The canon of Ilana Glazer-led indies about childbearing expands. Following 2021’s “False Positive,” Glazer plays pregnant once again in “Babes,” this time from a film script she wrote with Josh Rabinowitz in Pamela Adlon’s feature directorial debut. The Neon comedy follows Eden (Glazer), who gets pregnant from a one-night stand and seeks help from Dawn (Michelle Buteau), a married mother of two. In other words, “Babes” lets the “Broad City” star do what she does best: lean heavily on the support of a best buddy.
Black Twitter: A People’s History
Come to “Black Twitter: A People’s History” for a who’s who of the funniest moments Black...
- 3/7/2024
- by Adam B. Vary, Selome Hailu and Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The Emmy®-winning and critically acclaimed Max Original comedy series Hacks has added Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace, and Tony Goldwyn as guest stars for the highly anticipated third season, debuting this spring.
Season 3 logline: A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.
Newly announced cast: Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace (“Clean Slate”), and Tony Goldwyn.
Returning cast: Emmy®, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award winner Jean Smart and Emmy®, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominee Hannah Einbinder return alongside Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo.
Season 3 credits: Hacks is created and showrun by Emmy® winners Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky. It is...
Season 3 logline: A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.
Newly announced cast: Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace (“Clean Slate”), and Tony Goldwyn.
Returning cast: Emmy®, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award winner Jean Smart and Emmy®, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominee Hannah Einbinder return alongside Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo.
Season 3 credits: Hacks is created and showrun by Emmy® winners Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky. It is...
- 3/2/2024
- by TV Shows MCM
- Martin Cid Music
Backed by “I’m Still Standing,” Max’s Hacks season three’s first teaser trailer shows Deborah striking poses and living her best life. It also shows Deborah and Ava will continue to be in each other’s lives.
Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award winner Jean Smart returns to star as Deborah Vance, and Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominee Hannah Einbinder is back as Ava. Returning cast members also include Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo.
Season three guest stars include Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace, and Tony Goldwyn.
Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart in ‘Hacks’ season 3 (Photo Courtesy of Max)
“A year after parting, Deborah Vance is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles,” reads Max’s synopsis.
Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award winner Jean Smart returns to star as Deborah Vance, and Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominee Hannah Einbinder is back as Ava. Returning cast members also include Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo.
Season three guest stars include Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace, and Tony Goldwyn.
Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart in ‘Hacks’ season 3 (Photo Courtesy of Max)
“A year after parting, Deborah Vance is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles,” reads Max’s synopsis.
- 3/1/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Hacks, the excellent dramedy about comedy, is finally set to return for its third season, out May 2, on Max.
The new run of episodes will pick up one year after the end of Season Two when (spoiler alert), comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) graciously fired her writing partner Ava (Hannah Einbinder) so Hannah could start building a career of her own. Obviously, the two parties were never meant to stay apart for long, and the new teaser opens with an unexpected reunion in a hotel elevator.
The rest of the...
The new run of episodes will pick up one year after the end of Season Two when (spoiler alert), comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) graciously fired her writing partner Ava (Hannah Einbinder) so Hannah could start building a career of her own. Obviously, the two parties were never meant to stay apart for long, and the new teaser opens with an unexpected reunion in a hotel elevator.
The rest of the...
- 3/1/2024
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
“Hacks” is still standing.
Almost two years after its acclaimed and Emmy Award-winning second season ended, Max has announced “Hacks” Season 3 will debut on May 2 with two new episodes. The nine-episode third season, which will debut two episodes weekly, concludes on May 30.
Here’s the logline: A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.
In addition to the release news, which puts “Hacks” in the thick of the 2024 Emmys race, Max released a brief teaser for the third season. Accompanied by a remix of the Elton John track “I’m Still Standing,” the short trailer strings together highlights of Deborah’s successful comeback as well as her reconnection with Ava after the duo parted ways at the end of Season 2.
“We try to bring them together in a way that deepens their relationship,...
Almost two years after its acclaimed and Emmy Award-winning second season ended, Max has announced “Hacks” Season 3 will debut on May 2 with two new episodes. The nine-episode third season, which will debut two episodes weekly, concludes on May 30.
Here’s the logline: A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.
In addition to the release news, which puts “Hacks” in the thick of the 2024 Emmys race, Max released a brief teaser for the third season. Accompanied by a remix of the Elton John track “I’m Still Standing,” the short trailer strings together highlights of Deborah’s successful comeback as well as her reconnection with Ava after the duo parted ways at the end of Season 2.
“We try to bring them together in a way that deepens their relationship,...
- 3/1/2024
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
‘Hacks’ Season 3 Teaser: Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder Can’t Shake Each Other, Even One Year Later
Separate successes can’t keep these two apart for long.
The teaser for “Hacks” Season 3 picks up one year after the tumultuous fallout between iconic comic Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her former writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder). As Deborah capitalizes on her viral standup special, Ava tries to get back on her feet in Los Angeles. However, the duo are forever fated to keep crossing paths.
The nine-episode season debuts with two episodes, followed by two new episodes each week, concluding with the season finale on May 30.
Lead actress Smart is an Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award winner, with co-star Einbinder also an Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominee. Former supporting stars Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter are now moved up to series regulars, with returning actors Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo back for a third season.
The teaser for “Hacks” Season 3 picks up one year after the tumultuous fallout between iconic comic Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her former writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder). As Deborah capitalizes on her viral standup special, Ava tries to get back on her feet in Los Angeles. However, the duo are forever fated to keep crossing paths.
The nine-episode season debuts with two episodes, followed by two new episodes each week, concluding with the season finale on May 30.
Lead actress Smart is an Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award winner, with co-star Einbinder also an Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominee. Former supporting stars Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter are now moved up to series regulars, with returning actors Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo back for a third season.
- 3/1/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Almost two years after Hacks began its second season on Max, the Emmy-winning comedy series will start its third installment.
The streamer will debut season three of the series May 2. Max will run two episodes per week through May 23, with the finale of the nine-episode season debuting May 30. The two-per-week schedule will allow Hacks to just beat the deadline for Emmy eligibility — its first two seasons collected six Emmys, including two lead actress wins for Jean Smart.
Season three will pick up a year after Deborah (Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) parted ways at the end of season two. Deborah is riding high after the success of her stand-up special, while Ava is looking for new opportunities in Los Angeles.
Max also released a teaser for the coming season — and it suggests that the two characters won’t be able to stay apart for too long. From a chance meeting...
The streamer will debut season three of the series May 2. Max will run two episodes per week through May 23, with the finale of the nine-episode season debuting May 30. The two-per-week schedule will allow Hacks to just beat the deadline for Emmy eligibility — its first two seasons collected six Emmys, including two lead actress wins for Jean Smart.
Season three will pick up a year after Deborah (Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) parted ways at the end of season two. Deborah is riding high after the success of her stand-up special, while Ava is looking for new opportunities in Los Angeles.
Max also released a teaser for the coming season — and it suggests that the two characters won’t be able to stay apart for too long. From a chance meeting...
- 3/1/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hacks will deliver Max comedy with a bevy of guest stars slated for the upcoming season.
Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace and Tony Goldwyn are all set to appear in Season 3, TVLine has learned. Character details remain Tba.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Kelsea Ballerini to Host CMT Music Awards, Supernatural Vet's K-Drama Gig and MoreJesse Williams Tapped to Lead New Amazon Drama - What Does This Mean for Only Murders Season 4?And Just Like That: Sara Ramírez Not Returning as Che Diaz in Season 3
This comes after it was previously announced that Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs,...
Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace and Tony Goldwyn are all set to appear in Season 3, TVLine has learned. Character details remain Tba.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Kelsea Ballerini to Host CMT Music Awards, Supernatural Vet's K-Drama Gig and MoreJesse Williams Tapped to Lead New Amazon Drama - What Does This Mean for Only Murders Season 4?And Just Like That: Sara Ramírez Not Returning as Che Diaz in Season 3
This comes after it was previously announced that Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs,...
- 2/29/2024
- by Keisha Hatchett
- TVLine.com
Jean Smart stars in ‘Hacks’ (Photograph by Karen Ballard/HBO Max)
Helen Hunt (Mad About You) and Christina Hendricks (Good Girls) will take on guest starring roles in the upcoming third season of Max’s award-winning comedy Hacks. The streaming service also announced Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Dan Bucatinsky (Scandal), George Wallace (Clean Slate), and Tony Goldwyn (Oppenheimer) will appear in guest starring roles in season three.
Season three, which is expected to premiere this spring, stars Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award winner Jean Smart as Deborah Vance and Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominee Hannah Einbinder as Ava. Returning cast members include Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo.
“A year after parting, Deborah Vance is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles,...
Helen Hunt (Mad About You) and Christina Hendricks (Good Girls) will take on guest starring roles in the upcoming third season of Max’s award-winning comedy Hacks. The streaming service also announced Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Dan Bucatinsky (Scandal), George Wallace (Clean Slate), and Tony Goldwyn (Oppenheimer) will appear in guest starring roles in season three.
Season three, which is expected to premiere this spring, stars Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award winner Jean Smart as Deborah Vance and Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominee Hannah Einbinder as Ava. Returning cast members include Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo.
“A year after parting, Deborah Vance is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles,...
- 2/28/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
The third season of Max’s Hacks is coming into focus.
The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned streamer on Wednesday revealed the guest cast for the upcoming season of the Jean Smart-Hannah Einbinder comedy.
Set to guest star in the upcoming season are Helen Hunt (Mad About You), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), George Wallace (Clean Slate) and former Scandal duo Tony Goldwyn and Dan Bucatinsky.
Details on the characters they’re each playing are being kept under wraps. Season 3 follows Deborah (Smart), riding high after the success of her stand-up special, and Ava (Einbinder), who is pursuing new opportunities back in L.A., a year after the duo parted ways.
Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo and Lorenza Izzo all return to reprise their respective roles in season 3 of Hacks. Downs, Lucia Aniello and...
The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned streamer on Wednesday revealed the guest cast for the upcoming season of the Jean Smart-Hannah Einbinder comedy.
Set to guest star in the upcoming season are Helen Hunt (Mad About You), Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), George Wallace (Clean Slate) and former Scandal duo Tony Goldwyn and Dan Bucatinsky.
Details on the characters they’re each playing are being kept under wraps. Season 3 follows Deborah (Smart), riding high after the success of her stand-up special, and Ava (Einbinder), who is pursuing new opportunities back in L.A., a year after the duo parted ways.
Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo and Lorenza Izzo all return to reprise their respective roles in season 3 of Hacks. Downs, Lucia Aniello and...
- 2/28/2024
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
We’ll be seeing more of Kayla and Jimmy in the upcoming third season of Hacks. Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs, who have recurred as the characters since Season 1, have been promoted to series regulars for the upcoming season set for premiere this spring.
Downs, who serves as co-creator, co-showrunner, executive producer, writer and director of Hacks, portrays Deborah and Ava’s manager, Jimmy Lusaque Jr. and Stalter plays his assisant, Kayla Schaeffer. Both have recurred on the Max series since Season 1.
Per the Season 3 logline: A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.
Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo and Lorenza Izzo also star in the new season.
Hacks is created and showrun by Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky. Downs and Aniello...
Downs, who serves as co-creator, co-showrunner, executive producer, writer and director of Hacks, portrays Deborah and Ava’s manager, Jimmy Lusaque Jr. and Stalter plays his assisant, Kayla Schaeffer. Both have recurred on the Max series since Season 1.
Per the Season 3 logline: A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.
Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo and Lorenza Izzo also star in the new season.
Hacks is created and showrun by Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky. Downs and Aniello...
- 2/22/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Hacks fans will be seeing more of Kayla and Jimmy in the future.
Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs, who’ve appeared as the dynamic duo on the Max comedy since Season 1, have been upgraded to series regulars for Season 3, Variety reports. Downs co-created the show with Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, and serves as a co-showrunner, EP, writer and director in addition to acting.
More from TVLineThe Spiderwick Chronicles: Christian Slater Is Hungry to Consume Humans in First Trailer for TV AdaptationGirls on the Bus Trailer: Melissa Benoist Is 'a Killer' Learning the Ropes of Political Journalism - Get...
Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs, who’ve appeared as the dynamic duo on the Max comedy since Season 1, have been upgraded to series regulars for Season 3, Variety reports. Downs co-created the show with Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, and serves as a co-showrunner, EP, writer and director in addition to acting.
More from TVLineThe Spiderwick Chronicles: Christian Slater Is Hungry to Consume Humans in First Trailer for TV AdaptationGirls on the Bus Trailer: Melissa Benoist Is 'a Killer' Learning the Ropes of Political Journalism - Get...
- 2/21/2024
- by Keisha Hatchett
- TVLine.com
“Hacks” has promoted both Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs to series regular status for Season 3, Variety has learned exclusively.
Downs plays Deborah and Ava’s manager, Jimmy Lusaque Jr., while Stalter plays Jimmy’s assistant, Kayla Schaeffer. Both have appeared on the show since Season 1 of the Max comedy series.
The promotion expands Downs’ role in front of the camera on the show, while he is already a massive presence behind the camera. Downs serves as the co-creator and co-showrunner of “Hacks” in addition to being an executive producer, writer, and director. Aside from “Hacks,” he is also known for starring in the Comedy Central series “Broad City” while also working behind the scenes as a writer, director, and executive producer. His other credits include starring in and co-writing the film “Rough Night” and co-starring in the Netflix comedy “Like Father.”
He is repped by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment,...
Downs plays Deborah and Ava’s manager, Jimmy Lusaque Jr., while Stalter plays Jimmy’s assistant, Kayla Schaeffer. Both have appeared on the show since Season 1 of the Max comedy series.
The promotion expands Downs’ role in front of the camera on the show, while he is already a massive presence behind the camera. Downs serves as the co-creator and co-showrunner of “Hacks” in addition to being an executive producer, writer, and director. Aside from “Hacks,” he is also known for starring in the Comedy Central series “Broad City” while also working behind the scenes as a writer, director, and executive producer. His other credits include starring in and co-writing the film “Rough Night” and co-starring in the Netflix comedy “Like Father.”
He is repped by UTA, 3 Arts Entertainment,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Step behind the velvet ropes to see how the stars celebrated television’s biggest night. Though not quite back to pre-pandemic levels, Hollywood hit the party circuit with a slate of events with stops at the TV Academy’s Governors Ball, Netflix, Disney, HBO and Apple TV+ after the Fox telecast.
HBO + Max
Some things change, others stay the same. HBO and streaming counterpart Max once again topped the competition with a field-leading 31 wins Monday night thanks to eight trophies for The Last of Us, six for Succession, five for The White Lotus and another two for Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, among others. “Everyone is holding an Emmy,” relayed one guest as he surveyed the scene inside San Vicente Bungalows, which hosted the party of the night thanks to all that glittering gold and stars like Pedro Pascal making rounds. Speaking of the Last of Us heartthrob, after...
HBO + Max
Some things change, others stay the same. HBO and streaming counterpart Max once again topped the competition with a field-leading 31 wins Monday night thanks to eight trophies for The Last of Us, six for Succession, five for The White Lotus and another two for Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, among others. “Everyone is holding an Emmy,” relayed one guest as he surveyed the scene inside San Vicente Bungalows, which hosted the party of the night thanks to all that glittering gold and stars like Pedro Pascal making rounds. Speaking of the Last of Us heartthrob, after...
- 1/14/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Variety’s annual Showrunners Dinner presented by A+E Studios on Thursday night gathered writers recognized on the publication’s annual TV Producers Impact List, as well as several of this year’s Emmy nominees. In addition, megaproducer Chuck Lorre was honored with Variety’s first Norman Lear Award.
Held at Merois, on the rooftop of the Pendry West Hollywood, the Variety Showrunners Dinner included a very funny acceptance speech by Lorre, who pointed out some of the similarities — but more humorously, the differences — between the two icons.
“I think everyone here understands the enormity and significance of Norman Lear’s body of work,” Lorre began. “So in accepting this award, I don’t think it’s false modesty to take a moment and focus on the very large differences between his career and my own. For starters, Norman Lear began his career writing for Hollywood legends like Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
Held at Merois, on the rooftop of the Pendry West Hollywood, the Variety Showrunners Dinner included a very funny acceptance speech by Lorre, who pointed out some of the similarities — but more humorously, the differences — between the two icons.
“I think everyone here understands the enormity and significance of Norman Lear’s body of work,” Lorre began. “So in accepting this award, I don’t think it’s false modesty to take a moment and focus on the very large differences between his career and my own. For starters, Norman Lear began his career writing for Hollywood legends like Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
- 1/12/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
W Magazine is kicking off Golden Globes weekend with a star-studded party!
Editor-in-Chief Sara Moonves and Editor-at-Large Lynn Hirschberg hosted their annual Best Performances Party in celebration of the magazine’s “Best Performances Issue” on Friday night (January 5) at Chateau Marmount in Los Angeles.
Best Performance cover stars Margot Robbie, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Nicolas Cage, and Colman Domingo, were all in attendance along featured stars Taraji P. Henson, Julia Garner, Barry Keoghan, Callum Turner, and Franz Rogowski.
Throughout the night, guests sipped on Casamigos Tequila cocktails and danced to a set by DJ Ross One. The evening was presented by legendary shoe designer Christian Louboutin.
Keep reading to find out more…
Keep scrolling to see all the stars that attended the party…
Abby Elliott
Addison Rae
Andrew Scott
Aurora James
Ayo Edebiri, Molly Gordon, & Rachel Sennott
Barry Keoghan
Fyi: Barry Keoghan is wearing an outfit by Stella McCartney with a Vacheron Constantin watch.
Editor-in-Chief Sara Moonves and Editor-at-Large Lynn Hirschberg hosted their annual Best Performances Party in celebration of the magazine’s “Best Performances Issue” on Friday night (January 5) at Chateau Marmount in Los Angeles.
Best Performance cover stars Margot Robbie, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Nicolas Cage, and Colman Domingo, were all in attendance along featured stars Taraji P. Henson, Julia Garner, Barry Keoghan, Callum Turner, and Franz Rogowski.
Throughout the night, guests sipped on Casamigos Tequila cocktails and danced to a set by DJ Ross One. The evening was presented by legendary shoe designer Christian Louboutin.
Keep reading to find out more…
Keep scrolling to see all the stars that attended the party…
Abby Elliott
Addison Rae
Andrew Scott
Aurora James
Ayo Edebiri, Molly Gordon, & Rachel Sennott
Barry Keoghan
Fyi: Barry Keoghan is wearing an outfit by Stella McCartney with a Vacheron Constantin watch.
- 1/6/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Season 3 of the Max comedy series “Hacks” starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder is debuting soon.
The third season of the critically-acclaimed series will premiere this spring. The news was announced on the official “Hacks” Instagram account on Thursday. No official date has been set at this time.
Stream 'Hacks' On Max $9.99/Month
Season 1 of “Hacks” introduces young comedy writer Ava Daniels (Einbinder), who is hired to update the act of aging comedy legend Deborah Vance (Smart). While initially at odds, Deborah serves as a mentor to Ava and the two form an unlikely bond. The series also stars Carl Clemons-Hopkins as Marcus, Deborah’s advisor and the COO of her company.
The recurring cast includes Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Jane Adams, Paul W. Downs, Poppy Liu, Rose Abdoo, Mark Indelicato, Meg Stalter, Angela E. Gibbs, Luenell, Johnny Sibilly, Joe Mande, Ally Maki and Lorenza Izzo. Season 2 introduced new faces...
The third season of the critically-acclaimed series will premiere this spring. The news was announced on the official “Hacks” Instagram account on Thursday. No official date has been set at this time.
Stream 'Hacks' On Max $9.99/Month
Season 1 of “Hacks” introduces young comedy writer Ava Daniels (Einbinder), who is hired to update the act of aging comedy legend Deborah Vance (Smart). While initially at odds, Deborah serves as a mentor to Ava and the two form an unlikely bond. The series also stars Carl Clemons-Hopkins as Marcus, Deborah’s advisor and the COO of her company.
The recurring cast includes Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Jane Adams, Paul W. Downs, Poppy Liu, Rose Abdoo, Mark Indelicato, Meg Stalter, Angela E. Gibbs, Luenell, Johnny Sibilly, Joe Mande, Ally Maki and Lorenza Izzo. Season 2 introduced new faces...
- 1/4/2024
- by Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
Hacks will soon be back.
The show announced this morning on social media that Season 3 of Max/Universal TV hit comedy will premiere this spring.
Production on the new season was halted in May due to the writers strike. The Emmy-winning series centers on an aging comedian Deborah Vance (Smart) and an up-and-coming writer Ava Daniels (Einbinder) who are writing together.
Hacks was created by Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, who serve as showrunners.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Hacks (@hacks)
Production on Season 3 of Hacks, which started shortly after Thanksgiving of 2022 and resumed after the holiday break in January of 2023, was previously paused in February when Smart underwent a successful heart procedure. It resumed in mid-March before shutting down again in May because of the work stoppage.
Hacks has been a commercial hit and awards juggernaut, amassing 32 Emmy nominations and 6 wins for its first two seasons,...
The show announced this morning on social media that Season 3 of Max/Universal TV hit comedy will premiere this spring.
Production on the new season was halted in May due to the writers strike. The Emmy-winning series centers on an aging comedian Deborah Vance (Smart) and an up-and-coming writer Ava Daniels (Einbinder) who are writing together.
Hacks was created by Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky, who serve as showrunners.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Hacks (@hacks)
Production on Season 3 of Hacks, which started shortly after Thanksgiving of 2022 and resumed after the holiday break in January of 2023, was previously paused in February when Smart underwent a successful heart procedure. It resumed in mid-March before shutting down again in May because of the work stoppage.
Hacks has been a commercial hit and awards juggernaut, amassing 32 Emmy nominations and 6 wins for its first two seasons,...
- 1/4/2024
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
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