When Does Hacks Get Good?
Fans of the show Hacks will tell a potential new viewer that the show should captivate your attention quickly, but the more you watch the show (and are at least somewhat enjoying it), the more the show pays off as the first two seasons continue. By the third season, the quality remains high, but the shine of the first two seasons is showing a bit of wear.
What Fans Say
Hacks has quickly become a darling of modern comedy television. Fans praise its sharp, incisive humor and the brilliant chemistry between its leads, Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder. Jean Smart, in particular, as the legendary but fading comedian Deborah Vance, is consistently lauded for delivering one of the best performances of her career. Viewers appreciate how the series blends comedy with a deeper exploration of themes like aging, relevance in the entertainment industry, generational divides, and personal growth.
Another aspect that resonates with fans is the layered storytelling. While Hacks often delivers laugh-out-loud moments, it also features emotional depth, focusing on the loneliness and insecurity that accompany the characters’ drive for success. The intergenerational dynamic between Deborah and Ava, a young and cynical comedy writer, is a standout element, offering sharp dialogue, conflict, and heartwarming growth. Fans applaud the series’ ability to juggle comedy and drama without compromising the wit that makes the show unique.
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What Haters Say
Critics of Hacks often point to the pacing as a drawback. Some viewers find the narrative to be uneven, with episodes occasionally feeling slower or more reflective than expected for a comedy series. Additionally, detractors argue that the show leans heavily on familiar tropes—such as the older mentor teaching a younger upstart valuable life lessons—which can sometimes feel predictable.
Another criticism is aimed at the character of Ava, who, particularly in the first season, comes across as entitled or unlikable to some viewers. While this is intentional as part of her character development, it has occasionally alienated portions of the audience who find her hard to root for.
Despite these criticisms, many of those who initially disliked elements of the show admit that its humor, strong performances, and character growth win them over in the long run.
Does the Show Fall Off in Quality at Any Point?
Hacks has been remarkably consistent across its seasons, a rarity in modern television. Critics and audiences generally agree that the show maintains its high quality through sharp writing, stellar performances, and a continued focus on character development.
While some viewers feel that the second season’s road trip format slightly shifted the tone and pacing, others argue that it allowed for deeper emotional exploration and meaningful growth for both Deborah and Ava. As of the most recent season, Hacks has avoided the dreaded decline in quality that often plagues long-running shows, thanks to its tight focus and willingness to evolve the relationship between its leads.
Aggregated Critic Commentary
| Season | Rotten Tomatoes Rating | IMDb Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100% | 8.2/10 |
| 2 | 100% | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | 96% | 8.2/10 |
Critics widely celebrate Hacks as one of the best comedy-dramas of the streaming era. Jean Smart’s performance as Deborah Vance is often singled out as the heart of the show, with reviewers praising her ability to balance biting humor with poignant vulnerability. Her portrayal captures the complexities of a trailblazing female comedian reckoning with her legacy in an industry that often discards women after a certain age.
The writing is another consistent highlight, with critics noting its blend of razor-sharp humor and thoughtful exploration of themes like ambition, failure, and personal redemption. The intergenerational dynamic between Deborah and Ava is a common point of praise, with critics commending the show’s ability to challenge both characters without falling into cliché.
Some reviewers have noted occasional pacing issues or episodic lulls, but the overall consensus remains overwhelmingly positive. The series has earned critical acclaim and multiple awards, solidifying its place as a standout in modern television.
Overview of the Show
Hacks is a comedy-drama series that debuted on HBO Max in 2021, created by Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky. The show revolves around Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a legendary stand-up comedian whose career is on the decline. Once a trailblazer in her field, Deborah now performs a steady routine in Las Vegas but struggles to stay relevant in a rapidly changing entertainment industry. When her agent pairs her with Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), a young comedy writer recently “canceled” over a controversial tweet, the unlikely duo begins a turbulent working relationship.
Ava, who initially sees writing for Deborah as a punishment, quickly realizes that Deborah’s career and wisdom hold more value than she first assumed. Meanwhile, Deborah grapples with her own insecurities, fears of irrelevance, and lingering bitterness over past betrayals. Together, the two women push each other to grow—both professionally and personally—while learning valuable lessons about ambition, vulnerability, and reinvention.
Hacks excels in its ability to blend biting comedy with deeply emotional storytelling. While it offers plenty of sharp, satirical commentary on the entertainment industry, it also explores universal themes of success, failure, and connection. Jean Smart’s powerhouse performance anchors the series, while Hannah Einbinder provides the perfect foil as Ava, creating a dynamic and engaging on-screen partnership.
Season Highlights
Season 1:
The first season introduces Deborah Vance and Ava, setting up their fraught but promising working relationship. Deborah hires Ava to punch up her stale stand-up material, leading to clashes as they struggle to understand each other. Highlights include the exploration of Deborah’s past career sacrifices, Ava’s gradual realization of her own shortcomings, and standout episodes like the season finale, where Deborah tests out riskier, more personal material. The season ends on a cliffhanger, with their relationship seemingly fractured after a betrayal.
Season 2:
Season 2 takes Deborah and Ava on a road trip across the country as Deborah tests her new material in smaller clubs. This season delves deeper into both characters’ personal growth, as Deborah begins to embrace vulnerability in her act while Ava grapples with her guilt over exposing Deborah’s secrets in an email. The emotional highs are balanced with plenty of comedic moments, like Deborah’s disastrous (but hilarious) gig on a lesbian cruise. The season culminates with Deborah delivering a groundbreaking new comedy special that reignites her career, while Ava’s professional opportunities also begin to take off.
Similar Shows
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – Both shows focus on the comedy industry and feature strong, complex female leads navigating professional and personal challenges.
- Barry – This dark comedy balances humor and drama, exploring themes of ambition, redemption, and flawed protagonists.
- Fleabag – Known for its sharp wit and emotional depth, Fleabag shares Hacks’ ability to blend comedy with poignant storytelling.
- Better Things – A grounded comedy-drama about a woman balancing career and life, much like Deborah’s journey in Hacks.
- 30 Rock – While more satirical, 30 Rock similarly explores the behind-the-scenes chaos of show business with fast-paced humor.
If You Liked These, You’ll Like This Show
- Veep – For fans of biting dialogue, flawed characters, and sharp political and social satire.
- Louie – A darkly comedic look at a comedian’s personal and professional struggles.
- Curb Your Enthusiasm – Shares Hacks’ humor rooted in awkward situations, flawed personalities, and the comedy industry.
- Girls – If you appreciate Hacks’ focus on imperfect, evolving characters and sharp generational commentary, Girls delivers a similar experience.