By: Kiera Hamilton

If you haven’t already started watching Hacks on HBOMax, it’s time to add it to your watchlist. On the surface, a show centered around the harsh world of stand-up comedy might not sound all that interesting. However, Hacks takes that idea and turns it into a sharp, hilarious, and moving story about ambition and unexpected friendships. At a time when television is crowded with predictable sitcoms and reality TV, Hacks stands out as one of the funniest and most engaging shows on television today.

At the center of the show is a complex and messy relationship between two women who couldn’t be more different: Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels. Deborah, played by Jean Smart, is a legendary Las Vegas comedian who spent decades building her empire. Despite her fame, wealth, and record of continuous sold-out shows, she finds herself in a desperate fight to keep her residency at a casino as management threatens to push her out for younger acts. This is where Ava Daniels, played by Hannah Einbinder, comes into the story. Ava, a twenty-five-year-old comedy writer living in Los Angeles, suddenly finds her career in jeopardy after posting an insensitive tweet that gets her “cancelled.” Desperate to find work and quickly running out of options, Ava’s agent sends her to Las Vegas to help Deborah update her routine.

What makes their partnership so interesting to watch is how directly their age difference drives the humor and tension in the show. Deborah represents an older generation of women in the entertainment industry. She learned early on that to survive the tough, male-dominated field, she had to build thick skin, work twice as hard, and never show vulnerability. To Deborah, comedy is a craft earned through discipline and sacrifice. Ava, on the other hand, is from a much younger generation. She is hyper-aware of social issues, eager to share her feelings, and expresses herself without a filter. While Ava approaches life with an emphasis on honesty and modern values, Deborah views anything less than unyielding toughness as a weakness.

This clash is captured in their very first meeting in the series premiere. When Ava arrives at Deborah’s Las Vegas mansion, the interaction quickly turns hostile. After Deborah criticizes Ava’s outfit and dismisses her, Ava snaps, calling Deborah an “old hack” and insulting her lavish home by comparing it to “The Cheesecake Factory.” Instead of throwing Ava out, Deborah is instantly intrigued by Ava’s willingness to fight back and trade sharp insults. Their initial hostility establishes a comparative dynamic that is fueled by sharp wit and creative friction.

Yet, instead of focusing entirely on cheap jokes about older adults not understanding technology and young people being too soft, Hacks uses their age gap to show a much richer bond. Deborah and Ava are not mother and daughter, nor are they traditional best friends. Instead, they exist as rivals, mentors, and creative soulmates. Several months into their relationship, a genuine trade-off begins to happen between the two. Deborah teaches Ava the grit, work ethic, and toughness needed to survive in the entertainment industry. She shows Ava that talent alone is not enough–you have to respect the audience and put in the work. At the same time, Ava pushes Deborah to look past her easy, comfortable jokes and confront the personal truths she spent her entire life hiding.

The evolution of their relationship is undeniable by Season 5. In contrast to the forced, hostile interview of Season 1, a key scene in the final season highlights how their dynamic has transformed as they prepare Deborah’s historic performance at Madison Square Garden. Facing the highest stakes of her career, Deborah finally drops her tough exterior and admits to Ava, and to herself, how deeply she relies on Ava not just as a writer, but as an indispensable partner. The scene highlights how their early hostility and power struggles give way to complete trust and deep vulnerability, cementing them as true creative soulmates who need each other to reach their highest potential.

This interesting dynamic has not only captured the hearts of viewers, but has also completely swept award seasons. Hacks has been a massive hit, earning a total of 86 Emmy nominations across its five-season run. The show took home the prestigious award of Outstanding Comedy Series in 2024, alongside wins for its exceptional writing.

The performances of its two lead actresses have received widespread praise as well. Jake Martin from American Magazine says, “What Smart does so well in her depiction of Vance is tune into that aspect of comedians that is hidden or ignored, that is, the shadow side of making people laugh: not loving well.” She has won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in every season of the show, becoming the first female performer to do so. Meanwhile, Hannah Einbinder has earned multiple Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress, proving herself to be a formidable co-star who matches Smart’s energy in every scene.

Ultimately, Hacks has had so much success because it treats its characters with real depth and care. It delivers non-stop humor without sacrificing the real emotional stakes of growing up and growing older. Whether you are tuning in for the sharp comedy or the touching story of a cross-generational friendship, Hacks is well worth your time.

Kiera Hamilton is a senior English/Secondary Education major at Holy Family University, graduating in winter 2027. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting, spending time with friends, and baking any type of sweet treat.