Premiered: May 13, 2021

On: HBO Max

Starring: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Mark Indelicato, Paul W. Downs, Christopher McDonald, Rose Abdoo, Megan Stalter, Poppy Liu, Kaitlin Olson, Johnny Sibilly, Angela Elayne Gibbs, Jane Adams, Lorenza Izzo, Luenell, Joe Mande & Lauren Weedman

With art imitating life, Hacks provides a solid first season looking at comedy changes over the years.

Due to a tweet that got her blacklisted, Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) is an unemployed comedy writer who is sent to Las Vegas to work with comedy legend Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), whose residency is being threatened.

Smart has proven for decades that she’s a genius whether it’s comedy or drama, and it’s amazing to see her in the lead again. She and Einbinder have fantastic chemistry, which helps you root for their characters even during their biggest fights.

Though some of the show is cliché, watching the characters educate each other about their generations is what makes it worthwhile. Deborah’s showdown with a male comic after an impassioned speech by Ava is unforgettable.

Final say: It’s a hack, but a good one. ★★★★☆