Hacks
Parents say
Based on 1 review
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Hacks
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Hacks is a comedy series that contains lots of mature content, ranging from strong sexual and crude references, to copious cursing, drinking, and smoking. There's also frequent yelling and arguing, and references to infidelity, a messy divorce, and death. Apple products are frequently visible, companies like QVC and Postmates are referenced, and expensive cars makes like Rolls-Royce and Mercedes Benz are visible throughout the show. The show highlights the challenges that come with working in the entertainment industry, including ageism, sexism, and generational differences.
Community Reviews
Jean Smart is worth a few uncomfortable scenes
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What's the Story?
HACKS is a comedy series about the complicated relationship between a veteran comedian and an up-and-coming comedy writer. Legendary comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) lives in Las Vegas and is the star attraction at The Palmetto Casino. But when CEO Marty Ghilain (Christopher McDonald) wants to reduce her performance dates to make way for younger, hipper acts, Vance's manager Jimmy (Paul W. Downs) sends Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), a young, unfiltered, and thus unemployed L.A. comedy writer to help her write new material. She joins chief operating officer Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins) and personal assistant Damien (Mark Indelicato) as part of Vance's team, and sometimes finds herself dealing with D.J. (Kaitlin Olson), the comedian's troubled adult daughter. Neither Deborah nor Ava are thrilled about working with each other, but as the two butt heads, they also reveal what they have in common.
Is It Any Good?
Sharp and well-written, the dark comedy series skillfully creates a story narrative in which two strong and talented women manage to successfully work together while remaining at odds. The aging Deborah Vance (who's reminiscent of the late Joan Rivers) is more committed to working and maintaining her image than she is to her craft, thanks to an exhausting career filled with successes and failures. The much younger Ava wants to remain creative and relevant, but after being blackballed for tweeting a single controversial joke, finds herself trying to write punchlines and one-liners for an entertainer who is out of touch with her generation. Their collective judgmental and unapologetically blunt personalities, combined with the overall sense of disenchantment they feel about the world, fuels their insulting exchanges. But Hacks successfully uses this dynamic to highlight the respect they have for one another. If you're looking for a good adult comedy, it's a fun and unique binge-watchable series that won't disappoint.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role of writign in a TV comedy. In addition to strong characters and good dialogue, what other things do comedy writers have to focus on in order to make the work funny and relevant to an audience?
How does Hacks describe the nature of the comedy business? How do Deborah and Ava cope with things like ageism and sexism in their careers?
TV Details
- Premiere date: May 13, 2021
- Cast: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Paul W. Downs
- Network: HBO Max
- Genre: Comedy
- Character Strengths: Perseverance, Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Awards: Emmy, Golden Globe
- Last updated: June 20, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love comedy
Character Strengths
Find more tv shows that help kids build character.
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