Hacks, HBO Max

[bichiguy]

going another season for sure -- the creators said that's the plan, 5 and done ... we shall see

[d.anders]

I finally returned to the series, and picked it up at Season 2. It didn't take long to figure out that I left the story just before Laurie Metcalf entered as the road manager. I love Laurie. Completely believable in her road-life wackiness.

I don't think I left the series because I totally disliked it. I love Jean Smart too much for that to be possible. I probably got distracted with a movie or 2, or other drama stuff.

Now that I'm watching again, the comments here mean more. I've had time to think about the things that initially bothered me.

I did not realize that Paul W. Downs and his wife, Lucia Aniello, are part of the creative team that invented this series. Until I read this thread, I did not know that Paul W. Downs was playing Jimmy LuSaque Jr. I was never able to read the credits at the end of the show. I am shocked that Paul Downs is straight (assuming). I was totally convinced he was gay in real life, and that his character is gay. I had problems liking his character. The antics between he and Kayla seemed too network sit-com for me. The best Hollywood agent character I've ever seen was Jeremy Piven's Ari Gold in Entourage. Comic, yes, but very real.

On paper, Kayla Schaeffer, reads like a great character, a great opportunity for an overweight actress. But in the show, Megan Stalter is playing her way over the top. I find it difficult to believe, even with the nepotism sideline, that a character like that could survive an agent business in Hollywood. There are overweight women working in Hollywood. I think it could be great to explore that life, especially with comic flair. Kayla seems outrageous for the sake of being outrageous. She's just not grounded in any reality.

Martha Kelly, OTOH, is the perfect Human Resources corporate drone. And Jane Adams is the perfect mother to Ava Daniels.

I did not like the casting of Kaitlin Olson as Vance's daughter.

Carl Clemons-Hopkins as Marcus is a weak character. It seems like he is there to fill space. However, his mother, Robin, played by Angela Gibbs, and Miss Loretta, played by Luenell, make for excellent comic side kicks.

Rose Abdoo as Josefina is excellent. 

I have a ways to go to catch up.

[d.anders]

I finished Season 2. I question the story actions of Jimmy and Kayla, but it's hard not to root for them at this point. Their characters are growing on me. I loved Ming-Na Wen in Joy Luck Club and ER. In Hacks, she is ruthless. What a change of character. Fabulous.

[d.anders]

Very interesting. Paul describes how Kayla is based on several real people, and their decision to make her over the top for laughs.

My Gaydar is still telling me this guy is gay. One can only wonder how many boys in Hollywood he's had to fend off over the years.

[Rod Hagen]

He was excellent in Broadcity.

[Manhattan]

Can't they just end this? Jean Smart deserved a meaty role and she got one, but the rest of the show is garbage. Bad acting and bad writing everywhere. 

[samhexum]

On 5/4/2025 at 6:00 AM, MikeThomas said:

Ava has grown into an insufferable twat.   

I watched the whole season in two days and really disliked her so many times for so many things.

But I enjoyed the season overall, due to Jean Smart's brilliance and the very good supporting actors.

Edited July 22 by samhexum
because Bob Lipka made him do it.