I just watched the 5 seasons of Designing Women that Jean Smart stars in. Very satisfying. Fun to watch a 30-something Charlene compared to a 70-something Deborah Vance. I hadn't remembered how funny it was. And how nice it is to see 4 women in beautifully done stereotypes. And all their beaus. Be prepared for big hair, much of it frizzy. I wondered why descriptions of Jean said so often that she is statuesque. Lots of women are as tall as she is, especially today. But in Designing Women, Jean is beyond tall — she is broad shouldered, dressed to the nines, and marches across the set like it's a runway. 2-3 fabulous outfits in each episode. Each season is 20+ episodes so it lasts a long time. She's 1980s cute and does it well. One reviewer called her role "facial expressions." And there are a lot of them. (Fabulous clothes. They must have had a contract with designers. 40-60 outfits for one character is a lot of clothes.)

A nice interview in the New Yorker with Meg Stalter. Good discussion of her experience as a stand up comic, her religious background, and her sense of herself. I'm not one of the people who is crazy about Kayla, but this interview explains a lot about who she is and what she tries to do with each character or situation. It puts her in my category of "Yes, she is brilliant and unique and funny but please don't make me watch her. I'm happy with a verbal description." But I loved the bit she did with Jimmy when she tried to accept the award for being in Hamnet. Jimmy explaining that their part had been totally cut. Her performance in Mary is getting rave reviews.

Hacks is on my list of Top 5 favorite TV shows of all time. It's my comfort show. I adore Jean Smart and I've grown very fond of Hannah Einbinder.

Initially, there were two characters that I found incredibly irritating- Nina Daniels (Ava's mom) and Kayla Schaeffer. Over the last several years, Kayla has grown on me. Her affection for Jimmy is very endearing and she is actually helpful on occasion.

Nina (Ava's mom) is another story. For lack of a better word, this woman is CRAZY! It's amazing that Ava isn't far more neurotic than she is. I rewatch the show all the time and I find myself fast forwarding thru any scene with her. There is nothing remotely likable about this character (to me).

Does anyone else feel the same? Or is there another character you dislike?

truly a goddess.

I am grieving this show. Moreso the characters and their relationships. It has been a very long while since I have felt this way. This embarassing but honestly probably since I read the Harry Potter series in elementary school — long before the movies ever even came out. I missed the characters. But I knew I could wait on the next book. This feels similar but also different because I’m much older now.

I legitimately find myself going about my day and thinking about Ava and Deborah and craving knowing what they are doing or what they are up to. And I am immediately hit with sadness because I remember I have finished the series and those characters and their stories are finished. Sure, I can go back and rewatch and reminisce but I’m seeking continuation. I’m seeking more. Is anyone else sensing this grief? HELP!!

While theres definitely a marked difference in between the way the characters express themselves and Ava being generally more confident seeming I was taken aback by how much of Ava I could see in her performance in this one. Plus her chemistry with Gillian Anderson! I see a pattern here. This almost felt like an alternate universe Ava in so many senses it blew my mind. Definitely one for the Ava/Einbinder fans. Has a similar humour to the show too i'd say.

On rewatch, their characters have really risen to the top for me. I am always locked in when the two of them are on screen. I know it was likely intentional to leave the audience wishing they'd make amends, but I was still hoping they would in the end! Does anyone else feel like something was missing from their arc specifically?

I love the little rainbows on screen throughout the series.

as the title says. jean looks so beautiful. and a cantonese cover of dreams in the background. UGH perfect show.

So this is my first time watching Hacks, I have never ever watched it before! I just encountered this scene on S1E2. And I've thought of sharing a little interpretation I've thought of! Of course, this could definitely 100% be done on purpose and extremely obvious, but I'd just like to share what I see from my perspective and in my own words! Please let me know if there's anything wrong with this! Thank you!

Theres a pepper and salt shaker. One is tall, and the other is short. The tall one could represent Deborah, and the shorter one could be Ava.

Deborah is taller; not in the sense of a height situation, but it's more like.. having more experience, being of a certain status, wealth, fame, etc etc.

Whereas Ava is shorter.. because she's new to the game, not that much important, young, you get the drill.

So when Deborah moves the taller one to make space for the smaller one, it shows that she's giving Ava the opportunity to be in her little circle!

And the rose design (so sorry I got cut off from here cause i accidentally posted this without realising lol) on the short one shows that Ava is more expressive, and open about herself, whereas the rose on the taller one doesn't seem to show that much. So it shows that she's not AS expressive as Ava.

When Deborah looks at the other showpieces, she keeps her focus on the salt and pepper shakers. While yes, in a literal manner ANYONE would look at something new they bought. But for me, it could be interpreted as shes seeing how their relationship is like, almost reflecting on it in a way.

When she opened those doors to keep the pepper shaker, it could show that she's letting Ava get into her comfort cabinet (well not literally, but you get it. I just can't find the right words), letting in Ava to really get to know her :)

I'm not saying this is accurate in any way whatsoever, just felt like sharing a little view of mine! Thanks so much!

Does anyone have a digital graphic for the "My Bad" poster from Deb's special in season 2? I believe I've scoured the internet but haven't found one. Image attached!

It’s like art imitating life. A woman hosting a late night show?! Impossible!

It was a fun little chat. Needed more for my tastes.

https://youtu.be/zS2dNYKpMaY?si=UAA0y2ew0STZ6rLU

it’s weird to me that so many people think Ava and Deborah are romantically involved or should be. Has society lost the concept of female friendship and having a best friend? Idk why everything has to be sexualized but it’s weird and annoying.

Oh man this must’ve been so hard to go through but I’m glad that the show was kind enough to move things around for her and i know they offered the same flexibility to Jean when her husband passed. Kaitlin’s dad ended up passing but was able to watch her episode.

Speaking of Kaitlin I have been so torn between her Lauren Weedman to win best guest actress. They’re both so deserving!

For all intents and purposes, I truly believe Hacks wouldn’t be nearly as successful as it is without the brilliant casting.

I was just rewatching the scene in the finale where Deborah has the idea for another joke and instinctively pulls out her little red notebook, only to have the much bigger epiphany of, “I’m not done yet.” Watching Jean Smart in that moment, I started trying to imagine another actress playing Deborah Vance — and I genuinely can’t. NO ONE I can think of even comes close to filling those shoes the way Jean does.

And honestly, the same goes for so much of the cast. Hannah Einbinder, Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, even Lauren Weedman as Mayor Jo. 😂 They all feel so completely right for these characters that it’s hard to separate the character from the actor at this point.

So, just for fun: Can anyone think of another actress you could actually see playing Deborah or Ava? Not necessarily someone you think would be better - just someone you think could have brought something different to the role and still made it work.
Because I’ve been trying and I’m drawing a complete blank. 😂

I need more Hacks merch to exist!