Interview: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder and Kaitlin Olson talk ‘Hacks,’ coming May 13 to HBO Max [VIDEO]

Hacks is no ordinary show, lead by an actor who is anything but conventional. Three-time Emmy Award winner Jean Smart shows little fear in tackling any role that comes her way. Whether she’s Depression Kitty on Big Mouth, William Shatner’s love interest in Senior Moment, Helen (Mare’s mother) in Mare of Easttown, or Laurie Blake on Watchmen, Smart is one of the most versatile performers in Hollywood. We now get to see her as the acerbic queen of comedians, Deborah Vance in HBO Max’s, Hacks which debuts May 13.

This is a role we’ve never seen her take on before and she’s fantastic. Rounding out the cast is comedian Hannah Einbinder (daughter of classic Saturday Night Live alum Laraine Newman) who plays Ava, a 20-something writer hired to punch up Deborah’s act and Kaitlin Olson (Sweet Dee on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) who plays Deborah’s daughter, who’s determined to make it on her own out from her mother’s looming shadow.

‘Hacks’ review: tackling sexism and punchlines with acerbic wit, this is one of the year’s best shows

The show is about a legendary comedian who forms a bond with a 25-year-old entitled comedian who was hired to help punch up her act. We see how Deborah has had to navigate the misogynistic world of entertainment for well over 40 years and now she is faced with a casino owner who thinks she is too old and past her prime. We were lucky enough to speak with the cast about this fantastic show. Our conversation ranged from Jean’s hatred of technology, each of their favorite moments in the show, and how Jean uses the “f” word.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Dewey Singleton

I'm a member of Critics Choice, Hollywood Critics Association, and The Society of Professional Journalists. I am also on Rotten Tomatoes. My bylines include @awardswatch, @deweysmovies, @awardsradar, @weliveentertainment, @bleedingcool, and @insessionfilm. I am married to @sgitw and have two sons.

Latest posts by Dewey Singleton (see all)

• Interview: Mark Mylod on getting perfect shots in ‘Succession’ and giving the cast “freebies” to open their performances [VIDEO] - August 17, 2022
• Interview: Adam Scott on his banner year and first career Emmy nominations with ‘Severance’ [VIDEO] - August 17, 2022
• Interview: Seth Meyers talks about what excites him the most about ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’ and offers invaluable advice to aspiring writers [VIDEO] - August 16, 2022