Unexpected twist in the show "Hacks": What a surprise!
It seems that not many people predicted the shocking twist in the finale of the "Hacks" series, though someone who had just rewatched "All About Eve" might have had an inkling. Personally, I hoped for a joint win for Deborah and Ava, with the latter triumphing over her boss as she claimed her coveted spot on a leading late-night show hosting desk. However, a simple victory is not common in a TV show consisting of multiple seasons.
The finale of the excellent third season of HBO's "Hacks" depicts Ava employing everything she's learned from Deborah, regaining her position as head writer using blackmail. The message? You need to be ruthless to win in the male-dominated comedy industry that persists today.
Although, I have to say I loved almost every aspect of this show, from the portrayal of the absurdity of aging in entertainment to the endearing friendship between two grumpy comedians to the ("Hacks" airs on HBO and streams on Max, both owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, also the owner of CNN).
"Hacks" co-creator Jen Statsky expressed gratitude to be making comedy at a time when there are fewer and fewer of them. She reflected that even anecdotally, agents have advised young writers to focus on dramas, suggesting the decline of comedy as an important genre. However, "Hacks" offers an exception.
Alongside the humor, "Hacks" also delivers emotional depth, such as the burgeoning relationship between Deborah and her sister Kathy, Deborah's realization about her misogynistic male comedy idols, and Deborah's face-off with the consequences of her offensive early work. While Ava's "apprentice surpassing her master" moment is not the most original plot twist, it does make sense to level out the show after the surreal event of Deborah getting crowned as the new queen of late-night.
Ultimately, it's necessary to remind us of the deeply entrenched patriarchy in Deborah's mindset, despite the progress Ava has made in getting her to accept that she's more than just a skilled insult comic. Moreover, Ava also develops a deeper understanding of human empathy.
The primary influence for Deborah Vance is Joan Rivers, though the show's creators have generally avoided mentioning this. Rivers ascended to fame with her unfiltered humor, especially regarding women, and even had a brief stint as a late-night host. Like Deborah, Rivers solely made a name for herself through her talent for roasting anyone, including herself. Despite this, "Hacks" portrays a future in which a Rivers-like comedian learns to reduce her reliance on putting down marginalized groups.
I can't help but wonder if this finale, which has sparked such excitement, truly breaks new ground when you consider shows like "Hacks" have previously discussed the flawed nature of Hollywood's hyper-masculine environment. Simply put, is it necessary to repeat that men who occupy CEO positions usually prefer to remain in that position and perceive any threat as a challenge to their authority and power? Is it groundbreaking to say that women are often expected to follow suit and play by the rules set by these men? There's nothing original about the statement that "Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking."
Furthermore, consider the disappointingly short-lived tenures of Samantha Bee's "Full Frontal," Amber Ruffin's, Chelsea Handler's, Michelle Wolf's, and Robin Thede's shows, as well as Busy Philipps', which all faced cancellations, demonstrating the challenges for women seeking to excel in late-night television. The latest entrant in the female late-night lineup, Taylor Tomlinson, is steering her show in a different direction, focusing on stand-up comedy and away from traditional interview formats, while also expressing her frustration about the burden of being the sole woman in late night and wanting to see more women represented in late-night programming.
The fact that the only traditional talk show hosted by a woman currently is portrayed in the fictional universe of "Hacks" is rather telling. And what's more, Deborah's triumph involved betraying her best friend before being betrayed herself. This isn't precisely the realm of fantasy. Thankfully, there's a fourth season in development.
Recently, another series delved into comparable themes: the convergence of generations in the realm of TV comedy and the necessity for established performers to reconcile their outdated content with the current, more sensitive era. This series was Hulu's "Reboot," which was unfortunately terminated after only one season. While it didn't garner the same critical acclaim as "Hacks," it wasn't provided with the opportunity to fully flourish either. (Creator Steven Levitan is allegedly seeking to sell it to other networks, so perhaps it will resurface.)
I believe that the grand scheme for "Hacks" (Downs and the team have mentioned a planned fifth season) is to subvert the note on which this season concludes - to demonstrate that it is indeed possible to incite change from within and create groundbreaking comedy on a large scale in a manner distinct from the norm. However, the nasty surprise that ended the season still leaves me utterly unimpressed.
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Despite the various opinions on the finale's twist, many viewers found the portrayal of the male-dominated comedy industry and the dynamics between Deborah and Ava to be thought-provoking and insightful.
Given the numerous cancelations of women-led late-night shows, some viewers believe that "Hacks" offers a unique opportunity to explore and challenge these gender-based norms in the entertainment industry.
