Hacks, Season 2

Everyone’s story arcs go full circle via a road trip in this second outing of the odd couple of modern comedy, Boomer Deborah and Millennial Ava. It’s not as funny as the first but there is some gold, such as the lesbian cruise gig. The trope of the incompetent nepo baby receptionist and the long suffering manager is annoying, but at least serves a purpose in the story of Ava and Deborah’s law suit and their careers. Whereas the tale of Business Manager Marcus’s commitment issues and subsequent cockups is just irritating. Jean Smart is sublime as ageing comedy legend Deborah Vance, desperate for a second coming. It’s worth watching just for her performance. The show maintains a nice balance between comedy and drama, which allows for growth but never lapses into sentimentality. Season 3 has been delayed by Smart’s heart surgery and the Hollywood writers’ strike.