Hacks
2021 · 5 Seasons · Max · Comedy-Drama
Hacks built its reputation on two things: Jean Smart's towering performance as Deborah Vance and a central relationship so combustible it could power five seasons of comedy and heartbreak in equal measure. The writing is consistently sharp, the ensemble cast punches well above its weight, and the show handles themes of ageism, ambition, and creative legacy with a confidence that most comedies never attempt. A recurring cycle of conflict between its leads tests patience in later seasons, and the portrayal of stand-up itself leans more toward Hollywood satire than anything resembling the real comedy world. But at its best, Hacks is one of the defining comedies of the 2020s, funny and cutting and unexpectedly moving in ways that earned every one of its Emmys.