Movies

Commentary: In ‘Hacks,’ Deborah finally achieves her dream. But like reality, late-night is in trouble

BBG News

Without a second thought, I’d confidently assert that among the most significant television productions in contemporary era, and arguably one of the greatest in its entirety, is “The Larry Sanders Show,” a groundbreaking 1990s HBO series created by Garry Shandling. This show revolves around a troubled talk-show host, his team, and an array of guests – celebrities portraying fictionalized versions of themselves, a revolutionary concept. It introduced profound layers and possibilities to sitcoms, serving as a precursor for shows that skillfully blend the fabricated and the real.

One statement that significantly resonated with me, as shared by Judd Apatow (the creator of “Sanders”), was Garry Shandling’s perspective. He explained that the essence of the show lay not just in the relationships between characters, but also in how show business interfered with those connections. According to Shandling in 2010, the underlying theme of the series was exploring human traits such as the desire for more, the need to talk excessively, and our obsession with labels like success, fame, and wealth. However, what stood out as lacking, according to him, were genuine love and compassion.

In this season 4 of “Hacks,” the Max series, an identical question revolves around veteran comedian Deborah Vance (played by Jean Smart). After years of delay due to gossip about her supposedly setting fire to her ex-husband’s house, she’s been given her long-desired opportunity: hosting a late-night network talk show. Her journey intertwines with Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), the contemporary comedy writer who’s been by her side since the series started in 2021. Ava has managed to secure the role of head writer through some underhanded means, creating an atmosphere of stress as they navigate their complex, age-old dynamic that is both supportive and strained. The network has also assigned them a full-time HR monitor due to their tumultuous relationship.

Television

On the hit show “Hacks,” Hannah Einbinder emerged as a breakout talent; however, stand-up comedy remains her primary interest and ambition. Her debut special, titled “Everything Must Go” on Max, represents the culmination of her brief but impactful career thus far.

In the storyline of this series, Deborah’s appointment as the inaugural female host for a late-night show is groundbreaking, as there are no counterparts like Joan Rivers (former host of Fox’s “The Late Show” from 1986 to 1988), “The Faye Emerson Show” (on CBS from 1949-1951), or Cynthia Garrett (the first African American woman in late-night, who hosted NBC’s “Later” from 2000 to 2001) present within this fictional world.

According to Deborah, the network she’s referring to has never employed a woman at 11:30, nor anyone her age, or someone with blonde hair. It seems like it would be just as difficult for her to become president. Despite the presence of women such as Chelsea Handler, Samantha Bee, Sarah Silverman, Busy Phillips, Taylor Tomlinson on various cable shows and Taylor Tomlinson working for CBS on “After Midnight” until June, this situation persists. It doesn’t seem to matter if these women are younger than Deborah or have blonde hair. The permanent late-night hosts have always been men.

Although Deborah’s ambition is fulfilled by taking over the late-night show, reality paints a different picture. Late-night programming is facing difficulties, with ratings dropping significantly. Jimmy Kimmel expressed his concerns last summer on Gov. Newsom’s podcast, suggesting that network TV late-night shows may not exist in 10 years, or at least there won’t be many left. In a recent episode of “Hacks,” Deborah clashed with Jimmy Kimmel when she attempted to recruit Kristen Bell as a guest. Kimmel made it clear that he had full custody of the show following Conan’s departure. As Helen Hunt’s character, Winnie, explains in “Late Night,” the decision wasn’t between Deborah and another host, but rather between Deborah and canceling the entire franchise. Deborah’s appointment, due to her impressive Season 3 performance, can be seen as a “Hail Deborah” strategy.

Today’s century has significantly altered the landscape of post-prime-time television, primarily due to the internet. Late night TV, which was once strictly a late-night affair with a biological rhythm, has been fragmented into clips that can be watched at one’s convenience. The competition in this realm is fiercer than ever, as an unprecedented number of individuals are speaking to vast audiences through podcasts, discussions, and personal events. Not every celebrity who appears on shows like Jimmy Fallon, Kimmel, Colbert, or even Seth Meyers at 12:30 a.m., whose “Late Night” is the only show remaining in that time slot (with “After Midnight” being a game show where comedians improvise based on pop culture and social media), will also have content on YouTube. However, many celebrities use these platforms to express themselves more freely, delve deeper into topics, engage in silliness, or even participate in challenges like eating hot wings while answering questions.

Television

While the ways people watch late-night series have drastically changed with the rise of streaming and social media, the actual content or innovation within these shows has remained relatively unchanged.

The comedy special “Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney” flows into this moment in our timeline, serving as an extension to last year’s “John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A.” that was part of the Netflix Is a Joke Festival. Currently, it’s halfway through its 12-week run. New episodes debut on Wednesdays, with live broadcasts at 10 p.m. Eastern Time and 7 p.m. Pacific Time (Mulaney always shares the local time and temperature in L.A. at the beginning). Although it’s not a traditional late-night show, it doesn’t compete with network late-night series because it operates on Netflix’s schedule.

The format is somewhat similar, yet unique, incorporating a monologue, interactions with Richard Kind, skits, interviews, and musical performances. Each episode poses a question as its central theme, such as “Should I Lend People Money?” or “What’s the Best Way to Fire Someone?”, which are discussed by an eclectic group of celebrities and experts. Notable guests have ranged from David Letterman to Tina Fey, none using the platform to promote their projects. There are also phone-in segments intended to maintain the show’s live feel, but these have not been very successful – or rather, they have been quite unsuccessful. The callers often appear confused, there are periods of silence, and Mulaney may abruptly end a conversation by asking about the caller’s car make and model.

Television

Following the acclaimed show “Everybody’s in L.A.” last year, comedian John Mulaney is making a comeback to late-night TV on Netflix with the new production titled “Everybody’s Live.

John Mulaney is known for his hilarious comedy acts and being an excellent talk-show guest. The parts of the show that are most engaging, where he appears most comfortable and in command, occur when he swaps jokes for stories. He’s side-splittingly funny as he recounts a botched Bone Thugs-N-Harmony booking, a doctor visit, or teaching his son about urination. “Everybody’s Live” sometimes feels a bit disorganized; the weekly themes often don’t lead anywhere significant, the conversations can be imbalanced, and despite top-notch production values, it has a touch of local TV feel to it.

The way Deborah Vance’s late-night show is currently running, it’s not necessarily facing cancellation. Its casual style is quite appealing, as long as viewers aren’t seeking something more substantial. Regardless, its end has already been planned out. Whether or not Max renews “Hacks” will ultimately decide the show’s future (it appears likely).

The debates within the series about art versus commercial success aren’t merely to convey an opinion, but serve as symbols in the ongoing conflict between Ava and Deborah since the show’s inception. Progress only occurs when their contrasting goals align, during temporary ceasefires. Both characters desire their show to prosper, being complex individuals who seek approval and improvement, even if they rarely acknowledge it. The appeal of the show lies in the dynamic between these characters, yet the potential for a fifth season of “Hacks” suggests that their late-night journey ahead might be rocky.

Read More

2025-05-02 13:31

Previous post Top gainers and losers
Next post Adam Pearson to Play Elephant Man in New Movie Adaptation