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Dan Bucatinsky Reveals Heartwarming Bond with Hacks Co-Stars Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder!

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Hacks” continues to shine as one of the top TV shows in 2025, with a significant portion of its success owed to the exceptional acting abilities of leads Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder. Over four seasons, we’ve witnessed their characters Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels experience love, hate, dependency, and learning, and if the on-screen chemistry between the actresses is this strong, imagine how it must be for the co-stars! Dan Bucatinsky shared his experiences from Season 4 with TopMob, discussing his bonding moments with Smart and Einbinder.

Beyond its star-studded leads, “Hacks” is renowned for boasting an exceptional ensemble cast, with Dan Bucatinsky joining the fray since Season 3. This season (now available with a Max subscription), Bucatinsky plays Rob, the executive producer of “Late Night with Deborah Vance,” and he’s relishing his expanded role. He recently shared with Nick Venable from TopMob that working alongside Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart has been an incredibly enjoyable experience for him. He stated:

It might seem like an exaggeration, but it’s entirely justified. I had an absolutely delightful experience working on this show. Both Jean and Hannah were truly inspiring to me. As we spent more time together during the eight episodes we worked on, a wonderful friendship developed between us. Hannah and I grew incredibly close, almost like she was a surrogate daughter to me. At the same time, she served as my spiritual guide. I have a daughter in her twenties, and Hannah offered me valuable parenting advice, just as Jean did.

It’s delightful to hear about the close bonds that develop among cast members on set, and in this case, Dan Bucatinsky fostered a unique father-daughter type relationship with Hannah Einbinder. Interestingly, he also shared a common bond with Jean Smart as they both have children of similar ages, which deepened their connection further. Bucatinsky continued to discuss…

1) Jean and I share the fact that our sons are both 17 years old. Our diverse circles of friends made it easy for us to appreciate each other on a deeper level. As for Jean Smart, she’s the top-billed actor on set, which can be challenging in Hollywood since everyone else tends to follow her lead. The dynamic of being No. 1 on the call sheet is like a chicken and egg situation sometimes. It could stem from the creators of the show, such as [Jen Statsky], [Lucia Aniello], and [Paul W. Downs], who are all collaborative and excellent. However, Jean stands out as a gracious, humble, funny individual who always makes people feel comfortable, even during our appearances on Late Night with Deborah Vance.

It’s often mentioned that the person at the top of the call sheet, like Number 1, sets the mood for the entire production. Remarkably, Jean Smart’s “wonderful” demeanor towards her fellow cast members reportedly extended to those who were even out of the spotlight. Bucatinsky noted:

We had a group of backstage artists acting as her show’s audience. Each time she appeared, she would joke about the length of the performance and her foot discomfort, making an effort to connect with everyone. This team-oriented approach is characteristic of Jean, and it made me feel included during our collaboration. I truly enjoyed working with them.

Dan Bucatinsky has been involved in television acting, producing, and writing since the ’90s, which means he’s undoubtedly witnessed a variety of situations when dealing with people in Hollywood. His statement that working with Jean Smart is as impressive as working with Kerry Washington on “Scandal” (where Bucatinsky won an Emmy for his role as James Novak) is indeed a big compliment. He mentioned, whether they’re aware of it or not, they’re setting a good example through their work.

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Jean Smart’s performance in the series has been unforgettable and earned her three Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes. However, as Bucatinsky points out, Hacks wouldn’t be the same show without Hannah Einbinder, who not only brings the perspective of her generation but also pours a lot of affection for her co-star into her role.

Incidentally, another key aspect is that the story features two leading characters who are women. There’s a dynamic of intergenerational guidance taking place between them, similar to my relationship with Hannah since I’m old enough to be her father. In this narrative, Hannah served as a mentor to Jean, just as Jean did for Hannah. They shared a profound bond and were incredibly supportive of each other. However, in the current season, their mutual support seems to have waned.

Although Season 4 maintains its sharp wit, insightful commentary, and top-tier quality on Max, some viewers have expressed concerns about Deborah and Ava’s tumultuous relationship. Apparently, this isn’t just a problem for the audience, as Dan Bucatinsky mentioned, because he observed that the actresses also found it challenging to portray this strife:.

This season, they seemed to challenge one another intensely, a feat that appeared quite difficult considering their mutual feelings. It was intriguing to observe their interactions. They seemed to be performing exceptionally well, and surprisingly, they were incredibly supportive of each other behind the scenes as well.

I find it delightful as a fan of “Hacks” to learn about the close bond Dan Bucatinsky shares with both Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder. It’s heartening to know that the affection portrayed by their characters in the show often mirrors their real-life relationship. Don’t miss out on the season 4 finale of “Hacks” airing at 9 p.m. ET this Thursday, May 29, only on Max.

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2025-05-23 06:10

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