Hacks Season 3: The Hilarious and Heartbreaking Comedy Masterpiece Returns

The critically acclaimed comedy Hacks has returned for its third season, and it’s just as biting, heartfelt and hilarious as ever.

The show follows the unlikely mentorship between Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a legendary Las Vegas comic, and Ava (Hannah Einbinder), a young, cancelled writer hired to revamp Deborah’s stale material.

After two stellar seasons, the brilliant comedy continues to blend cutting insult humour with incredible heart and depth, offering a hilarious yet poignant portrayal of the intergenerational friendship between Deborah and Ava.

What makes Hacks such a standout is the perfect blend of vicious insult comedy intertwined with poignant character dynamics and growth.

Deborah is a foul-mouthed force of nature, berating Ava and everyone else around her with her razor-sharp tongue.

But beneath the brash, egotistical exterior lies a vulnerable woman grappling with ageism, relevance, and personal disappointments.

Jean Smart is sensational in the lead role, making even Deborah’s most outrageous behaviour feel grounded and real.

She fully inhabits the role of a woman who has had to claw her way to the top of a misogynistic industry.

Hannah Einbinder is also superb as the counterpoint to Deborah – a member of the younger, “woke” generation of comedians but one who is just as flawed and fallible as her boss.

What makes Hacks so remarkable is how it constantly finds new layers in its characters and their relationships without ever losing the essential magic that made it so beloved from the start.

Deborah and Ava’s mentorship remains the pulsing heart of the show, with Smart and Einbinder’s electric chemistry and back-and-forth verbal sparring providing moment after moment of comic genius.

However, the new season also expands the world in exciting ways. We get to see Deborah embark on a roadshow tour, performing at seedy clubs and navigating the indignities of life on the road after her decades-long Vegas residency ended.

These struggles with her fading stardom force Deborah to reckon with her legacy and insecurities about being replaced by the next generation.

At the same time, Ava grapples with the aftershocks of the bombshell that ended season 2 as she tries to restart her writing career.

The strained working relationship and tested loyalty between her and Deborah make for captivating drama amidst the non-stop laughter.

This season, the show delves deeper into their personal and professional lives, exploring the consequences of their actions from the previous season and setting them on new, uncharted paths.

The series continues to delicately explore ideas about ageism, cancel culture, and having the courage to keep evolving both personally and artistically.

The series has been lauded for not resting on its laurels but instead exploring new territories, such as Deborah’s ambitious pursuit of a late-night talk show host job, a dream she was denied at the start of her career.

Season 3 of Hacks also stands out for its commentary on the entertainment industry, addressing themes of sexism, and the struggle for creative control.

It is down to the show’s excellent writing that these issues are presented in a way that is both thought-provoking and entertaining.

Hacks season 3 is as sharp as ever, but it’s the moments of vulnerability and honesty that give the show its edge and make it resonate with a wide audience.

More than anything, Hacks continues to be a masterful character study exploring the ups and downs of life and friendship through the lens of two deeply flawed yet deeply human characters.

Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder’s phenomenal performances remain a comedy dream team, instantly going from making you double over in laughter to tugging at your heartstrings with their characters’ vulnerability and emotional truth.

With its stinging wit, heartfelt storytelling, and one of TV’s greatest comedian characters brought to life by Jean Smart, it’s simply an unmissable gem in TV’s golden age.

The show’s ability to balance comedy with drama, all while providing social commentary, is a rare feat.

The third season, in particular, has been highlighted for its tight focus and broad ambitions, making it a standout in the comedy genre.

With its mix of wit, warmth, and wisdom, Hacks season 3 proves to be a masterclass in storytelling, cementing its place as one of the most compelling shows on television.