Jean Smart: 'Hacks' character finds it 'so annoying' to grow

LOS ANGELES, May 1 (UPI) -- Jean Smart said that by Season 3 of Hacks, premiering Thursday on Max, her character has reluctantly evolved from a veteran in a rut to an artist willing to challenge herself.

Vegas comic Deborah Vance (Smart) hired aspiring comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) in the first season. Having been through a Twitter controversy herself, Ava taught Deborah that some of her legacy routines were no longer appropriate.

Deborah gave a successful stand-up special at the end of Season 2, but Smart said Season 3 still shows Deborah grudgingly adapting to modern comedy.

"She does just come out and say, 'It's so annoying that you've changed me. I'm so pissed off at you for making me think about stuff,'" Smart said at a Los Angeles press conference.

Deborah still makes faux pas in Season 3, like being unaware that hiring little people to play elves in a Christmas photo shoot might offend.

Later in the season, Deborah visits a college campus at which a class objects to old clips of her racial humor. Confronted with new objections, Deborah is reluctant again to follow Ava's advice to apologize for old material.

"I think a lot of people feel that way, not just comedians," Smart said. "People are starting to say, 'I have to be so careful of every single thing I say or do.'"

Smart said the writing for Hacks does not give easy answers to the complicated issues it raises. Smart said she appreciates that Hacks creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky continue making Deborah complex.

"What's so brilliant about the writing is that she's never all right and she's never all wrong," Smart said. "Like real life."

After the stand-up special, Deborah fired Ava to encourage her to return to Los Angeles and pursue her own work. When Season 3 begins, Deborah and Ava have not seen each other or spoken for a year.

"It was a really heavy weight on her conscience always, when there's just that one person who is just weighing on your mind," Einbinder said. "I just think there's always that little missing piece without Deborah for her."

Deborah and Ava reconnect in the Season 3 premiere. Smart said she approved of how briefly the characters remained cordial before reverting to their volatile relationship.

"It just felt completely right, just this kind of fake politeness for 5 minutes and then they start to insult each other," Smart said. "I do think Deborah was a bit altruistic. I think she was trying to do what was right for Ava."

Einbinder said that Deborah does value Ava's perspective, adding that it may frustrate Deborah, but she wants to know what she can do better.

"I think Deborah likes that from her and likes being challenged," Einbinder said. "They've just gotten into a groove and they're really hitting a stride this season."

Ava has learned a lot from Deborah, too, Einbinder said. Season 3 is where she has to put it into practice.

"There are a lot of lessons about hard work and cutting your teeth that Deborah has imparted upon Ava," Einbinder said.

The actors said their real-life bond is as strong as their characters'. From the beginning of the series, the cast and crew dealt with producing a show during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Season 3 brought new challenges, from the writers and actors strikes to Smart's heart surgery, both of which put production on hold. Smart shared the news in February 2023 that she underwent a successful procedure, though missed accepting her Screen Actors Guild Award while recovering.

"When you go through personal things with people that you work closely with, it does really bond you," Smart said.

Einbinder said the show reflects the cast and crew's real-life ability to laugh through turmoil.

"There is no greater bond than the one between like funny people who collaborate," Einbinder said. "It has probably gotten us through everything that's happened."

New episodes of Hacks premiere Thursdays on Max.