Hacks Podcast

Hacks creators and showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky dig into the series finale with the one and only Hannah Einbinder, who plays Ava Daniels! Why did Hannah think she was fired from the show back in Season 2? Which international city almost was the backdrop of this episode? How far into the episode can you make it before you tear up? Listen and find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hacks creators and showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky dig into the ninth episode of the final season with the one and only Jean Smart, who plays Deborah Vance! Jean shares which actor from this episode is her actual beau, which cameo star she has plans to play blackjack with, and why Season 5 was the most fun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hacks creators and showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky are joined by cinematographer Adam Bricker! Adam shares behind-the-scenes details about the cube, what a DIT cart is, and how the show became a reference for itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hacks creators and showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky dig into the seventh episode of the final season with one of the writers of this episode, Bridget Parker! They share behind-the-scenes stories of filming in that house, a blooper reel of Jean Smart struggling to get a certain joke out without cracking up, an extended deleted scene starring Cherry Jones and Leslie Bibb, and details about that kiss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hacks creators and showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky dig into the sixth episode of the final season. They share the long history of a certain King Tut joke, which full-circle moments move them, and how Kayla and Jimmy’s Sassafras outfits came to be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hacks creators and showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky dig into the fifth episode of the final season with someone who’s been with them since day one, Assistant Director Jeff Rosenberg! Jeff shares why his job is like A Beautiful Mind, what it’s like directing a goat, and how he channeled his Amazing Race obsession into directing this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hacks creators and showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky dig into the fourth episode of the final season. They share how their Hacks pitch relates to Ava’s Mall Girl pitch, what inspired them to use flashbacks on the show for the first time, and which two characters Cole Escola ships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hacks creators and showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky dig into the third episode of the final season. They share how cathartic it was to let Deborah and Ava get giddy about love interests, what making Hacks has in common with Dr. Frankenstein creating his monster, how they convinced 17-time Oscar-nominated songwriter Diane Warren to write an original song for this episode, and, last but certainly not least, what Harry Styles sent Jean Smart in the mail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hacks creators and showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky dig into the second episode of the final season. They share memories of filming on the streets of New York, behind-the-scenes stories of the episode’s many cameos (Xena star Renee O’Connor! Soleil Moon Frye! Jesse McCartney! Ann Dowd as a very blue Star Trek Andorian!), and exclusive Little Debbie content that didn’t make the episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hacks creators and showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky kick off the final season the only way that makes sense: with very special guest, Jean Smart, who plays Deborah Vance! Jean shares what it’s been like to say goodbye to Deborah, what she’ll miss most about working with Hannah Einbinder, and why this season is her favorite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Deborah Vance is back, and so is the Official Hacks podcast! Hacks creators and showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky return to unpack every episode of the series’ final season. And they’ll be joined by some very special guests along the way to talk about the making of the show, share behind-the-scenes stories, and look back at the Hacks journey as a whole. The first podcast episode drops on April 9th, after Hacks airs on HBO Max. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the finale, hosts Bobby and Lindsey welcome back Hacks creators and showrunners Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, and Paul W. Downs, to break down the entire season. They talk about the comedy of having Ava live in a mall when, thematically, they're tackling the intersection of art and commerce. Plus, they discuss their growing animal budget (coyotes, cats, and Lassie – oh my!), and creating a montage that is one of their favorite things they’ve ever done. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the penultimate episode, hosts Bobby and Lindsey chat with Tony Goldwyn (Bob Lipka) about humanizing his media mogul character. Then Megan Stalter and Robby Hoffman come on to the pod to talk about Kayla going “gorilla mode” and Randi’s street smarts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Late Night alum and Hacks co-executive producer and writer, Andrew Law, visits Bobby and Lindsey on the show this week. Andrew gives Bobby and Lindsey a window into writing for Late Night, the depth of Rosie O’Donnell’s influence on talk show television, and the accuracy of Hacks’s rendering of host and writer pressures – clue: it’s a lot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the show this week is Dance Mom herself, Julianne Nicholson. Bobby and Lindsey talk with her about “Dance Mom” as a new cultural archetype, the fun in playing a comedic role, and what Dance Mom learns about the slippery slope of working in Hollywood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bobby and Lindsey are joined by Hannah Einbinder to talk through Ava’s big episode. They unpack why Ava is at her wits end, Deborah’s newfound vulnerability, and the athletics of throwing branzino. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Actress Michaela Watkins gives Bobby and Lindsey insight into her character, Stacey from HR. Then writer and co-executive producer Aisha Muharrar points out that while Dance Mom may be perceived as cheesy, she actually helps Deborah and the team win in the ratings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts Bobby and Lindsey talk about episode four with actor Mark Indelicato who plays Damien, personal assistant to Ms. Deborah Vance. Mark talks shares how queerness is integral to his character and the joys of working with a supportive cast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosts Bobby and Lindsey are joined by writer Ariel Karlin and actress Poppy Liu. Poppy plays the effervescent blackjack dealer, KiKi, a fan favorite. Ariel talks about her time as a Hacks writer’s assistant before officially penning jokes for Deborah Vance, and Poppy explains why, for KiKi, living in Las Vegas means living above the drama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New hosts, Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber, of the popular podcast Who? Weekly, kick off the season talking through the first two episodes with Hacks creators Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs. From coyotes, to psychics, to the pressures of late night, we get behind-the-scenes insight into the Deborah and Ava drama this season. Then Hacks writer, Samantha Riley, gives a peek into the writers’ room and how the LA mall, The Americana, got featured on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Emmy-winning comedy, Hacks, is back and this season the official podcast has some new hosts! Bobby Finger and Lindsey Weber of the popular podcast Who? Weekly are taking over for season 4. But don’t fear, the show’s creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky will be guests on the pod, along with other writers, cast, and crew who will bring you deeper into the drama of this beloved comedy. Hacks season 4 premieres April 10 on Max. The new season of the podcast launches that night. The Official Hacks Podcast is a production of Max and Pineapple Street Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this final episode, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by Ava Daniels herself, Hannah Einbinder. In unpacking the season finale they discuss Ava’s personal ambitions, the pressures of late night, and that final scene. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by Carl Clemons-Hopkins and Johnny Sibilly, who play Marcus and Wilson. They recap the episode, unpack their characters’ progressive friendship, Marcus’s backstory, and the nature of fandom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by fan favorite Rose Abdoo, who plays house manager Josefina. They recap the episode and discuss Rose’s history in comedy coming with Second City. Then, actor J. Smith-Cameron (Succession) joins the pod to talk about her guest turn as Deborah’s estranged younger sister Kathy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by Kathleen Felix-Hager, the show’s Emmy-award winning costume designer. In unpacking the episode they discuss Kathleen’s real-life inspiration for Deborah, Ava’s class hang-ups, and Christina Hendricks as a kinky Republican. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by the Hacks Director of Photography, Adam Bricker. They talk about shooting outdoors, generational views on climate change, and what you should yell when you need help.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by returning guest Jean Smart, who plays the one, the only, Deborah Vance. They talk about meeting your heroes, pickleball, and why you should ask for what you want.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by Hacks writer/actor Joe Mande. They talk about Ava establishing boundaries, the rules of roast comedy, and Kaitlin Olson’s tour de force performance as DJ Vance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by guest Mark Indelicato, who plays Deborah’s long-suffering assistant Damien. They talk about filming at Television City, that Carrot Top cameo, and the world of late night TV.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first episode of The Official Hacks podcast, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by Jean Smart, who plays Deborah Vance. They talk about stepping back into Deborah’s heels, and her relationship with Ava. Then Hacks writer/actor Pat Regan joins the hosts to recap the episode, talk about why it was a tricky one to write, and Helen Hunt’s guest star turn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Hacks” is back with season 3, and so is the Official podcast! In each episode, Hacks creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky will unpack the making of the show with a special guest from the cast and crew (Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Pat Regan, Kathleen Felix-Hager, J. Smith-Cameron, and others). Listeners will hear stories from the writers’ room, on set, and the world of comedy that inspired the show. The first podcast episode drops on May 2nd, after Hacks airs on Max. The Official Hacks Podcast is produced by Max and Pineapple Street Studios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Hacks Official podcast Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by guest host and Hacks star Jean Smart. They talk about the high stakes for Deborah and Jimmy of shooting the comedy special in the finale. They also discuss the thinking behind Deborah firing Ava at the end of the season. Jean opens up about finding childhood idols in Phyllis Diller and in Jane Goodall. She also shares secret insights into Deborah’s backstory. At the end, Jean pitches a kidnapping for a future episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Hacks Official podcast Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by guest host and Hacks fan Wanda Sykes. They talk with her about life on the road, learn Wanda’s origin story as a comic, and Wanda’s ideas for future episodes. They also bond over the painful Hollywood pitch process and pre-pitch nerves.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Hacks Official podcast Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by guest host and Hacks superfan Rosie O’Donnell. They talk about motherhood, aging, and what went into shooting Deborah’s intimate bedroom scene. Rosie recounts her first stand-up set, and why she stepped away from her popular daytime talk show. Plus, she shares the unsolicited advice that she gave Hannah Einbinder via Twitter DM. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Hacks Official podcast Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by guest host Margaret Cho (30 Rock, All-American-Girl), who makes a cameo as herself in episode 4 of the show. They discuss competitiveness and sexism in stand-up, what makes talented comedians give it all up and unpack the mother-daughter dynamic between Ava and Deborah. Plus, Margaret shares why Joan Rivers once gave her the silent treatment and some stories from being a road comedian. We’ll also learn about a dark joke that didn’t quite make it into Deborah and Ava’s pool scene.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Hacks Official podcast Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by guest hosts Angela Gibbs (On My Block, This is Us) and Luenell (The Rock, A Star is Born) who play Marcus’s Mom and her friend Loretta. Angela and Luenell share their reaction to finding out they were cast together, mishaps on set with Marcus’s new puppy and the real-life challenges of performing on a cruise ship. They also learn how the team plucked Hannah Einbinder as Ava out of a 400-person casting pool and Luenell shares experiences from her own standup career. They also share insights on what Hacks adds to the conversation about gender and sexuality and their appreciation for the show’s strides toward more inclusive casting. Plus, they’ll pitch an idea that involves the two of them getting into mischief with Marcus left to pick up the pieces.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Hacks Official podcast Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined by guest host Susie Essman (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Broad City). They discuss the bravery of going on tour, the inspiration for that souped-up tour bus, and answer, “Who the heck is Pete Wentz?”. They also reveal what Laurie Metcalf brought to the character of Weed and the origin story behind her obsession with fast food. Listeners find out why Jean Smart jumped into the dumpster and how she harbored a secret desire to be standup herself. Plus Susie shares stories from her life as a comic and a fascinating insight into why she thinks women make better standups than men.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Hacks Official podcast Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky are joined with guest host D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place, Broad City). D’Arcy is a longtime best friend and collaborator of the team and together they share their origin story. The team talks about how they decided when and how to reveal the contents of Ava’s infamous email, rich people’s love for litigation, Jean Smart’s Hacks singing debut and “sad Kayla” among other behind-the-scenes moments that bring the show to life. D’Arcy also pitches the showrunners on a big character arc for a small child.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first episode of the Hacks Official podcast, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky joined by guest host Hannah Einbinder, who plays Ava. They recap the season’s first episode that picks up right where season one left off, with Ava biting her nails over her drunken email that could land her in Deborah’s vengeful grasp. The group discusses collaborating as a three person showrunner team, Jean Smart’s love of Christmas, Hannah’s improvisation on set and what it was like to shoot the episode’s major fight scene. Hannah and the showrunners will explore the choices they made that set Las Vegas’s oddest comedy duo up for a season of hard lessons, strange locations, exciting cameos and a few stand-up sets that don’t exactly go as planned.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The HBO Max series “Hacks” is back with a new season and a new companion podcast! In each episode Hacks creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky will be joined by a special guest host (Susie Essman, Luenell, Angela Gibbs, Margaret Cho, D’Arcy Carden, Hannah Einbinder and others) to unpack each episode of Deborah and Ava’s hijinx. Listeners will hear stories from the show’s writer’s room, on set and the world of stand-up and entertainment that inspired the show. The first podcast episode drops on May 12th, after Hacks airs on HBO Max. The official Hacks podcast is produced by HBO Max and Pineapple Street Studios. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices