Show: Hacks

Year: 2021

Seasons: 5

Watched: 2026

Favorite Season: 1

Favorite Character: Kayla Schaeffer

Rating: 3.5/5

Thoughts and Praise: I'm kind of mad at myself for waiting so long to watch this show. It ended too soon for me. I'd probably classify it as a dramedy that tends to lean more into the comedy side. The humor feels very modern in that I'm almost certain there were several younger members on the writing team. It almost never makes me cringe, like attempts at gen-z humor are prone to do if writers don't actually understand my generation.

There were several moments that made me laugh out loud, but none more often than those involving Kayla. Perhaps the most unique and hilarious comedy character on TV in the 2020s. Her and Jimmy were the perfect side characters.

Aside from the humor, the show also has strong dramatic elements. The relationship between Ava and Deborah is so interesting, and the perfect source for most of the story's conflict. I adore how they explored such a complex friendship, in a world where the most complicated relationships on TV are often family or romantic dynamics. They are truly the heart of the show from beginning to end.

I also respect the show's willingness to semi-abandon side characters that aren't serving the story anymore. Although you miss the familiar faces, it gives you a lot more time to explore what is most interesting in the moment, instead of juggling everything at once. Luckily, your favorite side character is still almost guaranteed to make some memorable cameos.

Criticism: The pacing of the season-arcs can feel a bit clunky at times. I felt this way especially about the last season. The end goal is always pretty clear, but momentum often gets lost along the way, and you can tell they struggled to come up with ways to keep leveling up the stakes.

A good laugh is always a guarantee, but I missed the elements of a perfectly paced drama from the first season. Season 1 was perfect, and that just made me feel a slight twinge of disappointment throughout the rest, which is what hurt the rating the most.