Photo credit: www.tvinsider.com
[Warning: The following contains significant spoilers for Hacks Season 4, Episode 4, “I Love LA.”]
The recent episode of Hacks, titled “I Love LA,” not only depicted Deborah Vance’s (Jean Smart) ascent to the late-night television stage but also served as a heartfelt homage to Los Angeles and those affected by the devastating wildfires that occurred earlier this year.
In this episode, Deborah prepares for her inaugural episode of the late-night show co-created with head writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder). However, her anxiety becomes apparent during rehearsal, prompting her to leave the stage just moments after stepping onto it. To alleviate any concerns regarding her well-being, her friend Winnie (Helen Hunt) arranges a medical evaluation for Deborah.
While waiting for her doctor’s appointment, Deborah unexpectedly finds herself seated next to the iconic Carol Burnett. Their conversation touches on the theme of performance anxiety, with Deborah initially reluctant to acknowledge her own nerves. Burnett, offering her perspective, shares that she also grapples with stage fright, suggesting Deborah visualize performing for a single person rather than the entire audience.
As the taping of Deborah’s show approaches, she channels her focus on Ava, visualizing an empty venue with only her head writer in attendance. This mental exercise proves effective, fostering a sense of solidarity even as distinctions between the two remain apparent, leading to contrasting premiere night celebrations.
Ava takes her writing team out for drinks, but noticing their exhaustion, urges them to rest. Meanwhile, Deborah’s plans for a celebratory dinner with Winnie fall through, leading her to invite Damien (Mark Indelicato) to join her instead. Their night takes an unexpected turn when Deborah, staying at the club to party longer, sustains an injury due to a mishap involving poppers, resulting in a hospital visit.
Eventually, Ava is contacted to act as Deborah’s emergency contact—a point she had intended to change after their previous conflict. Amid the chaos of their disrupted premiere night, the duo finds themselves in the emergency room waiting area, watching the broadcast of their first episode on a working television.
This poignant scene underscores the notion that not all plans unfold as intended, yet moments of happiness can still emerge even under challenging circumstances. Amidst Labi Siffre’s “Bless the Telephone,” a heartfelt tribute appears on screen, stating, “Dedicated to the victims and first responders of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires,” accompanied by an image of Deborah’s mansion that succumbed to the flames.
Showrunner Jen Statsky noted adjustments made to the episode in light of the wildfires, mentioning, “The storyline was already in place, but we hadn’t finalized our musical guests. Randy Newman’s involvement, performing a fitting song, felt significant in the context of the recent events.”
Newman indeed graced the show as the musical guest, performing “I Love L.A.” during Deborah’s premiere episode. Statsky reflected on the impactful moment, highlighting the sense of community it fostered among the cast and crew. “It really enhanced the episode in a beautiful way,” she remarked.
Jean Smart expressed her enthusiasm about Burnett’s appearance, acknowledging the admiration many industry figures have for the show. “Carol is an idol for me. I still enjoy her earlier work, and there truly is no one like her,” she stated.
Lucia Aniello, the showrunner, credited Burnett for her contributions to comedy, stating, “Carol Burnett paved the way for shows like Hacks. She helped redefine perceptions about whether women could be funny through her natural talent and humor.”
To explore further insights from Smart, Statsky, Aniello, Einbinder, and Paul W. Downs regarding this impactful episode, check out the full video interview linked above, and share your thoughts about this heartfelt chapter in the comments section below.
Hacks, Season 4, Thursdays, 9/8c, Max
Source
www.tvinsider.com