Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for Hacks Season 4, Episode 4
The Emmy-winning comedyHacks, starringJean Smartas comedian Deborah Vance andHannah Einbinderas comedy writer Ava Daniels, has featured plenty of stars from the comedy world over its four seasons.Christopher Lloyd,Patton Oswalt,Carrot Top, andMargaret Choare just a few of the comedians who have guest starred. But this season,Hackscast the comedy legend,Carol Burnett, to play herself in a pivotal role. Burnett has made us laugh for decades, and with7 Emmy wins and 25 (!) nominations, Burnett’s talent has already been proven over and over again, in everything from her eponymous show to her portrayal of Miss Hannigan in the film version ofAnnie. Given the fact that she’s one Oscar away from an EGOT, she’s clearly made an indelible mark in the entertainment industry.
Burnett, who is in her 90s, is having an impressive renaissance in her career.After stealing the show in a dramatic rolein the final season ofBetter Call Sauland illustrating she’s still got her comedy chops in Apple TV+’s recent hitPalm Royale, Burnett is once again gracing our screens to prove she’s a total icon. Burnett’s recent appearance in Season 4, Episode 4 ofHacksgoes beyond just being an exciting cameo — her wisdom saves Deborah.
Deborah Suffers From Stage Fright and Is at Odds With Ava in ‘Hacks’ Season 4
Over the course ofHacks' first three seasons, Deborah took significant steps to claw her way back up to the top in the comedy world. She works with Ava to sharpen her material and provide it with fresher angles for a modern audience. While it has been a successful endeavor, it certainly hasn’t been easy. She’s continuously had to prove that she has what it takes to win audiences over — especially because her gender and her age make it difficult for Hollywood to give her a fair shot. Deborah’s wanted nothing more than to get her own late-night talk show, a dream she’s had since the 1970s.In Season 3 ofHacks, Deborah finally convinces the executives and is given her own show.
Thank God, Ava Is Finally Answering Her Biggest Wake-Up Call on ‘Hacks’
In the Emmy-winning comedy series, Ava has lost her sense of self.
But now that Deborah is right where she’s always wanted to be,the cracks in her pulled-together persona are starting to show. The pressure to succeed is enormous, and because she and Avaare on the outs right now(betrayal and blackmail will do that for you), she doesn’t have anyone she can truly confide in about how overwhelmed she feels.During a dress rehearsalfor the first show, Deborah freezes in the middle of reading the cue cards for her opening monologue. She starts to struggle to breathe and once she’s backstage, she says she thinks she’s having a heart attack. The medic informs her that she’s okay, and thatthis is likely a panic attack(something Deborah will not admit, because she doesn’t want to look weak). Winnie (Helen Hunt), the network executive, insists that Deborah get seen by a cardiologist to confirm she’s healthy, and that’s where Deborah meets someone who gives her some critical advice.
A Chance Encounter With Carol Burnett Saves Deborah in ‘Hacks’
When Deborah sits down in the doctor’s office waiting room, she notices icon Burnett,who is playing herself. Burnett tells Deborah that she’s really happy for her, and that “it’s about time a woman wore the suit.” Deborah doesn’t waste the opportunity to tell Burnett how much she’s meant to her as a fellow female comedian. In fact, watching Burnett’s show growing up is the reason Deborah wanted to enter show business. It’s a significant momentto see Burnett get thanked for paving the wayfor pretty much all female comedy stars that were then able to follow in her footsteps. However, this interaction also helps connect Deborah to Ava at a time when Deborah needs it most.
Deborah’s appreciation of Burnett goes a step further, when she decides to take the opportunity to ask Burnett if she’s ever had stage fright (especially duringher iconic run onThe Carol Burnett Show). Burnett admits that she did experience that type of fear, and after actually getting vulnerable with someone for a change, Deborah asks how she overcame it. Burnett then offers a piece of advice that will go on to save Deborah during her first taping. Burnett says that, back in the day, she would pick out one person in the audience to do the entire show for. This allowed her to feel centered and not overwhelmed, but also, to keep ensuring that she put on the best possible show. This is theextent of Burnett’s cameo, but it ends up having a major impact on Deborah.
With Carol Burnett’s Advice, Deborah Is Able To Connect With Ava
During the official first taping ofLate Night, Deborah almost chokes again during the monologue. Then, Deborah remembers what Burnett said to her and zeroes in on Ava, who is watching behind the camera. Everyone else melts away, and it’s just Deborah performing for Ava.It’s an incredibly touching momentbecause it emphasizes that Ava is the only person who truly matters to and understands Deborah. Despite their squabbles, the person who has consistently been there for Deborah wants her to knockLate Nightout of the park. Even though she teases — and, well, outright bullies Ava — mercilessly,Deborah does respect her deep down, and even if she can’t admit it, she trusts Ava’s sense of what’s funny and what’s not. During the monologue, she keeps Ava laughing, and to Deborah, that already makes her feel like a success. Getting a laugh and smile from Ava allows Deborah to feel like she can actually pull this off, and she performs the rest of the show without a hitch.
Without Burnett’s tip,Deborah would likely have succumbed to the pressure, and her show would have been a disaster before it ever really had a chance to make it. There aresix episodes left in Season 4, so there’s obviously a lot more story to tell. We don’t yet know whether the show will bea success in the ratings, but if Ava and Deborah can finally work together, they just might be able to create something truly special. By taking Burnett’s advice, and allowing herself to actually give into the love she has for Ava,Deborah has possibly just ensured that she’ll have as lengthy and impressive a career as Burnett herself. Maybe, down the line,Hacksco-creatorsJen Statsky,Lucia Aniello, andPaul W. Downscould include another cameo by the legend, so that Burnett can pop back over to congratulate Deborah on her triumph.
Hacksis available to stream on Max in the U.S. New episodes drop every Thursday.
Explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old.
