PaleyFest’s HACKS Season 2 Sneak Peek Revealed Who Deborah Vance Is Based On

In Film/TV
April 21, 2022
Jennica Schwartzman
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I relished getting settled into the Dolby Theater and snack through the start of HACKS Season 2, as it was followed by a QnA with a standing ovation for award-winning powerhouse . And ANY time you can be in the room where it happens (where the Oscars happen) with a full-room Standing-O for a spectacular

I relished getting settled into the Dolby Theater and snack through the start of HACKS Season 2, as it was followed by a QnA with a standing ovation for award-winning powerhouse . And ANY time you can be in the room where it happens (where the Oscars happen) with a full-room Standing-O for a spectacular performer and person, it is a transcendent experience for life-long cinephiles. Having this screener season in the Dolby is a spectacular move. And Jean Smart proves in her show – and in real life – that she fills a big room and kills every time.

HACKS Season 2 starts by packing a punch – including MMA. Jean Smart‘s “Deborah Vance” and Hannah Einbinder ‘s “Ava” have an adventure laid out before them. And they STILL haven’t fully dealt with the aftermath of Season 1, which is a big one. At best, we’re wading into a cover-up. At worst, a war. Without spoilers, it seems this Season 1 fall-out will be building quite a bit before it explodes.

From “‘Hacks’ Gets Season 2 Premiere Date On HBO Max; First Trailer” By Denise Petski,

“HBO Max has set a May premiere date for Season 2 of the Emmy-winning, critically acclaimed comedy series Hacks, starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder. The sophomore season will debut on Thursday, May 12 with two episodes…. In season 2, the dark mentorship between legendary Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance (Smart) and her young, entitled writer Ava (Einbinder) continues to evolve as the two travel across the country workshopping Deborah’s new stand-up act.”

Yes, you’ll have to wait til Thursday May 12th to start this next Season, but it is worth the wait.

HACKS is helmed by showrunners by Emmy winners Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky. All 3 attended the PaleyFest sneak peek and QnA, even though 2/3 of them are brand new parents! Smart was joined by cast members Poppy Liu (Kiki), Mark Indelicato (Damien). During the QnA, which was wildly funny (especially Liu), audiences were able to ask questions and someone asked the most important question of all:

Was Deborah Vance written for Jean Smart?

In short: No.

Smart became the obvious choice as they were casting, which we can all see why. Paul W. Downs explained that the character herself was based on a few prolific female comics (only to throw out a few from his list: Joan Rivers, Lucille Ball, Sarah Silverman, …) and dozens of unsung female comics who never reached their deserved placement in history because of the traditional issues of being a comic while female. This answer was far more satisfying, knowing the research and intensity brought to the project had little to do with an awards-bait vanity project but a truly grounded and well established character, who is brought to life perfectly in Smart (and, of course, Einbinder).