When it was originally on: 2021-2026

Original network: HBO

Where you can stream it now: HBO

Had I seen it before: I’ve seen maybe the first season and that’s it? Definitely more than one episode but it was years ago and I haven’t kept up.

What IMDb says: Explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old.

Why I picked it: Hacks is one of the bigger comedy hits of the last few years, and that alone is perhaps enough to warrant a spot on the list. I’ve also gotten into the world of sketch comedy since the last time I watched it, and so I’m excited to see how that new perspective influences my experience of it.

What I liked: It’s a bit of a risky move to keep our two leads apart for as much time as this pilot does, but ultimately it works. I took a comedy writing class recently where the instructor talked about how it’s important to give the audience 2+2 and let them make 4 (he has more classes coming up, click here for deets). This feels like a pilot version of that. Even before Deborah and Ava interact, we can already see how they’re cut from the same cloth and how their personalities are going to clash.

I especially love the moment where Ava is in her manager’s office and then we quickly see the manager pivot to a call from Deborah. We get that juxtoposition between the two and how they deal with their mutual manager without them knowing each other. We can see how both women are difficult, but not technically wrong about anything. We start to get excited about what’s going to happen when they finally meet.

I also think the pilot makes the most of the screen time they do have together. It’s fun to watch a screaming match between two comediennes and seeing how creative they get with their insults. I love the idea of Deborah being mad at Ava’s joke, not because it’s offensive, but because she thinks the punchline isn’t funny enough. The very brief riffing we see between the two of them as they workshop the joke such a fun dynamic; they’re competitive with each other, and that forces them to put more effort into their craft. They’re both unafraid of offending people, as long as the joke is funny enough.

What I didn’t like: I could’ve done with a few more “jokes.” I was entertained the whole time, but not necessarily laughing.

Do I want to watch Ep. 2?: Yes! The pilot effectively teases a relationship I feel like I’ve never seen on TV before: a creative collaboration between two women of different generations. I’m excited to see where it goes.