Late-night programming faces trouble as 'Hacks' protagonist Deborah successfully realizes her dream, mirroring the unpredictable nature of real life.
Rebel Lloyd's Rant
Without a doubt, the most outstanding TV bonanza in the contemporary era, an absolute gem in the history of television, is The Larry Sanders Show. Created by the late, great comedian Garry Shandling, this HBO series from the 90s revolves around a nutty talk-show host, his motley crew of co-workers, and the assortment of A-listers who waltz in and out of his life. It transcended the ordinary bounds of situation comedy, offering depth and possibilities that paved the way for future shows churning at the crossroads of reality and fiction.
As Judd Apatow, who served as writer, producer, and director on the show, said in a past interview, "Garry would always say something that stuck with me: the show was about people who loved each other, but show business got in the way." According to Shandling himself, who spoke in 2010, the true topic of the show was our universal afflictions: the insatiable desire to have more, the ceaseless hunger for more, and the incessant need to talk more. They were sifting through the labels of success, asking questions like is it successful to be on TV every day, to be famous, to rake in a paycheck? What they uncovered was the stark absence of love and heart underneath.
This theme of yearning for human connection amidst the chaos of showbiz resonates in the ongoing fourth season of the Max series Hacks. Renowned stand-up comic Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) has finally landed her holy grail: her own late-night network talk show, after a pilot flopped years ago due to salacious tabloid rumors about Deborah burning down her husband's house. She's now locked in a tumultuous, codependent relationship of sorts with young, hip comedy writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), who's strong-armed her way into the head writer position, propelling the show onto turbulent waters. (The network's assigned them a full-time HR chaperone to keep an eye on things.)
Hannah Einbinder's Revival of Stand-up
Since breaking out on "Hacks," Einbinder has returned to her first passion: stand-up. Her debut special "Everything Must Go" on Max is a culmination of her brief but intense life's work in comedy.
Within the context of the show, Deborah's ascension to a late-night hosting role is groundbreaking. While there have been influential women hosts like Joan Rivers and Cynthia Garrett, they don't exist in this universe. This reflects the unfortunate reality that, historically, only a select few in the Boys' Club of late-night have been given the reins.
"This network has never hired a woman for 11:30 or anyone as old as me," Deborah observes. "Or, let's be honest, a blond. It'd be easier to get elected president." Though we've seen strides in recent years with hosts like Chelsea Handler, Samantha Bee, Sarah Silverman, and Busy Phillips, this remains largely true in the late-night landscape.
But even as Deborah's dream comes true, the late-night scene remains in turmoil. Ratings are dwindling. "I don't know if there will be any late-night television shows on network TV in 10 years," Jimmy Kimmel said last summer. In this fast-changing media landscape, streaming platforms and social media have upended the way viewers consume late-night series, leading to the atomization of the clips to watch whenever you like. Competition has intensified as well, with countless voices clamoring for attention on podcasts, panels, personal appearances, and YouTube channels.
Television
Evolving Landscape of Late Night: A Case Study
In the midst of these changes, shows like "Everybody's Live with John Mulaney" are shaking things up. Though listed as a comedy special, it carries the DNA of a late-night talk show, featuring a monologue, celebrity guests, and musical performances. It stands out from the crowd with its approachable, interactive format, bringing a refreshing twist to the genre.
Though streaming and social media have revolutionized TV consumption, innovations within the shows themselves have been sluggish. However, with the return of Jon Stewart's "Daily Show," we're witnessing a glimmer of hope for a more dynamic late-night TV.
The battle between art and commerce lies at the heart of "Hacks," providing the backdrop for Ava and Deborah's ongoing war. It's not to express a personal viewpoint about the series, but rather to serve as their battle flags. Their truces, when their contrasting ambitions align, are the catalysts for progress. Both need their show to triumph; they're insecure, opinionated souls who yearn for praise and ultimately bring out the best in each other, albeit infrequently.
We're invested in their relationship because we want their show to survive, although the prospect of a fifth season for "Hacks" (reportedly crafted with a five-season arc) means we're in for a bumpy ride in late-night television for the foreseeable future.
- The Larry Sanders Show, set in Los Angeles and airing in California during the 90s, pushed the boundaries of television by blending reality and fiction.
- Garry Shandling, the show's creator, believed that the show was about universal afflictions such as the hunger for more and the lack of love in the entertainment industry.
- Hacks, a current Max series, continues this theme, exploring the complexities of show business and human connection in the entertainment industry.
- Deborah Vance, the protagonist of Hacks, faces challenges in the male-dominated late-night scene, a situation that reflects the historical scarcity of women hosts in this realm.
- While strides have been made in recent years, with hosts like Chelsea Handler and Samantha Bee gaining ground, the late-night landscape still remains predominantly male.
- Additionally, the evolving landscape of television, with streaming platforms and social media, has led to the atomization of content and intensified competition among various voices.
- Shows like Everybody's Live with John Mulaney are innovating the genre by blending the formats of comedy specials and late-night talk shows.
- The relationship between Deborah and Ava in Hacks serves as a metaphor for the battle between art and commerce in the entertainment industry, offering a glimpse into the future of late-night television.
