“Hacks” (HBO Max)

From the mid 80’s to the mid 90’s I went through a sanctimonious period where I did not own a television. Which is probably too bad because I missed Jean Smart in “Designing Women”. I come to that conclusion after watching her sterling performance in “Hacks”. Smart plays an aging successful comedian a la Joan Rivers whose career is beginning to take a downward dive. She is paired with a young comedy writer whose promising early career is also heading south. The series is definitely amusing with brisk repartee, but the character development and plot line seem to be shaping up to be a level above the basic comic. I’ve watched only three episodes but I have to admit that I’m hooked. Set in Las Vegas, the city and its denizens play a major role as well. I’m not sure how many more episodes to go, but I get the feeling that I’ll be sad to see it end.