When the third season of Hacking Premiere on May 2nd, two years had passed since a new episode appeared on Max. The break was not unprecedentedly long – Severance payanyone? – but it presented the showrunners with a potential challenge: How to upgrade the season enough to regain viewers’ attention while staying true to the core of the show? But according to the trio behind Hacking (longtime comedy partners Jen Statsky, Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello), they knew they were going to overcome the hurdle during production. “One of the people who is a good gauge for us is Jean Smart, because she’s been so prolific for so long,” Downs says. “So when she says to us, ‘This is the best episode we’ve ever done,’ it’s just wow.” Aniello adds, “We really listen to her; it’s always, ‘What is Jean thinking?'”
So, what episode does Jean say was the best you ever did?
PAUL W. DOWNS “Bulletproof,” the season finale. She thought it had the highest highs and the lowest lows and the most emotion that we’ve ever done. I think it was such a thrilling episode for the actors, and while we were shooting, we could feel how special it was.
How many versions of Hannah Einbinder’s character’s final line (“I would, wouldn’t you?”) have you gone through (after Ava reveals that she’s blackmailing Deborah into becoming head writer)?
JEN STATSKY That might have been in the first draft, to be honest. It came very quickly – sometimes that’s good, sometimes that’s bad, but in this case it felt like fewer words meant more. “I would, wouldn’t you?” is something we’ve been carrying around for a while. I also think that might have been the first take as well. We did several takes, but the very first one, both of them were really coherent.
DOWNS That was also our first day after returning from the strike.
STATISTICS If there was any nervousness on the first day of return, I think that played a role in the nervousness on site.
Have speaking to the press and fans about this season changed your opinion on the themes of the show?
DOWNS I’m only speaking for myself. We love the twist at the end and we felt it was the right thing for the characters, but I have to say I was really worried about how people would react to it. Disharmony between Deborah and Ava is sometimes not exactly what people like. It was always the right thing for the story and the characters and we’ve been working towards it for a long time, but you just never know if everyone is going to say, “No, stay friends.” But then it was really exciting how many people were excited about it. People were so excited about Ava making that move and it felt really good.
STATISTICS I agree with Paul, and I think when I watch it back, it really does seem like there is this wonderful ensemble. Jean and Hannah are so good, but we’ve had all the characters this season rooting for Deborah to achieve her big goal. I didn’t realize how much I would be touched by that ensemble effort. I feel so lucky to be able to work with actors of that caliber.
Where do you look for feedback on the show to get a sense of how viewers react to the material and how they identify with it?
DOWNS What always stands out is when people come up to you and say it helped them through a tough time. Those moments are so touching. But I also love seeing that this season more than any other, people are talking to us about bringing their dad to the show, or that they watched with their teenage daughter who now thinks her grandma is cooler. It’s a joy that people of all ages, genders and orientations can connect with this show.
Paul, this is your first nomination for your acting performance on the show. Will this change your now well-documented tendency to cut your own lines first?
DOWNS I don’t think that’s going to change. I’m thrilled and honored, but as a writer, we all care so much about the story that I’m always going to do what’s best for the script and not what’s best for my character. It’s this interesting thing that I do where I think, “No, give that line to someone else.” But I’m already the luckiest person to be able to do this show anyway, so I don’t have to fight for more than I have.
Which scene from the season was the hardest to crack?
LUCIA ANIELLO In terms of the script, I would say the big fight in Bulletproof was the one we really had to work on. Ava comes in with so much anger and Deborah has her point of view, but then we had to take Ava from so much anger to so much vulnerability and then to pain. They both had to be able to release their anger and we wanted to make sure that you feel like you understand where they’re coming from, even if you don’t agree with one or both of them. And the most technically difficult thing was the opening drone shot of the premiere that goes through the casino. This was done completely practically, with no effects, so it was very complicated to pull off.
Do you have a favorite joke or piece from this season?
ANELLO That’s so hard to say. I know I’m biased, but Paul’s rendition of “Leave us alone!” in the finale makes me scream every time. When you’re around Paul, people are constantly yelling that at him now.
Is someone challenging you to pickleball?
DOWNS Oh my god. Actually, it’s so funny, a couple of people said let’s go play pickleball. I was like – can we go get some coffee? I’m not that good at pickleball, but it’s fun. I would say I understand why people are so into it.
As we watch Deborah sit down with the writers of her late-night show before the credits roll, the question is how much she will have to grapple with the concept of the glass ceiling next season. Could her show already be doomed? Essentially, I’m asking if the networks have screwed her.
DOWNS We’re all afraid to answer. But let’s just say… you’re a smart aleck. (Laughs.)
STATISTICS Call it astute observation.
Okay, I’m moving on to a topic you can actually answer. What do you think we’ll see first: a late-night host or a president?
DOWNS Wow. I think, President.
ANELLO I would love to be president.
DOWNS Yes, President. Can you believe that?
STATISTICS I think so too, President, definitely. Which is crazy because there are several late night shows and only one President.
This story first appeared in an August single issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine and subscribe, click here.
