In our hyper-connected era, few phenomena are as swift, as brutal, or as hotly debated as “cancel culture.” For creators, it’s a minefield; for audiences, a moral quandary. But amidst the cacophony, a brilliant series emerged that not only dared to tackle this thorny issue head-on but did so with unparalleled nuance, wit, and a refreshing refusal to offer easy answers: Hacks. Today, my internal compass points to this exceptional show, exploring why Hacks is arguably the best series about cancel culture—precisely because it doesn’t try to fix it.
Hacks, which premiered in 2021 on HBO Max (now Max), introduced us to the unlikely, often contentious, partnership between Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a legendary, old-school Las Vegas stand-up comedian whose career is beginning to wane, and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), a young, sharp, and “canceled” comedy writer. What unfolds is a masterclass in intergenerational conflict, mentorship, and the brutal realities of a rapidly shifting cultural landscape. It’s a show that understands the complexities of public forgiveness, artistic legacy, and the messy pursuit of truth in comedy.
The Unforgiving Lens: Problematic Jokes, Legacy, and the Shifting Sands of Offense
At its core, Hacks brilliantly dissects the very mechanisms of cancel culture, not as a simple villain or hero, but as an inescapable force shaped by evolving societal norms and the permanence of the digital record.
- Problematic Jokes as Historical Artifacts: Deborah Vance, a comedian of her era, has a vast back catalog of jokes. Some of these are undeniably problematic by today’s standards, reflecting the casual biases or less enlightened views of past decades. The show doesn’t shy away from these. It presents them as they are—part of her legacy, part of her history. It forces both Deborah and the audience to confront the evolution of humor and the discomfort of past material. This is crucial: it shows us that past actions exist, and their impact reverberates.
- The Nuance of the “Callout”: Ava, the younger writer, embodies the generation deeply attuned to social justice and quick to “call out” perceived offenses. She knows the language of online outrage. The show masterfully portrays both the validity of these callouts (the need for accountability, for progress, for sensitivity) and their potential for blunt-force destruction, often without room for nuance or growth. It acknowledges that while valid, the mechanism can be wielded imperfectly.
- Legacy Under Scrutiny: Hacks explores what it means for a long, storied career to be placed under a microscope, where past jokes, offhand comments, or even deeply ingrained behaviors are re-evaluated through a contemporary moral lens. Deborah, a survivor of a male-dominated industry, has built an empire, but she’s also learned to be ruthless and guarded. The show asks if an entire career can be erased by moments of perceived transgression, and what it means to rebuild trust in a cynical public. It acknowledges that legacy isn’t static; it’s constantly being re-evaluated.
The Brilliant Refusal to ‘Fix It’: No Easy Apologies, No Simple Solutions
What truly elevates Hacks above many other attempts to portray cancel culture is its radical refusal to provide easy answers, or to “fix” the problem through a neat narrative bow. It doesn’t preach. It analyzes, it observes, and it makes you think.
- No Redemptive Arcs for the Culture: The show doesn’t suggest that cancel culture itself needs to be “fixed” or that it will magically disappear. It accepts it as a new, powerful force in the cultural atmosphere. It’s a reality that artists and public figures must now navigate, whether they like it or not.
- Complex Characters, Not Simplistic Morality Tales: Deborah Vance is not a caricature of an “old comedian who just doesn’t get it.” She’s a complex, deeply flawed, yet immensely talented and often brilliant woman. She does learn, she does grow, and she does acknowledge some of her past blind spots, but it’s a messy, painful process, not a sudden revelation. She struggles with vulnerability, with her own prejudices, and with understanding a world that judges her by different standards. She isn’t instantly “redeemed” for the audience’s comfort. This nuanced portrayal is crucial, refusing to offer a simplistic villain-to-hero arc for the sake of easy consumption.
- Dialogue as Exploration, Not Debate: The show uses the dynamic between Deborah and Ava to explore the generational divide, not to definitively declare one side “right” and the other “wrong.” Their arguments, their frustrations, their moments of mutual understanding, are incredibly authentic. Ava pushes Deborah, and Deborah, in turn, pushes Ava to understand the nuances of building a career, surviving, and being truly funny. Their clashes are a brilliant friction that generates insights.
- Comedy as a Mirror: Hacks uses comedy itself as a tool to dissect cancel culture. It’s often hilarious, finding humor in the absurdities of online outrage, the generational misunderstandings, and the awkwardness of navigating new social rules. But the humor never diminishes the underlying truth or the very real stakes. It’s a comedy that makes you laugh, but then immediately makes you think.
The Unflinching Gaze: Impact and Enduring Resonance
Hacks is a triumph of writing, acting, and nuanced storytelling. Jean Smart’s performance as Deborah Vance is simply extraordinary, embodying wit, vulnerability, steeliness, and profound comedic timing. Hannah Einbinder holds her own, making Ava a relatable, often frustrating, but ultimately compelling counterpoint. Their chemistry is electric.
The show resonates because it reflects a very real, very uncomfortable societal conversation without simplifying it. It forces viewers to grapple with complex questions:
- Can someone from a past era truly change their views, or just adapt their language?
- What is the role of forgiveness in public life?
- What are the responsibilities of comedians to their audience, and to societal progress?
- Can art truly be separated from the artist’s personal history, especially in an age where information is permanent?
Hacks doesn’t provide a neat solution to cancel culture. Instead, it provides a masterclass in how to live within it, how to reflect on it, and how to continue creating in its presence. It’s a show that understands the constant pressure on public figures, the often-unforgiving judgment, and the messy process of personal growth in the public eye. For me, it’s a testament to the power of a series that dares to tackle complex contemporary issues with intelligence, humor, and a refreshing refusal to sugarcoat the truth. It makes you feel seen, understood, and a little less alone in navigating these turbulent cultural currents.
What are your thoughts on Hacks‘ portrayal of cancel culture? What other shows do you think tackle complex social issues with such nuance? Share your perspectives below – let’s dissect the art of subtle social commentary!