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Hacks Foreshadows Colbert's Cancellation, Spotlights Comedy Industry's Challenges
14 Aug
Summary
- Hacks season 4 dealt with a similar late night show host being fired by network
- Colbert's Late Show was recently canceled, mirroring events in Hacks
- Creators discuss how the comedy industry is struggling due to changing business landscape
In a surprising turn of events, the recent cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert by CBS mirrors a storyline that played out just three months earlier in season 4 of HBO's acclaimed series Hacks. The show's co-creators, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky, were "shaken" by the news, as the circumstances surrounding the fictional late night host's firing in Hacks were nearly identical to Colbert's real-life situation.
The state of the comedy entertainment industry is currently in flux, with stand-up comedians seeing a boom thanks to social media, while sketch artists and other comedy players struggle to launch new shows as streamers tighten their budgets. Downs explains that the lack of traditional platforms like Comedy Central and the cancellation of The Late Show make it increasingly difficult for up-and-coming comedic talents to break through.
As Hacks' protagonist Deborah Vance grapples with her own late night show being canceled, the series offers a poignant commentary on the changing landscape of the comedy business. Downs and Statsky believe that the industry's focus on profitability over artistic expression is making it harder for comedic voices to thrive, a sentiment echoed in Vance's defiant stand against her "corporate overlords."
Despite the challenges, Hacks continues to be a critical and awards darling, with 14 Emmy nominations for its fourth season. The series' ability to so accurately foreshadow real-world events in the comedy world underscores its insightful exploration of the industry's evolving dynamics.
