Even ‘Hacks’ cocreator Jen Statsky knows Deborah Vance can be a ‘real terror’

Jen Statsky may have created the character of Deborah Vance on “Hacks,” but even she knows the fictional comedy legend can be kind of terrible. The critically-acclaimed “Hacks” returned to HBO Max for its second season on May 13. The first season, which won three Emmy awards out of its 15 total nominations, showcased the best and worst parts of workplace culture against the lights of Las Vegas.

It followed disgraced writer Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) reluctantly beginning to write jokes for Vance (Jean Smart) after a series of rogue tweets derailed her career. Vance is a fascinating and complicated character who manages her team with a mixture of star power and cruelness, giving lavish gifts (like hand-me-down Bentleys ) one minute, then cursing at, dismissing, and on rare occasions even slapping employees the next. “Deborah’s an interesting case, because she values a hard worker.

So I do think she’s a good boss in the sense that if you work hard and are good at your job she rewards you,” Statsky told Insider in a recent interview. “But I also think she can be a real terror. ” Her embattled business manager (Carl Clemons-Hopkins), plucky personal assistant (Mark Indelicato), and personal blackjack dealer (Poppy Liu) remain committed to Deborah’s insane requests and grueling expectations because they admire her and want her approval.

Think a binge-drinking Miranda Priestley in a sequined bolero. Season two sees the show “deepening the relationship between Deborah and Ava” and explores the complex power dynamics between employer and their employees, even in a “cool job. ” “I do think that her and Ava are real friends,” Statsky told Insider when asked about Deborah and Ava’s relationship.

“Now granted, is it always complicated when someone is on your payroll? Of course. ” That complication is a big part of season two. Ava, who turned on Vance by violating her non-disclosure agreement after a “very traumatic blowout fight” at the end of season one, faces the consequences of her actions when the new season begins.

“She’s not as emotionally evolved and as good of a person as she should be for someone who calls people out that much,” said Statsky. And in many ways, that makes Ava and her boss perfect foils — her actions are mirrored by Vance’s poor parenting. Season two does see Ava doing some evolving, “becoming less about calling out other people and more looking inward about becoming a better person herself,” through acknowledging her similarities to Vance.

Kayla phones her job in, makes inappropriate jokes, and sexually harasses her boss — because she can. And if there’s a problem? She runs to daddy. “We’re always talking about the show feeling real and grounded and reflecting the world as it is,” said Statsky.

“The truth is, there’re a lot of women like Deborah who came from pretty much nothing and worked their way up and pounded the pavement and made it happen. ” “And then there are a lot of people like Kayla,” she continued. “They benefit from their family connection in the entertainment industry.

There’re a lot of people like that in this industry as well. ” Ava’s mom Nina (played by Jane Adams, who won an Emmy for the role) is revisited this season, too. She exists away from “the industry” and is a reminder of the stakes that exist offstage.

“Nina is just another example of a different type of woman whose life we wanted to explore,” Statsky continued. “In so many ways, we want the show to be about women and about all different types of women and women who took different paths in life,” she added. The first six episodes of “Hacks” season two are now streaming on HBO Max.

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