In the third season of ’Hacks’—now streaming on Max—as comedian Deborah Vance’s (Jean Smart) career soars to new heights, the series explores the cost of her explosive success not just on those closest to her, but also on her large queer fanbase.
At the intersection of that Venn Diagram is Deborah’s assistant Damien (Mark Indelicato) and her company’s COO Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins), the latter of whom feels particularly worried he’s being left in the dust as she moves on to bigger and better things.
Which brings up some big questions: What do these divas and icons we worship “owe” their gay fans? And what do we want from them anyway? What do we want for them?
In ’Hacks’’ best season yet, that complex relationship comes into play in fascinating ways, which inspired us to talk with Indelicato & Clemons-Hopkins about their favorite divas: Who’s their # 1? What are the stars’ earliest memories of these icons, and how have they shaped our worlds?
That, then, led naturally to discussion about ’Hacks’’ # 1 diva, the great Jean Smart, as the pair get emotional reflecting on what a friend, ally, and mentor she’s been to them—and the entire ’Hacks’ family—for three seasons now.
The third season of “Hacks’ is now streaming exclusively on Max, with two new episodes premiering every Thursday between now and May 30.