From 'Designing Women' to 'Hacks', Jean Smart's career remains strong (2021 interview) | Fresh Air
From Fresh Air
Jean Smart discusses her dynamic and varied career in television, highlighting her roles in shows like *Fargo*, *Watchmen*, and the upcoming HBO series *Hacks*. In *Hacks*, Smart portrays Deborah Vance, a veteran comedian whose career is facing challenges, and explores the complexities of evolving in the comedy world alongside a younger writer who has her own struggles.
Key Takeaways
- Jean Smart’s versatility proves that age is no barrier to breaking new ground in entertainment.
- Generational conflicts in comedy highlight that shock value often trumps cleverness in humor today.
- Ava’s disdain for Deborah’s style reveals a broader cultural disdain for traditional comedic structures.
- Smart's character illustrates that even washed-up comics can have timeless wisdom and relevance.
- Comedy’s evolution shows that today's 'cutting edge' often overlooks the nuances of skilled storytelling.
Who is mentioned in this episode?
2 people come up, including Jean Smart, Melissa Etheridge.
- Jean Smart (Person)
- Melissa Etheridge (Person)
Mentioned in this episode
- HBO (Company)
- HBO Max (Company)
- Mayor of Easttown (Media)
- Frasier (Media)
- Fargo (Media)
- Entertainment Weekly (Media)
- Designing Women (Media)
- Delaware County (Location)