The second season of the HBO Max streaming comedy-drama television series Hacks debuted on May 12, 2022, and concluded on June 2, 2022. It consists of eight episodes, each with approximate runtime of 30–35 minutes. The season centers Deborah Vance perfecting material for her new stand-up show, in which she shares previously unrevealed information about her personal life. In an effort to become a better person, Ava gets a "dumb phone" and swears off alcohol. The season received critical acclaim. Jean Smart won her second successive Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Plot
Fresh off her final middling performance, Deborah plans a nationwide tour to perfect the material. Ava is wracked by guilt because of the email she sent to two British television producers detailing Deborah's problematic behavior. Marcus copes with his breakup by getting a puppy, Joe. He begins partying with a group of younger gay men.
Jimmy gets Kayla switched off his desk by HR rep Barbara, by agreeing to attend an anger management course. Jimmy meets with Janet Stone, the British producers' manager. She initially agrees the email will remain confidential, but turns on him when she discovers he backed out of buying her home. Jimmy appeals to his boss, Kayla's father, for help. He agrees, but asks Jimmy to bring Kayla back on as his assistant.
During a visit to Sedona to see Deborah's psychic, Ava confesses that she sent the email. Deborah is livid. Jimmy informs Ava that Deborah is suing Ava for violating her NDA.
Deborah, Ava, and Damien head out together on Deborah's tour bus, managed by "Weed". Ava buys a "dumb phone" and vows to be sober, determined to turn over a new leaf. Deborah defends Ava when Weed accidentally throws out Ava's father's remains. They backtrack to a fast food dumpster and find the ashes.
Marcus accidentally books Deborah a gig on a lesbian cruise, where Ava is immediately taken with a non-monogamous lesbian couple. Deborah's gig on the cruise starts strong but is derailed when she makes a misogynistic joke.
One night Marcus returns from the club to find that Joe has ingested some of his prescription medication. The emergency vet treats the dog but refuses to release him back into Marcus's care. Marcus is distraught, so Deborah invites him to join them on tour.
At a tour stop in the Midwest, Deborah runs into one of her old stand-up friends, Susan Essig, who is now working at Lord & Taylor. Deborah feels guilty because years ago she sabotaged Susan at a stand-up showcase. She confesses to Susan, who states that she actually quit comedy due to an unplanned pregnancy. Ava and Marcus bond at the State Fair.
While at a show in Memphis, Ava's mother surprises the group by showing up. Ava argues with her about her involvement in an MLM scheme. Deborah goes home with Jason, a much younger man she meets at a bar.
Deborah plans to tape a stand-up special with the confessional material. She enlists her old friend Elaine Carter to direct, and she meets with network executives in Los Angeles but is dissatisfied with the one offer she receives. Jimmy quits Latitude when the partners try to re-assign Deborah to a different manager. Kayla goes with him. Deborah vows to produce the special herself. Marty agrees to let her use the Palmetto to film the special. Deborah is surprised to learn that he's engaged to his age-appropriate girlfriend.
Ava's old friend Taylor invites Ava to do a short-term writing gig in LA that will overlap with Deborah's taping. Deborah encourages her to take the opportunity. The night of the special, Ava surprises Deborah by flying back early to be there. During the taping, an audience member has a cardiac event. He is rushed out by the paramedics but dies on the gurney. Jimmy lies about his health and the rest of the performance finishes smoothly.
Deborah's DVD release of the special, My Bad, sells out in minutes on QVC. Jimmy informs Deborah that there is a bidding war for the rights to the special.
At the network's release party, Deborah publicly thanks Ava for her work on the special. That night she fires Ava so Ava can develop her own career. Back in Los Angeles, Jimmy informs her that Deborah has dropped the lawsuit.
Cast and characters
Main
Jean Smart as Deborah Vance, a revered stand-up comedian in the twilight of her career Hannah Einbinder as Ava Daniels, a young comedy writer and Deborah's writing partner Carl Clemons-Hopkins as Marcus, the newly-promoted CEO of Deborah's company