“Oh, I Definitely Knew About Poppers”: ‘Hacks’ Star Jean Smart Breaks Down Deborah’s Hilarious Gay Club Overdose

New York Post - Apr 25th, 2025

In Hacks Season 4 Episode 4, titled "I Love LA," Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, finally achieves her dream of becoming a late-night host. The premiere of "Late Night With Deborah Vance" is a significant milestone for the character and the MAX series. However, the evening takes an unexpected turn when Deborah's planned dinner with network executives falls through, leading her to spend the night with her assistant Damien (Mark Indelicato). Their adventure takes them to a gay club where Deborah, celebrated as an icon, inadvertently tries poppers, a recreational drug, resulting in her hospitalization. This incident leads to a heartwarming reconciliation with Ava (Hannah Einbinder) as they watch the show's debut together in the hospital waiting room.

Beyond the comedic chaos, the episode also delves into deeper issues, as Deborah experiences her first panic attack during a rehearsal and meets comedy legend Carol Burnett in the cardiologist's waiting room. Jean Smart, who portrays Deborah, expressed her admiration for Burnett, highlighting the thrill of working with her and acknowledging Burnett's impact on comedy. This episode not only advances the narrative of Hacks but also showcases the blend of humor and heartfelt moments that define the series, while setting the stage for future developments as the season continues.

Los Angeles Comedy Hacks Jean Smart Max Deborah Vance Late Night With Deborah Vance Poppers Carol Burnett

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RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a mostly accurate and engaging account of "Hacks" Season 4, Episode 4, focusing on key events and character dynamics. It benefits from timely coverage and clear, accessible writing that appeals to fans of the show. However, the article could improve in areas such as source diversity, transparency, and balance, as it relies heavily on a single interview with Jean Smart and lacks broader context or multiple perspectives. While it effectively captures the episode's main plot points, its impact and public interest are limited to the show's fanbase, with minimal exploration of broader societal themes. Overall, the article is a solid piece of entertainment reporting but could benefit from greater depth and perspective.

Accuracy

The article accurately describes the main events of "Hacks" Season 4, Episode 4, such as Deborah Vance's debut as a late-night host, her hospitalization due to poppers, and the appearance of Carol Burnett. These claims are supported by other sources that confirm these plot points. However, some details, like the specifics of the club scene and the emergency contact protocol, are unique to this article and lack external verification. The article also includes quotes from Jean Smart about her knowledge of poppers and her admiration for Burnett, which are personal anecdotes and not easily verifiable. Overall, the article is mostly accurate but includes some unverified details.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the character of Deborah Vance and her experiences in the episode, providing a detailed account of her actions and interactions. While this offers insight into the main storyline, it may overlook other characters' perspectives and subplots, such as Damien's struggles, which are mentioned but not explored in depth. The focus on Jean Smart's personal anecdotes also skews the narrative towards her perspective, potentially omitting other viewpoints from the cast or creators. The article could benefit from a more balanced representation of the episode's broader themes and character dynamics.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly conveys the main events of the episode, using straightforward language and logical flow. The use of quotes from Jean Smart adds depth and personal insight, making the article engaging and easy to follow. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more context for certain plot points, such as the significance of the club scene and the character dynamics. Overall, the article is clear and accessible, effectively communicating the key elements of the episode.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on interviews with Jean Smart and descriptions of the episode's plot, which are credible but limited in scope. There is a lack of diverse sources, such as interviews with other cast members, creators, or critics, that could provide a more comprehensive view of the episode. The reliance on a single interview with Jean Smart may introduce bias, as her perspective dominates the narrative. The article could improve by incorporating a wider range of sources to enhance credibility and provide a more rounded view of the episode.

Transparency

The article provides some context for its claims, such as referencing spoilers and quoting Jean Smart directly. However, it lacks detailed explanations of how certain information was obtained, particularly regarding the plot specifics and character dynamics. The article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases, which could affect the reader's understanding of the content. Greater transparency about the sources and methods used to gather information would enhance the article's credibility and help readers assess the reliability of the claims.