TV Academy Voters, Take Note! Kaitlin Olson of ‘Hacks’ Is a Mixed Bag of Funny and Ferocious

As a long-time fan and admirer of Kaitlin Olson‘s work, I can confidently say that she has truly outdone herself in “Hacks.” Her portrayal of D.J., a character deeply rooted in Olson’s own experiences and comedic style, is nothing short of exceptional.


To convincingly portray Deborah Vance’s sharp wit on “Hacks,” as Kaitlin Olson does so brilliantly, requires an exceptional acting ability. Her performance beautifully illustrates the intricate bond between her character D.J. and her comic mom, highlighting the complexities of their parent-child relationship. In essence, Olson’s portrayal embodies a flawed, sarcastic, and cynical figure that echoes her own damaged character in many ways.

In episode 3 of Season 3 from Max’s comedy series, Olson truly shone. It wasn’t surprising, as she’s always shown her ability to skillfully balance genuine, intensifying feelings with scenes-stealing antics. Time and again, she’s demonstrated her talent. That’s the enchantment Olson weaves.

“The ‘Hacks’ Episode: ‘Roasting Deborah Vance,'” Leads to Emmy Nomination for Olson

She exclaims in disbelief, “Can’t you just give me some attention for a bit?” she demands abruptly. Then, unexpectedly, she reveals that she is pregnant. “I wasn’t supposed to share this news due to the anatomy scan, since, technically… it’s considered a high-risk pregnancy at my age,” she says. Assuming Deborah might be joking, D.J. cautions her, pointing her finger, “Please don’t even think about saying a thing!”

A few days pass, and it’s D.J.’s turn to speak at the roast. She clutches index cards filled with pre-written jokes. Without glancing away, she hesitantly recites one joke, discarding the closing line: “What a jerk.” The crowd erupts in laughter. Delighted by their response, D.J. continues to read each joke, gaining more confidence with each delivery and consistently ending them with, “What a jerk!” Remarkably, Olson utters those three words four times, each time with a unique inflection. The audience cheers and stands for a standing ovation!

TV Academy Voters, Take Note! Kaitlin Olson of ‘Hacks’ Is a Mixed Bag of Funny and Ferocious

At the post-roast gathering, DJ is still basking in the echoes of the applause. When Deborah approaches her with admiration, DJ suddenly comprehends her mother’s perspective for the first time. “That was fantastic,” she acknowledges. “Now I get it — why comedy meant everything to you. I used to think you were self-absorbed, but it seems you’re more like an addict, just like me. You’re addicted to laughter… I need group meetings to stay sober, but for you, the group is your addiction. There’s no recovery for you.”

In her career spanning several decades, Olson isn’t new to the comedy scene; rather, she’s mastered it. However, her performance in “Hacks” has pushed her abilities to a higher plane. Her command over each word is remarkable, showing an understanding of rhythm, tone, and volume that is exceptional. Make no mistake about it, Olson is anything but an amateur.

In one of her early days on set with Smart, series creator Paul W. Downs recounts an instance when Olson performed a short scene with Smart and then left. After that, Smart continued the scene while Olson circled around the set to observe from behind. This is not a common behavior of Olson’s. Smart recognizes something exceptional in Olson; it’s high time for the TV Academy to take notice too!

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2024-08-13 22:18