Hacks Recap: Ice, Ice Baby

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Jimmy is gearing up for a lunch meeting with Deborah and Ava, but the tension he feels arises from the fact that they neglected to inform him of their reconciliation. Despite his efforts to create a peaceful environment by removing knives from the table and using a rose-and-thorn icebreaker (which he came up with due to an unfortunate dog bite incident), it seems those preparations are unnecessary, as Deborah and Ava were so engrossed in their reunion that they overlooked informing Jimmy.

Although Jimmy expresses happiness over their reconciliation, the fact that he was left out of the loop does not sit well with him. This reminds him of finding out about his parents’ divorce through a soap opera magazine at work, as Kayla pointed out to him. Indeed, it is unfair that Deborah and Ava did not bother to inform Jimmy about their renewed relationship, and it is up to Jimmy to assert that his clients treat him with the respect he deserves.

It’s time for a visit from another familiar face: Ava’s mother, Jane Adams, is coming to town! Incredible, you can actually get a direct flight from Boston to Burbank? I’m green with envy! I always find myself battling the crowds at LAX and taking that shuttle to the parking lot where Ubers and Lyfts reside. It’s quite an ordeal. Each time I’m there, I can’t help but think: Wow, it’s hard to believe our country still doesn’t have high-speed rail in its major cities. But let’s not make Ava’s mom’s visit about that. Instead, we know what she’s here for – to subtly (and not so subtly) encourage her child to start a family. At just 28 years old, Ava, as we both suspect and she will eventually confess, isn’t interested in having kids, but that won’t stop her mom from suggesting they split the winnings from her class action lawsuit to help freeze Ava’s eggs. (“Are you still waiting for Leo DiCaprio to come along so you can have a child? I think there’s something to that! You move in the same Hollywood circles!”)

While Deborah dances like a robot in a motion-capture suit for a football commercial, Winnie drops by to inquire about the spin-off that hasns’t been officially created yet, which will be led by Anthony Anderson. The idea of a “Celebrity Strip Poker” spin-off seems too explicit for family viewing. Deborah finds this question incredibly frustrating, and I understand her irritation. However, I also find it puzzling… It seems that the upcoming spin-off indicates the success of her show, and she would potentially receive a producer credit, meaning more financial gain, increased visibility, and so forth. If participating in the “leaping on leap day” social media promotion is not beneath her, then why does she object to expanding her show into a franchise?

Ava’s mother is present in the writers’ workshop brainstorming an explosive news item: The beloved mayor of Las Vegas was discovered participating in a wild orgy on a Zamboni with numerous hockey players! Naturally, the writers grapple with the contemporary late-night comic’s predicament: most amusing jokes have already been shared online. Additionally, they face a personal challenge: Deborah is reluctant to mock her acquaintance. Ava proposes an innovative solution: Invite Deborah on the show instead! Thus, Deborah arranges a private flight and, in a dramatic fashion reminiscent of Cruella de Vil, climbs the outer wall to bypass the waiting press and taps on Jo’s window. The mayor then descends the stairs adorned in a vibrant pink Juicy tracksuit and brandishing a firearm. This should make for quite an entertaining show!

Jo is joking about her current situation (“The Jimmys railroaded me. I’ve had my second gangbang of the week.”) and Deborah persuades her not to resign as mayor but instead, share her perspective on the show. Deborah quotes a famous line by Nora Ephron (originally from her mom!) that if you tell your story, it becomes your joke – even though Nora Ephron had called Deborah a “bitch” once. This is a nod to Deborah’s knowledge or understanding of Nora Ephron, referred to as her ‘lore.’

In their office, Jimmy experiences another unexpected turn of events. The client, Clive – whom he and Kayla had successfully secured for their agency despite his terminal cancer diagnosis – is now in remission! However, this good news comes with a surprising twist: Clive is letting Jimmy go to switch agencies, but not just any agency – Kayla’s father’s! This is unbelievable! With so much happening, we can’t afford to linger on this situation for long because (1) Jimmy needs a rabies shot and (2) it’s showtime at Late Night! Isn’t it amazing how swiftly Ava navigates the set? Her mother certainly finds it hard to believe: “She was always last in her presidential fitness challenges.

In my view, Mayor Jo, whom I admire deeply and consider a symbol of America, excels with panache. She glides onto the ice on a zamboni. Her stylish footwear adds to her charm. As the mayor of Sin City, she embraces the role, enjoying (legitimate, ethically sound) entertainment. The crowd adores her, and rightly so!

Unfortunately, things seem to be spiraling downhill for Jimmy. Jack Danby is considering adopting the “method acting” approach to portray Fatty Arbuckle, yet he’s a vegan. Kayla encourages him, saying, “He can pull it off! I know plenty of vegans who look the part.” When Jimmy confides in Kayla about her father poaching Clive, she becomes quite assertive, which she refers to as her “gorilla mode.” Instead of denying his wrongdoings, Michael Schaffer tells Kayla that he wants to poach her too: Jimmy isn’t ruthless enough, but rumors have spread about Kayla. He’s always been confident in her abilities: “Don’t you remember the time at Sea World when you killed that dolphin? I saw you stuff a muffin into its blowhole.” A high-ranking position at his agency and a Malibu beach house with a jetski, all bearing Kayla’s name, could be within reach if she leaves Jimmy for her father – according to a tune reminiscent of Carly Rae Jepsen.

Exciting update: The Mayor Jo interview became popular online. Unfortunately, the show is still trailing in third place as viewers don’t share clips until after they air, affecting live ratings. To boost viewership, Deborah proposes a fresh format: filming the show a day ahead, releasing teaser clips with suspenseful endings before broadcast, and then encouraging viewers to tune in for the punchlines. Even without topical humor, late-night shows seem less relevant nowadays. The team is given the go-ahead to test this innovative approach. We’re aiming for a buzzworthy and engaging show by interviewing people Deborah genuinely appreciates.

This implies that we’ll enjoy a series of fresh interviews with Deborah featuring celebrities like a famous plastic surgeon and a psychic named Diana. Deborah engages in juicy discussions, asking questions such as “how much did you receive in the divorce?” and providing intriguing tidbits like “the resort where the entire Ocean’s Eleven cast is now unwelcome.” Their venture proves successful, making them the top choice: they’re number one!!! The network is overjoyed, wanting Deborah to host a live show following the Oscars. (Ava, thrilled: “This is as close as I’ll ever get to working in films!”)

Everything is going smoothly for most people, but Jimmy finds himself in an unusual situation upon arriving at the parking lot, where he discovers a jet ski adorned with a large bow parked right beside him. At this moment, Randi remains clueless about the matter since she’s traveling by bus. (She often visualizes a city layout before navigating it, and her intuition is not off-base!)

In the evening, Stacy informs Deborah and Ava that they’ve moved past needing an HR chaperone. She’s planning a mental health trip to Costa Rica. It’s not for relaxing on the beach; she can’t go near the ocean while at the facility. Rob is ecstatic and gives Ava a big hug. Winnie is thrilled, but Deborah still insists they need more time to cash in on their success with that spinoff! Their discussion is quite intense. Upon returning home, Deborah finds a gift from Bob Problematic: a bottle of Blue Label Johnnie Walker signed “XO” BOB.

Deborah expresses her gratitude to him over the phone and they engage in flirtatious banter. During their conversation, Deborah reveals that she would prefer if Winnie never asked her for another spinoff project again. I’m sharing this quote to determine whether people believe Deborah understood the consequences of her actions or regretted them later. The next day, Winnie is fired, causing Ava to be shocked. No one else knows what transpired except Deborah, who keeps it a secret. Rob suggests that their futures will depend on who replaces Winnie, as things could potentially get even worse. Let’s also pay tribute to Winnie, who now faces spending more time with children she dislikes.

Deborah appears taken aback by the information, yet it’s unclear if she’s truly troubled by it or if she’s intoxicated by her success and influence, failing to grasp its implications regarding Bob. If only Winnie could be dismissed so abruptly… what does that imply for her? For now, she is being carried onto the stage by muscular, shirtless men, adorned in an outfit blending Greek goddess and Cleopatra elegance, letting out a mad laugh.

From my perspective, the Winnie controversy seems ripe for a potential lawsuit… dismissing a high-ranking woman immediately following her show’s rise to the top could certainly stir up questions. Additionally, one might ponder what secrets about Bob and Deborah could surface during such a legal tussle – something that could cause concern!

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2025-05-16 06:54