Inside the Wild ‘Hacks’ Cameo That Left Editors in a Fugue State

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Michael Schneider and Kate Aurthur, from EbMaster, were given roles that slightly resembled themselves in the premiere of “Hacks” Season 4, which debuted on Max on April 10. Here’s what transpired for each of them.

In the Season 4 premiere of “Hacks,” which aired on Max on April 10, both Michael Schneider and Kate Aurthur from EbMaster were asked to portray characters based on themselves, albeit in a slightly fictionalized manner. Here’s their behind-the-scenes story.

In the middle of the Season 4 premiere of the Emmy-winning comedy “Hacks,” Deborah Vance, brilliantly portrayed by Jean Smart, is preparing to announce a press conference for her new late-night program. With an unusual flourish, she enters the room blasting Bizarre Inc.’s 1992 dance pop hit “I’m Gonna Get You.” She then addresses her first journalist.

And indeed, I am the one referred to as the reporter in this scenario – not an actor, I assure you! As clearly stated in the script, it’s “Michael Schneider” who asks the initial question, as indicated on the blue shooting draft. This fictional portrayal of “Michael Schneider,” skillfully enacted by the genuine Michael Schneider himself, even delivers a line. He initiates the press conference with a legitimate, though gentle, inquiry: “Deborah, are there any expectations or pressure to uphold the legacy of hosts preceding you?” (I added the ‘so’ to make it more conversational.)

Jeremy Strong would certainly approve: I went all out in my method acting, arriving on set driving a battered Honda CR-V and donning a budget suit jacket from H&M that resembled Michael Schneider’s personal wardrobe in real life. If I was going to portray myself, I wanted it to be as authentic as possible.

Or:

Jeremy Strong would undoubtedly be impressed: I took my method acting seriously and showed up on set driving a damaged Honda CR-V and sporting a secondhand suit jacket from H&M that looked like it came straight from Michael Schneider’s personal collection. I wanted to give the most convincing portrayal of myself possible.

However, I’m not the sole journalist portrayed in “Hacks” Episode 401 who shares screen time with real-life reporters. Sitting across from me at Deborah’s press conference, poised to ask the next question, was my esteemed colleague Kate Aurthur from EbMaster! And Kate, what stands out most in your memory from that October day when we filmed this crucial, trailblazing scene (For Your Consideration!) at the Skirball Center?

KATE: Hey Mike, you’re aware that I made it clear to anyone around on that day, even the creators of “Hacks,” Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky, and Lucia Aniello (who was also directing), that I’m not an actor. I was really jittery before the shoot began, but at the same time, I found it amusing and exciting (and a bit mind-blowing considering our small roles) to receive emails from the hair, makeup, and costume teams asking for my photos and suggestions for “REPORTER KATE’s” outfit, as well as my typical reporter appearance. These questions left me puzzled. In the end, I sent them a video interview I did with Lucia, Jen, and Paul last spring, and luckily for me, they agreed, “Go ahead and wear that!

At Skirball, it was delightful spending time with you, alongside fellow reporters Stacey Wilson Hunt (my neighbor from the trailer), Pete Hammond and Denny Directo. During lunch, there were numerous background actors present, yet I barely noticed their number – that is, until we stepped into the scene’s room itself, and lo and behold, they were all there. Oh my, it was a massive press conference for Deborah! Though I’m not an actor, appearing before a large audience? Goodness no, absolutely not. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Reflecting on the experience brings back a wave of unease, and it wasn’t just the initial question that made me anxious. The evolution of my introductory line from a simple “How does it feel to be the first woman at 11:30?” to a more precise “How does it feel to be the first woman on at 11:30 on one of the Big Three?” felt overwhelming, almost like too much to handle. I found myself in a sort of daze during the actual taping, but you always performed exceptionally well and nailed every appearance.

MIKE (MOVIE CRITIC): Gosh, it’s truly gratifying to hear that I convincingly portrayed “Kate” in our recent project. Admittedly, there were moments when I felt a bit unsure of the direction they wanted us to take with our lines. Perhaps we were so in sync that no additional guidance was needed? Maybe I could have offered more variations or improvised further beyond my “so’s”. But looking back, I suspect we struck the right chord without needing to alter much.

It was entertaining to note that among us journalists, which included you, me, Stacey, Pete, and Denny, there was a real actor, Fred Cross, disguised as a reporter. Initially, on the first day, Fred’s fashion choices stood out, making him seem out of place – something that even Jean Smart pointed out. Later on, the wardrobe department adjusted his attire to make it less flashy, allowing him to fit in with the rest of us more comfortably.

Additionally, I was struck by how efficiently we completed the shoot. To be honest, I’m not a big fan of TV show set visits because the “hurry up and wait” atmosphere makes me uneasy (I have tasks to attend to!) and watching the same scene being filmed multiple times becomes tedious. However, for our “Hacks” scene, we shot it repeatedly since the cameras were capturing the action from various perspectives. Yet, it didn’t feel excessive. Perhaps I simply wanted to savor every moment, and also ensure they had enough quality takes so we wouldn’t end up being edited out!

In various takes, even the one used in the episode, Jean unexpectedly started the press conference by directly addressing me (“Michael!”). This wasn’t part of the script; it seems Jean Smart just happens to remember my name! After spending 30 years in TV journalism, I should be less surprised, but moments like that still feel surreal and magical.

Kate, it’s safe to say you must be thrilled that many will tune in to “Hacks” this week, exclaiming something like, “Wow, there’s Kate on my screen!

KATE: Isn’t it exciting? Of course, those we collaborate with were aware of this development since we shot in October, so they weren’t taken aback. (And our friend and coworker Marc Malkin was featured in “Hacks” Season 3 premiere, playing himself on a red carpet, setting a precedent for such occurrences at EbMaster!) However, it’s amusing to see people who receive screeners start watching them and reaching out. Recently, I woke up to find Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone’s TV critic, texting me “HACKS PREMIERE” unexpectedly. I’m trying to suppress my self-criticism to savor this unusual, enjoyable journey. I simply don’t want to become a meme, Mike!

Indeed, as a television reporter who’s been on set visits that often turned out to be less informative for my reporting, “Hacks” appears to capture it accurately. In the depicted scene, Deborah stands before a crowd and fields questions that gradually grow more probing. (By the way, I was pleasantly relieved to receive one of the easier questions instead of having to inquire about why young people avoid late-night talk shows or if she can handle doing five nights a week – I’d have felt intimidated under Jean Smart’s piercing gaze!).

Returning to the topic of efficiency, the storyline revolves around Deborah’s public meltdown in front of the media. To capture this effectively, numerous camera angles focusing on Deborah were set up. Occasionally, Lucia Aniello would provide Jean Smart with alternate lines, yelling different responses to the reporters’ questions from the sidelines, which prolonged the process. However, every time, Helen Hunt’s character, Winnie, who portrays the head of the network, would pull Deborah off the stage following a statement that would later cause trouble, with Deborah declaring defiantly, “I’m not a woman, I’m a comedian. GOT IT?” Eventually, they informed us that they needed to flip the scene — I guess they have a term for this — so the cameras were trained on us, capturing the swarm of media personnel. At this point, I feared my dinner plans with friends in Silver Lake would be cancelled, but miraculously, they managed it so swiftly that I made it!

It’s fascinating how blind I can be sometimes, Mike. Despite the countless takes we had for that scene, I somehow overlooked the fact that the shots where the cameras were positioned on the podium facing us would be the ones they ultimately chose! In hindsight, I can’t say exactly what I thought, but perhaps I assumed that our questions wouldn’t be as prominent, that it would all be Deborah. However, there we are, asking questions – even I got into character and pretended to have my question written on my phone. Oh well, next time I’ll catch on! [Narrator voice: There won’t be a next time.] What caught you off guard during this entire process?

AS A CINEMA ENTHUSIAST: Let me confess, the opulence of it all left me spellbound! Despite the minuscule dressing rooms in the mobile trailer (which, I’m sure, many actors would dismiss as laughably small), having a tiny corner with my name on it was an extraordinary experience. Granted, the sign was removable with a dry-erase marker and would be reused the next day for another cast member… unless they forgot to remove it, which I managed to do, keeping it as a cherished memento.

The catering was nothing short of exceptional, and I couldn’t help but marvel at the cost of feeding such a large crew and countless extras daily. Shooting a single scene in one location is an intricate dance involving miles of cables, a bustling video village, rows of trailers, and a dedicated team that works tirelessly to set up this miniature production town overnight, only to dismantle it late into the night after we’ve returned home. And then they would do it all over again, the next day, in an entirely new location. It’s nothing short of astounding!

As I previously mentioned, I’ve had 30 years of experience with this process, so I’m not a novice. However, being right in the thick of it all has given me a fresh perspective on just how much effort goes into production. It’s amazing to see the craftsmanship involved, from the makeup artist enhancing my appearance to make me shine at a press conference, to the sound technician ensuring my microphone was always well-positioned and natural-looking. The producers even went out of their way to provide us with comfortable holding areas instead of keeping us waiting in our seats while they adjusted equipment. And watching Lucia skillfully manage stars like Jean Smart and Helen Hunt was a sight to behold!

Later on, we reached the most lavish and somewhat absurd aspect of the day. To put it simply, instead of us, stand-ins were used – real people who stood in for each one of us, including our colleagues. This was surprising because even though we only had a single line and our scene was brief, it was long enough that several extras had to act as us – they sat in our seats, donned nametags with our names on them – while the cameras were changed. It’s quite fascinating, but I also felt a bit self-conscious. I mean, are we so important that we can’t even sit there, waiting idly while the set is being prepared, when others have to do it? Indeed, many thoughts crossed my mind.

To clarify, it was simply observed that the stand-in actor hired for me was slightly older, which I believe to be a kind and capable individual. It seems they may cast people who resemble us for this role, leading me to wonder if this is how others perceive me. In essence, I’m questioning whether the show “Hacks” subtly conveyed that I have transitioned into a more mature or experienced reporter?

However, it’s worth noting that he appeared content in his surroundings, much like many of the other supporting cast members. After all, who wouldn’t be excited to gain a behind-the-scenes peek at television’s comedy Emmy winner, not to mention learning from the show’s talented actors? And let’s not forget the added bonus of a meal! (Apologies for the food reference.) On another note, has this experience sparked any new ideas or insights for you?

KATE: Yes, seeing one’s stand-in is not for the weak. I think mine was alarmed as well.

Despite my apprehensions about potentially being memed and the jitters I felt, appearing on “Hacks” was an amazing, enlightening experience. It was also educational for our jobs, as you’ve outlined. The sheer amount of work that goes into each day of production is mind-boggling, and watching Jean Smart, who has won three Emmys for her role as Deborah Vance, deliver the same lines with subtle variations in every take was truly inspiring, not to mention entertaining. A small scene we worked on during the premiere might go unnoticed by viewers (perhaps I’d prefer it that way, chuckles), but it left a lasting impression on me. Although I’m hesitant about a potential “Hacks” spinoff focusing on the reporters who cover television, I believe you have a great chance, Mike!

“Hacks” Season 4 will continue dropping new episodes Thursdays on Max.

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2025-04-11 18:19