TikTok, AI sitcoms, and the circus of modern celebrity: How Hacks and The Comeback mock the humiliations of fame
In the world of television, two sitcoms, Hacks and The Comeback, are currently making waves, and they couldn't be more different in their portrayal of celebrity and the relentless pursuit of relevance. Both shows, set in the world of late-night talk shows and sitcoms, offer a scathing critique of the modern celebrity landscape, where fame is fleeting and the pressure to stay relevant is relentless.
The premise of Hacks is a familiar one: legendary comedian Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, has been plunged into a crisis after a controversial exit from her late-night talk show. With a vengeful non-compete clause in place, she's forced to seek a comeback, setting her sights on a major show at Madison Square Garden. The show hilariously explores the indignities of fame, where even the most iconic stars are reduced to chasing ratings and performing in clown costumes.
Similarly, The Comeback follows Valerie Cherish, a high-cringe sitcom star played by Lisa Kudrow, who scores a career lifeline but with a twist: her new sitcom is written by AI, and she's forbidden from sharing this secret. The show mocks the absurdity of today's fame game, where even the most talented stars are subjected to the whims of algorithms and the demands of the attention economy.
What makes these shows particularly compelling is their commentary on the cultural habit of projecting 'comeback' narratives onto women. Both Deborah and Valerie, despite their legendary status, are forced to constantly reinvent themselves to stay relevant. The shows highlight the bleak reality of the algorithm-era fame, where the demands of the industry can be the funniest punchline.
In Hacks, Deborah's talent is dimmed by external pressures, forcing her to film TikToks and social clips, shaking hands at parties, and doing everything but what made her famous: comedy. The show's portrayal of the relentless pursuit of fame is a stark reminder of the undignified lengths celebrities must go to stay relevant.
The Moment, a 'mockumentary' about pop star Charli xcx, shares a similar sentiment. Charli's success in coloring the zeitgeist is overshadowed by the mechanisms around her, which erase her creativity and subject her to a grueling schedule of product launches and brand promo. The show highlights the loss of the celebrity's untouchable status and the entitlement of fans to have such access.
Both Hacks and The Comeback showcase the struggle of old-school celebrities in a world dominated by reality stars and influencers. Despite their craft and legacy, Deborah and Valerie are judged by the attention economy, where staying relevant means producing more content and chasing viral moments.
The shows also explore the protagonists' desire to be taken seriously as comedy actors. Deborah's obsession with achieving Egot status in Hacks is a humorous take on the industry's obsession with award statistics and publicity stunts. Valerie's attempt to master the 'Real Housewives version' of Chicago on Broadway in The Comeback is a satirical take on the absurdity of fame.
The cultural addiction to comeback narratives is a recurring theme. Madonna's announcement of her return, despite her successful 2024 tour, triggered a sense of all-or-nothing expectations. The shows and the pop star's journey highlight the pressure on women to constantly reinvent themselves, as described by Taylor Swift in her documentary, Miss Americana.
In the end, Hacks and The Comeback present a bleak yet hilarious portrayal of the circus of modern celebrity. They ask the question: should these iconic women have to go to such extreme lengths to stage their perfect comeback stories? The answer, it seems, is a resounding no, as the shows expose the undignified nature of fame and the relentless pursuit of relevance.
