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WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Hacks season 4, episodes 1-4.
The Emmy-winning HBO/MAX comedy series Hacks features a new slate of special guest appearances and cameos across the first half of its fourth season. While Hacks season 4’s two-episode premiere focused more intently on the intense feud between Jean Smart’s Deborah Vance and the new head writer of her late-night show, Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), it did introduce a handful of new and returning cast members.
The series notably returned to Las Vegas in Hacks season 4, episode 3, where it was tasked with fitting in a variety of supporting characters, both new and old. Hacks season 4 has certainly leaned into more of a dramedy territory across its first four episodes but has still kept its sharp, signature comedy at its forefront. Hacks season 3 featured all sorts of guest stars, some more notable than others. Hacks season 4 looks to do the same, with even more guest stars expected in its latter half.
14
Michaela Watkins As Stacey
Episodes 1, 3, 4
Michaela Watkins joins the cast of Hacks season 4 as an HR representative named Stacey, who works at the TV network that puts on Deborah’s late-night show. Stacey is assigned to be present at all of Deborah and Ava’s workplace conversations because of their ongoing feud, which has greatly concerned the network. Watkins’ Stacey is hilariously awkward and aloof, but she does have a strict understanding of proper workplace dynamics. Watkins is best known for Saturday Night Live, Casual, Search Party, and The Back-up Plan.
13
Helen Hunt As Winnie Landell
Episodes 1, 2, 4
Helen Hunt is an Oscar-winning actress who reprises her Hacks season 3 role as the head of the TV network, Winnie Landell. Winnie is a no-nonsense executive whose sole purpose is to ensure that Deborah’s late-night show is a success. Jimmy and Kayla first got into her circle by playing pickleball with her in season 3, which put the idea of Deborah hosting a late-night show in Winnie’s head. Hunt won Best Actress for As Good as It Gets and also won four Best Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy Awards for her role in Mad About You.
12
Tony Goldwyn As Bob Lipka
Episode 1
Tony Goldwyn returns as the CEO of the media conglomerate, Bob Lipka, who owns the TV Network that hosts Deborah’s late-night show. He appeared in an episode of Hacks season 3 and even had a one-night stand with Deborah despite being married. This fact is exactly what Ava uses as blackmail against Deborah to land the head writer position. Goldwyn has only appeared in the first episode of Hacks season 4 thus far. He has starred in dozens of films and TV shows, including Ghost, The 6th Day, The Last Samurai, and The Mechanic.
11
Pete Hammond & Hollywood Journalists As Themselves
Episode 1
Pete Hammond of Deadline has a cameo as himself in the first episode of Hacks season 4. He is one of several real-life Hollywood insiders and journalists who appear during Deborah’s press conference, which also includes Michael Schneider and Kate Aurthur of Variety, Danny Directo of Entertainment Tonight, and Stacey Wilson Hunt of The Hollywood Reporter. Their inclusion in Hacks season 4 adds authenticity to Deborah’s celebrity status in the series, even though none of these respected journalists are actors.
10
Polly Draper As Diana
Episodes 2 & 4
Polly Draper returns from her season 2 role as Diana, Deborah’s psychic friend. She arrives to clear the energy of Deborah’s writer’s room, which she hilariously points out is full of “divorced, middle-aged men.” While she has more of a role in Hacks season 4, episode 2, she also has a brief appearance in episode 4 as one of the many people offering Deborah support as she approaches the stage for her first live taping of her late-night show. Draper is best known for Shiva Baby and The Naked Brothers Band.
9
Robby Hoffman As Randi
Episode 2
Robby Hoffman joins the cast of Hacks season 4 as Kayla and Jimmy’s new assistant, Randi. Randi has only appeared in Hacks season 2 thus far and tells Jimmy that she has never worked in Hollywood before. Hoffman is primarily a writer and comedian who has worked on kids’ shows such as Odd Squad. Her other writing credits include Workin’ Moms and The Chris Gethard Show, as well as her stand-up comedy special I’m Nervous. She also recently appeared in an episode of Hulu’s Dying for Sex.
8
Lindsey Normington As Cherry
Episode 3
Image via Max
Lindsey Normington of Best Picture-winner Anora acclaim appears as a stripper in Hacks season 4, episode 3. She played Ani’s jealous nightclub co-worker, Diamond, in Sean Baker’s Oscar-winning movie. Normington’s stripper character in Hacks is named Cherry, who hilariously gives Deborah a lap dance. Before Anora, Normington appeared in HBO’s The Idol and in the TV series Blindspotting as a dancer.
7
Poppy Liu As Kiki
Episode 3
Image via Max
Poppy Liu returns as Kiki in Hacks season 4 after appearing in one episode of season 3. She was a recurring character in Hacks season 1 when the series primarily took place in Vegas, where she works as a blackjack dealer at a casino. After appearing in six of Hacks season 1’s 10 episodes, Liu has only appeared in four Hacks episodes, including season 4, episode 3, in seasons 2-4. Liu has also appeared in No Good Deed, Space Cadet, and Dead Ringers.
6
Luenell As Miss Loretta
Episode 3
Luenell’s Miss Loretta is another Hacks recurring character who has appeared in all four seasons of the series. She is a friend of Marcus’s mother, played by Angela Elayne Gibbs, who frequently appeared at Marcus’s house. Loretta somewhat randomly shows up at the nightclub where Deborah brings Ava and her writing staff from a night out on the town. Luenell is known for her roles in The Rock, That’s My Boy, A Star Is Born, and All About Steve.
5
Lauren Weedman As Mayor Jo
Episode 3
Lauren Weedman reprises her Hacks role as Mayor Jo, the Mayor of Las Vegas, in season 4, episode 3. She bails Deborah out of a potential speeding and DUI charge while being intoxicated herself. Weedman has also appeared in all four seasons of Hacks, starting with season 1, episode 7. She is best known for her roles in Date Night, The Five-Year Engagement, and Looking.
4
Carol Burnett As Herself
Episode 4
Carol Burnett is a legendary actress, comedian, writer, and host who makes her first appearance on Hacks in season 4, episode 4. Burnmett plays herself waiting at the same doctor’s office as Deborah. She and Deborah have a meaningful conversation as two women (one fictional) who became trailblazers for women in Hollywood and comedy.
Related
Kiki Makes A Great Point About Ava & Deborah’s Feud In Hacks Season 4 Episode 3
Kiki’s guest appearance in Hacks season 4, episode 3, “What Happens In Vegas,” ends up offering Ava some useful advice about her feud with Deborah.
Burnett famously hosted her own variety/sketch show, The Carol Burnett Show, from 1967 to 1978, which paved the way for countless women in show business. Burnett gives Deborah the advice to perform her monologue for just one person in the audience.
3
Merrill Markoe As Herself
Episode 4
Another groundbreaking woman in comedy, Merrill Markoe, also naturally appears in Hacks season 4, episode 4 as Deborah kicks off her late-night show. As referenced in the Hacks episode, Markoe was the head writer on Late Night with David Letterman from 1982 to 1986, which earned her three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program and made Letterman a household name. Markoe jokes that she would never want Ava’s job in Hacks, even though she pretty much had it in the 1980s.
2
Jake Shane As Himself
Episode 4
TikTok star Jake Shane briefly appears in Hacks season 4, episode 4 as the social media correspondent for the TV network. He asks Deborah for a few photos as she makes her way to the stage for her first live taping. Shane is primarily a social media influencer and internet comedian who earned his first acting credit in Hacks.
1
Randy Newman As Himself
Episode 4
Randy Newman is a celebrated singer, songwriter, and composer who has composed the original scores for dozens of films and TV shows, including Toy Story, Marriage Story, Cars, Monk, Meet the Parents, and more. Newman only has a handful of acting credits but was featured in the Best Picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once as Raccacoonie. In Hacks, Newman plays piano at the end of Deborah’s first late-night show, hilariously turning down her dinner offer because he hasn’t eaten in public in decades.
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