10 Shows Like Hacks (2021)

Description: Like 'Hacks', '30 Rock' offers a behind-the-scenes look at show business with rapid-fire jokes and eccentric characters. Both shows feature strong female leads navigating male-dominated industries, with similar themes about creative compromise and professional survival. The shows share a love of industry satire and meta-humor.

Fact: Based loosely on Tina Fey's SNL experiences. The famous 'Werewolf Bar Mitzvah' song was improvised. Alec Baldwin's role was originally written for a woman.

Description: Louis C.K.'s groundbreaking series shares with 'Hacks' an autobiographical feel and willingness to explore uncomfortable truths through comedy. Both shows blend stand-up segments with dramatic storytelling, featuring flawed protagonists in the comedy world. The shows similarly balance humor with moments of profound melancholy.

Fact: Episodes were shot out of order based on Louis's availability. The show pioneered the modern auteur-driven comedy. Many scenes were improvised on location.

Description: Like 'Hacks', 'Atlanta' offers a surreal yet grounded look at the entertainment industry through a specific cultural lens. Both shows blend comedy with social commentary, featuring unconventional storytelling and flawed but compelling protagonists. The shows share a similar willingness to take creative risks with tone and structure.

Fact: Donald Glover wrote most of the first season himself. The 'Teddy Perkins' episode was filmed in one day. The show has been called 'Twin Peaks with rappers'.

Description: This Pamela Adlon-created series shares with 'Hacks' an authentic portrayal of a woman balancing career challenges with complex family relationships. Both shows blend comedy with poignant drama, featuring protagonists who are unapologetically themselves in male-dominated industries. The naturalistic dialogue and character-driven storytelling are similar strengths in both series.

Fact: Adlon directed every episode after season The show is semi-autobiographical. Louis C.K. was originally a co-creator before being removed due to scandal.

Description: This show about 1970s stand-up comics shares with 'Hacks' an insider's look at the comedy world's brutal realities. Both explore the price of fame, creative rivalry, and the personal costs of making people laugh. The period setting provides a similar nostalgic yet critical view of entertainment history.

Fact: Based on real LA comedy clubs like The Comedy Store. Jim Carrey was an executive producer. The show was canceled after two seasons despite critical praise.

Description: Like 'Hacks', 'Barry' explores the dark side of show business through a mix of sharp comedy and dramatic tension. Both shows feature protagonists with questionable morals navigating creative industries, blending humor with existential themes. The shows share a similar tonal balance between laugh-out-loud moments and sudden darkness.

Fact: Bill Hader based some of Barry's acting classes on his own experiences. The famous 'ronny/lily' episode was largely improvised. Hader won back-to-back Emmys for his performance.

Description: 'Fleabag' shares with 'Hacks' a darkly comedic exploration of a flawed female protagonist dealing with personal trauma while using humor as a defense mechanism. Both shows feature breaking the fourth wall, creating an intimate connection with the audience. The themes of loneliness, family dysfunction, and sexual politics are similarly raw and honest in both series.

Fact: Phoebe Waller-Bridge wrote and starred in the original one-woman show. The 'Hot Priest' character wasn't originally intended to be a love interest. Season 2 has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Description: Like 'Hacks', 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' centers around a strong, witty female protagonist navigating the male-dominated world of comedy. Both shows explore themes of gender dynamics, personal reinvention, and the struggles of creative expression. The sharp, fast-paced dialogue and period-specific humor in 'Mrs. Maisel' mirror the comedic tone of 'Hacks'.

Fact: The show was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, known for her rapid-fire dialogue style. Rachel Brosnahan had to learn stand-up comedy for her role. The show won multiple Emmys for its writing and acting.

Description: Like 'Hacks', this show examines aging in Hollywood through a comedic lens, featuring veteran performers navigating changing industry standards. Both shows balance humor with poignant reflections on mortality and legacy. The mentor-mentee dynamic between Sandy and Norman mirrors aspects of the Deborah-Ava relationship.

Fact: Michael Douglas's first regular TV role since 'The Streets of San Francisco'. Alan Arkin initially turned down the role. The show was originally conceived as a drama before becoming a comedy.

Description: 'Ramy' shares with 'Hacks' a specific cultural perspective on universal themes of identity and belonging. Both protagonists navigate between traditional values and modern ambitions, using humor to explore serious personal and societal issues. The shows similarly blend cringe comedy with heartfelt drama.

Fact: Ramy Youssef based the show on his own experiences. Mahershala Ali directed several episodes. The show features mostly Muslim writers in its writers' room.