Hopeful Pessimist or Doom and Gloom? (with Jen Statsky)

Writer, executive-producer, and co-creator of Hacks Jen Statsky joins Sam to discuss her particular brand of hopeful pessimism, and their shared obsession with Jean Smart, who she says is one of the greatest nappers of all time. Jen explains that she is decisive if it’s a decision that only involves herself, but as soon as she brings in other people, there’s a big problem. Which is why she’s fortunate to have two amazing co-showrunners of Hacks, because they make most of the decisions together and she loves it—from hiring to writing assignments to what kind of office birthday cake to buy. They lament the lack of respect male comedians have traditionally held for female comedians who have come before them, and why six years may not sound like a lot but it’s an eternity in TV years. comedians have written off way more successful female comedians for eternity. They talk about what it’s like to go from being a staff-writer to being in charge of all the writers, and how the late night landscape has changed to be almost unrecognizable since Hacks began and how Jen kind of wants to leave her career to become a couples therapist.

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