‘Hacks’ Renewed for Season 5 at Max

'Hacks' Renewed for Season 5 at Max

"Hacks" has been renewed for a fifth season at Max. The news comes just ahead of the Season 4 finale on Thursday, and was announced by creators and showrunners Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello and Jen Statsky at a screening in Los Angeles on Tuesday. According to Warner Bros. Discovery, Season 4 has been the series' most-watched so far, with each episode's viewership improving upon the last. More from Variety Warner Bros. Discovery, U-Next Strike Global Distribution Deal for Japanese Dramas (EXCLUSIVE) 'Iyanu' Renewed for Season 2 at Cartoon Network and HBO Max, Alongside Two New Feature Spin-Offs (EXCLUSIVE) John Oliver Compares HBO Max/Max Branding Fiasco to Trump's Renaming the Gulf of Mexico "Hacks" follows the ups and downs in the relationship between Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a legendary comedian in her 70s, and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), an up-and-coming comedy writer who works for her. Season 4, which debuted on April 10, begins with the two at odds after Deborah becomes the host of a venerated late night talk show and Ava blackmails Deborah into giving her the head writing job she initially promised her and then took away. Along with Smart and Einbinder, the cast includes Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Mark Indelicato and Rose Abdoo. Executive producers of "Hacks" include Downs and Aniello via their Paulilu banner, Statsky via First Thought Productions, Michael Schur via Fremulon, David Miner for 3 Arts Entertainment and Morgan Sackett. Universal Television is the studio. "Yes! More! We congratulate 'Hacks's' singularly talented cast and crew and our great partners at Universal Television," Max's original programming head Sarah Aubrey said in a statement. "Like Deborah Vance herself, 'Hacks' only gets bolder, sharper and more iconic with time," said Erin Underhill, president of Universal Television. "We're beyond thrilled to keep the laughter rolling with Jen, Paul, Lucia, our extraordinary cast and crew and our partners at Max." Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byRobert Mejias

in

May 27, 2025

‘Hacks’ Renewed for Season 5 at Max

'Hacks' Renewed for Season 5 at Max "Hacks" has been renewed for a fifth season at Max. The news comes just ahead of the S...

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Diddy's ex-employee says music executive warned her 'to leave Puff alone'

Diddy's ex-employee says music executive warned her 'to leave Puff alone'

During an at times emotionalday of testimony, a former employee ofSean "Diddy" Combsopened up about the former hip-hop icon's alleged retaliation that prevented her from employment in the music industry. On May 27, Capricorn Clark – a personal assistant who worked in various other roles for Combs and his businesses from 2004 to 2012, then again in 2016 – testified about the threats and violence she'd witnessed from him over the years. While on the stand, she also described having a hard time finding a job after she was fired over an issue related to vacation time – a move she insinuated was related to telling Bad Boy Records PresidentHarve Pierreabout Combs allegedly kidnapping her to threaten Kid Cudi over his relationship withCassie Ventura Fine. As she sought a new job, Clark told the court, Combs tried to blackball her. She alleged that she met withJimmy Iovinefor what she thought was a job opportunity, but the co-founder of Interscope Records and Beats Electronics, among others, gave her a warning on Combs' behalf. "They were there to tell me to leave Puff alone and that this wasn't going to end well for me," Clark said. The judge then sustained an objection from the prosecution. USA TODAY has reached out to Interscope Records for comment from Iovine, who stepped down from his leadership role in 2014. Clark then said she was looking for work until she got pregnant in 2015, but she couldn't get a job. "I wanted people to see I was a valuable person. I wasn't disposable. In this business, he held all the power over me," Clark said, sobbing. During a tense cross-examination from Combs' team, lawyer Marc Agnofilo attempted to cast doubt on the accuracy and direness of Clark's allegations in the eyes of the jury. He showed communications from Clark starting in 2014, in which she appeared to be making nice with Combs. As Agnifolo brought up exchanges in which Clark mentioned "dope chemistry" and having the "biggest crush" on Combs before she worked for him, she denied remembering the message. Several celebrities have beenname-dropped during Combs' trialso far, with many being passing references with no actual relation to the allegations against the mogul. Such was the case, for example, with Barack Obama; Combs' former assistant at one point mentioned a pill shaped like the former president. These other names have come up: Kid Cudi Usher Jimmy Iovine Britney Spears Michael B. Jordan Chris Brown Mike Myers Lauren London Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child 50 Cent Suge Knight If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN'sNational Sexual Assault Hotlineoffers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and Spanish via chat and at 800-656-4673. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, call theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. Contributing: Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Diddy's ex-employee says music exec warned her 'to leave Puff alone'

byRobert Mejias

in

May 27, 2025

Diddy's ex-employee says music executive warned her 'to leave Puff alone'

Diddy's ex-employee says music executive warned her 'to leave Puff alone' During an at times emotionalday of testimony, a former...

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Margot Robbie Kept This Item from “Barbie”: ‘They Were Quite Expensive, Actually’

Margot Robbie Kept This Item from "Barbie": 'They Were Quite Expensive, Actually'

Architectural Digest/YouTube; Warner Bros. Margot Robbie shows off her new LuckyChap Entertainment office space toArchitectural Digeston May 27 and it turns out she kept furniture from theBarbiemovie The actress and her interior designer Scarlett Hessian walked through the freshly designed office as they talked about the inspiration behind each room In the "central hub" Robbie said the now-assistants' desk chairs was used by Will Ferrell and his Mattel execs Take a sneak peak insideMargot Robbie's office! TheBarbieactress, 34, gaveArchitectural Digesta behind-the-scenes tour of her production company LuckyChap Entertainment's office space in Los Angeles on May 27. In the center hallway space that's used as a "central hub" for production employees, Robbie gave a stealthy nod to her role in the billion-dollar blockbuster film. "The chairs are actually in theBarbiemovie when you're in the Mattel CEO office, and all the Mattel guys are sitting around on the pink chairs," the three-time Oscar nominee said during the office tour. The chairs from Mattel's headquarters were bright pink in the film that were used byWill Ferrelland his fellow "Mattel execs" for their boardroom meetings. Following the film, Robbie worked with London-based interior designer Scarlett Hessian from Studio Hessian to transform the $3,195Saarinen armchairsinto something a little more conducive to the space. Warner Bros. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "We just had them reupholstered, because at the end of the movie — I mean, they were quite expensive, actually — I was like, 'Wait, what's going to happen to these chairs?' " With the chair's new rusty orange offset checkered fabric, they fit rather nicely with the mid-century modern-inspired workspace. Warner Bros. Related:Lindsay Lohan SaysFreaky FridaySequel Is a 'Love Letter' to Iconic Movie House that Burned Down In Robbie's own office, she admitted that no one wanted the room as their office because of its abnormal shape, but Hessian took on the challenge. "Scarlett obviously was a genius about utilizing a very strange shape and I love it now," Robbie said about working with the designer. The back wall behind the built-in desk is draped with dusty pink curtains concealing whiteboards — perhaps an additional nod to her Mattel character. Other fun elements of Robbie's personal office include a standing lamp with tassels, a golden-base lamp that she purchased in Paris and a large plush white couch. Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Related:Margot Robbie Soaks Up the Sun as She Hits the Beach in Australia Months After Welcoming Her First Baby During the tour, Robbie mentioned that while she shares the office with husbandTom Ackerleyand their fellow business partner Josey McNamara, they agreed upon not showcasing their achievements as the focal point. "Also we were too embarrassed to put any awards anywhere else around the office," Robbie said, letting out a laugh. "So we kind of styled them in," Hessian added finishing Robbie's sentence. "We kind of like hide them amongst the books and it's a humble brag that way, I guess," Robbie said. Robbie's next movie,A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, opens on Sept. 19. Read the original article onPeople

byRobert Mejias

in

May 27, 2025

Margot Robbie Kept This Item from “Barbie”: ‘They Were Quite Expensive, Actually’

Margot Robbie Kept This Item from "Barbie": 'They Were Quite Expensive, Actually' Architectural Digest/YouTube; Warner Bro...

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Nick Kroll Recalls Organizing John Mulaney's 2020 Intervention: ‘I Was So Deeply Scared That He Was Gonna Die'

Nick Kroll Recalls Organizing John Mulaney's 2020 Intervention: 'I Was So Deeply Scared That He Was Gonna Die'

John Shearer/Getty Nick Kroll helped stage an intervention for John Mulaney in 2020 Mulaney checked into rehab in December 2020 to seek treatment for addiction after relapsing following a decades-long battle with addiction Kroll discussed the situation on the latest edition of theArmchair Expert with Dax Shepardpodcast Nick Krollis getting candid abouthelping stage an interventionfor his friendJohn Mulaneyin 2020. Mulaney, 42,checked into rehabin December 2020 to seek treatment for addiction after relapsing following a decades-long battle. He would later credit Kroll, 46, asone of the friends who helped stage the intervention. On the latest episode of theArmchair Expert with Dax Shepardpodcast, Kroll said he "produced" the intervention, calling the overall experience "scary and brutal to go through." Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty "He was in New York. I was in L.A. It was at the height of the pandemic," said Kroll. "So it was incredibly, literally, stressful to be in the midst of that, trying to literally coordinate and produce an intervention, bringing a bunch of people together, friends from college." TheBig Mouthcreator said at the time his wife,Lily Kwong, was "very pregnant." The twowelcomed son Leo in January 2021anddaughter Gaia in the fall of 2023. Kroll was also busy working onDon't Worry Darling. Kroll said, "John was running around New York City like a true madman. And I was so deeply scared that he was gonna die." Kroll added that he tried to "orchestrate" all the elements that go into an intervention, including the intervention person and where Mulaney would go, which was "f------ stressful." Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty The experience also shed new light on their friendship. "All of a sudden, you're going back, being like, 'Oh, oh, oh — that's why I've had an inconsistent friend for the last X amount of time. Oh, this explains that.' And so, it gives you both empathy for them, and also a tremendous amount of anger because they've been lying to you," said Kroll. When asked if there was a "leadup" to the intervention, Kroll recalled a phone call he had with Mulaney in which both of them were crying and he told him, "I'm just so scared you're going to die." Bruce Glikas/WireImage Kroll said that after Mulaney got out of rehab and started doing stand-up again, including his Netflix specialBaby J,"during which he talked about his experience, he was "still pretty f------ pissed about the intervention." The two ultimately talked things through and Kroll noted that what Mulaney is willing to share is what makes him so "f------ funny and dynamic and intoxicating as a performer is that he's giving you a written version of life but he's giving you access to elements of himself." If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. Read the original article onPeople

byRobert Mejias

in

May 27, 2025

Nick Kroll Recalls Organizing John Mulaney's 2020 Intervention: ‘I Was So Deeply Scared That He Was Gonna Die'

Nick Kroll Recalls Organizing John Mulaney's 2020 Intervention: 'I Was So Deeply Scared That He Was Gonna Die' John Shearer/Gett...

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Shania Twain Delights Fans with Surprise Intimate Performance in the Bahamas

Shania Twain Delights Fans with Surprise Intimate Performance in the Bahamas

Samir Hussein/WireImage; Shania Twain/TikTok Shania Twain surprised fans with an intimate performance in a restaurant in the Bahamas With a baseball cap on and her hair pulled back into a ponytail, Twain sang "You're Still the One" for the audience The Queen of Country Pop embarks on a limited North America tour this July Shania Twainmakes the case for hitting the local restaurants while on vacation. The"Man! I Feel Like a Woman!"singer, 59,shared a TikTokof her singing "You're Still the One" while playing the guitar at a restaurant in the Bahamas, joining a few other musicians for what appeared to be an impromptu set. Wearing a baseball cap with her hair pulled into a ponytail, Twain — who lives part of the year in the Bahamas — wrapped up her song and blew kisses to the audience. "POV you walk into a random bar on a saturday night in the Bahamas and you find shania twain singing you're still the one," the text over the video read. Twain reiterated the spontaneous sentiment. "You never know what's gonna go down on a Saturday night in Eleuthera! I just love the music scene and atmosphere here 💗," the five-time Grammy winner captioned the clip. "These guys were awesome!" The PEOPLE Appis now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Fans were quick to react to the intimate performance Twain gave. "My absolute DREAM COME TRUE to walk in someplace and find the queen just casually singing her stuff!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰 like WHAT!?!😍😍😍," one said. "the way I would have dropped dead," another wrote. A third fan simply wrote, "Chills." Someone pointed out that the couple at the bar "won the lottery" with their up-close seating and the privacy of their Queen of Country Pop concert. Twain spoke to PEOPLE in Februaryabout how being contained in the music industry after venturing into both pop and country genres throughout her career. "If I feel like I'm being put in a box, I start to panic," Twain said at the time. "I run in any direction I can because I don't want to be contained. I have to be able to find my own way." "Sometimes I'm not even sure where I'm going myself. How can somebody else tell me that, right?" she continued. So I need the freedom to explore and to land wherever that exploration takes me." Jason Kempin/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty For fans who missed out on this Twain experience, the singer is headed on alimited North America tourthis July and August, making stops in Quebec City and Toronto, along with Hershey, Pa. Hollywood, Fla. and Saratoga Springs, N.Y., among other cities. Read the original article onPeople

byRobert Mejias

in

May 27, 2025

Shania Twain Delights Fans with Surprise Intimate Performance in the Bahamas

Shania Twain Delights Fans with Surprise Intimate Performance in the Bahamas Samir Hussein/WireImage; Shania Twain/TikTok Shania Twain surpr...

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