Jean Smart’s 98% RT Comedy Show Just Gave Her An Unexpected Mare Of Easttown Reunion, 4 Years Later

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WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Hacks season 4, episode 5.

In the 5th episode of season 4 titled “Clickable Face,” the television screens showcased the long-awaited reunion of Jean Smart and Julianne Nicholson, a scene not seen in many years. Since 2021, Jean Smart has been captivating audiences as Deborah Vance in the Max original series Hacks. Remarkably, this was also the year when HBO’s acclaimed limited series Mare of Easttown, starring Academy Award winner Kate Winslet, graced our screens. Although Jean Smart missed out on an Emmy for her role in Mare of Easttown, she has already won three awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in Hacks, adding to her existing total of six accolades.

Last year, “Hacks” unseated “The Bear” at the Emmy Awards by taking home the prestigious Outstanding Comedy Series award, a title that “Hacks” season 4 appears set to claim once more. Over its four seasons, “Hacks” has garnered an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 98%, placing it among the top comedy series of the 2020s, and perhaps even the 21st century. In a similar vein, “Mare of Easttown” received a remarkable 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes and won four Emmy Awards, including Best Lead Actress in a Limited Series for Winslet and Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for Nicholson, outshining Smart in the category.

Julianne Nicholson & Jean Smart Starred In Mare Of Easttown Together Before Hacks Season 4

Both Were Nominated For Emmys For Their Roles & Nicholson Won Best Supporting

In the fourth season of Hacks, episode 5, Jack Nicholson made an appearance as “Dance Mom.” Previously, he and Smart were co-stars with Winslet in Mare of Easttown. Although they had significant supporting roles in Mare of Easttown, this is the first time that Jack Nicholson is joining the cast of Hacks. In his new guest role alongside Deborah, there’s speculation about how much more he might appear throughout season 4 of Hacks, and it’s possible that we could see him again in future episodes if “Dance Mom” proves popular on her fictional late-night show.

In the fourth season of Hacks, Nicholson is among several notable guest stars and cameos, which also include Carol Burnett, Merrill Markoe, Randy Newman, Kristen Bell, and Jimmy Kimmel. Each of these celebrities portrays themselves in the show. However, unlike her recent role in Hulu’s hit series Paradise, Nicholson doesn’t appear as herself in Hacks season 4. Instead, she takes on a fictional character – a popular TikTok star who gained fame through her self-created dance routines that went viral on social media.

In the fourth season’s fifth episode of “Hacks,” Deborah and her head writer, Ava, initially reject “Dance Mom” after she auditions for their TV show, due to Deborah’s traditional outlook and Ava’s forward-thinking ambitions. However, they overlook the fact that “Dance Mom,” although an unconventional internet celebrity, caters to what viewers desire. When Deborah’s late-night show faces trouble following a misfired joke, she invites “Dance Mom” onto the stage as a way of annoying Ava. To both their astonishment, “Dance Mom” revitalizes the show and engages the audience, making her a standout moment in the episode.

Julianne Nicholson & Jean Smart’s Hacks Dynamic Is Very Different From Mare Of Easttown

Comparing Both Celebrated Series Showcases Each Actresses’ Incredible Range

Regarding the resemblance in characters in season 4, episode 5 of Hacks, it’s crucial to note that Hacks and Mare of Easttown are almost polar opposites when it comes to atmosphere and narrative. Contrary to popular belief, Hacks is predominantly a comedy series brimming with laugh-out-loud moments and witty one-liners. In contrast, Mare of Easttown is a gripping drama set in the gritty backdrop of a Philadelphia suburb, a stark contrast to the glamour of Los Angeles. Despite recent tensions between Deborah and Ava, both series excel in their respective genres.

In the show Mare of Easttown, Lori Ross played by Nicholson is dramatically different from the character she portrayed in Dance Moms, who was lively and swept up in the excitement of Los Angeles. Conversely, Smart’s performance as the sophisticated and knowledgeable Deborah Vance in Hacks seems like a role tailored just for her. The fact that she delivers such a convincing performance in Mare of Easttown makes it even more impressive. At the end of Hacks season 4, episode 5, when Smart’s character Deborah and Nicholson’s Dance Mom dance together on stage before a live audience, this scene holds a special significance for fans of Mare of Easttown.

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2025-05-02 04:41