Welcome to another bonus pod here on Rich Text. As always, we are so very grateful to you, our paying subscribers, for keeping this project afloat!

Today we are discussing “Hacks,” an HBO Max series starring Jean Smart as Deborah Vance, a veteran comic in the stylings of Joan Rivers who has come to be seen as a bit of a hack, and Ava, played by Hannah Einbeinder, a 25-year-old upstart comedic writer who has been “cancelled” for a tasteless joke. The two are thrown together by their mutual agent, and growth, arguments and a whole lot of comedy writing ensues. We get into the characters in “Hacks,” and the generational divides and gender issues explored.

Happy listening and happy (almost) weekend!

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We’ve been reading…

The heart-wrenching and infuriating transcript of Britney Spears’ court testimony. -Emma

We’ve been listening to…

Lately I’ve been digging more into the back catalog of Citations Needed, a leftist media crit podcast hosted by Nima Shirazi and Adam Johnson, and I really recommend it to anyone who pays attention to the news (hopefully everyone?!). Their episodes push back on common tropes in mainstream media — such as, recently, the wave of stories about how workers were too lazy to apply for jobs at restaurants because they’re surfeited on overly generous unemployment benefits — and help break down the easy, often misleading frames in which we’re accustomed to seeing political issues presented. -Claire

I’m deep into the archives of “Dear Shandy,” the relationship podcast our bud Sharleen does with her husband Andy. Even when I don’t agree with the advice given — which definitely happens! — I always feel better for listening. -Emma

We’ve been watching…

The second season of “Breeders,” an FX comedy about a London couple who adore their children, but have, uh, serious anger issues. As someone with a tendency to snap, I find it to be a cautionary tale of the awful parenting than can ensue when you don’t learn to control your temper with your kids, but it’s also pretty funny, and sometimes even heartwarming. -Claire

We’ve been buying…

Along with making an ironclad pledge to stop buying things (maybe slightly not ironclad), I’ve finally found jean shorts that are cute and comfortable: the Madewell curvy perfect jean short in lunar wash. I did have to size down a full size from my usual, but they’re soft, flattering, and don’t give me an insta-wedgie. -Claire

This perfect 1-quart cold brew maker from Takeya. My morning quality of life has been wildly improved from being able to pour myself a not-watered-down ice coffee. -Emma