Jean Smartjust can’t bring herself to say the words.
“But she can’t fight her obsession, her desire.
Her ambition is just so huge.
Jean Smart and Kaitlin Olson on season 3 of ‘Hacks’.HBO Max
It keeps being another layer that I get to do because it was written in from the beginning.”
And be sure to check out clips above and below highlighting their big episode 3 moments.
HBO
THE AWARDIST: Congratulations on all of those Emmy nominations.
HBO
Is there aHacksgroup text?
Was everyone messaging each other, calls, FaceTimes that morning?
KAITLIN OLSON:Oh, yes.
Jean Smart, Kaitlin Olson, and more in season 3 of ‘Hacks’.HBO Max
Jean was being Mama Jean and was so cute and excited for everyone.
She is always initiating group texts and congratulating people and filling people in.
She’s just a dream.
(top center) Kaitlin Olson and Jean Smart on season 3 of ‘Hacks’.Hilary Bronwyn Gayle
JEAN SMART:Aw, honey.
Mom’s been drinking again.
I had no idea what was going on.
Kaitlin Olson on season 3 of ‘Hacks’.Hilary Bronwyn Gayle
I was like, I don’t know what Jean’s doing, but thank you.
Thank you so much!
It’s all so well deserved.
Every season has been good, but season 3 is just incredible.
So people are talking about it for sure.
SMART:I thought people were going to hate me this year.
[Laughs]
OLSON:Really?
SMART:Because I was so unpleasant.
OLSON:Oh no, I love an unpleasant character.
Are you kidding me?
You’re so good!
And we just watched this episode!"
Yeah, it’s definitely beloved for sure, and I hear that everywhere I go.
When I travel and people want to come and say hi, they always mentionHacks.
SMART:I was so blown away by what Kaitlin did this season in particular.
It was It had me on the floor.
I get it now.
You’re an addict like me."
That was such a knife through Deborah’s heart.
It was like, oh, I really have lost her.
That she did it so offhandedly was what was so devastating.
Because each one hits in such a different way, each delivery of that.
Obviously, you put it on the word c—.
It was so well-written and this character is so well-rounded.
Having a scene partner like Jean, it’s just night and day.
SMART:It’s so true.
So I always love having those scenes with Jean.
I feel really connected with her, and it allows us to just relax and explore different things.
It’s just such a gift to act with someone like Jean.
It definitely elevates me.
SMART:It was definitely an aha moment for Deborah.
The Nobel Peace Prize?
… No, it’s an ugly trophy."
And he laughed and I said, “I’m kind of serious.”
But yeah, it’s a completely different animal [with single-camera comedy versus multi-camera sitcom].
It’s like comparing theater to doing a movie it’s almost like it’s two different jobs.
It’s very weird.
And they bring in a standup comic to warm up the audience that I never could get over.
That blew me away when I found that out.
I guess we’re not going to be funny enough!
I have to forget what the audience thinks about my performance.
I can go home.
I don’t care what people say when they see it.
I have to let it go at that point because I’m proud of it.
OLSON:Oh, I think you probably still would’ve loved her.
[Laughs]
SMART:How could you not?
look at that face.
I believed in myself.
I didn’t take Ava’s suggestions.
I didn’t take my mom’s suggestions.
Nobody believed in me.
Both of you are moms to sons, both of you are from the Pacific Northwest.
I feel like there really is a deep level, kindred spirit here between the two of you.
OLSON:I absolutely agree.
I’m not kidding when I say I fell in love with Jean the second that I met her.
She’s so incredibly talented, but also so welcoming.
She was just so wonderful and so kind and welcoming.
Acting with her, looking into Jean’s eyes when she’s working, it’s just magical.
It puts you right where you’re supposed to be, and it’s fun and easy.
Just like in real life, they’re right there precisely and organically reacting to whatever’s going on.
You don’t always get that back.
Jean, have we put any thought into what Deborah wants to be called as a grandma?
Because we’re going to get there at some point.
SMART:[fakes choking/falling out of her chair] I’ll get back to you on that!
[Laughs]
OLSON:[Laughs] Glam-ma?
SMART:I kind of like that.
Listen to Smart and Olson’s full interview onThe Awardistpodcast, below.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
