HBO's Hacks takes place in the comedy scene of Las Vegas, where one Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), an aging comedian (of the Joan Rivers and Phyllis Diller ilk), struggles to stay relevant in a comedy world that's so much different from the one she came up in. Enter a young down-and-out TV writer named Ava (Hannah Einbinder) who has just been "canceled" for a remark she made that was in poor taste and needs a job very badly. In the absence of any other job prospects, she takes on the challenge of writing new material for Deborah to help her stay competitive.

Related: Everything We Know About 'Hacks' Star Hannah Einbinder

The two get off to a bad start, each thinking there is no way she could possibly relate to the other one. As they get to know each other, they develop a friendship rich with comedic chemistry, affection, and mutual respect. Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart are compelling as a mismatched odd couple, and it turns out their IRL dynamic isn't too much different. Here's everything Hacks star Hannah Einbinder has said about working with Jean Smart.

10 She Called Her Before The Audition

Hannah recalls being very nervous for her audition as Ava. Jean was already plugged into the role of Deborah Vance and had read with a few other actresses for Ava, so Hannah wasn't sure what to expect. She says Jean called her the night before the audition ("because she's the classiest woman alive") to offer an encouraging word and express her excitement to read together.

9 Their Audition Together Was A Little Strange

Due to heavy COVID restrictions at the time of the audition, Hannah explains that the two had to read the scene together from across two pieces of thick plexiglass, which made it difficult to connect to each other as they otherwise could have. Jean went to bat for Hannah to the producers, saying she was her favorite and imploring them to cast her.

8 She's A Dear Friend And Mentor

The two get along famously, unlike their characters on the show (at first). Cracking jokes together in interviews and ad-libbing bits and characters, Hannah and Jean seem like old friends. Hannah has said that she has so much admiration for Jean and that she feels incredibly lucky to have her as a friend and mentor.

7 Their Friendship is 'So Loving and Wonderful'

The pair often gushes about each other in interviews together and have nothing but the highest praise for one another. While Jean admires Hannah's kindness and "wisdom beyond her years," Hannah lauds Jean for having so much strength and compassion. Hannah explains this is par for the course in their friendship, because it is just "so loving and wonderful."

6 Their Real-Life Dynamic Is Similar To Their Onscreen One

Part of the joy of watching the first season of Hacks is seeing Ava and Deborah have so much disdain for each other in the beginning, only to grow closer as they find they have more in common than they originally thought. Their friendship becomes one of mutual respect and genuine affection, and Hannah says this is exactly what they are like offscreen too.

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5 They Roast Each Other

Hannah explains that being mean to each other onscreen took some getting used to. Before they knew each other very well, she says, they would bashfully apologize to one another once they were off camera for the insults they'd just lobbed at each other during the scene. Now, Hannah says, they roast each other in real life just as much as they do on the show.

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4 They Admire Many Of The Same Comedians

When asked in an interview to name their comedic influences, Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart ad-libbed and agreed with each other on many of their comedy idols. Jeanine Garafolo was one, having been part of Hannah's inspiration for the character of Ava, and Hannah and Jean also agreed that they idolize the "queens" of comedy Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers.

3 She Would Excel At Standup

When the pair is interviewed together, Jean Smart is usually asked whether she'd ever tried doing standup comedy like her character, standup superstar Deborah Vance. She is quick to explain that standup is too terrifying to her, but Hannah counters this, saying Jean Smart could do anything and that she would be amazing at standup. She compliments her timing and pitch-perfect delivery and insists that it would be just one more thing at which Jean Smart is incredible.

2 She Wants To Go To Vegas With Jean

Hacks takes place in the glittering city of Las Vegas, so naturally Jean and Hannah are often asked for their real life opinions on the party town. Hannah explains that she doesn't like Vegas because it feels like a place that is built for men and that it caters to male desire, but quickly offers the caveat that she would go on a Vegas trip with Jean to smoke, drink, and gamble. We would too, for the record!

1 She Loves Her in HBO's 'Watchmen'

Showering praise on Jean Smart and her abilities as a performer, Hannah gushes, "Isn't she great in that? Isn't she gorgeous in that, in addition to being great?" She goes on to say how hot Jean looks as no-nonsense, gun-toting FBI agent Laurie Blake and reiterate how much she admires her acting. She thinks Jean "can do anything," though Jean sends the same compliment right back to her.

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