TikTok, AI Sitcoms, and the Humiliations of Modern Celebrity: A Reflection on Hacks and The Comeback
In the world of television, where the line between reality and fiction often blurs, Hacks and The Comeback stand out as two sitcoms that brilliantly capture the humiliations of modern celebrity. These shows, airing their final seasons concurrently, offer a compelling commentary on the pressures faced by women in the entertainment industry, particularly those over 60, who feel the constant need to reinvent themselves to stay relevant.
Personally, I find these shows fascinating because they expose the dark side of fame in the algorithm-era. They make me question the very nature of celebrity and the lengths to which people will go to maintain their relevance. What makes this particularly intriguing is the way these shows mock the indignities of fame today, where even the most iconic stars are forced to chase relevance and clicks.
In the fifth season of Hacks, the legendary comedian Deborah Vance finds herself in a crisis. After leaving America's number one late-night talk show amidst controversy, she is barred from performing new material due to a vengeful non-compete clause. This sets the stage for a desperate attempt to secure her legacy by staging a major comeback show at Madison Square Garden. What makes this particularly compelling is the way it reflects the pressure on celebrities to constantly reinvent themselves, even when they have already achieved great success.
Similarly, The Comeback begins on a note of desperation. Valerie Cherish, a high-cringe sitcom star, is handed a career lifeline when she scores the lead role in a new sitcom written by AI. The twist? She is forbidden from sharing this secret. This scenario is a toe-curling one, and it raises questions about the role of technology in the entertainment industry. What many people don't realize is that AI is not just a tool for efficiency, but also a reflection of our own societal pressures and expectations.
Both shows illuminate a cultural habit of projecting "comeback" narratives onto women who feel society's pressure to constantly reinvent themselves to have their greatness celebrated. In my opinion, this is a reflection of our own societal pressures and expectations, where women are often expected to be constantly reinventing themselves to stay relevant. It's a bleak reality, but one that is beautifully captured in these shows.
What makes these shows particularly interesting is the way they explore the darker side of fame. In Hacks, Deborah is forced to practically stalk an unsuspecting Kristen Bell around an LA market to beg her to appear. In The Comeback, Valerie is subjected to a grueling schedule of product launches and brand promo, including her very own Brat credit card. These scenarios are a stark reminder of the commercial demands of the network and the endless merry-go-round of filming TikToks and social clips.
In both shows, the protagonists are cornerstones of old-school celebrity, before the arrival of reality stars and influencers. Yet even women like them, with a craft and a legacy, are still judged by the attention economy of today. This raises a deeper question: how do we value and celebrate the contributions of these women, who have already achieved great success, but are still expected to constantly reinvent themselves?
In the end, these shows are a reflection of our own societal pressures and expectations. They make me think about the nature of celebrity and the lengths to which people will go to maintain their relevance. From my perspective, they are a powerful commentary on the humiliations of modern celebrity and the pressures faced by women in the entertainment industry. It's a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of the darker side of fame, and it leaves me with a lot to reflect on.
