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If you are a A WIRED reader who uses it AI In any production situation, I would say stay far, far away from anyone involved in a TV show Hacks. In an interview earlier this year, actress Hannah Einbinder (who plays teenage comedy writer Ava Daniels on the show) described AI developers as “losers,” “not artists,” and “not special.”
The founders of the show did not confirm the details. In a thorough discussion of Big Questions ahead of Hacks series finale on HBO Max, Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello were convinced of the importance of human creativity—and what can be lost when AI enters the picture.
If their work Hacks If it’s any indication, Downs and Aniello (along with their third producer, Jen Statsky) would be wise to follow the strict, boring, no-shortcuts approach they take when creating entertainment. Going through the best five seasons – if you haven’t seen the show, I recommend it –Hacks it was praised for its brilliant writing and wit, as well as its vivid portrayal of Deborah Vance and Ava’s complicated, ever-changing relationship. The show has also served as a mirror for the entertainment industry around the world, weaving lines that cover everything from media integration to industry reviews and, yes, artificial intelligence.
The artists and producers of the game have been in a media frenzy as it all comes to an end. (If you see Hacks fodder on your Instagram feed, trust me, you’re not alone.) When they came knocking on WIRED’s door, we jumped at the chance to chat, and I was lucky enough to spend an hour with Downs and Aniello—both WIRED subscribers, much to my delight—earlier this month. Here is our discussion.
These interviews have been edited for length and clarity.
KATIE DRUMMOND: Lucia Aniello and Paul Downs, who I just learned are married, thank you and welcome Big Questions.
LUCIA ANIELLO: Thank you very much.
PAUL W. DOWN: You had to be there. You had to be there.
Angelo: Why didn’t we bring you? That is madness. Next time. We will do it again for 10 years in the same place.
Where was the wedding?
Angelo: It was in Italy. It was in Tuscany. That’s all I have to say.
Below: Lucia was born in Italy, so it was close to many families.
And what year did you get married?
Angelo: 2021.
So I have time, like five more years…
Below: You have time to find your shape. Don’t stress.
The most important thing for me in my life is to improve my appearance. It’s very important to us at WIRED, to look down.
Angelo: Fashion first, that’s WIRED. You guys are right?
We work at Condé Nast, and my boss is Anna Wintour. So “fashion first” has become more important to me than ever. It’s like “third fashion,” you know?
Below: Third fashion. I like that.
My husband and I played in the season 5 series Hacks this week. I am happy to talk to you about the show, and I want to start by talking about women, a subject that is close to my heart, as I am one. But I also ran a magazine that was run by men for many years.
I am surrounded by men. They are everywhere in my life. They are everywhere in our story. And I love this show, especially, because it centers on this relationship between these two women, who are very strong in different ways in their own right, and they have a very complicated relationship and a big generation gap.
