Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder will reprise their "Hacks" roles of Deborah Vance and Ava for a one-off live stage show, timed to celebrate the sitcom's record-breaking 24 Emmy nominations for its final season. The event, titled "Deborah Vance & Friends & Enemies LIVE!", marks the first time the pair have appeared in character outside the show itself, and HBO Max is billing it as a novel move within the "Phase II" Emmy campaigning period ahead of final voting.

The show will take place on Friday at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, with doors opening at 6:30pm and the performance running from roughly 7:30pm to 8:30pm; food and drink including pizza, popcorn and pretzels will be served beforehand. Tickets sold out within 24 hours, and additional cast members, possibly including co-creator Paul W. Downs as Deborah and Ava's agent Jimmy, are expected to make surprise appearances. Emmy voting closes on 26 August, with the ceremony airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock on 14 September; "Hacks" itself concluded its five-season run in May.