Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso A Love Letter to Comedy with Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello (‘Hacks’)
May 19, 2024
Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello, the husband-and-wife duo behind the Emmy-winning series Hacks, dive into their creative partnership and the evolving landscape of comedy. They share how their meeting in an improv class sparked their journey and discuss the struggles of balancing parenthood with work. The pair also reflect on industry challenges, responding to Jerry Seinfeld's comments while maintaining the underdog spirit in their show's third season. Their dedication to making each other laugh remains the core of their art, even amidst changing times.
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Fast Paired Writing
- Write separately then swap and keep only what makes you laugh in the other's draft.
- Use this to speed collaboration and avoid long line-by-line arguments.
Comedy Pipeline Shrinking
- Comedy venues and TV outlets have shrunk, making pathways into comedy narrower.
- Lucia and Paul see this as a cultural loss because comedy builds community and speaks truth to power.
Why Must-See TV Disappeared
- The decline of a single shared TV culture changes how shows break through more than "PC policing."
- Paul links consolidation and shareholder demands to fewer original comedies.