Marketplace All-in-One "Hacks" creators on collaboration, S5, and the state of comedy
Aug 13, 2025
In this discussion, showrunners Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky share insights from their HBO Max series, "Hacks". Downs, an actor and showrunner, talks about the delicate balance between art and commerce in entertainment. Statsky, with her late-night writing background, examines how the industry's evolution impacts comedy. They delve into the challenges of writing collaboratively, pitching shows, and maintaining artistic integrity amidst corporate influence. The conversation highlights the creative dynamics that shape modern comedy while addressing the pressures of a changing landscape.
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Government Data Faces Response-Rate Headwinds
- Government data collection is weakening because fewer businesses and households sign up to be surveyed, lowering overall response rates.
- Low response rates under 50% raise bias concerns and reduce the granularity of economic measures even if headline accuracy holds.
Job Sites Must Pivot As Postings Decline
- The cooling labor market is reducing job postings, which hurts job-listing platforms that monetize employers.
- Platforms are pivoting by monetizing jobseekers or new services to offset fewer employer-paid listings.
Students Hired To Train AI Models
- Handshake is using students and graduates as high-paid contractors to train AI models, paying up to $200 an hour.
- Handshake projects its AI business could bring in about $100 million a year, nearly half its revenue.