When season three of Hacks premiered May2, it had been two years since a new episode dropped on Max. The hiatus wasnt an unprecedented length Severance, anyone? but it presented a potential challenge to the showrunners: how to elevate the season enough to recapture viewers attention while staying true to the heart of the show. But according to the trio behind Hacks (longtime comedy partners JenStatsky, Paul W. Downs and Lucia Aniello), they knew during production that they were clearing the hurdle. One of the people who is a great barometer for us is Jean Smart, since shes been working so prolifically for so long, says Downs. So when she says to us, This is the best episode weve ever done, its just, wow. Adds Aniello: We really listen to her; its always, What does Jean think? So, which episode did Jean say was the best youve ever done?

PAUL W. DOWNS Bulletproof, the season finale. She felt like it had the highest highs and the lowest lows and the most amount of emotion weve ever done. I think it was such a juicy episode for the actors, and as we were shooting, we could feel how special it was.

How many versions of the last line [after Ava reveals shes blackmailing Deborah to become head writer] said by Hannah Einbinders character (I would, wouldnt you?) did you go through?

JEN STATSKY That might have been in the first draft, to be honest. It came very quickly sometimes thats good, sometimes thats bad, but in this case, it felt like fewer words meant more. I would, wouldnt you? is something weve been carrying with us for a while. I also think that might have been the first take, too. We did multiple takes, but that very first one, they both really locked in.

DOWNS That was also day one of us coming back from the strike.

STATSKY If there were any first-day-back jitters, I think it played in the anxiety of the scene.

Has the process of talking to press and fans about this season changed the way you think about any of the shows themes?

DOWNS Ill speak just for me. We love the twist at the end, and we felt like it was the right thing to do for the characters, but I have to say that I had a lot of anxiety around how people would feel about that. Disharmony between Deborah and Ava can sometimes not be peoples favorite thing. It was always the right thing for the story and the characters, and weve been building to it for a long time, but you just never know if everyones going to be like, no, be friends. But then the amount of people who are lit up by it has been really exciting. People were so stoked on Ava making that move, and it felt really good.

STATSKY I agree with what Paul said, and I also think in watching it back, it really feels like theres this wonderful ensemble. Jean and Hannah are so good, but we had all the characters rallying around Deborahs cause this season to achieve this huge goal of hers. I didnt even know how affected I would be by watching this ensemble performance. I feel so lucky to work with that caliber of actors across the board.

Where do you look for feedback on the show, to take the temperature of how viewers are reacting to and connecting with the material?

DOWNS One thing that always stands out is when people approach you and say it got them through a hard time, those moments are so touching. But I think its also been wild to see that this season, moreso than any other, people are talking to us about getting their dad into it, or they watched with their teen daughter who now thinks her grandma is more cool. Its been a delight that people of every age, gender, orientation can connect to it.

Paul, youre nominated for the first time for your acting work on the show. Will this change your now well-documented proclivity for cutting your own lines first?

DOWNS I dont think it will change. Im thrilled and honored, but as a writer, we all care so much about story so Im always going to be pushing for whats best in the writing and not whats best for my character. Its this interesting thing I do where Im like, no, give that line to somebody else. But Im already the luckiest person to even make this show so I dont need to fight for more than I have.

Which scene from the season was the hardest to crack?

LUCIA ANIELLO In terms of writing, I would say the big argument in Bulletproof was the thing that had to be really worked on. Ava comes in with so much anger, and Deborah has her point of view, but then we had to get Ava to go from such a place of anger to so vulnerable and then to hurt. They both had to be able to unload, and we wanted to make sure it felt like you could understand where theyre coming from even if you didnt agree with either or both of them. And the most technically difficult was the premieres opening drone shot that works it way through the casino. This was done completely practically, without effects, so it was very complicated to execute.

Do you have a favorite joke or bit from this season?

ANIELLO Its so hard to say. I know Im biased, but Pauls performance on Leave us alone! in the finale makes me absolutely scream every single time. Being around Paul, thats something people now yell at him all the time.

Is anyone challenging you to pickleball?

DOWNS Oh, god. Actually its so funny, a couple people have been like, lets go play pickleball. Im like we could get a coffee? Im not great at pickleball, but it is fun. Ill say that I get why people are so into it.

As we see Deborah sitting down to the table with her late night show writers before the end credits roll, how much is she going to have to contend with the concept of the glass ceiling next season? Could her show already be doomed? Essentially, Im asking if the networks have fucked her.

DOWNS Were all scared to respond. But lets just say youre a smartie. (Laughs.)

STATSKY Call it astute viewing.

Okay, Ill pivot to something you actually can answer. Which do you think well see first: a female late night host or a female president?

DOWNS Wow. I think President.

ANIELLO I would love it to be President.

DOWNS Yeah, President. Can you believe that?

STATSKY I think President too, wildly. Which is crazy because theres multiple late-night shows and only one President.

This story first appeared in an August stand-alone issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.