Carol Burnett Guest Stars in New Episode of Hacks

Los Angeles, CA – Comedy legend Carol Burnett made a special appearance as herself on the Max original series Hacks. Her cameo was featured in the episode titled ‘I Love L.A.,’ which debuted on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

In this episode, Burnett, 91, encountered the show’s main character, Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, at a doctor’s office. Vance sought advice from Burnett on how to manage stage fright, a challenge she faced as she prepared for her late-night debut in the fourth season.

‘You know what did? I would pick one person in the audience and I would do the show just for them,’ Burnett suggested. She concluded with encouragement, saying, ‘Listen, you’re gonna be wonderful. You always are.’

Following the episode’s release, the co-creators and co-showrunners of Hacks, Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky, shared insights with PEOPLE on how they managed to feature Burnett in the series, especially four seasons in.

‘We have been trying to get her on,’ Aniello explained. ‘We’ve gone up to her at events and said, ‘Hey, we come from the show Hacks. I dunno if you’ve ever seen it.’ She’s like, ‘I have.’ And we’re like, ‘Great, so can you come on?’

Downs mentioned that they learned Burnett was a fan of the series, making her appearance feel especially fitting. ‘For someone like Carol Burnett to want to do it, I mean, she’s a living legend,’ he said.

Statsky emphasized the importance of making sure Burnett’s moment felt special within the story. ‘It was very scene specific,’ she noted. ‘To have her and Deborah get to sit and talk about performing and how it feels to be a performer and stage fright, it just feels like such a special moment.’

Burnett’s presence on set exceeded all expectations, according to Aniello, who remarked on her sweetness and humor during filming. ‘She had her own ideas. She came in with stuff and was improvising.’

Reflecting on the experience, Downs said, ‘It was a crazy bucket list moment. I don’t think Hacks would exist without her and people like her, so it was a pinch-me moment.’

Smart, 73, expressed delight in working with Burnett again, recalling their earlier collaboration in the 2013 episode of Hot in Cleveland. ‘She is so sharp. She is so funny. She’s so down to earth and kind and sweet,’ she said.

Burnett herself shared her excitement, stating she was ‘thrilled to get in the sandbox’ with Smart.

New episodes of Hacks season 4 air Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Max.