Helen Hunt, an actress known for her work in films like As Good as It Gets and TV shows like Mad About You, has long been a fan of late-night talk shows. She believes that these programs have a significant influence on popular culture, but women remain underrepresented in the genre.
The Current Landscape
The longest-running late-night shows on major broadcast networks are still hosted by men. This reality is highlighted in the fourth season of Hacks, where Jean Smart’s character, Deborah Vance, becomes the first woman to host a major late-night show. According to Hunt, this storyline reflects a glass ceiling that still exists in reality.
In an interview with The New York Times, Hunt stated that "women remain underrepresented" in this genre despite its growing popularity and influence. Her character, Winnie Landell, from Hacks, exemplifies this issue. As a network executive who helps Deborah land her late-night gig, Winnie ultimately loses her job due to Deborah’s success and complaints about Winnie’s push for spin-offs.
Challenges Faced by Women
Winnie reminds Deborah that they need to pursue spin-offs after her show becomes number one:
"We’re going to make money off you."
This conversation underscores the challenges faced by women working behind the scenes in television production. Hunt’s portrayal of Winnie serves as a commentary on these issues and highlights the importance of representation and equality within the industry.
Progress and Ongoing Disparities
While there are more female hosts than ever before, including:
- Samantha Bee on TBS’ Full Frontal With Samantha Bee
- Wanda Sykes on Peacock
- Aisha Tyler on CBS’ Q With Tom Felton
- Patton Oswalt on Comedy Central
- John Mulaney on Netflix
there is still much work to be done. The lack of representation behind the scenes is also evident in the writing staffs for these shows. According to data from 2020-21 compiled by Variety, only 14% of writers working at NBCUniversal were Black or Hispanic/Latinx, while 24% were Asian-American or Pacific Islander (AAPI). These numbers highlight ongoing disparities within television production teams.
Many female comedians have spoken out about their experiences facing sexism within their careers, including:
- Being asked if they can do comedy without being funny because they’re women.
- Having male comedians steal their material without giving them credit.
Signs of Change
Despite these challenges, there are signs that change may be coming soon. In March 2022, Variety reported that among all writers employed at NBCUniversal during the 2021-22 season, Black or Hispanic/Latinx writers made up around 18%, while AAPI writers made up around 25%.
However, more needs to be done before we see true parity across all levels of TV production teams. Hunt hopes viewers will take away from Hacks not just how hard it is for women but also how much fun it can be when we support each other.
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