Carol Burnett Shares Words Of Wisdom With Jean Smart On ‘Hacks’ Set
Comedy legends unite as the iconic Carol Burnett offers her sage advice to Jean Smart in Hacks
Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.
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In a heartwarming moment shared on Instagram, comedy legend Carol Burnett was captured offering valuable advice to Jean Smart on the set of the critically acclaimed HBO Max series “Hacks.” The post, shared with the caption “@itscarolburnett gives the best advice. #Hacks @therealjeansmart,” shows the two television icons engaged in what appears to be a meaningful conversation during filming.
The Instagram image features the 91-year-old comedy pioneer Burnett alongside Smart, who stars as veteran Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance in the Emmy-winning series. The candid moment between two generations of comedy greats suggests a passing of wisdom from one legendary performer to another.
Burnett’s Legacy Of Mentorship
Carol Burnett has long been known not just for her groundbreaking comedy but also for her willingness to mentor fellow performers. This latest interaction with Smart’s character continues that tradition, with Burnett appearing to share insights drawn from her illustrious seven-decade career in entertainment.
Burnett rose to fame with her groundbreaking variety program “The Carol Burnett Show,” which ran for 11 seasons from 1967 to 1978 on CBS. The show set a high standard for sketch comedy and musical performances, winning 25 Emmy Awards and establishing Burnett as a trailblazer for women in television comedy.
The comedy icon has recently been active in preserving her legacy while continuing to influence new generations of performers. In a recent Instagram post, Burnett promoted “Sundays with Carol Burnett” on TCM, where she introduces some of her favorite films and discusses the sketches they influenced, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from her legendary career.
‘Hacks’ Returns For Season 4
The timing of Burnett’s appearance on the “Hacks” set coincides with the show’s highly anticipated fourth season. In a recent Instagram post, Jean Smart encouraged fans to “Be sure to tune in tonight to @Hacks on Max! A Late Night premiere you won’t want to miss.” The fourth season premiered on April 10th, 2025, continuing the story of the complicated mentorship between Smart’s character Deborah Vance and her young comedy writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder).
Burnett had a guest role in the new season, potentially playing a character who crosses paths with Deborah Vance. This would create a meta moment of two comedy legends sharing screen time in a show that itself explores the dynamics between different generations of comedians.
Comedy Wisdom From A Master
Carol Burnett is no stranger to receiving and giving career advice. In another recent Instagram post shared on her account, Burnett recounted receiving advice from another comedy legend, Lucille Ball. The post captioned “That time #CarolBurnett got advice from #LucilleBall. #CONAF” shows Burnett discussing how Ball’s guidance helped shape her own approach to comedy and television.
This creates a beautiful continuity in comedy mentorship, from Ball to Burnett and now potentially from Burnett to Smart’s character, representing a lineage of powerful women in television comedy spanning several decades.
Celebrating Television History
At 91, Burnett remains active and engaged with contemporary television while also celebrating her historic contributions to the medium. Her appearance on the set of “Hacks” represents a symbolic bridge between classic television comedy and its modern evolution.
The HBO Max series itself plays with this dynamic, focusing on the relationship between an established comedian adapting to changing times and a young writer with fresh perspectives. Having Burnett, a pioneer who broke barriers for women in comedy, appear in the show, even as a guest star, that examines similar themes creates a powerful connection between television past and present.
For fans of both Burnett and “Hacks,” this Instagram post offers a tantalizing glimpse of what might be a memorable on-screen moment between two comedy powerhouses when the new season airs. The image captures not just a behind-the-scenes interaction but potentially a meaningful exchange of wisdom between performers who defined different eras of television comedy.
As “Hacks” continues to explore the evolution of comedy across generations, having the guidance of someone like Carol Burnett—who has witnessed and shaped that evolution firsthand—adds authentic depth to the show’s examination of comedy’s changing landscape.
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