Diddy‘s lawyers have reportedly appeared before a Federal Appeals Court to demand his immediate release from prison.

RELATED: Another One! Diddy’s Prison Release Date Reportedly Updated Amid His Fight To Appeal His 4-Year Sentence

Diddy’s Lawyers Reportedly Appear In Federal Appeals Court To Demand His Immediate Release From Prison

According to Forbes, Diddy’s legal team has appeared before a federal appeals court to push for his immediate release. Furthermore, the team is seeking to overturn his conviction on two counts of the Mann Act. Per the outlet, the act “outlaws transportation to engage in prostitution.”

Furthermore, the outlet adds that Diddy is not expected in court. Nonetheless, his lawyers will reportedly argue that his “freakoffs” were “choreographed performances that he filmed to create First Amendment-protected amateur pornography.” Additionally, they reportedly argue that Diddy had “no commercial interest in the activity” and that the “interstate travel was for consensual sex.”

“Those twelve citizens diligently applied the law to that evidence and unanimously rejected the government’s sordid tale of coercion and racketeering. The verdict could not have been clearer or more consistent. The jury found Combs not guilty of forcing, coercing, or defrauding Casandra Ventura. The jury found Combs not guilty of forcing, coercing, or defrauding Jane. And the jury found Combs not guilty of RICO conspiracy. That verdict is an ‘affirmative indication of innocence,’” a lawyer reportedly asserted in a court document, per Newsweek.

In addition, the defense is arguing that Judge Arun Subramanian “improperly imposed a harsh sentence unusual for violations of the Mann Act.” Per the group, usual sentences range around 15 months. However, Diddy reportedly received three times that amount with his 50-month sentence.

“He sits in prison today, serving a 50-month sentence, because the district judge acted as a thirteenth juror,” Diddy’s lawyers reportedly stated in court documents.

Will Diddy Be Immediately Released From Prison?

Lawyers for the government reportedly argue that Judge Subramanian issued a fair sentence. This, because he “properly considered the aggravated manner in which Combs carried out his Mann Act offenses and harmed his victims.” Additionally, the lawyers argued against the defense’s argument that Combs was creating “First Amendment-protected porn.”

“Combs’s later viewing and occasional filming of the sex cannot bring his conduct within the purview of the First Amendment,” they reportedly argued, adding that Diddy often hired and transported third-party sex workers “for his own sexual gratification, sometimes directly participating in the sex acts.”

More On The 55-Year-Old’s 2025 Federal Case & What Happens Next

As The Shade Room previously reported, Diddy was convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution charges in July 2025. Furthermore, he was acquitted on sex trafficking and racketeering charges after an eight-week trial. Furthermore, in March, Page Six published an exclusive report asserting that the Federal Bureau of Prisons updated Diddy’s prison release date. This, reportedly from the latest given date of June 4, 2028, to April 25, 2028. Per Forbes, that date has since been updated to April 15, 2028.

Per the outlet, in addition to his appeal, Diddy is also hoping to lessen his sentence with his enrollment in a prison sobriety program.

TMZ adds that, at the time of publication, the appeal hearing has concluded. It remains unclear when the federal court will share its final decision.

RELATED: Usher Sparks Strong Reactions, Says Diddy Has Been “Misrepresented” & He Doesn’t “Have Anything Negative To Say” About Him (VIDEO)

Jenna Ortega‘s acting career in Hollywood was saved by this bell!

The actress had almost made up her mind about her future in the movie industry until she bagged a role in a very successful production, and things gained momentum from there.

Jenna Ortega struggled with not having a voice in Hollywood during her come-up days as an actor on the scene; these days, she has gained a voice, but has learned to use it very carefully.

Jenna Ortega Shared Her Experience On The Edge Of Leaving It All Behind

The media personality got candid with Kid Cudi on his podcast “Big Bro with Kid Cudi” on Wednesday, April 8, about making a decision to end her acting career just before she clinched a role on “You.” Ortega confessed that she was stuck and did not know what else to do, alongside a strong feeling for wanting another experience out of life. 

She continued that continuing with life as a teenager fresh off a children’s show left her practically clueless, and having to prove herself to new directors who did not know who she was made it more daunting. Ortega added that the timing also coincided with the start of high school for her, and it made the most sense to leave Hollywood at that time.

However, that call to feature as Ellie Alves (Joe Goldberg’s neighbor) on the second season of “You” in 2019 opened her eyes to what she had not spared a thought before. “I went on that set, and I loved it and had the best time. I thought, ‘Yeah, there’s no way I could let this go,’” she stated on the podcast.

The Netflix Star’s Favorite Season Is A Packed Schedule

The actress detailed that the job of being an actress comes with so much that no one prepares an actor for. After her breakout roles on “Jane the Virgin” and “Stuck in the Middle,” she won the hearts of more fans on “Scream” and the “Beetlejuice” sequel.

Ortega proceeded to etch her name in the iconic sands of Hollywood with a scintillating performance on the Netflix series “Wednesday,” which placed her on the nominations list for the Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG awards. One might expect a burnout after these back-to-back roles, but Ortega stated to Cudi that the busier things get for her as an actress, the better.

She added that taking her first four-month break recently, after years of working, felt so strange to her and everyone around, who knew how much she loved her job and loved showing up. However, the break has given her the chance to get to know herself better, feel better, and feel very necessary.

Jenna Ortega Recalled How Growing Up In The Spotlight Changed Her

Last year, The Blast shared that the “Wednesday” star appeared on the cover of Vogue Mexico and Latin America in September and granted interviews about her time in Hollywood and navigating her way around fame.

The media personality recalled that feeling ignored and dismissed as a child in the spotlight was a dominant feature in life back then, and the memories have not become any less terrifying. Ortega added that she does not have any desire to be in that kind of situation as time goes on, but using her voice as efficiently and kindly as possible was paramount to her.

She confessed that growing up as a greenhorn in the industry, combined with some challenging professional situations, left her feeling like an outsider. Through her journey to become a famous name, Ortega noted that she became more cautious about expressing herself, learning to be more meticulous with her choice of words.

The 23-Year-Old Never Forgets To Stay In Touch With Reality

Ortega clinched a Critics’ Choice Super Awards in 2023 in the “Best Actress in a Horror Series” category for her role on “Wednesday.” The media personality proceeded to earn the People’s Choice Awards for “The Drama Movie Star of the Year” in 2024 for “Scream VI.”

Despite the unending accolades and flashing lights of fame, Ortega has learned to protect herself from drowning away in all the paparazzi. The Blast reported that she revealed her hacks to always “touch grass,” which includes turning off her phone even at the expense of her publicist’s anger.

The Netflix star continued that she also enjoys walking, whether in a random garden, running laps, or just taking a nap in the field; she just loves being outside. While she was making waves as a child actor in Hollywood, Ortega recalled her parents being so protective of her and being hesitant to let her work on sets as a child in an adult workplace.

Jenna Ortega’s Reservations On The Prevalence Of Artificial Intelligence 

The actress got vulnerable about the negative effect of A.I. and how strongly she is not on board with the extreme usage of A.I. tools, or else humans might stretch it to a point of no return.

Ortega declared, “It’s very easy to be terrified. I know I am in times like these of deep uncertainty. And it kind of feels like we’ve opened up a Pandora’s Box.” She stated that A.I. cannot reproduce authentic human imperfections and the genuine feelings that come with telling stories and acting in a way that leaves an indelible mark on the human audience.

Ortega continued that she has also personally experienced the adverse effects of A.I., where, as a minor, she had to see fake and sexually explicit images of herself on multiple social media platforms. She linked viewing this content to her decision to stay off social media for good, but she still has hope that humans will use it for something positive.

High Potential is returning for a third season — but not everyone is coming back after that surprise cast exit.

The hit ABC series, which premiered in September 2024, follows Morgan (Kaitlin Olson), a high-potential intellectual who teams up with the LAPD to assist the department in solving murders. Morgan gets paired up with Karadec (Daniel Sunjata), who is initially skeptical about her ability to assist the Major Crimes unit but ultimately starts to rely on her.

Before season 2 came to an end in April 2026, news broke that showrunner Todd Harthan exited the show, originally created by Drew Goddard. The pilot was written by Goddard, who was expected to executive produce alongside Sarah Esberg, Rob Thomas, Dan Etheridge, Pierre Laugier, Anthony Lancret, Jean Nainchrik and Alethea Jones.

Thomas, meanwhile, was expected to serve as the showrunner before exiting in June 2024 — months before the series’ premiere. Harthan was ultimately announced as the new showrunner, who also served as an executive producer.

Related: Shocking TV Exits Through the Years

All good things must come to an end, even when it comes to TV. Over the years, many television stars have suddenly left their roles — while others have been cut from a series without much notice. Anna Faris announced in September 2020 that she was leaving CBS’ Mom after starring as the lead character […]

Harthan teased the vision for the series while speaking to Us Weekly in January 2026.

“It’s a pretty bumpy ride. We’re going to start unpacking some pretty intense things with Morgan, as it relates to all things Roman,” he said at the time. “There are all kinds of trials and tribulations that are going to happen with the kids at home. It’s just going to get messy and complicated — hopefully in all the best ways so that the audience stays on the edge of their seats.”

He concluded, “Our job now as we get to the back half of the second season is to fill in some of the big blanks and progress some of the relationships. You’re going to see some intense things happen between Steve Howey’s character and Captain Wagner really starts to bloom in the back half. That causes some good soapy messes on multiple fronts. It’s just our normal MO of just trying to mix things up and keep the audience engaged and keep them guessing.”

The biggest cliffhanger, however, was whether Wagner (Steve Howey) was dead or alive amid the actor’s exit from the show.

Keep scrolling to see which High Potential stars are — and aren’t — returningfor season 3:

Kaitlin Olson

There wouldn’t be High Potential without Morgan, so it’s safe to say Kaitlin Olson will be back in season 3.

Daniel Sunjata

Karadec’s love life took a hit in season 2, so expect to see how that is addressed on screen.

Javicia Leslie

Javicia Leslie’s character Daphne is returning for more episodes of the hit ABC procedural.

Deniz Akdeniz

As Daphne solves more cases, she is expected to have her partner Oz by her side.

Judy Reyes

Judy Reyes pulled double duty with Scrubs and season 2 of High Potential, so there is no doubt she is returning too.

Related: Most Shocking TV Exits of 2026: From ‘Grey‘s Anatomy‘ to ‘Virgin River‘

It is never easy to unexpectedly say goodbye to your favorite characters — and 2026 has featured an influx of shocking departures on our TV screens from Grey’s Anatomy to Virgin River. Virgin River fans were surprised when showrunner Patrick Sean Smith confirmed multiple characters were written off the show after season 7. Marco Grazzini addressed […]

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Amirah J

Ava received more of a role to play on the show as her missing dad, Roman, seemed to make an appearance in the season 2 finale.

Matthew Lamb

Same as Ava, Morgan’s son, Elliot, will play a big role in season 3.

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Steve Howey

Howey joined the crime drama in June 2025 as a series regular for a one-year deal. His character was ultimately shot in the season 2 finale. That – combined with the actor being cast on other shows during the same time period — hinted at a permanent exit, but it remains unclear what will happen to Wagner.

Taran Killam

Taran Killam is expected to return as Morgan’s ex (and coparent) in season 3.

Mekhi Phifer

Mekhi Phifer joined season 2 as a friend of Roman’s, but it isn’t clear if he will be coming back.

In 2025, the world said goodbye to Robert Redford. Over seven decades, the Hollywood giant entertained audiences with all kinds of action movies, thrillers, Westerns, and comedies. It’s hard to pin down what his best movie is, but his most important celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. In 1976, Redford starred alongside Dustin Hoffman in All the President’s Men, based on a book of the same name by The Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Their reporting took down President Richard Nixon, and Alan J. Pakula‘s film, from a phenomenal script by William Goldman, brought their journey to life on the big screen and celebrated the courage of journalists. Half a century later, it’s more important to watch than ever.

What Is ‘All the President’s Men’ About?

All the President’s Men starts with the infamous Watergate break-in, where five men illegally entered the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee and were arrested. No one thought much of it at the time, including the reporters from The Washington Post covering it, Carl Bernstein (Hoffman) and Bob Woodward (Redford). However, it’s revealed that the burglars are involved with the CIA, and Woodward and Bernstein’s investigation uncovers ties to President Richard Nixon as well.

What follows is over two hours of a thrilling history lesson about the courage these two reporters showed to uncover the truth at all costs — even if it got them too close to the crimes of the most powerful man in the world. All the President’s Men follows several months of their investigation and ends as Nixon is beginning a second term, but their efforts transformed the world. Over a year later, President Nixon became the only holder of the office to resign, a shocking moment that only happened because of two reporters portrayed in All the President’s Men.

Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman’s ‘All the President’s Men’ Won 4 Oscars

Image via Warner Bros.

All the President’s Men was a box office hit, pulling in over $70 million. Not only did audiences love it, but so did critics. Today, on Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 95% Tomatometer. The most famous critic of them all, Roger Ebert, gave it a near perfect 3.5 out of 4 stars in his written review, raving about the attention to detail and how “It provides the most observant study of working journalists we’re ever likely to see in a feature film.”

Directed by Alan J. Pakula, who had just made another political thriller, The Parallax View, two years earlier, and written by iconic writer William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Misery), All the President’s Men is not one of those thrillers with murder, car chases, shootouts, and violent fights. Pakula was great at that (he also directed Presumed Innocent and The Pelican Brief), but this movie didn’t need it. It was raw at the time, digging into a fresh wound, with Nixon’s resignation happening two years earlier. It’s a film that depends on Goldman’s craft of writing dialogue because All the President’s Men is about people talking.

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Redford and Hoffman are at the center in nearly every scene, with powerful supporting performances from Jack Warden, Martin Balsam, Jason Robards, Hal Holbrook, and Jane Alexander. At the 1977 Academy Awards, All the President’s Men was honored with eight nominations. Although it lost out on Best Picture to Rocky, the film still picked up four trophies. Robards won for Best Supporting Actor as managing editor Ben Bradlee. Goldman won Best Screenplay, his second win following Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

‘All the President’s Men’ Is Even More Powerful in 2026

All the President’s Men takes its time, showing off the realism of journalism, which isn’t about rushing off to one place after another, but is about research, making phone calls, and waiting for a response. The visual chaos of the newsroom and the sound of typewriters clacking and phones ringing puts the audience right there in the heart of The Washington Post with Woodward and Berstein. The film is a love letter to journalism of the day, and 50 years later, it is a look back into the past.

It’s a moment in time, peering into a world which sadly doesn’t exist in the same way in 2026 with a fractured, corporate-owned media all about driving clicks and pandering to whatever political bubble you reside in. The film shows how a free media can resist and seek out the facts, no matter the consequences. All The President’s Men sought only the truth.

It’s no secret that Kevin Smith loves filmmaking. Despite some initial plans to put the camera down over a decade ago, he’s kept at it for over 30 years, from the indie darling Clerks that first put him on the map to Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Tusk, Red State, and many more installments in his View Askewniverse and beyond. All the while, he’s discussed film and pop culture aplenty through his podcasts, Q&As, and just about wherever else people will listen to him. He loves cinema so much, in fact, that he’s even willing to talk about movies with a room full of dogs. Now, Collider is excited to share a new video that shows exactly that as part of an adorable charity collaboration between Hera the Dog Vodka and Much Love Animal Rescue for National Pet Day on April 11.

The surreal footage opens like a normal conversation with Smith, who reflects on 1998 when “Chasing Amy is doing well, Good Will Hunting is doing well, and we get greenlit for Dogma.” Released the following year, Dogma marked the fourth installment in the filmmaker’s View Askewniverse, following the high-stakes comedic adventure of two fallen angels, played by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who find a loophole to get back into Heaven and a group that bands together to stop them before they destroy all of reality. While he starts discussing the making of the controversial classic, the camera pans to show his audience — a small pack of canines of different breeds just doing their own thing. Some look happy, others look bored, but when Smith mentions how the studio “ruined” his fantasy comedy by putting Affleck in it instead of actual dogs, one particular pooch looks sadly at the camera as if wondering what could’ve been with an all-dog cast.

Fortunately, this project has a mostly dog-filled ensemble. Eleven shelter animals took part in the filming of the promotional video alongside Smith, listening as he dropped “Hollywood pearls” and asked them what the deal was with all the panting. He even pitches them on Clerks 4: Still Clerkin’, much to the apparent approval of one German Shepherd. Producer Todd Milliner told Collider that the silly idea was born out of a previous collaboration with Smith and a desire to make something that plays both to his talents and his status as a rescue dog dad. It also just made sense considering Hera the Dog and Much Love’s commitment to finding animals their forever homes.

“I was already working with Kevin on a show at NBC and got to meet his rescue dogs, so we knew he was both a huge dog lover and someone who can talk — at length — about filmmaking. When we teamed up with Much Love Animal Rescue and Hair of the Dog Vodka, it just clicked: what if we let Kevin do what he does best… but with dogs? We had a script, which Kevin politely ignored, and then he improvised for hours. What you see is the result of Kevin being Kevin.”

Kevin Smith’s Authenticity Made the National Pet Day Collaboration Work

Though Smith brings the star power, the dogs are the real heart and soul of the project, who happen to improvise just as well as their human co-star. Fellow producer Paul Velten said the goal wasn’t to necessarily direct the dogs, but let them do their own thing around the filmmaker as if they were just hanging around being pets. “We also wanted the dogs to feel like what they really are — your best friend, your therapist, your ride-or-die,” he added. “So the idea became: let’s just hang out, talk about what we love, and see what happens. Turns out, dogs are a very supportive audience.”

Still, it can’t be understated how important it was to have someone like Smith who really understood the cause of helping dogs and the organizations that find them homes. “It’s everything,” Milliner responded. “We always look for people who genuinely care about the cause, not just people who can show up and hit their mark. Kevin already loves rescue dogs, so there was no selling required.” Authenticity can go a long way towards giving real credit to two organizations that can talk the talk when it comes to caring for the creatures that roam the streets.

The Los Angeles-based Much Love is a non-profit powered by volunteers, who help to rescue abused, neglected, and homeless animals, and provide them with care, training, and housing until the right family comes along. From their opening in 1999, they’ve found places for over 3,500 animals, though the last year has been one of their most trying, with the LA wildfires increasing the burden on shelters amid a surge of strays across the city. Hera the Dog, meanwhile, has married award-winning vodka with a mission of supporting shelters, donating 6% of all proceeds to facilities in need, and donating $70,000 and 16,000 pounds of pet food to local rescues in need. Owner Julia Pennington also has 25 years of experience working in an animal shelter under her belt, making the goal all the more personal. In Velten’s eyes, this campaign necessitates real care and a real commitment to match that of the organizations themselves, even if it means doing something as goofy as talking to dogs about Dogma:

“Yeah, you can’t fake this stuff. We’re asking people to give their time and actually care, so they have to be invested from the start. With Kevin, we just gave him the space to do his thing — improvise, riff, go off-script — and that’s where the magic happens.”

Much Love and Hera the Dog’s Campaign Features an Inclusive Adoptable Dog Cast

Casting the dogs wasn’t as simple as rounding up a selection of the cutest furry friends possible. All of Smith’s talented co-stars featured in the video come directly from Much Love, and they’re all adoptable. Milliner revealed that it was a key tenet of the production for the dogs to be representative of the animals that could be found at the rescue. “Much Love Animal Rescue brought a group of adoptable dogs, and that became our cast. We wanted it to be real — these are dogs you could actually meet and take home.” As Velten added, like strays themselves, these dogs came in all shapes, sizes, and states of being, yet all with big hearts and enthusiasm to be on the cozy little set. “And it was a full range — big, small, chaotic, chill. We had dogs with disabilities too — a blind dog, a deaf dog, one missing a leg — and they were all living their best lives on set.”

Despite how many canines were in one place, they managed to be quite chill and respectful of Smith while he discussed movies. Handling that many animals is still a little chaotic, though. “Honestly, there were more dogs than we could even fit on camera at times,” Milliner recalled. “It turned into a bit of a party.” Velten seconded that notion, calling the shoot “A very well-behaved party… powered entirely by treats.” “And the occasional filmmaking advice from Kevin Smith,” Milliner concluded. No matter how producers pulled it all together, it made for a fitting cinema-themed promotion that feels appropriate for both the director and for two organizations looking to do good in and around Los Angeles.

National Pet Day arrives on April 11. Check out the video in the player above and visit the official Hera the Dog Vodka and Much Love Animal Rescue websites for information on how to support both organizations and, in turn, help some animals become someone’s loving new pet.

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Release Date

November 12, 1999

Runtime

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130 minutes

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On April 9, Hacks returns for its fifth and final season, sadly forcing fans to say goodbye to one of HBO Max’s best original comedy series. No doubt, it’ll go out with a bang that’ll leave viewers in hysterics with laughter and tears. Jean Smart stars as legendary comedian-turned-late-night host Deborah Vance, who experiences a comical yet emotional series of ups and downs alongside Hannah Einbinder’s up-and-coming comedy writer Ava Daniels.

Hacks has been an undeniable hit from the get-go, with numerous Emmy wins throughout its run; Season 4 even landed a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. For four solid seasons, Hacks has continued to nail its biting mix of hysterical comedy and drama that tugs at your heartstrings while evolving Ava and Deborah’s dynamic. As we head into the final season, let’s recap the most important moments from Hacks Season 4.

Key Moments to Remember from ‘Hacks’ Season 4

Hacks Season 4 is a wild ride full of ups and downs that sees Deborah and Ava’s rivalry play out behind the scenes after the explosive blackmail scheme Ava used at the end of Season 3 to secure the head writer role on Deborah’s late-night TV show. Her decision completely obliterates the foundation of their relationship, and, in addition to creating resentment on both sides, it also builds a new level of paranoia in Deborah, especially after her chief operations officer, Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins), quits to find his own way. Season 4 is full of laughs and drama, but its key moments include a shift in power dynamics, deeply personal transformations, a late-night implosion, and, after a falsified death report, a brand-spanking-new beginning.

Shifting Power Dynamics

Image via HBO Max

In the wake of Ava’s Season 3 antics, the power dynamic between Ava and Deborah shifts drastically and brings out the worst in both women. As a star of late-night television, Deborah has the power to make Ava’s work life as difficult as possible, and she does, even going so far as to thoroughly embarrass her on air.

On the other hand, Ava seizes every opportunity she can to confront, disagree, and argue with Deborah, consistently and intentionally butting heads with her while also threatening to expose her affair with network chairman Bob Lipka (Tony Goldwyn) to the press. Tit-for-tats like this only intensify their feud, but after mounting network pressure, a medical scare for Deborah, and a falsely perceived life-ending scare involving Ava, the two finally call a truce, making up in the process.

Personal Transformations

Image via Max

Although Ava and Deborah’s rivalry lives on, it also causes major personal transformations. A darker, more ruthless side of Ava emerges that teaches her not just how to compete with Deborah, but also how to manipulate her. She also finds herself part of a throuple, to whom she badmouths Deborah’s show. After they break up with her, in the wake of a heated moment in the writers’ room, Ava quits her job and disappears.

The news incites panic in Deborah, who pushes everything aside and frantically tracks Ava to the beach, where she mistakes a woman in the water for Ava attempting suicide. This, coupled with an earlier panic attack that lands Deborah in the hospital, is a defining moment for the duo, who finally find themselves evolved and on the same page… for now.

A Late-Night Implosion

Image via HBO Max

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After disagreeing over a particular late-night guest, Ava vents her frustrations to her former boss, who uses her secrets to do a hit piece on the network. When Bob reveals to Deborah that he wants Ava fired for leaking a story, Deborah makes a life-altering decision that results in a late-night implosion, announcing the end of her show and choosing loyalty to Ava in the process. Before they can leave the parking lot, Bob reminds Deborah of her 18-month non-compete contract and threatens to sue her if she breaks it. Now struggling with a lack of fulfillment in her life, Deborah leaves on vacation with an unsuspecting Ava in tow.

A Fake Death and a New Beginning

Image via HBO Max

While in Singapore at a local resort casino, Deborah realizes she can exploit a loophole in her non-compete by performing stand-up comedy through a translator. Her shows go so well that she enters a months-long residency and succumbs to the casino lifestyle of constant partying, neglecting Ava in the process. Growing disillusioned, Ava confronts her, and an intoxicated Deborah insults Ava deeply, prompting her to leave. The next morning, however, both awaken to a news story that Deborah has died, killing the late-night comedy genre in the process, which becomes the impetus for the two women to get their careers back on track.

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What To Expect from ‘Hacks’ Season 5

Hacks Season 5 is set to explore deeper character relationships in the wake of Ava and Deborah’s return, as Deborah reinvents herself and rewrites the ending of her comedy legacy in the wake of being blamed for killing late-night TV. Viewers can also expect new guest stars and a promised shocking ending, according to the show’s official trailer.

Deadline also reports a closer relationship between Ava and Deborah, as well as a romantic interlude for Deborah with new addition Christopher Briney, who will play a famous rock star. Showrunner Jen Statsky further confirmed that the final season will bring in “so many stories that we’ve been really waiting and wanting to do, but it just wasn’t quite right in earlier seasons, or it felt like we needed the relationship between Ava and Deborah [to] deepen before we did it.” For those wondering about Jimmy (Paul W. Downs) and Kayla (Megan Stalter), they’re still around, and their business is off the chain.

As one of the century’s best sitcoms, Hacks seamlessly showcases the ebbs and flows of being a writer in Hollywood, which partly works because of the beauty that is the relationship between Deborah and Ava. There’s no doubt that Season 5 will clearly be one for the fans: full of big laughs, beautiful moments, and even bigger emotions that are sure to have us all in tears.

Hacks Season 5 premieres tonight on HBO.

Jenna Ortega is opening up about a crossroads in her acting career before landing the role of Ellie Alves in the second season of You.

“I didn’t know what else I was gonna do. I’ve never really considered anything else, more so recently, just out of sake of curiosity and wanting another life experience,” Ortega, 23, said of her ambitions in a Wednesday, April 8, interview on the “Big Bro With Kid Cudi” podcast. “But when I was a teenager, I’d gotten off of a children’s show, and I didn’t know what I was going to do. I had to prove myself and meet all these new casting directors who didn’t know who I was.”

She continued, “It just felt like a good time to call it quits if I was going to. I was starting high school and [it was a] ‘it was a good run’ sort of thing. We had talked about it for a few months with my team.”

“And then, I think I booked that show You, and then I went on that set, and I loved it and had the best time. I thought, ‘Yeah, there’s no way I could let this go,’” added Ortega, who played Joe Goldberg’s (Penn Badgley) neighbor in You season 2.

Before her role in You, Ortega starred in Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle from 2016 to 2018. The show ran for three seasons and 57 episodes. The actress also had a starring role in Netflix’s 2015 Richie Rich television series.

Since You, Ortega has become a breakout star thanks to her roles in Scream 5 and 6 and Netflix’s Wednesday.

In 2025, the actress recalled how one of her first movie roles was in Iron Man 3 opposite Robert Downey Jr., but her part was cut before the movie’s 2013 release.

“It was one of the first jobs I ever had. They took all my lines out,” she told Entertainment Weekly, noting that the only part of her visible in the film is “one leg.”

In a 2024 interview with The New York Times, Ortega reflected on working as a child actor in Hollywood after she started pursuing acting at age 9.

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“Children aren’t supposed to be working like that,” she said. “They are supposed to be climbing trees and drawing and going to school. Some of those kids’ parents don’t even take school seriously, so I feel really, really fortunate to have had parents who made sure that I hung out with friends, made sure that I went to public school and wouldn’t allow me to work on a job unless I had straight A’s and was prioritizing my sleep and my schoolwork.”

“Child acting is strange,” Ortega continued. “I see why my parents felt so hesitant about it, because you’re putting a child in an adult workplace. I think if I had just stayed growing up in Coachella Valley, I would be a completely different person.”

“I wouldn’t speak the way that I do or approach interactions the way that I do,” she added. “It’s completely changed my way of thinking and going about life, and when I speak to other child actors, I can pick them out instantly because we all have that — it’s just very specific, like some secret little language or something that we all share.”