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Jean Smart bows out of “Hacks” amid 24 Emmy nominations Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Daniel Mason’s “Country People”

8/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Jean Smart bids farewell to HBO’s comedy “Hacks” as the series ends with its fifth season, noting the writers “raised the bar every single season.”
The final season receives 24 Emmy nominations, including one for Smart as best actress in a comedy series.
Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Daniel Mason’s novel “Country People” in an interview conducted by journalist Aarti Shahani.

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Story summary

Jean Smart bids farewell to HBO’s comedy “Hacks” as the series ends with its fifth season, noting the writers “raised the bar every single season.”
The final season receives 24 Emmy nominations, including one for Smart as best actress in a comedy series.
Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews Daniel Mason’s novel “Country People” in an interview conducted by journalist Aarti Shahani.