This interview appeared in the October 2021 issue of GAY TIMES.

Photography James J Robinson

“To get a queer character is one thing, but to have them honoured is totally different,” Hannah Einbinder tells fellow bicon Megan Stalter over a one-hour Zoom conversation. “I couldn't believe it existed because I had never seen it before. I'd seen it in various films, not on TV and not as a lead character.” 

The stand-up comic is speaking with her Hacks co-star about her – let’s put this in bold! – Emmy Award-nominated character Ava on HBO Max’s brilliant new series, which follows a legendary Las Vegas comedy diva [Jean Smart] as she reluctantly teams up with a witty Gen-Z writer [Einbinder] to revive her career. Stalter, who received viral fame thanks to her instantly iconic “Hi gay!” Pride Month video, co-stars as Kayla; the nepotistic yet endearingly incompetent assistant to Ava’s manager who steals every goddamn scene she’s in. 

While the comedy-drama, created by Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky, has received widespread critical acclaim for its leading performances and hilariously fresh script, it’s also won rave reviews from LGBTQ+ critics and viewers for normalising the queer experience - particularly with Einbinder’s leading character. 

Here, two of comedy’s most exciting queer entertainers try on a few luscious wigs, discuss their unique and signature styles of comedy, Hacks – as well as their hopes for season two – and, of course, “Hi gay!” Why? Because we love gay, and it’s awesome. 

Megan: Every time I'm on Zoom I blush really bad. Like, look how red I am. Have you ever seen me this red?

Hannah: Never. 

Megan: I start blushing as soon as I log on. Then when I log off, I'm fine, white as a ghost. 

Hannah: Snap a screenshot, because this is gorgeous and natural...

Megan: You love it? Every meeting I'm this red though. I don't know why. 

Hannah: So, speaking of that...

Megan: [Laughs]

Hannah: Something I've heard from a lot of people whose performance styles are character-based, is the push and pull between comfortability in a character and out of one. How do you feel in a persona, out of a persona, do you gravitate towards one or the other? How much of everything you do is connected to a part of you?

Megan: When I'm doing stand up, it's very rare that I'm telling a real story. I think I get a bit more nervous if I'm doing something as myself. When I'm on a podcast and they want me to not do a character, it's a little more nerve-wracking but just as much fun when you're doing it, you know? 

Hannah: Right.