Jean Smart reveals “Hacks ”director went into labor on set: 'She directed us in between contractions!'

"They sent a live feed to her house," Smart explained on "The Kelly Clarkson Show."

Hacks star Jean Smart delivered quite the story in a Thursday appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. It had to do with a feat of strength by the HBO comedy's co-creator Lucia Aniello.

Smart recalled how co-creator, writer and producer Lucia Aniello, who directs most of Hacks episodes, was directing an episode when she was very, very pregnant. "Her husband, Paul, who plays my manager, was in it that week, and she realized it was time to go home," the Watchmen star told host Kelly Clarkson.

After insisting her husband stay and work, Aniello left to deliver their first child. "And so they sent a live feed to her house and, until she went to the hospital a little bit later that evening, she directed us between contractions," Smart said. “And I'm not kidding. I'm not kidding you."

Smart gave examples of Aniello's work that day: "OK, tell Jean not to laugh on that line and get a piece of [costar] Hannah [Einbinder]'s shoulder on B camera."

Clarkson was impressed. 

"This woman should have a show about her," the host said.

Smart then added one more layer of awesomeness. "She not only had a baby that night, she won a WGA award that night."

Hacks has racked up many trophies, too, including six Emmys. Smart won back-to-back recognition for her lead role as comedy star Deborah Vance in 2021 and 2022. Einbinder, who plays her assistant, was nominated for best supporting actress in a comedy the same years.

While the new season premiered May 2 on Max, fans will have to wait another three weeks, though, for episode 7, called "The Deborah Vance Christmas Spectacular" to see familiar faces Deidre Hall and Christopher Lloyd make guest appearances.

Aniello herself explained to EW this week that Hall will play the mother of Jimmy (Paul W. Downs), while Lloyd will portray a reclusive writer named Larry Arbuckle.

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