The HBO series “Hacks” required its production team to construct an elaborate set for a fictional 1970s sitcom called “Who’s Making Dinner?” Within the show’s narrative, the sitcom celebrates its 50th anniversary at PaleyFest, featuring clips and a special screening. The series depicts how character Deborah, played by Jean Smart, co-created the original program alongside her husband Frank, though he fraudulently claimed sole writing credit for the work.
Production designer Rob Tokarz drew inspiration from classic television programs of that era, including “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “All in the Family,” to ensure the fictional sitcom felt authentic and culturally significant. The design team selected an avocado, orange, and cream color palette with prominent wood paneling to capture the period accurately. Set decorator Jennifer Lukeheart sourced furniture from unexpected places, including Facebook Marketplace, to find pieces that matched the aesthetic vision. The show’s iconic couch became a crucial focal point, as it typically is in sitcom design.
Beyond the nostalgic recreation, the production faced significant technical hurdles. In one episode, Deborah stages an elaborate publicity stunt involving suspension in a Plexiglas cube above the Las Vegas Strip. The sequence required seamless coordination across multiple departments and was filmed in separate segments before being digitally combined. The cube, constructed from steel and Plexiglas, had to function convincingly in both a Los Angeles stage setting and a Las Vegas location, demonstrating the creative problem-solving essential to bringing such ambitious scenes to life.
Originally reported by Variety →
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