Paul W. Downs and Meg Stalter Strip Down for Paper Magazine, Reflect on Hacks' Conclusion

Paul W. Downs and Meg Stalter have proven themselves to be a formidable comedy partnership.

The stars of the hit series Hacks appear on the cover of Paper Magazine's latest issue, photographed shirtless in Calvin Klein underwear and jeans. Accompanying the striking images is an in-depth conversation between the two comedians, who tackle the recent conclusion of their Emmy-winning show, the evolution of standup comedy, and a particularly unusual characterization of Meg from a recent profile.

On the Show's End

The end of Hacks has hit the duo hard. Downs acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the finale, noting that while he feels grateful the series wrapped the way they envisioned it, the emotional weight grows heavier as time passes. He emphasized that the production faced numerous obstacles along the way, with moments of genuine uncertainty about whether they'd see it through to completion.

Stalter added a lighter but honest note about her attachment to their partnership, admitting she feels protective of their dynamic. She joked that seeing Downs collaborate with other funny women in the future would sting, joking that she might stop responding to his messages or begin undoing her online support.

Shining a Light on Comedy Talent

One of the most rewarding aspects of creating Hacks, according to Downs, has been providing a platform for standup comedians who might not otherwise have television exposure. He highlighted performers like Robby Hoffman, Caitlin Reilly, and Hannah Pilkes as examples of comedy talent the show helped introduce to wider audiences. Watching the online response to these performers has been deeply satisfying, he said.

Downs and Stalter met through the standup circuit before their television collaboration, though his involvement in the show has largely kept him away from performing live comedy in recent years. He noted, however, that pandemic restrictions actually strengthened audiences' appetite for live comedy experiences. He also reflected on attempting a Zoom standup set during lockdown, calling it an unexpectedly difficult format.

Stalter expanded on how the pandemic shifted comedy's landscape. She observed that while she posted frequently online during lockdown, performing for an audience via Zoom proved surprisingly challenging. She credited the rise of social media in comedy with fundamentally changing how performers build careers. Whereas comedians once needed festival success or audition showcases to gain representation, the current generation can build followings through online clips.

This shift has democratized comedy discovery, Stalter suggested. Casting professionals now scout talent on social platforms, and alternative comedy styles can find niche audiences online who might never visit a traditional standup venue.

Setting the Record Straight

When asked about a recent description of Meg as "foul mouthed bisexual," she offered her own characterization: an innocent-mouthed, mostly lesbian but still bisexual person who speaks kindly to others. Downs chimed in with his own take, suggesting "star angel bisexual" would be more fitting. He added that she's happily committed to her girlfriend and not looking elsewhere.

For the full interview, visit PaperMag.com.