Spotlight

Hacks Season 3

• By CAROLINE LENHER

Max’s award-winning comedy-drama, Hacks, ended season two with Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance (Emmy-Award winner Jean Smart) firing her young comedy writer, Ava Daniels (Emmy-Award nominee Hannah Einbinder). Up until then, viewers watched Vance’s career struggle against younger, more relevant stand-up comedians, leading her to bring in a younger writer, Daniels. Their unlikely partnership ebbed and flowed poignantly and entertainingly before its shocking end last season.

Season three joins the two a year later with Vance back on top following her Netflix special and Daniels in Hollywood. Ava is in love, and Deborah is enjoying her return to fame. A chance meeting in an elevator reunites them, ultimately leading to the restarting of their professional partnership. Ava works to set boundaries to protect herself from their past dynamics, and as fans can imagine, this might not go over well with the strong-willed Vance.

Season three sees Deborah and Ava navigate professional setbacks and triumphs, finding common ground amidst their differences. The highly anticipated season includes fan favorites Deborah’s manager Jimmy (Paul W. Downs), his assistant Kayla (Megan Stalter), and her estranged daughter D.J. (Kaitlin Olson). New cast members include Helen Hunt (Mad About You), Christina Hendricks (Good Girls) and Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future).

Hacks premieres May 2, 2024. For more details, click here.

LA County Fair

• By NINA SVENTITSKY

If you think you’re too jaded for a county fair, our version will change your mind. The LA County Fair starts May 3, 2024, and runs every Thursday through Sunday, through Memorial Day, from 11 am to 11 pm. The fair’s permanent home in Pomona sits on 500 acres, with entertainment for all ages and ample parking. The grounds are spotless and cared for, Fairplex staff are helpful and friendly. There’s an outdoor concert arena, a speedway, a big carnival with rides, an organic farm, livestock competitions, a farm animal petting area, garden exhibit, and art stuff to do. NextFest LA, the indie music fest, happens here. Visit the Low and Slow Car Show. Go at night for the date vibe and neon lights, and enjoy the lounges. This is your chance to experience county fair food (fried ice cream!) to play carnival games, win prizes, listen to music, and have all-around safe family fun. Check out the Marketplace Pavilion to take a wine or cheese class, and to buy a flight of Gold-Medal-winning wines and beer, and taste and buy olive oil from around the world. The fair presents multi-cultural performances and aims for inclusivity. A day at the fair costs around $22 with discounts for kids, families and seniors. Perfect for toddlers to grannies, May weather will be in the 70s and 80s. 

For tickets, click here.

UNFROSTED

• By KEN WERTHER

SUR WEST HOLLYWOOD

• By PAIGE PETRONE

The Vanderpump Rules season 11 premiere attracted over 3 million viewers on Bravo, which was a serious increase from the season 10 premiere. Well, unless you are living under a rock, you would know why and about “#scandoval” and all the dirty details of the end of season 10. If not, let me recap it for you. Tom Sandoval cheated on his girlfriend of nine years, Ariana Madix, with bestie Rachel (for months) while other cast members secretly knew about. Scandalous! Juicy! Yes. It was!

Like millions of people, I started watching. I’m not proud, but boy have I enjoyed it. The series takes place in and around Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant, Sur. After watching, several past seasons, I just had to go. So, we went. 

Sur is absolutely gorgeous and fabulous. The food was surprisingly up to par as well. Hey, this place is known for amazing cocktails, and major drama at the bar! But, we really enjoyed the fare. We started by sipping delicious house sangria and sharing their signature Fried Goat Cheese Balls (on mini crostini, and mango chutney). Wonderful. We also shared the Cotto Ham Benedict and the Sur Butcher Cheeseburger (with brie cheese, bacon, onion marmalade, arugula, and picked onion). The burger was killer, and a must-order. Whether you are a fan or not, I highly recommend Sur. Go!

Located in West Hollywood. For menu and reservations, click here.