Every HBO Comedy Ranked From Worst To Best
40. Hung
The mid-to-late ‘00s was a peak time for “struggling parent does X unsavoury act to make money” TV. Following in the wake of Weeds and Breaking Bad, HBO unleashed Hung, the story of a well endowed single dad becoming a gigolo in order to make ends meet.
The premise is a pretty simple one and Hung rarely proves especially interested in taking a deeper look into the world of sex work. The business proves easy for protagonist Ray Drecker (played with charm by Thomas Jane), and it’s more inclined to snicker and chuckle at the industry than attempt anything incisive.
That said, the show had a knack for creating solid characters and relationships, most notably between Drecker and his old flame turned pimp Tanya (Jane Adams, perhaps the most likeable pimp ever presented on TV). The pilot was directed by Alexander Payne (Sideways, Election), and his brand of cynicism combined with empathy pervades the three seasons.
30 episodes was a bit of a stretch for the premise and Hung is running on fumes somewhat by the end of its tenure, but beyond the smirking concept is a show of solid heart.