While it has released plenty of original series over the past couple of years, Hulu is still searching for a show that can attain the same sort of mainstream recognition afforded to the best original series from Netflix and Amazon. Difficult People may not be that show, but it seems to be drawing quite a bit of buzz. The comedy, which stars Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner as best friends who have little empathy and even less self-awareness, has premiered on Hulu and generated positive reviews from critics.
Difficult People’s main characters, also named Julie and Billy, are in some ways modeled after their respective real life counterparts, though I would hope Klausner (the host of the How Was Your Week podcast) and Eichner (the man behind Billy on the Street) are not as narcissistic as their televised counterparts. Julie and Billy (the characters) are stuck on the fringes of the entertainment industry, and as the LA Times puts it, “the biggest obstacle they face is themselves.”
This formula makes for some fine comedy. In a glowing review in the San Francisco Chronicle, David Wiegand writes that “the writing is hilariously great, as are the performances.” Melissa Maerz of Entertainment Weekly believes “[Julie and Billy] could be this generation’s Will and Grace.”
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Difficult People sure seems like it’s primed to become Hulu’s most successful original series thus far. A show led by two bold, fearless New Yorkers with ties to Amy Poehler (who is executive producer for Difficult People) worked wonders for Comedy Central. Can it do the same for Hulu? Check out the first two episodes, which are currently available for free, and decide for yourself:
