Difficult People is an American comedy television series created by Julie Klausner. Klausner stars alongside Billy Eichner as two struggling and jaded comedians living in New York City; the duo seemingly hate everyone but each other.
The series premiered on August 5, 2015 on Hulu, and was renewed for two additional seasons.
Cast and characters Main Julie Klausner as Julie Kessler, an aspiring comedian. Billy Eichner as Billy Epstein, Julie's best friend and fellow aspiring comedian. James Urbaniak as Arthur Tack, Julie's boyfriend. Andrea Martin as Marilyn Kessler, Julie's mother. Cole Escola as Matthew Ellis Ross (season 2–3, recurring season 1), Billy's co-worker, whom he despises. Shakina Nayfack as Lola (season 3, recurring season 2), a co-worker at the cafe where Billy works
Recurring Derrick Baskin and Gabourey Sidibe as Nate and Denise, married co-owners of the cafe where Billy works Tracee Chimo as Gaby, Arthur's boss at a PBS station Fred Armisen as Garry Epstein, Billy's brother Jackie Hoffman as Rucchel Epstein, Garry's wife John Cho as Todd, Billy's boyfriend Lucy Liu as Veronica Ford, Marilyn's publisher William Bogert as Elmer, Matthew's fiancé Shannon DeVido as Andrea Mumford
Guest
Nate Corddry as Brian Walsh, Julie's high school crush Kate McKinnon as Abra Cadouglas, a recovering alcoholic turned magician John Benjamin Hickey as Fred, a date of Billy's who turns out to be a "participator" Kathy Najimy as Carol Donato, a friend of Marilyn's Amy Sedaris as Rita, a salesperson at a sporting goods store; also as a New York City tour guide in a Season 3 episode Malina Weissman as Renee Epstein, Billy's niece Ana Gasteyer as a woman with damaged eyebrows who Julie and Billy meet at a diner Debbie Harry as Kiki, a mysterious woman and roommate/lover of Rita Seth Meyers as a conman who hooks up with Billy Sandra Bernhard as Lilith Feigenbaum John Mulaney as Cecil Jellford, a date of Billy's who turns out to be an "old-timey" Nyle DiMarco as Doug, Billy's deaf date John Early as Mickey, Doug's interpreter Julianne Moore as Sarah Nussbaum Stockard Channing as Bonnie, Marilyn's sister Vanessa Williams as Trish, Matthew's ex-wife Patton Oswalt as Kenny Jurgens Jane Krakowski as Lizzie McCormick, Julie's neighbour Victor Garber as John Passias, Billy's acting teacher John Turturro as Dusty, Marilyn's old flame Rosie O'Donnell as Vanessa Susan Lucci as Shelley Waxman Jessica Walter as Chuck's Mom Jami Gertz as David's Wife Amy Poehler as Flute, the Doula and Healologist Ken Burns as himself Luann de Lesseps and Sonja Morgan as themselves Tina Fey as herself Kathie Lee Gifford as herself Tony Hale as himself Nathan Lane as himself Joel McHale as Billy's trainer Method Man as himself Lin-Manuel Miranda as himself Kate Pierson as herself Maury Povich as himself Marc Shaiman as himself Martin Short as himself Larry Wilmore as himself Micky Dolenz as himself Justin Vivian Bond Sally Kellerman as Joan Gentile Rachel Dratch Andy Cohen Mink Stole Danny Aiello
Production In May 2014, it was announced that Billy Eichner and Julie Klausner would star in a pilot for USA Network, with Klausner penning the script and Andrew Fleming directing. Amy Poehler would executive produce under Universal Cable Productions, with Dave Becky also executive producing under his 3 Arts banner, and Michele Armor of Marobru also executive producing. That same month it was announced that Rachel Dratch, Andrea Martin, James Urbaniak, and Tracee Chimo had all been cast in the series, with Martin portraying Klausner's mother. In November 2014, Hulu had acquired the series, with a straight-to-series order. In March 2015, Gabourey Sidibe and Cole Escola were cast in recurring roles.
In March 2017, John Cho joined the cast of the series.
Episodes SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedFirst airedLast aired18210310
Season 1 (2015)
Season 2 (2016)
Season 3 (2017)
Reception Difficult People received generally positive reviews from critics. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, gave the first season an 85% approval rating and an average rating of 8 out of 10, sampled from reviews from 20 critics. Seasons two and three both received a 100% from polled critics. The site's consensus reads, "Difficult People makes the unlikable likable with mean-spirited, unhappy characters who still can't help but amuse." On Metacritic, the first season holds a rating of 76 out of 100, based on 12 critics' reviews, implying "generally favorable reviews".
The series frequently leveled jokes about Kevin Spacey prior to public allegations against the actor.
See also List of original programs distributed by Hulu
References
External links
Julie Klausner's Fight for Gender Equality Through Vagina Jokes