Difficult People
Genre
Created byJulie Klausner
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes28 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Tony Hernandez
  • Amy Poehler
  • Scott King
  • Julie Klausner
  • Dave Becky
ProducerRyan McCormick
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time22–29 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkHulu
ReleaseAugust 5, 2015 (2015-08-05) –
September 26, 2017 (2017-09-26)

Difficult People is an American dark 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,[1] and was renewed for two additional seasons.[2][3][4][5][6] In Australia Difficult People premiered on 3 August 2020 on SBS Viceland and the SBS On Demand streaming service.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

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.[8] 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.[9] In November 2014, Hulu had acquired the series, with a straight-to-series order.[10] In March 2015, Gabourey Sidibe and Cole Escola were cast in recurring roles.[11]

In March 2017, John Cho joined the cast of the series.[12]

Episodes

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 8 August 5, 2015 (2015-08-05) September 16, 2015 (2015-09-16)
2 10 July 12, 2016 (2016-07-12) September 6, 2016 (2016-09-06)
3 10 August 8, 2017 (2017-08-08) September 26, 2017 (2017-09-26)

Season 1 (2015)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Library Water"Andrew Fleming & Jeffrey WalkerJulie KlausnerAugust 5, 2015 (2015-08-05)
Billy and Julie come up with an entrepreneurial scheme to sell bottled library water-fountain water and Julie gets in trouble for a controversial tweet about Blue Ivy and R. Kelly.
22"Devil's Three Way"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingAugust 5, 2015 (2015-08-05)
Julie seeks out an old high-school crush and brings him to bed with her and Arthur. Meanwhile, Billy finds a father figure in Denise's husband, Nate.
33"Pledge Week"Jeffrey WalkerJulie KlausnerAugust 12, 2015 (2015-08-12)
Billy hits it off with a new man, only to find out he is a "participator". Meanwhile, Julie's home-life crumbles as Arthur cracks under the pressure of the PBS pledge drive.
44"The Courage of a Soldier"Jeffrey WalkerJulie KlausnerAugust 19, 2015 (2015-08-19)
Billy visits his very Jewish brother for Yom Kippur dinner and Julie attempts to befriend a veteran to prove to Marilyn's surrogate daughter that she is charitable.
55"The Children's Menu"Jeffrey WalkerJulie KlausnerAugust 26, 2015 (2015-08-26)
While Billy's boss is out of town, Billy and Julie overhaul the café menu with children's cuisine at adult prices.
66"Even Later"Jeffrey WalkerJulie KlausnerSeptember 2, 2015 (2015-09-02)
Billy and Julie prepare a portfolio for a writing job, but find it easier to procrastinate than write.
77"Premium Membership"Jeffrey WalkerJulie KlausnerSeptember 9, 2015 (2015-09-09)
Billy and Julie decide to create their own podcast, but it proves more difficult than anticipated; Billy has some unexpected fun at the indoor dog park.
88"Difficult Christmas"Jeffrey WalkerJulie KlausnerSeptember 16, 2015 (2015-09-16)
Julie and Billy book a gig at The Cutting Room, but Billy's newfound obligation to family threatens to compromise their big break.

Season 2 (2016)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
91"Unplugged"Jeffrey WalkerJulie KlausnerJuly 12, 2016 (2016-07-12)
Julie tries to fit in with a group of powerful TV writers as Billy attempts to get used to being his rich boyfriend's (John Mulaney) kept man; Marilyn creates a video will.
102"Kessler Epstein Foundation"Jeffrey WalkerJulie KlausnerJuly 12, 2016 (2016-07-12)
Billy and Julie try to create their own version of the ice bucket challenge in hopes of becoming famous.
113"Italian Pinata"Jeffrey WalkerJulie KlausnerJuly 19, 2016 (2016-07-19)
Mistaken perceptions about heritage and sexual orientation leads to Julie and Billy living double lives in New Jersey.
124"Blade Stallion"Neil DalyJulie Klausner & Scott KingJuly 26, 2016 (2016-07-26)
Time alone become elusive after Julie is caught watching porn and Billy's brother (Fred Armisen) moves in with him.
135"Patches"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingAugust 2, 2016 (2016-08-02)
Problems at Billy's apartment lead to him staying with Marilyn; a misunderstanding results in Julie landing a part on a TV show.
146"36 Candles"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingAugust 9, 2016 (2016-08-09)
As her birthday gets closer, Julie discovers that she enjoys her mom's company when they are drinking; Billy tries to date a guy he met through an app.
157"Carter"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingAugust 16, 2016 (2016-08-16)
Inspired by the success of Hamilton, Billy and Julie want to write and star in their own historical musical. Mother and doctor Marilyn competes with their child for their own TV score.
168"Hashtag Cats"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingAugust 23, 2016 (2016-08-23)
Billy and Julie gain their first famous fan, who tries to help them sell a sketch show to a TV network.
179"Cedar Cove"Jeffrey WalkerJulie KlausnerAugust 30, 2016 (2016-08-30)
When Julie gets sick and Billy is cast in a children's TV show, they jeopardize their chance at becoming fashion elites.
1810"High Alert"Jeffrey WalkerJulie KlausnerSeptember 6, 2016 (2016-09-06)
Julie writes a personal essay about 9/11 that is optioned for a movie; Billy helps with preparations for Matthew's wedding.

Season 3 (2017)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
191"Passover Bump"Jeffrey WalkerJulie KlausnerAugust 8, 2017 (2017-08-08)
Julie and Billy get community service after disrupting the CBS live presentation of Bazinga in the Park with George. Julie gets a new meditation app when she is denied antidepressants to survive her family's Passover seder. Billy gets a job as a warmup comic for Larry Wilmore's new show.
202"Strike Rat"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingAugust 8, 2017 (2017-08-08)
Julie gets cast in Woody Allen's new Amazon TV series. Billy and Marilyn get involved in Mike Pence's gay conversion program. Matthew's ex-wife (Vanessa Williams) visits.
213"Code Change"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingAugust 8, 2017 (2017-08-08)
Julie decides she has an addiction to her mother, and treats it by joining AA. Billy helps his sister-in-law Rachel exorcise a Jewish demon from her basement. Arthur experiences frustration in the bedroom and at work, and takes both into his own hands.
224"Rabbitversary"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingAugust 15, 2017 (2017-08-15)
Alone for the weekend, Julie hires a creepy handyman (Chris Elliott) who overstays his welcome. Meanwhile, Billy feuds with an advertising exec (John Cho), and Marilyn gets a book deal from a patient's mother (Lucy Liu).
235"Cindarestylox"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingAugust 22, 2017 (2017-08-22)
Julie gets a sketchy Botox treatment that freezes her face in a smile. She's amazed by how much better people treat her and attempts to exploit that.
246"Bernie and Blythe"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingAugust 29, 2017 (2017-08-29)
Julie and Arthur stumble into sexual roleplay, while Billy worries he’s been miscast as a supportive spouse at Todd’s work parties. Meanwhile, Julie’s dogs become social media stars without Julie’s consent, and Marilyn re-unites with a former lover (John Turturro) from her free-spirited youth.
257"Fuzz Buddies"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingSeptember 5, 2017 (2017-09-05)
Lifelong dreams come true when Julie gets hired to write on a TV show, Micky Dolenz answers Billy’s childhood fan letter, and Marilyn throws herself a Bat Mitzvah.
268"Criminal Minds"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingSeptember 12, 2017 (2017-09-12)
Julie “Yes And’s” her way into a corner with her former improv teammates and ends up being caught in a significant lie. Billy and Todd can’t fall asleep in the same bed together. Meanwhile, Arthur uncovers a secret at work, and Marilyn and Matthew bond.
279"Sweet Tea"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingSeptember 19, 2017 (2017-09-19)
Julie considers trading her showbiz dreams for a life of happy crafting as Billy sickens of New York City. Arthur is over his job, and Marilyn experiences writer’s block. Meanwhile a visit from Lola’s sorority may hold the answer to all of their problems.
2810"The Silkwood"Jeffrey WalkerJulie Klausner & Scott KingSeptember 26, 2017 (2017-09-26)
Billy moves to Los Angeles with Julie's help. Marilyn writes a best-selling memoir, also with Julie's help. Changes at the cafe include a new waiter, and eventually, new ownership. Arthur's office in Florida meets an untimely demise.

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."[13] On Metacritic, the first season holds a rating of 76 out of 100, based on 12 critics' reviews, implying "generally favorable reviews".[14]

The series frequently leveled jokes about Kevin Spacey prior to public allegations against the actor.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ Lockett, Dee (June 30, 2015). "Difficult People Teaser: Don't Invite Billy Eichner and Julie Klausner to Your Funeral". Vulture.com. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  2. ^ "'Difficult People' Renewed By Hulu For Season 2". 27 August 2015. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
  3. ^ Pederson, Erik (April 4, 2016). "Hulu Makes Summer Dates With 'Casual', 'Difficult People' & 'East Los High'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  4. ^ Petski, Denise (October 17, 2016). "'Difficult People' Renewed For Season 3 By Hulu". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  5. ^ Pederson, Erik (March 27, 2017). "Hulu Sets Summer Bows For 'Difficult People' Season 3, Trio Of Documentaries". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  6. ^ Otterson, Joe (15 November 2017). "'Difficult People' Canceled at Hulu After Three Seasons". Variety. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  7. ^ "Julie Klausner: The Perks of Being "Difficult"". pastemagazine.com. 2016-07-12. Retrieved 2019-10-19.
  8. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (May 6, 2014). "Billy Eichner to Star in USA Comedy From Amy Poehler (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  9. ^ Evans, Bradford (May 22, 2014). "Rachel Dratch, Andrea Martin, and James Urbaniak Join Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner's USA Pilot". Splitinsider.com. Archived from the original on April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  10. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (18 November 2014). "Billy Eichner Comedy From Amy Poehler Ordered Straight to Series at Hulu". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  11. ^ Bierly, Mandi (March 24, 2015). "Gabourey Sidibe Talks Joining Billy Eichner and Julie Klausner in Their Hulu Comedy Difficult People and Life Inside Empire". Yahoo.com. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  12. ^ Petski, Denise (March 22, 2017). "'Difficult People': John Cho Set To Recur In Season 3 Of Hulu Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  13. ^ "Difficult People Season 1 (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  14. ^ "Difficult People: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  15. ^ Gilchrist, Tracy (2017-11-22). "'Difficult People' Leveled Accusations at Kevin Spacey for Three Seasons". advocate.com. Retrieved 2022-06-27.

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