Difficult People#Season 1 (2015)

• 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

• 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{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/07/julie-klausner-the-perks-of-being-difficult-1.html|title=Julie Klausner: The Perks of Being "Difficult"|date=2016-07-12|website=pastemagazine.com|language=en|access-date=2019-10-19}}

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• 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

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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.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/billy-eichner-star-usa-comedy-701212|title=Billy Eichner to Star in USA Comedy From Amy Poehler (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg|date=May 6, 2014|access-date=April 4, 2016}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://splitsider.com/2014/05/rachel-dratch-andrea-martin-and-james-urbaniak-join-julie-klausner-and-billy-eichners-usa-pilot/|title=Rachel Dratch, Andrea Martin, and James Urbaniak Join Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner's USA Pilot|website=Splitinsider.com|first=Bradford|last=Evans|date=May 22, 2014|access-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426075047/http://splitsider.com/2014/05/rachel-dratch-andrea-martin-and-james-urbaniak-join-julie-klausner-and-billy-eichners-usa-pilot/|archive-date=April 26, 2016|url-status=dead}} In November 2014, Hulu had acquired the series, with a straight-to-series order.{{cite web|last1=Goldberg|first1=Lesley|title=Billy Eichner Comedy From Amy Poehler Ordered Straight to Series at Hulu|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=18 November 2014 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/billy-eichner-comedy-amy-poehler-749822|access-date=August 7, 2015}} In March 2015, Gabourey Sidibe and Cole Escola were cast in recurring roles.{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/tv/gabourey-sidibe-difficult-people-empire-114447933735.html|title=Gabourey Sidibe Talks Joining Billy Eichner and Julie Klausner in Their Hulu Comedy Difficult People and Life Inside Empire|publisher=Yahoo.com|first=Mandi|last=Bierly|date=March 24, 2015|access-date=April 4, 2016}}

In March 2017, John Cho joined the cast of the series.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/difficult-people-john-cho-recur-season-3-hulu-series-1202048793/|title='Difficult People': John Cho Set To Recur In Season 3 Of Hulu Series|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=March 22, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2017}}

{{Episode table

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|overall= 3

|season= 3

|title= 13

|director= 12

|writer= 13

|airdate= 10

|country=U.S.

|episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title = Library Water

| DirectedBy = Andrew Fleming & Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|8|5}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = FFDB01

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 2

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title = Devil's Three Way

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|8|5}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = FFDB01

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title = Pledge Week

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|8|12}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = FFDB01

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title = The Courage of a Soldier

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|8|19}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = FFDB01

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| Title = The Children's Menu

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|8|26}}

| ShortSummary = While Billy's boss is out of town, Billy and Julie overhaul the café menu with children's cuisine at adult prices.

| LineColor = FFDB01

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| Title = Even Later

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|9|2}}

| ShortSummary = Billy and Julie prepare a portfolio for a writing job, but find it easier to procrastinate than write.

| LineColor = FFDB01

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| EpisodeNumber2 = 7

| Title = Premium Membership

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|9|9}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = FFDB01

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| EpisodeNumber2 = 8

| Title = Difficult Christmas

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2015|9|16}}

| ShortSummary = Julie and Billy book a gig at The Cutting Room, but Billy's newfound obligation to family threatens to compromise their big break.

| LineColor = FFDB01

}}

}}

{{Episode table

|background=#8DB600

|overall= 3

|season= 3

|title= 13

|director= 12

|writer= 13

|airdate= 10

|country=U.S.

|episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 9

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title = Unplugged

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|7|12}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = 8DB600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 10

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title = Kessler Epstein Foundation

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|7|12}}

| ShortSummary = Billy and Julie try to create their own version of the ice bucket challenge in hopes of becoming famous.

| LineColor = 8DB600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 11

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title = Italian Pinata

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|7|19}}

| ShortSummary = Mistaken perceptions about heritage and sexual orientation leads to Julie and Billy living double lives in New Jersey.

| LineColor = 8DB600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 12

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title = Blade Stallion

| DirectedBy = Neil Daly

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|7|26}}

| ShortSummary = Time alone become elusive after Julie is caught watching porn and Billy's brother (Fred Armisen) moves in with him.

| LineColor = 8DB600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 13

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| Title = Patches

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|8|2}}

| ShortSummary = Problems at Billy's apartment lead to him staying with Marilyn; a misunderstanding results in Julie landing a part on a TV show.

| LineColor = 8DB600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 14

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| Title = 36 Candles

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|8|9}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = 8DB600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 15

| EpisodeNumber2 = 7

| Title = Carter

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|8|16}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = 8DB600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 16

| EpisodeNumber2 = 8

| Title = Hashtag Cats

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|8|23}}

| ShortSummary = Billy and Julie gain their first famous fan, who tries to help them sell a sketch show to a TV network.

| LineColor = 8DB600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 17

| EpisodeNumber2 = 9

| Title = Cedar Cove

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|8|30}}

| ShortSummary = When Julie gets sick and Billy is cast in a children's TV show, they jeopardize their chance at becoming fashion elites.

| LineColor = 8DB600

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 18

| EpisodeNumber2 = 10

| Title = High Alert

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|9|6}}

| ShortSummary = Julie writes a personal essay about 9/11 that is optioned for a movie; Billy helps with preparations for Matthew's wedding.

| LineColor = 8DB600

}}

}}

{{Episode table

|background=#FF4AC3

|overall= 3

|season= 3

|title= 13

|director= 12

|writer= 13

|airdate= 10

|country=U.S.

|episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 19

| EpisodeNumber2 = 1

| Title = Passover Bump

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|8|8}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor =FF4AC3

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 20

| EpisodeNumber2 = 2

| Title = Strike Rat

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|8|8}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = FF4AC3

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 21

| EpisodeNumber2 = 3

| Title = Code Change

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|8|8}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor =FF4AC3

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 22

| EpisodeNumber2 = 4

| Title = Rabbitversary

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|8|15}}

| ShortSummary = 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).

| LineColor = FF4AC3

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 23

| EpisodeNumber2 = 5

| Title = Cindarestylox

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|8|22}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = FF4AC3

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 24

| EpisodeNumber2 = 6

| Title = Bernie and Blythe

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|8|29}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = FF4AC3

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 25

| EpisodeNumber2 = 7

| Title = Fuzz Buddies

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|9|5}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = FF4AC3

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 26

| EpisodeNumber2 = 8

| Title = Criminal Minds

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|9|12}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = FF4AC3

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 27

| EpisodeNumber2 = 9

| Title = Sweet Tea

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|9|19}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = FF4AC3

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 28

| EpisodeNumber2 = 10

| Title = The Silkwood

| DirectedBy = Jeffrey Walker

| WrittenBy = Julie Klausner & Scott King

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|9|26}}

| ShortSummary = 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.

| LineColor = FF4AC3

}}

}}

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."{{cite web|title=Difficult People Season 1 (2015)|work=Rotten Tomatoes|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/difficult-people/s01/|access-date=August 18, 2015}} On Metacritic, the first season holds a rating of 76 out of 100, based on 12 critics' reviews, implying "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web|title=Difficult People: Season 1|work=Metacritic|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/difficult-people|access-date=August 18, 2015}}

The series frequently leveled jokes about Kevin Spacey prior to public allegations against the actor.{{cite web | last=Gilchrist | first=Tracy | title='Difficult People' Leveled Accusations at Kevin Spacey for Three Seasons | website=advocate.com | date=2017-11-22 | url=https://www.advocate.com/television/2017/11/22/difficult-people-leveled-accusations-kevin-spacey-three-seasons | access-date=2022-06-27}}

• List of original programs distributed by Hulu

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• [https://www.vulture.com/2019/01/julie-klausner-favorite-difficult-people-joke-good-one.html Julie Klausner's Fight for Gender Equality Through Vagina Jokes]

{{Hulu}}

Category:2010s American black comedy television series

Category:2010s American LGBTQ-related comedy television series

Category:2010s American satirical television series

Category:2010s American single-camera sitcoms

Category:2015 American television series debuts

Category:2017 American television series endings

Category:American comedy web series

Category:American English-language television shows

Category:Hulu original programming

Category:Television duos

Category:Television series by Universal Cable Productions

Category:Television series by 3 Arts Entertainment

Category:Television series by Paper Kite Productions

Category:Television shows set in New York City

Category:Television series about comedians