Difficult People

Difficult People is an American comedy series that aired on Hulu Originals from 2015 to 2017. The series presents daily life's absurdly hilarious encounters through the lives of best friends Julie Kessler and Billy Epstein.

Rife with humor and sarcasm, Difficult People is a prime example of all the hilarity that one can find in life's inconveniences and frustrations. At its core, the series is a glimpse into the lives of two middle-aged, struggling comedians in New York City, who aren’t shy about expressing their disdain for the world and the people around them. Julie and Billy, played brilliantly by Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner respectively, are the eponymous ‘difficult people’; they're hilariously mean, endlessly judgmental and often selfish. The charm of the series lies in the candidness with which it captures their idiosyncratic personalities and the honesty with which it showcases them, flaws and all.

The show’s backdrop is the world of small-scale entertainment in New York City. Julie and Billy are ambitious, they dream of becoming successful, but without giving up their brashness and sense of entitlement. Billy is an openly gay struggling actor who, despite a lack of notable success, is so unabashedly confident that it's comical. Julie, on the other hand, is an unsuccessful comedy writer whose jokes are often as sharp and biting as her persona.

As the show focuses on their everyday lives, numerous humorous scenarios are uncovered. The characters in Difficult People often find themselves in absurd and outrageously funny situations resulting from their quirky personalities. The comedy further emanates from the best friends’ innocent ignorance of the offense they bring to the people they encounter. Delving into their careers, relationships, and friendships, the series maintains a light and humorous aura despite its characters’ sometimes abrasive conduct.

Difficult People is commendable for its daringly unique humor and the originality with which it depicts its characters. The conceit of the show – the fact that we are watching not particularly likable personalities – is handled with such charm and wit that viewing their adventures becomes an undeniably enjoyable parade of amusing incidents.

The show's supporting cast is also noteworthy. Andrea Martin puts on an absolute show as Marilyn Kessler, Julie's mother, and TV's psychotherapist. Every scene with her is sure to enthrall with her theatrical demonstrations and over-the-top interpretations of Marilyn's extravagant lifestyle and emotional drama. Gabourey Sidibe and Cole Escola round out the cast, putting on great performances and injecting the series with a dynamism that keeps each episode exciting.

The versatility of the show is seen in how it tackles a plethora of issues central to today's societal debates. It addresses issues subtly and with heartwarming grace, such as the struggles of Billy’s homosexual life, address Julie's existential struggles, and the challenges of the duo's frustrating career paths. Julie and Billy’s interactions with their companions create a dynamic array of relationship types across the series, raising conversations around friendship dynamics, parent-child relationships, and romantic endeavors. The resulting blend of comedy and contemporary issues is an engaging mix that keeps viewers hooked and amused throughout the series.

In its totality, Difficult People has a charm that is inescapably enticing and humor that resonates. Its laughs come thick and fast, delivered by two of the most hilariously flawed characters on TV. The writing is top-notch, character development is consistent, and the plot is expertly driven by the character's snide banter and interactions with their little corner of New York.

Ultimately, Difficult People delves into the essence of human folly, and pulls out humor from the sheer ludicrousness of human expectations, aspirations, and interaction. It's a testament to the innate ability of comedy to make light of human flaws and social complications. Beyond its comedy, though, the series thrives in its candid exploration of contemporary issues and human connections. As such, it offers both a delightfully funny escapade into the lives of its eponymous ‘difficult people’ and an insightful exploration of modern life.