Highlights: Bill Hader | HBO's Barry | Talks at Google

TL;DR

Bill Hader discusses the unique blend of drama and comedy in the TV show "Barry" and how it explores the existential crisis of a hitman turned actor.

Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING] SPEAKER: Thank you for coming out today. BILL HADER: Oh, no. Thanks for having me. SPEAKER: It's unusual to do press at the end of a season. BILL HADER: Well, no. Yeah, man, I wish we just did at the top of the season. No, it's like-- I always do press and I'm like, oh good, I'm done before the show airs. And then it's like, no, no,... Read More

Key Insights

• 😑 Doing press during the airing of a TV show is a common practice, but Bill Hader finds it challenging.
• 🧑‍🏭 The creators of "Barry" intentionally wanted to explore the emotional and existential side of being a hitman turned actor.
• 🎑 The show's balance between drama and comedy creates a unique viewing experience.
• 🛟 Real-life violence and its effects served as inspiration for the show's exploration of a hitman's existential crisis.
• 🪜 Henry Winkler's casting against type as Gene Cousineau added depth and humanity to the character.
• 😫 Improvisation is sometimes incorporated into the show, with on-set rewriting helping to enhance scenes.
• 🧑‍🏭 The characters in the acting class within the show showcase the contrast between their ditziness and their talent.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the creators of "Barry" decide on the balance between drama and comedy?

The creators wanted to make the show more than just a glib comedy about a hitman turned actor, so they intentionally led with drama and emotions to create a realistic tone.

Q: Does "Barry" draw inspiration from real-life existential crises?

The concept of a hitman exploring his violent tendencies and their consequences was inspired by the idea of exploring what movie hitmen would be like in reality and how they would be affected by their actions.

Q: How did Henry Winkler's casting against type contribute to the show?

Henry Winkler initially auditioned for the role of acting teacher Gene Cousineau, and his interpretation brought a sense of humanity to the character as a failed actor with status only within his teaching studio.

Q: How much improvisation is involved in the show?

While some improvisation occurs, much of the rewriting happens on set when the creators feel that the original scripts could be improved. They try to make scenes more interesting by adapting them to the actors' performances.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Bill Hader talks about the challenges of doing press during the airing of a TV show.

• He explains the intentional decision to lead with drama and emotions in "Barry" and how it differs from the typical comedy show.

• Hader shares his personal interest in the connection between violence and its effects on individuals.