Bill Hader and Alec Berg snuck into a real acting class while researching for Barry

Barry, the new HBO comedy from Bill Hader and Silicon Valley’s Alec Berg, stars Hader as the eponymous hitman who gives up his life of crime after he’s bit by the acting bug while tailing a target in Los Angeles. At the SXSW premiere of the show, we spoke with Hader and Berg about the genesis of the show, and the time they snuck into an acting class while researching for Barry.

[@libbyjune2336]

The fact that the inspiration for Barry's dynamic with being a hitman is based on how Bill felt about being on SNL makes me so incredibly sad. He was easily one of the best cast members the show has ever known, a source of unforgettable quotes that my friends and I have laughed over until we cry. Bill's work has given his audience so much joy, but it only made him feel empty. That is utterly heartbreaking. I sincerely hope he is feeling fulfilled as an artist for Barry. It's truly one of the most original and fantastic stories on TV in the present day, both for its hilarity and for its serious philosophical discussions on human nature.

[@FlashakaViolet]

Libby June I love this comment

[@santiagopulido6516]

Did he say that in a interview or something? i want to see it

[@santiagopulido6516]

@@emilygreek4000 oh yes, Alex said it I didn't hear. It's so sad to hear that

[@ameliakirsh5851]

What I have understood from Bill talking about his time in SNL in other interviews it's not that SNL made him feel empty. He just has such a huge problem with Anxiety that before each time he went out on stage he would be so nervous the room would spin. but once he was out of stage he was fine. He loved SNL but the day of the show each week was so trifling he was afraid of screwing up or getting fired and his then-wife would sit backstage with him and keep him calm before he had to go on stage. He has said many times the reason he left was cause they were traveling to LA so much for work they had two kids and felt they wanted to raise their kids in LA and he wanted to spend more time with them.

[@theworstpear6080]

It's more about the stress and anxiety of the profession. He said he loved being on SNL, but it's just the mortifiying anxiety that made him so nervous

[@sadlystuckinreality]

'What if the thing you're good at is destroying you?' being something Bill says and then Alec equating Barry to Bill's time on SNL...I will never know peace again. He deserves nothing but happiness.

[@joetrash2851]

what did we do to deserve bill in this outfit

[@xBasicxWitchx]

It’s doing things for me

[@weasley2o13]

I love his outfit. Do you want him to wear a prom dress?

[@boop1286]

Original comment was a compliment not an insult הגר גדליוביץ'

[@Jerseychica914]

@@weasley2o13 LOL Sure!

[@ShannonPowers]

I know! This and the leather jacket look is really making me feel some kind of way.

[@temporaryspacestudios]

Bill Hader has the most perfect 5 o'clock shadow.

[@spoonface9698]

It’s so delicious

[@Olive_O_Sudden]

I don't think that qualifies as 5 o'clock shadow. I think that's perfect scruff.

[@madelynwintrick7577]

Yessssss

[@soph7480]

bill ages like wine wow

[@xBasicxWitchx]

wonderfalls omg right?? he was so unsure 10+ years ago.

[@spoonface9698]

Fruits Right?!?

[@grindcoremaniac]

Bill Hader is awesome. I'm glad he's stayed relevant in film and tv. He's a great actor and comedian.

[@sha2424]

how tf did bill end up in this amazing outfit and how can we make it happen again

[@ameliakirsh5851]

there were all these memes about getting bill better clothes so he said he got the hint and got a stylist. he said while he doesn't care what he looks like it. he thought why not try it out, and once he got the stylist and started learning about fashion he really started enjoying it.

[@cloverhouse3146]

as a fan of Hader’s previous work, I felt inclined to check out this new series, & now I can’t stop talking about it. this show is absolutely brilliant so far. such a masterful blend of dark humor with moments of real heartbeat skipping drama, matched with enticing performances from the whole cast. deeply entertaining, I couldn’t look away.

[@nisadwyz]

excuse me, bill hader is so hot

[@xBasicxWitchx]

He really is. I’m basically searching for every single video of him that I can watch on KZbin.

[@spoonface9698]

Nat20 I’m on a Bill Hader run right now. So. Damn. Sexy.

[@charliblake8551]

NISA ikr!? Something about how genuine, not to mention brilliant he is!😍

[@dougstephens1979]

I fucking love this show! The first season just ended and it was superb. What an intoxicating mix of dark humor, suspense and intrigue. Cannot wait for the second season. Thank you Alec and Bill!!

[@cloverhouse3146]

Doug Stephens great wording! I absolutely agree. I can’t wait for their genius to reach a bigger audience.

[@AllisonChains64]

@@cloverhouse3146 Yes!! Barry is truly a phenomenal show. I admit I only gave it a go because I love Bill, but I was taken aback from how incredibly amazing the show is. Can't wait for season 2!

[@brandonblair6868]

One of the most original and quality shows I have seen. Just binged the two seasons

[@jackrusso4700]

Tfw you’re such a good actor, you had to research to know how to be bad

[@brownguy903]

Berg has been involved with every one of my favorite TV shows, Seinfeld, Curb, Silicon Valley and now Barry

[@user-ub7mb5fo6z]

I feel like a slice of butter.. melting on a big ole pile of flapjacks

[@a333aaa]

it kind of frustrates me how every bill hader video i watch is full of comments about how attractive he is, with no reference to his talent / hard work / insight / experience that he's discussing in the interviews. like don't get me wrong, i'm a big fan too but it's primarily because he's a nice, humble, driven person who also is very good at what he does? thankful some people are appreciating him for his work rather than just his face.

[@FlashakaViolet]

Barry is seriously one of the best shows in tv right now

[@littlemrmot]

The best gunshooting scene i have ever seen, and ive seen quite a few..

[@ctrouble2309]

littlemrmot that was my thought. In multiple interviews they talk about how they wanted the violence to be very unglorified

[@helenli7302]

when I saw him shoot the chechens I was blown away. That scene alone sold me on the show

[@charliblake8551]

Hader is killin it (heh) so hard with this show!!!! Love how he manages to make us love and root for someone who kills (often good) people! It’s done as well as Tony Soprano or Dexter....

[@andyspendlove1019]

Man so many people thirsting for Bill in the comments

[@sanazj3232]

2:34!!! what's going on Bill?!!

[@norsyazaedmiza]

bill so cute and i love this show

[@celticjay2306]

Barry is the issh. LOVE THAT ISH

[@realtruth529]

Loved him in this hitman story, and I hope Hader keep making new things, preferably absurd crazy stuff, because he is so funny and interesting in anything he does. There must be new ideas and scrips that could bring out his special talents, and playing up against other great comedians in some mad situatian comedy.

[@teamdarcy9]

I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS SHOW!!!

[@Dreguhl]

Im gonna love this show!

[@simplicity6526]

i loved it ...so so much

[@spicyapplejuice9099]

Great show

[@_Amilio_]

Suuuuuch a good show!

[@MrArmazin]

Alec Buuuuuuuuurg.

[@TheStuport]

John Houseman is smiling "somewhere"!

[@Ivyrskywalker]

Why is he so fucking hot omg this outfit im dying

[@Afghanen]

You got a great John Houseman name

[@YTwoKay]

They saw One Punch man and made him a hit man

[@juliaadvincula7150]

I was trying to stop my obsession with bill hader then I see him in this outfit 🥵 forget it

[@dave623]

I don’t understand why they never bring up the fact that Henry Winkler taught acting class in real life.

[@miraxischanis5656]

i understand the sings

[@miraxischanis5656]

i like his beard

[@erinerickson8972]

Why is this out of focus?

[@miat789]

Why do I feel like these two dont get along very well...

[@spoonface9698]

miat789 Haha I got that feeling too. Cutting each other off. Just a melding of two very creative minds.

[@krystal1722]

Yeah, like they're co-workers, not friends.

[@mobiz711]

Bill seems like he's annoyed throughout this interview. I wonder if the interviewer did something to piss him off, or if he and Alec Berg got into a tiff.

[@miraxischanis5656]

it is not necessary so many changes

[@MrHartApart]

3:48 only one of your eyes is acting?

[@Ricky0815]

I wish he was gay!😍💙🌈🏳️‍🌈

[@junkboxxxxxx]

"Snuck," like "swum," is not a real world but an over-norm creation by people who speak more than they read. (Use "sneaked" and "swam.")

[@punkrocher]

www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/snuck-or-sneaked-which-is-correct

[@wendydarling5790]

Swum is past participle. swim / swam / have swum

[@ChasenLovesYou]

Fnu Lnu gay

[@libbybollinger5901]

Fnu Lnu yes, I do agree. Swam is not a real world. Granted, it is not a fictional world either, but it is not a world. Also, what the fuck makes a word “real” all words were creations at some point.

[@derekarrieta6243]

booooooooooo