Somebody Somewhere
Season 2 & the Evolution of Joel
The second season of Max’s acclaimed comedy/drama Somebody Somewhere is streaming now, and most fans would agree with the reaction that co-star Jeff Hiller has received from so many people: the show is “like a hug.” As Hiller’s character Joel explores singlehood and re-evaluates his faith, we are seeing brand new layers to Joel. Of course, the heart of the show is his friendship with Bridget Everett’s Sam, who is now Joel’s roommate, bringing a completely new layer to their already heartwarming friendship. I sat down to chat with Jeff to discuss Joel’s evolution, motor boating, and whether Joel is a Grindr or a Scruff man?
Michael Cook: Jeff, so many fans—including myself—first came to fall in love with you during The Hotwives of Orlando!
Jeff Hiller: I love it—that is not brought up a lot!
MC: You are back for another season of Somebody Somewhere and it’s just as spectacular as the first one. The show is a love story in a sense that we have not seen before, and the first season ended in such a heartwarming way. What is the reaction that you got from people?
JH: I think the most common reaction I get is “it’s a hug, your show is like a hug,” which I like. I think it is just so nice that a lot of people feel that the show is about not giving up on yourself and that it is encouraging to them. I am all for that; I think it’s great.
MC: This season there are definite changes for Sam and Joel, and you are now living together. We are getting to also see Joel blossom on his own and come into his own in several different ways. Is it interesting for you to peel back the layers of Joel?
JH: Yeah, it is! It’s exciting. As an actor, it is exciting to play different things. I think what is really nice is that I do think of Joel as someone that l love and that I really like and I like that he is growing. Already in the first season, he laid out exactly what he wanted his life to be, and I like seeing him make choices to make that happen.
MC: So many people have a particular backstory for their favorite characters. Do you have a full origin story for Joel or are you just rolling with it as it comes?
JH: There is only so much backstory one can do, because then it’s like “whoops,” the next episode comes and you realize that you were wrong (laughs)! I do feel like I know him; there are certain lines where I won’t say a line a certain way because he wouldn’t say it that way.
MC: As an actor, it is probably crucial for you to get to know not just the material, but the person that you are portraying, is that fair to say?
JH: Yeah, absolutely! Like how he would respond to things. There are certain times you just have to make it work, though (laughs)!
MC: Working with Bridget Everett must be an absolutely dynamic and endlessly raucous experience. This season you even get motor-boated by her!
JH: (laughs) it was a real treat! It has happened before, I’m not going to lie, but it was nice to get it on film.
MC: What is one thing about working with Bridget Everett that people may not realize or be aware of?
JH: You might expect her to be someone who’s like “let’s party!” all the time, but she’s quiet and introspective. We also live together, so it’s kind of like “before the coffee, let’s be quiet” (laughs)! I really respect it!
MC: Murray Hill is a New York City legend and it is absolutely wonderful to see them getting their flowers right now. Being able to watch them get the recognition that they deserve must be a wonderfully cool experience for you.
JH: It is so cool. We were just texting, and—I don’t know what I can say—but he’s shooting a big movie. It’s so cool, on a big budget movie hanging out with movie stars, it’s so thrilling. I walked by a restaurant that we used to go to in Los Angeles together and we both wished the other was there and I said, “no I don’t—I wish you were filming your big ass movie” (laughs)!
MC: Now that Joel is single and ready to mingle, are we looking at Grindr or Scruff or a more traditional way of meeting someone? What kind of man is Joel attracted to?
JH: Well, I kind of know, that is a backstory that I know. I don’t think he’s ready for Grindr. I think he would be very sex positive, and I think that the thing for him that is the biggest turn on is emotional intimacy vs physical. I think he’s looking for something that is a little bit more romantic. I think he wants to meet someone in the world, you know?
MC: We’re all going to be spending the summer bingeing Season 2 of Somebody Somewhere so what does your own summer look like? Beach time, enjoying RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 8 maybe?
JH: I have a friend, a straight woman, whose cisgendered straight family owns a place in the Fire Island Pines, so I think I am going to spend some time there. Will I be watching Drag Race? Of course! I watch it immediately after it comes out!
MC: The LGBTQ community is receiving so much hate right now. From your perspective, how do you think the community can effectively push back from all of the rhetoric coming towards us?
JH: I think a big thing is to be out. Show that we’re human, that we’re all people. Right now, these politicians are using us as a way to rally their base to say, “look at these evil monsters,” and we’re not evil monsters. I think the other really big thing that we need to do is protect the kids; they’re coming for the kids?! We’ve come so far…when I was coming out, I didn’t tell anyone until I was 20. We finally got to a place where people are finally comfortable telling their families this and now the government is coming for them?! It’s so obviously craven and it’s such a distraction from the things that are really going on. ▼
Follow Jeff Hiller on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/boomboomhiller/?hl=en“
Michael Cook has been a part-time resident of Rehoboth Beach for over a decade. He is currently a contributor to Instinct Magazine, World of Wonder’s WOW Report, and South Florida Gay News.
Photos: Sandy Morris/HBO