Jeff Hiller on the legacy of ‘Somebody Somewhere’ & why ‘Showgirls’ is enduring trash
Somebody Somewhere comes to an end.For three seasons, the warm, gentle, and frequently laugh-out-loud HBO series has felt like a big hug in these trying times, reminding us that chosen family can be found anywhere—even in rural, small-town America.At the heart of it all is the ride-or-die connection between Sam (comedy icon & series co-creator Bridget Everett) and her big-hearted bestie Joel, a long overdue showcase for the always reliable, out actor Jeff Hiller.
Having followed along on the lovable Joel’s journey to find self-acceptance and community, Hiller’s vulnerable performance will make it especially hard to say goodbye.It’s not so much that Somebody Somewhere has made the world a better place (though, surely, introducing us to the magic of “teeny ‘tinis” is a plus), but that it’s reminded us to find the joy in the world that’s always existed around us, in the spaces often overlooked or under-appreciated.In Hiller’s view, that’s exactly why the gift of this series is “bigger than just a job” for him.“Bridget Everett always says the show is a reminder not to give up on yourself, and that is exactly what it has done for me,” he shares with Queerty. “I spent the last 25 years trying to be an actor and being told I was too gay, too ugly, too old to play anything other than a snooty waiter.
This show has given me the gift to say that my story is valid too. I hope it inspires other actors, writers, performers to say, ‘Hey.
I have a story that deserves to be shared too!’ I hope they share it. I also hope they cast me in it. What? It’s our last season.
