What makes Barry such a special show is how masterfully Bill Hader and Alec Berg executed a concept that might have quickly run dry. After all, it is a show about a depressed hitman trying to leave that life behind and start anew as an actor in LA. But the series is unpredictable—often jarringly so. It’s a dark comedy that often puts a whole lot of emphasis on the dark—so much murder and despair!—only to pivot to gangster NoHo Hank in a blond wig at a Lululemon store. This is all to say, Barry contains so many multitudes it is astounding. But this is also a show with Bill Hader, one of the more giggly recent members of the Saturday Night Live cast. For years fans have wondered if we’d ever see a Barry blooper reel. And ahead of the season three premiere, HBO finally delivered.
The downside is that the clip is just three minutes.
The Barry blooper reel is a collection of outtakes across the first two seasons. This means it also serves as a little bit of a walk down memory lane. It’s also a reminder—should we ever forget—that this show features some of the funniest people on the planet. I, for one, will forever wonder how many takes it took to get through a take beginning with, “Barry, it’s me, NoHo Hank!” Between Henry Winkler’s outlandish acting teacher and Anthony Carrigan’s über positive but menacing Chechen mob boss, it’s a wonder Hader makes it through without laughing after a dozen takes.
Barry is without a doubt one of the best shows on television right now. After a nearly three-year hiatus, the beloved show is back—and somehow more stressful than ever. Barry is still on his existential journey of self-discovery and is trying to make it as an actor. But more than ever he just cannot outrun his very deadly past. especially considering it’s still technically his present. Will Gene confront Barry about his role in Janet’s murder? Will Barry, like Sally, land the opportunity to sign with Gersh? Is NoHo Hank’s alliance with the Bolivians going to last? (Probably not.)
After years of waiting, the answers are finally on their way. But they’ll probably bring a whole new set of questions with them.
Barry season three debuts on April 24, 2022.