When Jeff Hiller received an Emmy for his work on “Somebody Somewhere,” the primary individuals to react have been his fellow nominees: Michael Urie (“Shrinking”), Colman Domingo (“The Four Seasons”) and Bowen Yang (“Saturday Night Live”) all instantly started rejoicing as if their very own names had been referred to as.
That his friends have been simply as delighted with his win as he was highlights Hiller’s dogged expertise. While 2025 turned his standout yr, culminating with the Emmy win, Hiller has labored in Hollywood for greater than 20 years, quietly churning out one-off characters in acclaimed comedies like “Ugly Betty,” “Community” and “30 Rock.” HBO’s “Somebody Somewhere,” the place he performed the supportive and hilarious Joel, marked his first function as a collection common. (HBO and NCS share guardian firm Warner Bros. Discovery.)
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is NCS’s “Annual Self-Assessment,” the place a few of the yr’s notable cultural figures look again on the memorable and not-so-memorable components of 2025 and say what they count on to see in 2026.
Starring Bridget Everett as a middle-aged lady compelled to maneuver again to her hometown, every episode of “Somebody Somewhere” is a tribute to the humorous, weird and intimate moments that include platonic love: from mutually struggling explosive diarrhea brought on by “St. Louis sushi” to investigating a sister’s doubtlessly dishonest husband.
While fictional, Joel’s compassion and care can’t assist however really feel like counterprogramming to the cynical on a regular basis horrors of violent deportations, open bigotry from main politicians, measles outbreaks and the return of entire milk (kidding! Kind of).
In his acceptance speech, Hiller described “Somebody Somewhere” as “a show about connecting and love in this time where compassion is seen as a weakness.” Just like Hiller’s second on the Emmys, Joel and the remainder of the solid are reminders of the facility of neighborhood.
Take it from the actor himself: There’s no higher technique to enter 2026 than by asking, “What would Joel do?”
Jeff Hiller describes his favourite second of 2025
NCS requested just a few of our favourite personalities of the yr to inform us a couple of second that also stands out from the previous twelve months.
The apparent reply is profitable an Emmy, however guess what? I’m not so apparent! The factor that sticks in my thoughts probably the most was the outpouring of affection DUE to profitable the Emmy, particularly a meme of the opposite homosexual nominees who appeared so genuinely completely satisfied that I had received, despite the fact that they have been nominated in the identical class. Michael Urie and Bowen Yang are mates who’ve seen the humiliating locations I’ve been in my profession, however Colman Domingo didn’t know me in any respect! He might simply really feel it. While a lot of the appears to be like on their faces have been utter SHOCK that I had received (honest), there was additionally real affection, kindness and admiration that I’ve by no means felt earlier than in my profession, and it touched me and can stick with me endlessly.
I’ve needed to put in writing a e book since I learn “To Kill A Mockingbird” within the sixth grade. It appeared like an not possible job, however by some means, this yr I revealed a e book that I wrote (no ghost author right here!). When I see it on cabinets in bookstores, I’m nonetheless shocked that I really did it, and despite the fact that I’ve a extremely horrible vanity — I’m pleased with it.
My good friend Evy does my hair and make-up for occasions and I used to be adamant that my hair for the Emmys be carried out a sure manner. I might inform she had misgivings, however she did it anyway. She was proper. And to the individuals on the web who mentioned my glasses have been too huge, I say… Okay, I’m taking it into consideration, thanks in your unsolicited recommendation.
I’m giving up quick vogue and focusing on shopping for classic high-end clothes. I’m doing this for ecological causes, and in addition ‘trigger I wanna look HAWT for cheaper.
Zohran Mamdani!
I’ve to say, it was a VERY tough yr for the world, however personally, issues went okay for me, however when issues get horrible, I did what I all the time do — laughed with mates and ate refined sugars.
AI is the plain reply, however I’m gonna add individuals who don’t consider within the local weather disaster whilst it’s knocking on the door with its flaming fingers.
W.W.J.D – “What would Joel do?” The character I performed on “Somebody Somewhere” is such an unbelievable particular person, crammed with love and missing in judgement that I’ve adopted his viewpoint on the world as my very own.
‘Somebody Somewhere’ is a present finally about friendship. What second of friendship are you holding shut from this yr?
When I received the Emmy, I regarded out into the viewers and noticed Bridget Everett, Murray Hill and the creators of the present, Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen. They have been standing, cheering, crying and overjoyed. Then afterward we went to a celebration and had martinis and mentioned issues like, “So many people will watch the show now!” and all of us took selfies holding the trophy and celebrated this stunning factor we had created collectively.
