This is Fresh Air. I'm David Bean Cooley, professor of television studies at Rowan University in New Jersey, sitting in for Terry Gross.

The HBO comedy series Barry, about a hitman who pursues an acting career, is nominated for six Emmys this year, including Outstanding Comedy Series.

Today, we feature interviews with Bill Hader, whose stars in it, and co-created co-rights and his one of its directors, and with Henry Winkler, who co-stars in the series.

Both of them have won Emmys for their respective lead and supporting roles, and are nominated again this year.

Here's a scene from the recently completed third season, which got increasingly unpredictable, dark, and impressively original.

Barry, played by Hader, is in a store shopping for clothes, while at the same time trying to dictate into his iPhone, an apologetic email to his girlfriend Sally.

As he recites his stiffly-composed message, we hear the piped-in shopping mall music, and see the alarmed expressions of the other shoppers as they hear the content of Barry's email.

Barry, after all, is guilty of doing some pretty creepy things.

Hey, Sally, exclamation point. I just wanted to say I appreciate you for calling me out, for being a quote, violent ass-**-**-and-quote.

I am sorry for all the s**t I put you through over the past couple of weeks.

Perenthices, yelling at you at work, comma, offering to break into your boss's house, comma, take sleeping pictures of her, etc., etc.

In parentheses, wincing emoji.

Bill Hader became famous as a performer and writer on Saturday Night Live, Terry talked with Hader in 2019 after the first season of Barry.

Barry is a Marine who has suffered from depression and PTSD ever since returning from Afghanistan.

He's become a hitman, using his deadly skills to kill people for hire.

As Barry pursues his latest target, he follows him to an acting class.

Barry ends up being dragged up on stage for an acting exercise and oddly enjoys it.

In this scene from season 1, Barry asks the acting teacher, Jean Kusinau, if he can join the class.

Kusinau is played by Henry Winkler.

Hey, Miss Kusinau, I was wondering, um, do you think I was good enough to be in your class?

No, Barry, I don't. What you did was dog s**t.

I mean, really, really awful. Tell him acting, I call it. Do you know why?

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