Chad Powers Showrunner Explains the Joy of Writing the Character's Hilarious Nonsense
Michael Waldron, showrunner of Hulu's Chad Powers, says the most enjoyable scenes to write are the title character's bizarre, roundabout answers to personal questions. He credits the comedy to Glen Powell's delivery and the reactions of other characters, noting that the approach is to go with the first stupidest thought that comes to mind. Waldron also mentions a cut scene where Chad claims he must manually control his own heart and gut enzymes.
The showrunner's creative approach relies heavily on the ensemble's reactions to Chad's nonsensical monologues, treating the character's obliviousness as a comedic engine. A deleted scene from the season two premiere featured Chad claiming he must manually operate his heart and gut enzymes, a bit Waldron found hilariously self-indulgent despite cutting it.
The series intentionally limits itself to six half-hour episodes per season. Waldron has mapped out a potential third season exploring a Peter Parker/Spider-Man duality, contrasting with the current Bruce Wayne/Batman parallel, as Russ grapples with whether he can ever be comfortable as his original self again.
This approach could influence how streaming comedies prioritize character-driven absurdity over traditional plot structures. Audiences may find escapist comfort in a protagonist whose obliviousness provides low-stakes humor, potentially shaping expectations for lighthearted entertainment. Writers might also embrace "first stupidest thought" dialogue techniques, though the reliance on a star's delivery could make such comedic formulas difficult to replicate across other productions.