Billy Eichner is reflecting on the future of Billy on the Street and leaving the door open, at least slightly, to a possible return of the cult-favorite comedy series. In a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, the 47-year-old actor and comedian discussed how the street interview show has continued to resonate years after its original run ended.
Billy on the Street launched in 2011 and ran through 2017, first through Funny or Die and later on Fuse and truTV. The series became known for its fast-paced, chaotic style, with Eichner roaming New York City and stopping strangers to quiz them on pop culture. The show also regularly featured celebrity guests, adding to its unpredictable appeal and helping it build a devoted fan base online.
Eichner said the show’s lasting popularity has been surprising. He noted that it has “sustained in a very unexpected way” and called it something that “you cannot plan for.” While he previously brought the format back briefly with Will Ferrell during Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign, he said he once felt strongly that he could never revisit it again.
For a time, Eichner said he felt he had to “draw a line in the sand” and move on. But over time, he has become more open to the possibility, especially because of the strong response from fans. He pointed out that internet reactions to the show are different from the typical snark that can surround him online. Under Billy on the Street clips, he said, the comments often show deep affection from viewers who consider it one of their favorite things.
Eichner said fans frequently ask him to bring the show back, saying the world feels especially difficult and that they want something joyful and funny. He said that support has touched him and made him want to honor the audience that embraced the series. At the same time, he made clear that the show no longer gives him the same creative fulfillment it once did and does not fully align with the kind of artist he wants to be, since it is not traditional acting.
Still, Eichner emphasized that he is proud of what the show accomplished. He also said he wants to maintain a more eclectic career, suggesting he is looking for a balance between different kinds of work. His therapist, he joked, would encourage him to believe he can do both.
Eichner said he is not planning to make full half-hour episodes of Billy on the Street again, but conversations about what a future version could look like are ongoing. He did not offer a concrete answer, but his comments suggest that while a full revival is unlikely, a new format or occasional return has not been ruled out.
The comedian also recently released his audio-only memoir, Billy on Billy, as he continues to explore new creative paths beyond the viral series that made him a pop-culture favorite.
