From Viral Prank to Hulu Series: the Real Story Behind ‘Chad Powers’
LOS ANGELES, CA - What began as a cleverly disguised, one-time football stunt has blossomed into a full-fledged Hulu comedy, “Chad Powers.” The series, starring Glen Powell and created with Jared Waldron, isn’t just a humorous take on underdog stories; it’s a reflection of our current cultural moment, grappling with accountability, reinvention, and the complexities of public perception.
The genesis of “Chad Powers” lies in a 2022 promotional video for Peyton Manning‘s Omaha Productions. Manning, disguised as the fictional Chad Powers – a perpetually overlooked and hilariously inept football hopeful - attempted to walk-on at a college football team. the video quickly went viral, capturing the internet’s attention with its comedic timing and relatable portrayal of chasing a dream.
But the creators saw potential beyond a fleeting internet moment. Powell and Waldron recognized the video tapped into a larger conversation about second chances and the pressures of modern life. “We wanted this to take place in the real world of right now,” Waldron explained. “That meant real pain, real consequences to the things you say or do.”
The series expands on the premise,exploring the fallout of maintaining a prolonged deception. Unlike classic “disguise” comedies like tootsie or Mrs. doubtfire, where the ruse culminates in a reveal, “Chad Powers” delves into the ongoing repercussions of the lie. “Now more than ever with the internet, people feel like they can’t make any mistake,” Waldron noted. “if they do, they’ve been trained from a million different sources to certainly not to say they’re sorry, not to take accountability.” He argues that the true challenge today isn’t simply receiving forgiveness, but embracing obligation in a culture often incentivizing deflection.
The show’s creators were struck by the resonance of Manning’s initial prank, and the desire audiences expressed for a fresh start. “It’s a question that extends beyond the fictional Holliday,” regarding the character played by Powell. “Manning’s brief turn as Chad powers was never meant to last, yet its resonance showed how audiences cling to the fantasy of starting over, even if only in jest.” The series asks what happens when a disguise isn’t a joke, but a necessary means of survival, and the mask becomes the only identity the world will accept.
Ultimately, Powell hopes the series offers a message of hope. “This show is really about hope, second chances, and redemption, which is something I think we all need right now,” he stated. “If it fills people up with the spirit of humanity, lifting them up rather than kicking them while they’re down, then I think that’s a huge victory.”
(Image courtesy of Disney)
