Hulu’s First Show: Western Comedy Created by Star Trek Star
hulu’s Forgotten Western Comedy: The Star Trek Star Behind “Quick Draw”
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Hulu’s early days as a streaming service where marked by aspiring original programming, and among its first forays was a quirky Western comedy titled “Quick Draw.” What makes this show especially noteworthy is its creator: Nancy Hower, an actress perhaps best known for her role in Star Trek: Generations. In an era where streaming services are constantly vying for attention with high-budget dramas and reality TV, “Quick Draw” stands out as a unique, albeit somewhat forgotten, piece of Hulu’s history.
A Harvard Grad in the Wild West: the premise of “Quick Draw”
“Quick Draw” carved its niche in the television landscape by blending the ruggedness of the Western genre with the absurdity of comedy. The series centered on Sheriff John Henry Hoyle,portrayed by John Lehr. Hoyle wasn’t your typical stoic lawman; he was a recent Harvard graduate who, in a rather unconventional move, decided to bring his academic knowledge to the dusty streets of Great Bend, Kansas.
As a city boy out of his element, Hoyle’s approach to law enforcement was anything but customary. He attempted to introduce the concept of forensics to the unsuspecting townsfolk,hoping to leverage scientific methods to apprehend notorious rustlers.This fish-out-of-water premise set the stage for a show that could have easily leaned into earnest historical detective work.
Though, Hower and Lehr steered “Quick Draw” firmly into the realm of broad comedy. The character of Sheriff Hoyle was deliberately portrayed as whiny and often incompetent,much to the chagrin of the townspeople who universally disliked him. The show embraced modern,colloquial language,and much of its humor stemmed from Lehr’s masterful depiction of social awkwardness. The series’ own tagline perfectly encapsulated this: “It takes a brave man to be this clueless.”
This comedic approach,coupled with the Western setting,drew comparisons to other popular 1990s shows that played with the genre,such as “Legend,” “jack of All Trades,” and “the Adventures of Brisco County,Jr.” “Quick Draw” offered a refreshing, if unconventional, take on the Western, prioritizing laughs over grit.
A Surprising Run: “Quick Draw” on Hulu
Against the odds, “Quick Draw” managed to secure more than just a single season. In 2013, when Disney had not yet acquired a majority stake in Hulu, the streaming service was actively exploring diverse original content. “Quick Draw” was announced alongside another original series, “The Awesomes,” signaling Hulu’s early commitment to expanding its programming.
While “Quick Draw” didn’t achieve the monumental success of later hits like “Ted Lasso,” it was a significant investment for Hulu at the time. The show aired a total of 18 episodes across its two seasons, a testament to the platform’s willingness to nurture its nascent original content library.
The “Quick Draw” Mixology Webisodes
Adding another layer to the “Quick Draw” experience, the series also released eight mid-season “webisodes.” These online-exclusive segments featured Lehr alongside a real bartender named Lavinia Webb, delving into the art of mixology. the webisodes taught viewers how to craft authentic 19th-century cocktails, with lehr attempting to inject his signature humor into the lessons, often to the stoic Webb’s unimpressed reactions.
An Oddity in the Hulu Library
“Quick draw” ultimately rode off into the sunset in October 2014, leaving behind a legacy as a peculiar but memorable part of Hulu’s early original offerings. Many of the shows released by Hulu in the early 2010s have faded into obscurity,frequently enough victims of limited publicity and the rapidly evolving streaming landscape.
Despite its relatively short run and eventual status as a cult classic, “Quick draw” remains an fascinating footnote in television history, showcasing the creative risks taken by streaming services in their formative years. Meanwhile, Nancy Hower, the creative force behind the show, continued to build her career, leaving “Quick Draw” as a unique feather in her cap.