The Real-People MVPs of 'Billy on the Street' and 'Nathan For You'

Scripted jokes are fine, we guess, but nothing can match the sheer hilarity of a real person doing something completely unexpected. And we get plenty of that these days, thanks to two Thursday night reality-comedies: truTV’s Billy on the Street, and Comedy Central’s Nathan For You.

The shows employ two very different approaches: Billy is a gonzo game show, with host Billy Eichner screaming absurd questions into the faces of unsuspecting New Yorkers; Nathan is a twisted take on a makeover show, with comedian Nathan Fielder offering to revitalize struggling businesses with ridiculous suggestions. But both are fueled by the unpredictable reactions of real people who find themselves in Billy and Nathan’s paths.

Related: ‘Billy on the Street’: Hilarious, Sure, But Also a Deep Pleasure

So since these real people have provided us with so many laughs — and we doubt they even saw a dime of payment — we’re celebrating them with a rundown of our favorite real people from past episodes of Billy and Nathan. It’s not a residual check… but it’s something.

Billy on the Street: Elena

A real brassy old broad and a New Yorker through and through, Elena was such a hit during this “Quizzed in the Face” appearance that Billy’s had her on the show several times since. And we can’t help falling in love with her, too, as she seems befuddled by Billy’s manic energy (“Why are you screaming at me? You’re a Republican?”), waves her MetroCard in his face (Billy’s response: “I am not threatened by that!”), and even shows a bit of sass (“I’m too smart for you”). They could rename the show Billy and Elena on the Street, and we’d be fine with that.

Nathan For You: Peter J. Marks, the attorney

Before Nathan pulls off his infamous “Dumb Starbucks” stunt, he consults sad-sack lawyer Peter J. Marks to make sure he’s on solid legal footing. He isn’t, really, Marks explains — but Nathan tricks him into signing a release that makes Marks legally liable if Nathan is sued. Things even get physical, with Nathan trying to rip the signed release out of Marks’s hands. Marks says it better than we could: “What kind of a lawyer am I? I’m signing s–t I haven’t read.”

Billy on the Street: Woman Who Thinks Denzel Washington Was in Phantom of the Opera

Denzel Washington never starred in Phantom of the Opera. But try telling this woman that. We never get her name, but she identifies herself as a big Denzel fan… although the fact that she can’t remember the name of her favorite Denzel movie should’ve been a red flag. (It’s Inside Man, ma'am.) Then she insists that Denzel played Phantom on Broadway (“Oh yes, he did, honey!”), which Billy vehemently (and loudly) denies. They bicker for a while, exchanging plenty of hand gestures, until Billy finally gives her a dollar “just to get you to shut up.”

Nathan For You: Simon, the security guard

When Nathan convinces a boutique owner to allow customers to shoplift — but only if they’re attractive — someone has to decide who makes the cut. And that someone is Simon, the store’s security guard, who has basically one criterion for female attractiveness: Do they have large breasts? (In his words: “It’s gotta be substantial.”) Hate on Simon all you want, but you have to respect a man who knows what he likes.

Billy on the Street: “Name a Woman” Girl

We’re sure “Name a Woman” Girl has many positive attributes, and is not as brainless as this video makes her appear. Still, Billy gives her a full 26 seconds to simply name a woman — any woman at all; she could’ve said her own name! — and she can’t do it. She seems bewildered by the question at first, but she clearly hears it and comprehends it, and still comes up with nothing. She even cries out, “Why is this so hard?” Some of us just crumble under pressure, we guess.

Nathan For You: Sue Stanford, the real-estate agent

Nathan has a crazy idea — selling homes by guaranteeing that they’re not haunted by ghosts — but he runs into an even crazier client in realtor Sue Stanford. When Nathan hires a psychic to check Sue’s listings for ghosts, Sue volunteers that she was actually choked by a malevolent spirit while in Switzerland. (Thanks for sharing!) And she is totally onboard when an exorcist shows up to rid a house of evil demons — and when he turns around and casts the demons out of Sue’s body in a truly bizarre ritual. Even the normally unflappable Nathan can’t believe what he’s seeing.

Billy on the Street: Mr. Singh

We like just about everything about the bearded, turban-clad Mr. Singh: his nonplussed reaction to being accosted by Billy; his ruthless take on Lindsay Lohan (“She never went near a college… I think she’s spending her time near a courthouse”); his serene outlook on the fragility of life (“Sooner or later, we are all out of the games”). If Elena’s ever busy, we say bring this guy back for an encore appearance.

Nathan For You: Salomon and Rachel

Here, Nathan sends his sweet-natured punching bag of an employee, Salomon, out on a blind date with the squeaky-voiced Rachel, who was a contestant on Nathan’s fake dating show The Hunk. What follows is three minutes of excruciating awkwardness, all set in a Quiznos where Salomon is forced to plug the store every five minutes. (“Did you know the Baja Chicken has chef-inspired sauces?”) We don’t believe these two made a love connection… but we love them for trying.

Billy on the Street: Peaches

First of all: The woman’s name is Peaches. (And that is her real name; Billy asks!) And when asked to identify a series of very graphic sexual maneuvers in front of a portrait of TV’s Mr. Rogers, she holds up admirably — even though she doesn’t do great. She’s understandably scandalized by the questions (“Okay, you got me on that one!”) before dissolving into giggles, and has to wear a Mr. Lion mascot head as punishment for losing. And hey, we never found out how she hurt her arm!

Nathan For You: Brian Wolfe, the private investigator

Most of Nathan’s clients politely play along with his off-the-wall business ideas… but Brian Wolfe doesn’t play. The tough-guy P.I. isn’t excited when Nathan offers to help boost his Yelp rating (“I don’t give a f–k about Yelp”), and generally regards Nathan as a pathetic goofball. As Brian later tells him, “You have no friends. That’s why you’re the Wizard of Loneliness.” Wolfe actually scored his own reality show out of this appearance — so he owes the Wizard of Loneliness a thank-you card, at least.

Billy on the Street airs Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. on truTV; Nathan For You airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central.