Created and Executive Produced by David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith , " Hard Times " is an irreverent half-hour coming-of-age series that orbits the hilariously-hellish life of RJ Berger , a desperately-unpopular fifteen-year-old . When RJ 's anatomical gift is dramatically revealed in front of the whole school , he goes from anonymous to infamous , and finds his first sliver of confidence . But with each step he takes towards popularity , RJ takes ten steps back as he deals with a best friend trying to capitalize on his newfound fame , a student body with no shortage of cruel jokes , and a truly insane home life .