Bridget Everett on the series finale of ‘Somebody Somewhere’ and not giving up on yourself: NPR

Sam, played by Bridget Everett, moves back to her hometown in Kansas to care for her terminally ill sister.

Chuck Hodes/HBO

Hide caption

Toggle label

Chuck Hodes/HBO

On the Peabody Award-winning show Someone Somewhere, Actress and comedian Bridget Everett plays Sam, a woman in her 40s who returns to her hometown of Manhattan, Kansas, to care for her dying sister.

The story is semi-autobiographical. Everett grew up in Kansas and lost her own sister to cancer. Through the seriesSam rediscovers her passion for singing – a nod to Everett’s own skills as a cabaret artist.

In the first episode of Someone SomewhereSam reconnects with Joel, a coworker and former high school classmate, who invites her to a “choir rehearsal” – an open mic evening (and a largely queer gathering).

The friendship between Sam and Joel played by Jeff Hilleris at the center of a story about reinvention and finding your people.

Someone Somewhere airs its final episode on December 8th. Morning edition‘s A Martinez spoke with Everett before the series finale.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

A Martinez: For those who haven’t seen it: describe it Someone Somewhere. What is it about? What is the original pitch?

Bridget Everett: Ultimately I think it’s about friendship and it’s about grief and not giving up on yourself and the little moments between people and less about the plot, the struggles with self-esteem and self-doubt – those are all things that I can relate to can Zu. So we incorporated a lot of Bridget into the show, but it’s almost like I didn’t move to New York, but what my life would be like if I had stayed in Kansas.

Martínez: Now you mentioned self-worth. Sam is very self-deprecating. Me too. And I think because I’ve been doing it for so long, I know that it’s like a thin shield for that lack of self-esteem. Why are we doing this to ourselves?

Everett: I don’t know. But at some point you start listening to these voices. I think there’s something to that. I grew up as the youngest of six children. And we all made fun of each other until someone cried. And usually it was me because I’m the youngest. But then you just take it as a way of life. But you do that year after year, decade after decade. And after a while you just think, well, maybe that’s true.

Bridget Everett brought her own singing skills to the role of Sam.

Sandy Morris/HBO

Hide caption

Toggle label

Sandy Morris/HBO

Martínez: There’s a scene that I’ve thought about quite a bit. It’s in the second to last episode. You have a slumber party with Joel and Sam asks Joel what’s wrong because he looks like he’s going through something. Maybe he’s not his normal, bubbly self. And the question makes Joel cry. “Things in my life are wonderful. Why isn’t that enough?” asks Joel. “Well, what’s wrong with wanting a little more?” Sam says.

Allow me to play TV critic for a second, Bridget. For me that’s the whole show. That’s the whole thesis of the show. It’s almost like no matter what happens, sometimes you find ways not to acknowledge the good things in life. Why do you think people do this?

Everett: I don’t know. And I also think what’s ironic is that over the course of three seasons, Sam has learned to be a better friend and stand up for Joel because he’s an incredible friend to her.

Martínez: I wanted to be mean and say that Sam doesn’t deserve Joel, but everyone deserves someone good in their life.

Everett: Well, yes, but that’s the thing. Sam has a hard time believing she deserves someone like Joel. He is constantly there for her and constantly helps her realize her own worth and value. And what I love about the show is that it’s a relationship that strengthens it, it’s a friendship that’s at the core of the show. There are people for whom friendship is the center of their lives. And I love that this show celebrates that. And that is no less important and no less valuable to her than a romantic relationship.

Joel (left) and Sam (right) quickly become friends.

Sandy Morris/HBO

Hide caption

Toggle label

Sandy Morris/HBO

Martínez: It’s like you’re soulmates, but you’re not romantically linked. But you know what? There were a few times where I thought, “Are they going to kiss?”

Everett: In all the press we’ve put out, you’re the first to say that. But you know what? Maybe it’s worth a try. Maybe for the reunion film?

Martínez: OK, the show ends on Sunday. Can you tell us something we should pay attention to? Because writing the ending to this series must be really hard. When you get to the point where you think: Okay, this is it, this will be the last one we do.

Everett: Well, we didn’t really know at the time that this would be the last one. We just end each season on time as a snapshot because it doesn’t feel right to end the show. I want people to think about Joel and Sam and all the characters from time to time and wonder what they’re up to. And maybe one day they’ll come back. You never know. But I just want people to watch because I think it’s better to just experience it than hear what’s coming.

Martínez: Have you figured out why the show meant so much to so many people?

Everett: I was kind of surprised because I enjoyed engaging with Sam about her self-esteem, her listlessness, and her inability to connect with other people. And I thought, Oh, this is my experience, but will anyone understand it? And it showed me that I’m not as unique as I think I am. There are a lot of people struggling with the same things.

Martínez: Do you think we might be in a moment where a show like this hits the perfect note at the right time?

Everett: I do. Certainly this show is in some ways at odds with the elections and transition in the country. And I know there are a lot of people who see themselves reflected on the show and don’t feel so good about how things are going or where they’re going. And they don’t feel particularly safe or protected. And this show feels comforting to her. And probably one of the things that I’m most proud of is that this is something that brings comfort to people because we all have to endure a lot of things that many of us find very disturbing.

The radio version of this story was edited by Phil Harrell.