Bridget Everett Reflects on Her Journey in HBO’s “Someone Someplace”

Bridget Everett shares her thoughts on the finale of “Someone Someplace,” an HBO series that draws inspiration from her own experiences. “I’m just not ready,” she expresses about the prospect of future roles, likening it to the aftermath of an exhilarating experience: “It’s like you just had the best sex of your life, and now someone wants to hold your hand.” This metaphor encapsulates her bold personality and wit, which she often infuses into her performances. The series showcases her character, Sam, a more reserved woman navigating her grief over a loved one’s death, illustrating her gradual journey towards self-discovery and community in her Kansas hometown.

During our lunch meeting in midtown Manhattan to discuss the poignant and uplifting final episodes of the show, Everett wears a necklace that reads “GAAO,” an acronym for “progress against all odds.” This phrase represents the heart of the final season, emphasizing the growth and resilience that characterize both her and Sam’s journeys. “Sam grows inch by inch,” Everett notes. In the refreshingly relatable world of “Someone Someplace,” these small steps translate into significant transformations. Everett herself has expanded creatively alongside her character, debuting an original love song in this season—an emotional highlight that resonates with both her and the audience.

Joining Everett for lunch is Mary Catherine Garrison, her longtime friend and former roommate, who portrays Trisha, Sam’s straight-laced sister. Garrison notes that Trisha’s character has also undergone substantial development throughout the series. “One of the things I love about this show is that these women are not 25; they are still learning, growing, and changing,” she says. By the series finale, Trisha has experienced a divorce, embraced Sam’s diverse group of friends, and launched a successful business selling pillows adorned with cheeky humor. One of Everett’s favorites features the phrase “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Cunts,” a clever nod to the show’s irreverent spirit, attributed to executive producer Carolyn Strauss.

Everett acknowledges the invaluable guidance she received from Strauss, known for her impressive resume that includes iconic HBO series like “The Sopranos” and “Sex and the City.” “Carolyn is a legend for a reason,” Everett remarks. “She manages to treat us all like friends while also teaching us.” Strauss contributed significantly to the ethos of “Someone Someplace,” advising against leaning too heavily into the term “cutie,” which is frequently used in the shared language of Sam’s friend group. This approach avoided turning it into a cliché, allowing the cast’s authentic chemistry to shine through, reflective of the show’s overall comedic style, which emphasizes genuine connections over traditional punchlines.

Strauss also coined the compelling tagline for “Someone Someplace,” describing it as a “coming of middle age” story—not just for Sam and Trisha, but also for supporting characters like Sam’s best friend, Joel (Jeff Hiller), who is navigating his first adult relationship alongside a crisis of faith. Under the guidance of creators Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, who collaborated with Everett to craft a narrative rooted in her personal experience of losing her sister to cancer, “Someone Someplace” makes a profound impact through its subtle, intimate moments. One of Sam’s significant steps this season is simply going to the doctor for a routine checkup, reflecting personal growth. The emotional climax of the finale features Sam singing a powerful rendition of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb,” highlighting the importance of connection and support.

This poignant exchange occurs between Sam and the character she affectionately refers to as “Iceland” (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson), the new tenant of her parents’ farmhouse, with whom she develops a tentative bond. Having previously collaborated on Maria Bamford’s absurdist Netflix series “Lady Dynamite,” Ólafsson shares a real-life familiarity with Everett that enhances their on-screen chemistry. “It’s not necessarily about Sam finding love and falling for someone,” Everett explains. “The connection is more about Iceland patiently admiring Sam, illustrating her journey of personal development as she pushes through her fears and insecurities.” This storyline emphasizes internal transformation over external validation, showcasing the character’s growth.

Although Everett and the writers were unaware that Season 3 would be the last as they were developing it, she believes that even if they had known, they wouldn’t have written a more dramatic finale. “I think it would be a disservice to the show to try to wrap everything up neatly,” Everett asserts. “We did what we thought was right for the characters at that time.” “Someone Someplace” has always balanced humor and pathos, organically blending laughter and tears. It concludes on a gracefully poignant note, as Sam and Trisha realize they’ve overlooked their late sister’s birthday, prompting a reflective conversation about the evolving nature of grief. “What I wanted for Sam and Trisha was to find each other,” Everett reflects. “To understand that they can learn from one another and enrich each other’s lives.”

In Everett’s perspective, she envisions the future trajectories of Sam, Trisha, and Joel, although she refrains from sharing specific arcs in hopes of a potential film. “We love this world, and we would happily stay in it for the rest of our lives, but that’s not necessarily how Hollywood operates,” she laughs. Despite the bittersweet conclusion, Everett expresses gratitude towards the audience and supporters who made this journey possible: “Only HBO would have given this show three seasons, and we appreciate that.” The very existence of any season, let alone three, Everett considers “a blessing and a miracle”—and she humorously adds that she believes God must appreciate the occasional irreverent humor.