Bridget Everett reflects on the emotional intricacies of “Someone Someplace,” the HBO series that draws inspiration from her own life experiences, in a uniquely candid manner. “I’m simply not ready,” she shares about potential future roles. “It feels like you just had the best sex of your life, and now someone wants to hold your hand.” This bold and humorous metaphor encapsulates the essence of Everett’s vibrant stage persona, which is characterized by a mix of raunchy humor and empowering performances. Unlike her character Sam, who is introverted and has spent three seasons grappling with the loss of a cherished family member, Everett embodies a lively spirit that shines through in her work.

During our meeting at a bustling restaurant in midtown Manhattan to discuss the poignant and uplifting final episodes of the series, Everett adorns herself with a necklace that reads “GAAO,” which stands for “progress against all odds.” This phrase serves as the motivational mantra for the final season, symbolizing both personal growth and resilience. Sam’s journey has been one of gradual transformation. Over three seasons, she learns to find community within her Kansas hometown, gradually breaking out of her shell and embracing life. Everett’s portrayal of Sam is a testament to the power of small yet significant changes in personal identity and relationships.

“Sam grows inch by inch,” states Everett, emphasizing that in the refreshingly relatable world of “Someone Someplace,” even the smallest evolutions equate to monumental achievements. Similar to her character, Everett has expanded her artistic horizons; the final season features an original love song, marking a significant milestone in her career — one not dedicated to her beloved dog. This poignant performance, shared with actor Tim Bagley, evokes deep emotions and showcases the show’s artistic depth. Although the series has maintained a modest budget and viewership, its loyal fanbase, including the esteemed Peabody Awards jury, will feel a profound sense of loss as the story comes to an end.

Joining us for lunch is Mary Catherine Garrison, a close friend and former roommate of Everett’s. Garrison portrays Trisha, Sam’s no-nonsense sister, who also experiences significant personal growth throughout the series. The third season humorously highlights Sam’s friends frequently ordering extra food “for the table.” In that spirit, the three of us share a plate of fries alongside our salads, reflecting the show’s themes of friendship and support. “One of the things I love about this show is that these women are not 25; they’re still very much learning, growing, and evolving,” Garrison remarks. By the series’ conclusion, Trisha has not only navigated divorce but has also embraced Sam’s community of predominantly queer and trans friends while establishing a successful business selling pillows with cheeky, pun-filled sayings. One of Everett’s favorites reads, “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Cunts,” a gem credited to executive producer and former HBO entertainment president Carolyn Strauss.

Everett praises Strauss, whose impressive resume includes iconic HBO series like “The Sopranos” and “Sex and the City,” for her invaluable mentorship during Everett’s first experience as a lead creative. “Carolyn is a legend for a reason,” Everett shares. “She somehow treats us all like friends, uplifting us while still imparting wisdom.” Among Strauss’ impactful contributions to the “Someone Someplace” philosophy is her advice against overemphasizing the term “cutie,” a popular descriptor within Sam’s friend group. The intention was to prevent it from becoming a clichéd catchphrase that could stifle the organic chemistry among the cast, allowing their genuine interactions to shine. This approach aligns with the show’s overall comedic style, which relies more on authentic relationships than on traditional punchlines.

Strauss also coined the compelling tagline for “Someone Someplace,” characterizing the show as a “coming of middle age” narrative. This theme resonates not only with Sam and Trisha but also with other characters like Sam’s best friend, Joel (Jeff Hiller), a queer Christian navigating the complexities of his first adult relationship alongside a crisis of faith. Under the creative guidance of Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, who collaborated closely with Everett to craft a series rooted in her personal experience of losing her sister to cancer, “Someone Someplace” profoundly impacts its audience through its quiet yet powerful moments. One of Sam’s most significant steps forward this season involves simply taking the initiative to schedule a doctor’s appointment for a routine checkup. The emotional climax of the finale, featuring Sam passionately singing Miley Cyrus’s “The Climb,” culminates in a poignant exchange where one character accepts a heartfelt hug from another.

This touching moment occurs between Sam and the man she affectionately nicknames “Iceland” (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson), the new occupant of her parents’ farmhouse, with whom she forges a tentative connection. Ólafsson and Everett previously collaborated on Maria Bamford’s quirky Netflix series “Lady Dynamite.” Their on-screen chemistry is enhanced by their off-screen familiarity. “The story isn’t necessarily about Sam finding love in a romantic sense,” Everett explains regarding their flirtation. “It conveys that she is striving for personal growth. She is attempting to navigate her fears and insecurities.” This narrative arc emphasizes internal transformation over external validation, illustrating a deeper exploration of character development.

Everett and the writing team were unaware that Season 3 would mark the series’ conclusion during its planning stages. However, even if they had known, they wouldn’t have crafted a more dramatic finale. “I think it would be a disservice to the show to try to neatly wrap everything up,” Everett asserts. “We approached it with the intention of doing what felt right for the characters in that moment.” The beauty of “Someone Someplace” lies in its refusal to overindulge in either comedy or pathos, allowing it to achieve laughter and tears in a refreshingly authentic manner. The series concludes on a gracefully poignant note as Sam and Trisha realize they’ve overlooked their late sister’s birthday. The two sisters reflect on the evolving nature of grief in a conversation that beautifully ties the series’ themes together. “What I wanted for Sam and Trisha was to find one another,” Everett expresses. “To understand that they would learn from each other and enrich one another’s lives.”

In Everett’s vision, she has a clear understanding of where Sam, Trish, and Joel’s journeys will lead them in the years to come, though she chooses to keep those arcs private in hopes of potentially creating a movie someday. “We cherish this world, and we would be thrilled to remain in it for the rest of our lives, but that’s not how Hollywood operates,” she laughs. Despite the bittersweet nature of the series’ ending, Everett expresses her gratitude towards the supporters who made this journey possible: “Only HBO would have given this show three seasons, and we recognize that.” The mere fact that any season exists, let alone three, Everett considers “a blessing and a miracle,” humorously adding that she believes God might appreciate the occasional crude joke.