Growing up in Manhattan, Kansas, Bridget Everett and her "blue sense of humor" never quite fit in. After moving to New York City and developing a cabaret show, she returned home for her HBO show Somebody Somewhere. The series is semi-autobiographical, about a woman struggling with self-worth and grief as she finds her people and her voice. Subscribe to Fresh Air's weekly newsletter and get highlights from the show, gems from the archive, and staff recommendations. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy
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My guest, Bridget Everett stars in the semi autobiographical HBO series Somebody Somewhere.
The third and final season begins Sunday, October 27th.
Everett is also known for her wild, raunchy cabaret performances in which she does stand up and sings.
In the New York Times, Stephen Holden wrote about her cabaret act.
Multiply the mouthy flesh jiggling early bette Midler by 100, give her the super plus sized figure and fashion sense of Divine, the John Waters diva and the manners of a Flintstone, and you've got a rough approximation of Bridget Everett.
Holden also described her singing voice as a formidable instrument.
In Somebody Somewhere, she plays Sam, a 40something woman who's returned home to Manhattan, Kansas to help care for her sister Holly, who is dying of cancer.
The series begins about six months after Holly's death.
Sam is still grieving in ways she doesn't even realize.
She has no direction, she's lost track of what makes her happy except singing, and she feels like a total outsider in her small hometown until she befriends Joel.
They work at the same office, which they both hate.
He's gay and single.
She's single too.
They share a sense of humor, have similar interests, confide in each other and love being in each other's company.
Joel reminds her they were in high school show choir together and he always loved her voice.