cover of episode Best Of: Bridget Everett / Nick Harkaway, John le Carré's Son

Best Of: Bridget Everett / Nick Harkaway, John le Carré's Son

2024/10/26
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Fresh Air

Key Insights

Why does Bridget Everett feel like an outsider in her HBO series 'Somebody Somewhere'?

She returns to Kansas to care for her dying sister and stays, but struggles to find her place until she joins the LGBTQ community.

Why did Nick Harkaway create the character Miss Lala for the lingerie catalog?

To express joy in the ridiculousness and beauty of the lingerie, rather than focusing on erotic details.

Why is George Smiley significant in Nick Harkaway's novel 'Carla's Choice'?

He is a British spymaster made famous by Harkaway's father, John le Carré, in his books.

Why did Bridget Everett take on the role of writing copy for a lingerie catalog?

A friend ran a boutique and needed someone to write text for their catalog in the voice of Miss Lala.

Chapters

Bridget Everett discusses her journey from cabaret singer to starring in the HBO series 'Somebody Somewhere', a semi-autobiographical show about finding community and identity.
  • Everett's character in 'Somebody Somewhere' mirrors her own struggles with identity and belonging.
  • The series explores themes of grief, friendship, and finding one's place in a community.
  • Everett's cabaret performances are described as wild and raunchy, reflecting her bold personality.

Shownotes Transcript

The HBO series* Somebody Somewhere *is about a 40-something woman who returns home to Kansas to care for her dying sister, then stays, but feels like an outsider until she finds a place in the LGBTQ community. We talk Bridget Everett, star of the series, who is also an acclaimed (and bawdy) cabaret singer. Also, writer Nick Harkaway talks about his novel Karla's Choice. It's a new story about George Smiley, the British spymaster made famous in the books written by Harkaway's late father, John le Carré. Ken Tucker reviews a new biography of Randy Newman.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)