From Modern Love: Bridget Everett Says a Best Friend Can Be Your Greatest Love
Nov 30, 2024
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Bridget Everett, an actor, singer, and comedian known for her role in HBO's 'Somebody Somewhere', shares insightful reflections on the power of friendship as a vital form of love. She emphasizes how platonic relationships shape personal growth, drawing parallels between her character Sam and her own life experiences. Through humorous anecdotes, she explores the intimacy of best friendships and reads an essay about an unexpected platonic romance, celebrating the deep connections that can emerge in life's unpredictable journey.
Bridget Everett emphasizes that platonic friendships can be as emotionally fulfilling as romantic relationships, highlighting their profound impact on personal growth.
The podcast contrasts traditional romantic narratives by showcasing the intimate and supportive bond between Sam and Joel, redefining what it means to have 'your person.'
Deep dives
The Power of Platonic Love
Platonic love is explored as a deeply impactful form of connection, emphasizing its strength over romantic relationships. Bridget Everett shares her experience of portraying Sam in the HBO series 'Somebody Somewhere', detailing how the character's friendship with Joel revitalizes her passion for singing and restores her self-confidence. Their bond highlights the significance of non-romantic love, as the duo navigates life together, supporting each other through struggles and joys. This poignant connection serves as a reminder that friendships can provide profound emotional fulfillment and companionship.
Friendship as a Central Theme
The podcast delves into the central theme of friendship in 'Somebody Somewhere', contrasting it with the typical romantic love narrative found in many stories. Bridget discusses how the show's depiction of Sam and Joel's relationship transcends traditional definitions of love, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to have 'your person.' This friendship serves as a safe space for both characters, allowing them to be vulnerable and authentic without the complexities often associated with romantic connections. The conversation illustrates how meaningful friendships can enrich lives, especially during times of change and personal growth.
Navigating Self-Doubt and Growth
Bridget Everett reflects on the common themes of self-doubt and personal growth portrayed in 'Somebody Somewhere', drawing parallels between her experiences and those of her character, Sam. Despite grappling with feelings of inadequacy and fear, Sam's journey toward embracing vulnerability is mirrored by Bridget's own willingness to navigate her social anxieties. The discussion highlights the transformative power of supportive friendships, as Joel encourages Sam to take risks and re-engage with her love for music. This shared experience underscores the idea that true growth often occurs when we confront our fears and allow others to help us flourish.
Intimate Moments in Friendship
The podcast emphasizes the intimate and affectionate moments that define Sam and Joel's friendship, portraying a level of closeness that challenges conventional views of platonic relationships. Bridget recounts a touching scene where Sam helps Joel's boyfriend write a love song as a surprise, showcasing her commitment to supporting those she loves. This act of kindness illustrates that platonic love can involve profound emotional expression and care, similar to romantic gestures. Such moments remind listeners that friendships can be just as powerful and meaningful as traditional romantic relationships.
We’re off for Thanksgiving weekend, but we are excited to bring you a great episode of the Modern Love podcast.
Stories of romantic love are everywhere, but the actor, singer and comedian Bridget Everett says great friendships deserve our time and attention, too. Not just onscreen, but in reality.
On the HBO Original series “Somebody Somewhere” (now in its third and final season), Everett stars as Sam, a character inspired by the actor’s own life. She tells the Modern Love host Anna Martin about how heartbreaking, hilarious and central platonic friendship is in the fictional world of the show, and in Everett’s own relationships.
Everett also reads a Modern Love essay called “When Your Greatest Romance Is a Friendship,” by the novelist Victor Lodato. Lodato was in his 40s when he accidentally found his “person” and became the platonic life partner of an artist in her 80s who lived across the street.
“Somebody Somewhere” is now streaming on Max. To listen to more episodes, please search Modern Love wherever you get your podcasts.
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