‘We could do this show forever': ‘Somebody Somewhere' creators on final season, heart, and the humor of Bridget Everett

Yahoo

2 days ago

"We could do this show forever. We love it so much."
Those are the shared sentiments of Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, the creators of HBO's critically acclaimed series Somebody Somewhere, who recently sat down with Gold Derby to reflect on the show's exploration of love, chosen family, and Midwest quirks — as well as its abrupt conclusion after three beloved seasons. Created for and starring Bridget Everett, the series earned a Peabody Award and multiple critical accolades for its tender yet hilarious portrayal of life in Manhattan, Kan.
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While HBO did not pick up the series for a fourth season, the creators are satisfied with how things ended. "Yes, we're sad that it's over, but we're happy that it gets to be out there forever," says Bos. "Especially now... the world feels a little bit weirder, so it's nice to have a comforting show out in the world."
Thureen elaborates, "This show has always been about moments in time. We always felt like every season could be the last. All we could do was do the best we could and spend time with these characters in this moment. Even though we didn't write that final episode to be a series finale, the fact that it ends with Joel saying to Sam, 'You're my person,' which is the central love story of the show, in retrospect feels like a great conclusion."
"To us, this isn't the end — they're still out there, living their lives," Bos adds.
The heart of Somebody Somewhere lies in its deeply personal collaboration with Everett, who plays Sam, a character loosely inspired by Everett's own life. As Bos notes, "She's the best. She's so inspiring. When we brought her the idea of the world and a lot of what happens in the pilot, it really spoke to her."
"We [started out] making our own work in New York, just like Bridget did," Thureen adds. "All these people — Murray Hill, Jeff Hiller — they didn't have a spot, so they made their own thing. This 'group of misfits making something together' is sort of in the bones of the show."
For Everett, connecting to her singing roots through the series was vital. Bos describes how that arc mirrored Everett's journey as an artist and person: "Bridget's one secret power is music — it's how she connects. From the pilot, Joel (Hiller) unlocks something in her, and each season she takes steps forward. In the finale, her singing is fully on her terms, inviting her friends into her world — a moment of empowerment that speaks to Sam's growth."
SEE 'It changed my life': Bridget Everett reflects on the emotional end of 'Somebody Somewhere'
Somebody Somewhere stood out for its ability to mix gut-punch emotional moments with gut-busting laughs. "We really tried to make a show that wasn't like what you'd typically see on TV — more like life," Bos explains. "In life, everything can be falling apart, and then someone farts or trips up the stairs at a funeral. Those moments of comedy in tragedy ground everything."
Thureen agrees, adding, "Growing up in the stoic Midwest, if you fall into something emotional, you have to undercut it. There's just something real about those absurd or awkward moments that interrupt genuine emotion."
Among the pair's favorite moments were subtle physical comedy gems. Bos recalls, "There's a flick Bridget does in the bathroom with the underwear [her sister] Tricia (Mary Catherine Garrison) throws at her — it killed me. Bridget can do anything as a physical comedian."
One of the show's most cherished themes is chosen family, exemplified by the tight-knit dinner scenes and Sam's relationships with her friends and sister Tricia. "The 'chosen family Thanksgiving' was so fun to shoot because every actor owned their role so completely — every nuance, every moment," Bos says. "Even our set dressers cared so much — the little name tags, Brad's home life details, everything added to the authenticity."
Writing the evolving bond between Sam and Tricia was especially fulfilling. Bos reflects, "[Both characters] went through so much — Tricia goes from Season 1's basement to chosen family at Brad's house. Their sisterhood was so fun to write. They were friends before the show and they lived together — and their natural chemistry together — they are like sisters. "
Adds Thureen, "The way Sam is able to be there for Tricia this season flips their dynamic. The conversation about grief in the finale is so moving, and even Tricia defending her sister passionately to Iceland (Olafur Darri Ólafsson) on the farm gets me emotional — it shows how far they've come."
As creators with roots in Illinois and Minnesota, Bos and Thureen infused the show with deeply specific yet relatable Midwestern humor and details — like "St. Louis sushi" (cream cheese and ham rolls). For Thureen, who grew up in East Grand Forks, Minn., the references are deeply personal. "There's a nod in Season 1 to 'Crazy Days' [a local shopping tradition] and Spot Rite Liquors. It's that vibe of Midwest life."
Bos herself notes how Everett's Kansas upbringing grounded key elements of the show. "We'd always be like, 'Is this truly Midwest?' Bridget's perspective helped make it real."
Although Somebody Somewhere has wrapped, Bos and Thureen left the door cracked open for potential returns. "We never know," Bos teases when asked about the possibility of revisiting the series in the future.
When considering Emmy recognition, Bos reiterates the importance of spreading the show's love. "We just really want more people to see the show — that would be incredible."
"I feel like the show is totally unique — so many people put their hearts and souls into it," Thureen adds. "It's so gratifying that people respond to it."
Somebody Somewhere is streaming on Max.
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