Latest news with #BaronessVonSketchShow
CBC
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Small Achievable Goals's costume designer on the show's sexy mid-life style — and most iconic looks
For Nicole Manek, great costume design isn't just about technical expertise — it's about having an understanding of an actor's physicality, presence and character-building process. And when it came to creating the looks for CBC's new comedy series Small Achievable Goals, she had a wealth of experience to draw from. Manek's partnership with comedians and showrunners Meredith MacNeill and Jennifer Whalen began on the Baroness Von Sketch Show and has since blossomed into what she describes as "a psychic costume connection." This helped Manek and fellow costume designer Anya Taraboulsy craft a wardrobe for Small Achievable Goals that supports the storytelling — and is also quite fabulous. Like the best on-screen fashion, the looks in Small Achievable Goals are rooted in reality but dialed up just enough to feel iconic. CBC Life recently caught up with Manek to discuss her approach to the new workplace comedy, plus some of the most memorable looks in the series. She also shared the real-life inspiration behind Kris and Julie's wardrobes, and the TV magic behind that (deeply relatable) hot flash–drenched blouse. This interview has been edited and condensed. I'm interested in your first steps as a costume designer. Where did you find your initial wardrobe inspiration for the main characters in Small Achievable Goals? I do try to draw from real people for inspiration, because I think it's just the most accessible way to start the conversation with actors and producers and directors. So for Kris, she's an influencer. But then what does that look like to be in the influencer space in mid-life, but sort of like trying to feel more youthful? It felt Kardashian-esque to us. It felt Nicole Richie … but missing the mark. Kris would be like, "Oh, I love the way Nicole Richie dresses." But she never quite got it. She just took it to a slightly trashier place — she never got the classy part. She doesn't have the restraint of Nicole Richie. She's really thinking about what other people who she wants to emulate are wearing, and she's trying to mirror that. And what about Julie? What was your real-life inspiration for her? Julie is sort of that grown-up Gen-Xer who bought the "right" pieces. She's really practical and smart, and she has good style. And she's slowly accumulated great pieces that she's kept folding into her wardrobe. I did take some inspiration from the creative director of J. Crew [Olympia Gayot]. She's got great style; it's preppy, but in a way that's so palatable through a rock and roll lens, which is Julie. Clothing plays a key role in magnifying Kris and Julie's experiences of menopause and perimenopause. I'm thinking of the hot flash–soaked, see-through blouse — how did you create this look that's so relatable to so many people? Yeah. I mean, the wet shirt, it's TV magic, right? But it was the point of huge discussion and huge preparation for that fitting. We had probably 12 different shirts to try on. And we wet them all because we really didn't want to tell that story of when you have that hot flash and you're really soaked — we wanted to see it. And it was important that that shirt was just right. It was really important to Jen [Whalen], and there was a lot of talk about the way it goes from being put together at the beginning — and this hopeful moment and this hopeful day — to the way it comes apart. And that rack of white outfits for Kris to wear in the photo shoot. I mean, that period-stain incident just seems like a stress dream that people are gonna start having after watching that episode. How did you decide on the hero dress? So the idea was that someone younger — and a little clued out to the problems of menopause — picked these dresses. We've all been in those moments where someone wants us to wear something that they think is cool, where we're like, "Oh my god, this is so terrible." So that's what we wanted to capture for Kris — that it really wasn't her style, but it was something that a younger stylist thought was her style. Even with these more comical looks sprinkled in, you kept Kris and Julie looking very sexy and really amazing throughout the series. That's not always the case when women over 30 are portrayed on TV — there tends to be an invisibility factor. Meredith [MacNeill] did really want to explore this idea that Kris dresses for the male gaze. [This] part of her menopause journey is that she's very horny and she really wants dates. So I think that sexiness comes from that. Kris is actually putting herself out there and trying to be sexy in her own way. Whereas with Julie … when you just dress however you want, and you are just so cool, it just looks amazing. I think the key to this phase of life — which I'm also in — is just really doing what you want, wearing exactly what feels comfortable to you … rejecting that idea of age-appropriateness that's just so boring and not real. A lot of women who are in a similar time of their lives will see themselves in these characters. What inspiration do you think they can pull from these looks? I think the key to this phase of life — which I'm also in — is just really doing what you want, wearing exactly what feels comfortable to you … rejecting that idea of age-appropriateness that's just so boring and not real. To get through this time, you should just do whatever you need to do to feel great. If that's wearing a rock tee and crappy jogging pants, do it. And if it's putting on the smallest, tightest dress from Reformation, you should do that too. But be prepared to take it off when you get hot.
CBC
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
New sitcom Small Achievable Goals wants to make menopause funny, not taboo
Jennifer Whalen and Meredith MacNeill, co-creators and stars of CBC's Small Achievable Goals, are also widely known for the Baroness Von Sketch Show. They spoke with CBC's Eli Glasner about why they created a show about menopause — and why they chose comedy to start the conversation.
CBC
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Managing the messiness of midlife and menopause on CBC's Small Achievable Goals
Jennifer Whalen and Meredith MacNeill are back with a new workplace comedy. Small. Achievable. Goals. If you've just done a deep dive into menopause and felt despair for the life-altering symptoms and physical changes that could last as long as 10 years, you need to focus. Focus on the small things you can handle, one at a time. And maybe even make a show about it. Meredith MacNeill and Jenn Whalen, show creators and performers, speak from experience. Whalen came up with the show title during the pandemic while freaking out after reading about perimenopause and menopause. She got depressed. Her husband was surprised: "You're a fighter," he had said to her. "And so we were literally sitting on the couch drinking a bottle of wine — as you do during the pandemic — and I said, 'It's just too overwhelming,'" Whalen said. "'It's like, I need to break it into smaller parts. Some small, achievable goals.'" "And we realized (later) the acronym is SAG, which really made me laugh," she quipped. A workplace comedy — with a healthy dose of body humour — was born, with Whalen starring alongside her frequent comic collaborator Meredith MacNeill. Embed | Other Both alums of the Baroness Von Sketch Show — a twisted and absurdist comedy considered a successor of The Kids In The Hall — Whalen and MacNeill have a track record for exploring the hilarity of freaking out and melting down. And the first episode of Small Achievable Goals does not disappoint. Whalen's character Julie, and MacNeill's Kris, both have meltdowns. Julie has just been overlooked — again — for a major promotion; Kris is fed up with being ignored as she faces a health crisis. Julie yells at her colleagues in an all-company meeting; Kris loses it at a self-checkout. Aside from being hilarious — the crew was breaking up while MacNeill was shooting her scene, awkwardly stuffing her legs into an adult diaper — meltdowns are also refreshing. You get to say the things you're not allowed to say, Whalen pointed out. And MacNeill admitted she had always been drawn to that power, from growing up with The Carol Burnett Show or even admiring characters such as Miss Piggy from The Muppets. "I was so attracted to watching women in public spaces lose their shit," MacNeill said. "What does it look like, that type of freedom? What does that type of freedom look like to say exactly what you want, but you're putting it in a society where you're not supposed to?" "And then you have two characters (Julie and Kris) and what they're freaking out about is real," she added. "And so what do those meltdowns look like? Obviously, in our show, hopefully hilarious and weird." And the interesting thing about freaking out — people might actually start treating you better. "When I have had meltdowns, yes, people are much nicer to me and there is a stronger boundary. I'm going to do it more," Whalen joked. The show doesn't despair about menopause or aging itself — instead, it looks at how we respond to those things. MacNeill and Whalen's characters have to hide in the bathroom as they try to get their symptoms under control; they don't want to look unprofessional on the job. But why be ashamed? Or pretend it isn't happening? Among women themselves, it's a part of bonding and backing each other up. "I just feel like talking through things like major life experiences with my female friends is huge," Whalen said. "There is something about that shared experience, and the fact that your girlfriends will always be like, 'Give it to me straight,' like, 'I want the darkest, dirtiest, grossest part' … And we laugh about it, we feel better." Menopause symptoms span a wide range of physical and mental symptoms, which may include irritability and moodiness. But it also lands during a certain era of a woman's life — she's at the top of her game, MacNeill pointed out, she's accomplished and confident. Is it fair to say that some of that "irritability" might also be a person who's just flat-out tired? And less willing to accept some of the unfair standards in their personal and professional lives? There is something about that shared experience, and the fact that your girlfriends will always be like, 'Give it to me straight,' like, 'I want the darkest, dirtiest, grossest part' … And we laugh about it, we feel better. - Jennifer Whalen MacNeill sees that dynamic. Perhaps middle-aged women are dismissed as "crazy" or pushed out of the spotlight due to the fact they are more outspoken, and care less what people think. Women are suddenly "at the strongest and most joyful we've ever been," she said, but also shedding unnecessary burdens. It's almost like coming full circle, Whalen pointed out. She remembers her teen angst — the willingness to call out unfairness in the world, and being dismissed as "just an angry teenager." But that sense is returning. And Whalen doesn't need a full-blown meltdown to set boundaries — no matter how funny that might be. Perhaps it's as easy as setting some small, achievable goals. "I feel like with each passing decade, I become more sure of myself," Whalen said. "I know more of who I am, and it's easier to say no to things I don't want to do." Watch Small Achievable Goals streaming now on CBC Gem. CBC Gem is available for free as an App for iOS, tvOS, Fire TV, Android TV, Android phones and tablets, LG and Samsung Smart TVs, Roku, and Xbox One/S/X.
CBC
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Workplace comedy plus menopause chaos: Small Achievable Goals could be your new favourite show
Social Sharing Small Achievable Goals, CBC's new comedy from Jennifer Whalen and Meredith MacNeill, both of Baroness von Sketch Show fame, explores the messy realities of midlife and perimenopause through the eyes of two very different women working at a podcast production company. What is Small Achievable Goals about? Julie Muldoon (Whalen) has a loving husband, a great career and an award-winning podcast under her belt. But it all comes crashing down when her own body threatens her perfect life with hot-flash flop sweats, lacklustre libido and unexplained rage. On her 50th birthday, she comes to work expecting a promotion only to discover she's been passed over for a younger colleague. Meanwhile, the insults keep piling on: her own show has just been cancelled and she's now producing a new podcast with a host who has few personal boundaries. Kris Fine (MacNeill) is outgoing, impulsive, compassionate and a friend to everyone. She's never met a person she wouldn't hug (except Julie, who'd like some personal space, please). After years of working as a make-up counter salesperson for minimum wage, Kris has reinvented herself as an influencer-turned-podcaster, while juggling the hectic life of a single mom. She is levelling up and nothing can stop her. Period. Actually, her period is exactly what stops her. Or rather, a period that won't stop. Where can I watch the trailer? Want to know more before the show starts? Check out the trailer below: Small Achievable Goals | Official Trailer 15 days ago Duration 1:12 Who is in Small Achievable Goals? Small Achievable Goals features Jennifer Whalen (Baroness Von Sketch Show) and Meredith MacNeill (Baroness Von Sketch Show, Pretty Hard Cases) as main characters Julie Muldoon and Kris Fine. Alexander Nunez (Moonshine, Avocado Toast) plays Evan, the Managing Director of The Podcast Folx, Paul Braunstein (Hudson & Rex) as Mo, the HR Manager, Jon Dore (Humour Resources, The Lake) as Julie's husband, Pete, and Tricia Black (Pretty Hard Cases) as Robyn, a Millennial, queer, non-binary, polyamorous producer at the podcast company. Rounding out the cast are Leslie Adlam (Bria Mack Gets a Life), Kevin Whalen (Baroness Von Sketch Show, Handmaid's Tale), Peter Keleghan (Murdoch Mysteries, Workin' Moms), Georgie Murphy (SafeHaven, Gen V), Kiori Mirza Waldman (No Idea!) and Evan Mok as additional supporting characters. And look for some surprise cameos as the season progresses, including iconic Canadian musician Peaches and fashion aficionado Jeanne Beker. Where was Small Achievable Goals filmed? Season 1 of Small Achievable Goals was filmed in Hamilton and Toronto (studio) in October and November 2024. Who wrote the series' theme song? "I Feel It All" by indie icon Lesley Feist is the theme song for Small Achievable Goals. Four unique covers of the song —recorded by Peaches, who also guest stars this season — were tailored to match the tone of different episodes. Listen up for the original Feist version that closes out the premiere. Why a comedy about menopause? "If half of the world is going through it, and the other half knows someone in it, and it's a word we can barely spit out, then I think we need to do a show about it," says MacNeill. Half of the population experiences menopause, but the symptoms — which can vary wildly from person to person — are poorly documented, understood or discussed. Meanwhile, people most likely experiencing these symptoms (aged 45-55, an age when most experience perimenopause) are the fastest-growing segment in the workforce. Small Achievable Goals tackles this universal experience with humour. As Julie and Kris become co-workers and then allies, their friendship is the key to finding solace and strength while surviving the hormonal roller coaster of midlife. Watch Small Achievable Goals free on CBC and CBC Gem starting February 25.
