Better Things executive producer Blair Breard talks Pamela Adlons new series and her growing web of personal comedy.
Blair Breard is someone whos been behind a lot of your favorite comedies over the past few years.
Her latest series,Better Thingssees Pamela Adlon as Sam Fox, a single mother and struggling actor.
The series taps into places of brutal, surprising honesty just like so many of her other producing endeavors.
DEN OF GEEK: What is it that attracts you to wanting to produce a project?
What are you looking for in a series or star?
I want to do something that I havent done and that other people havent seen.
There was no specific discussion about that because Pamela such a strong point of view of her own.
When she was working in collaboration with Louis onLouie, she was playing a different character.
The show really pushes this great optimistic message thats wallowing amongst all of this angry nihilism.
Whats your take on the shows tone?
Was this a big part of what you were hoping to say with this show?
I think its so great when Sam is having those real moments with her fantastic, complicated 16-year-old daughter.
I never get to see that on television.
Its one of the unique things about the show with how effectively it depicts those relationships.
What is it about Sams character that youre most attracted to?
I love how passionate she is.
How raw she is.
I love that she makes mistakes andsaysthat shes making mistakes and just doing the best that she can.
I love her sense of humor.
Shes just really, really funny.
Thats Pamela all the way.
Is it nice to be sort of dominating that niche?
Thereareno other shows like this!
For me, thats why I was so excited to be working on this.
When I started reading the scripts, I started to get thrilled beyond belief.
Ive never, ever seen a show like that before thats taking place in this demographic.
Seeing those sorts of scenes that are specific to the female experience though are justfantastic.
Theres nothing else like that out there.
Its also really nice to see a show where theres such generational bonding going on.
Was Sams mother being a part of the picture a big topic when starting things out?
Shes ahugepart of the picture!
I think Pamela and Louis wrote her beautifully.
We were so lucky to get Celia Imrie to play her because she isfantastic.
You were an associate director for a few episodes ofHorace and Pete.
Is directing something that youd like to do more of?
Its very different than single camera directing.
But yes, ultimately later on down the road Id be very interested in directing.
Its something Id like to do, but Iloveproducing and just being a part of these uniquely funny shows.
So, itll come when it comes!
Better Thingsuses some neat stylistic flair in regard to flashbacks.
Were they always a part of the shows voice?
Im not sure that they always were there, but they add such a specific texture to the show.
Pamela has such a strong tasteits very strong and its very specific.
She knows what she wants.
Where you might take a chance on something or fail at something.
Having an atmosphere where you might be inspired and do something differently.
You want someone who can make real decisions and have clear choices.
Lastly Blair, whats the big message that you hope people take away fromBetter Things?
What are you most excited for people to see on this show?
Im most excited for people to see a real person dealing with real issues that are really funny.
Things that happen every day, while having real depth, humor, and compassion.
Every episode makes me laugh and makes me cry, and thats a great place to be.
I love that in all the drama thats happening theres a tremendous amount of humor and compassion.
And Im excited for people to see these people and hang out with them for ten episodes.
Theyre funny and different.
The kids are all different and have their own thing going on.
The mother has her own thing going on.
Every character is really specific.
Its a lot of fun to watch the show!
Better Thingsfirst season begins airing September 8th, at 10 p.m. on FX
