If you are not watching Comedy CentralsThe Other Two, then I question your life choices.
Much like the series, Shannons award-worthy performance is, by turns, hilarious and heartbreaking.
Because she was just so damn good.
Credit: Comedy Central
It made us all so excited to shoot the rest of the season.
EW talked to Shannon about playing Pat, this pivotal episode, and working with Helen the therapy pig.
She really likes show business!
She has a very positive attitude.
I told Chris that I think we have similar values.
Hes always like, You do?
What do you mean?
I was like, Well, I think we have similar spiritual values and family values.
I love that shes excited to be in New York City its like Ohio comes to New York City.
Im from Ohio in real life.
She has a positive attitude about showbusiness and the biz and celebs.
She just loves marketing!
[Laughs] Shes really into it.
I relate to her I mean shes a little cheesier but I relate to her values system.
You have better hair.I do.
I have better hair.
Did you get your haircut?
They think its my real hair!
Isnt that so funny?
[Laughs]
When you started the show did you know that Pats husband froze to death?No.
I just found out when we read the episode at the table read.
I have to say thats a very serious, dramatic monologue.
Its like seeing the point of view of the wife.
I was like, Im going to cut this s up!
I memorized it when I was swimming.
I was staying at a Hilton in like upstate New York or something.
They were looking down and I was the only person swimming.
I was just swimming and memorizing and swimming and memorizing.
It was a really long monologue.
And they recognized me!
[Laughs] It was not a high moment in the life of Molly Shannon.
Did you have to do that monologue multiple times?We did it a lot.
We shot it on that plane and there were little kids.
Hed be like, Shes good!
And theyd be like, Shes 35!
Its a weird world.
You worked with Chris onOther Peoplewhich you told EW is one of your favorite roles ever.
What makes you two such a good team?First of all, were friends.
Second, he just writes so well for everyone.
He makes me laugh.
All I can say is the first time we ever met was forOther People…
I had not met Chris because we didnt overlap atSNL.
We went to Le Pain Quotidien and we talked for hours.
We had coffee and talked about our families and this and that.
It was just such an easy, instant connection.
The kindest, nicest, and so humbled.
The way he writes, for me, it just fits like a glove.
Its like a gift!
There are so many scenes with you, Helene and Drew in that tiny bathroom.
Whats it like working with them?Theyre so nice.
Theyre so excited to get a special job like this.
I feel like the older person whos so excited with them.
They couldnt be nicer and theyre such good actors.
Did you get to work with the therapy pig?I did!
I love hearing about farming and stuff.
Are you concerned about ticks?I have a tick phobia.
Im like get me away from ticks!
I want to be nowhere near where there are ticks in a nymph state.
So she told me to roll your ankle with peppermint oil and it acts as a barrier.
Put that in the article, Tim!
Everyone I know is obsessed with this show.
Are you finding people are talking to you about it?I am!
Its kind of ramping up slowly.
I know its changing so rapidly how people consume content.
I was worried about that because I know how good it is.
But the funny thing is I knew it when I was shooting it.
I feel like I have good instincts about that!
And to work with such great people its just fun.
Its 100% fun.
That doesnt always happen in show business.
I did a movie where I felt like it just wasnt funny and I got kind of depressed.
I was like why is this depressing me?
It was just because I care so much.
So this is the opposite of that.
Thats what ties it together.
Its really about love but its a comedy.
How they brilliantly figured that out is way above my head of understanding.
Thats my favorite kind of thing is dramatic comedy.
Its my favorite thing to do, likeTerms of Endearment!
