Catherine O’Hara’s New Role and the Schitt’s Creek Wardrobe She Cherishes

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This spring, enthusiasts of Catherine O’Hara can look forward to enjoying double the pleasure from this acclaimed actress – she stars in Apple TV+’s fresh comedy titled “The Studio”, debuting this week, and reappears in Season 2 of HBO’s post-apocalyptic series “The Last of Us”, set for a comeback on April 13.

In performances for shows like “SCTV” and movies such as “Beetlejuice,” “Home Alone,” and the Christopher Guest mockumentaries, as well as the award-winning series “Schitt’s Creek,” O’Hara shines by portraying characters that are deeply flawed yet oblivious to their own imperfections. This is according to her interview with EbMaster. Her character in “The Studio” – Patty Leigh, a former head of Continental Studios who loses her position after 40 years due to overseeing a string of ten box office flops – follows this same pattern.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I can’t help but express my excitement for “The Studio,” a series I co-created and star in. In an exclusive interview with EbMaster, Seth Rogen revealed that this show draws inspiration from his experiences making movies at Sony Pictures. Within the first ten seconds of O’Hara’s debut scene, her hysterical reaction to her fortune change has me in stitches. “I’ve been dismissed,” she laments, still weeping uncontrollably, “And I’m still bawling about it!” She accuses my character, Matt Remick, of stealing her job, exclaiming, “You took my position!” It’s a raw and relatable portrayal that truly brings the show to life.

Patty, being a highly competent and committed professional, is adept at navigating political landscapes effectively, which has enabled her to maintain her position for many years. A termination notice, in essence, serves as a temporary obstacle in her career path. As the story unfolds, Patty transforms this setback into an opportunity she had long cherished by securing a production role from the studio that had initially let her go. “He’s offering me the title of ‘producer,’ something I’ve always aspired to,” O’Hara shares with a chuckle, “It turns out the job is all about creating and nurturing stories.

It’s commonly believed that Patty is modeled after Amy Pascal, the ex-CEO of Sony who was let go following a hack on the studio’s emails. However, O’Hara, with her half-century of experience navigating the studio system, claims she didn’t use anyone she’ve met as inspiration for her character. In fact, she admits to avoiding creating a model because she was apprehensive about doing so. She explains, “I didn’t study anyone because I didn’t want to – I was afraid.

Regarding the frequent praise as a comedy legend, O’Hara modestly declines. “I don’t see myself that way, but it’s flattering that others do,” she replies. However, she credits her ability to make people laugh mainly to working with fantastic collaborators, growing up with humorous parents, and always seeking the funny side of situations.

She remarks, “There’s nothing more beneficial than this innate instinct.” Being fortunate to possess it is truly a blessing, she believes, as life encompasses both darkness and light. It’s crucial to seek out the light. My parents, who were both humorous individuals, always made humor highly valued. Laughter and wit were not only tolerated but actively encouraged at our family gatherings.

A Toronto-born individual expressed pride in being Canadian and launched her career at age 20 as part of The Second City improvisational group. Two years later, this team created the sketch comedy show “SCTV,” where she collaborated with notable figures such as John Candy, Martin Short, and future frequent co-star Eugene Levy. Over time, her approach to comedy has evolved.

She points out that while humor is enjoyable, in today’s world, a joke might make someone laugh initially, but then they may pause and consider if the joke targets someone else negatively. Reflecting on her early days at Second City Theater, she expresses empathy for current performers who must navigate the critical eyes of internet commentators.

Performing at the Second City Theater was a unique, intimate experience shared only between the cast and the audience. The events of that night might have been shared with friends and family afterwards, or not. But there were no phones capturing the moment. This allowed us time to reflect on what we witnessed, what we experienced.

In those days, we had the freedom to experiment and make mistakes. It was an exciting time for exploration, as there was less pressure about being judged or having our actions recorded forever. Today, I believe that such limitations exist.

From her perspective, there are both advantages and disadvantages to being part of the comedy scene currently: “On one hand, it’s great that undiscovered talent can be found within people’s homes. That’s fantastic. However, on the other hand, instant judgment by a multitude of strangers can be quite challenging. It’s hard to tell how content these critics are with their own lives…

O’Hara has played some unforgettable roles, to understate things. As he puts it, “I’ve had a chance to portray several rather delusional characters, and it’s quite enjoyable. I believe the allure might be that, well, we’re all somewhat delusional. We know death is inevitable, yet we persist in denying it each day.” Laughing, he continues, “We pretend we’re invincible, and trying to manage others’ perceptions of us is a futile effort. You can’t control that, and that’s just the way it is. I suppose what attracts me is exploring that – our attempts at self-control.

Among her most memorable roles is Moira Rose, the unique former soap opera star, known for her distinctive fashion sense, extensive wig collection, and one-of-a-kind accent, in the show “Schitt’s Creek.” The backing, faith, and inspiration she received from the series creators – and fellow actors – Eugene and Dan Levy helped fuel her imagination. They often asked, “What would you like to do?” To which she replied, “I’d like to possess an extremely rare vocabulary and use different words each day. I’d also like to wear a different feathered accessory depending on my mood. How could that be done?

Moira drew inspiration for her striking monochromatic style from the iconic British fashion designer and socialite, Daphne Guinness. Instead of aiming to resemble a stereotypical wealthy woman, she sought an avant-garde appearance. Expressing herself in character, she declared, “I am an artist. I want everyone to recognize my significance and that of my work.

After six seasons, it’s no surprise that she kept some items from her wardrobe when the show ended. It would have been unusual if she hadn’t.

As a movie enthusiast, I must say, the Levys were incredibly kind, yet I couldn’t accept as much as they so graciously offered. They generously gifted me an array of wigs, but alas, I lack the necessary tools to maintain them in pristine condition. However, I did find myself taking a vibrant pink one and my beloved wig from my soap opera persona. Among the garments I decided to keep were a Celine coat, a Philosophy leather dress, towering platform boots, and the extended black Pilgrim-esque dress I wore during its last season, which earned me an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Comedy series.

Regardless of whether they were the Levys or any of the hundreds of others she’s collaborated with throughout her five-decade career, O’Hara is thankful to each and every one of them.

In her own words, O’Hara shares that she values collaboration and trust among colleagues, emphasizing mutual growth, encouragement, and honesty. She considers herself fortunate to have worked with kind, skilled individuals, making the challenging yet enjoyable tasks at hand. The quality of opportunities isn’t always something one can control, but she has been particularly lucky in this regard.

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2025-03-27 18:47