Jon Hamm Reveals Shocking Truths in Audible’s ‘The Big Fix’!

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Throughout his career, Jon Hamm has undertaken numerous voice acting roles, yet portraying 1950s FBI agent-turned-private detective Jack Bergin has offered a distinct challenge.

Rather than working alone in isolation, Hamm was accompanied by a star-studded lineup of actors – Alia Shawkat, Ana de la Reguera, Bradley Whitford, Giancarlo Esposito, Omar Epps, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and his “Mad Men” colleague John Slattery – for the Audible Original series, “The Big Lie” (2022) and its upcoming sequel, “The Big Fix.

Hamm noted that the series, co-created by John Mankiewicz and helmed by Aaron Lipstadt, stands out as superior in all aspects, primarily due to its extremely personal narrative. He emphasized the significant advantage of having a genuine connection with your scene partner while performing this role. In essence, it feels like being filmed, even though the cameras aren’t rolling.” (You can view the entire discussion in the video above.)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it turned out to be “funnily both simpler and more challenging” for Hamm to arrange two actors, as he put it with a chuckle. This is because everyone was extraordinarily accessible due to the pandemic situation.

Count de la Reguera, who portrays Lala, one of Jack Bergin’s former flames, is part of the cast. She expressed her excitement about the opportunity, saying, “It was the best surprise ever! My agents contacted me saying, ‘They’re offering you this role.’ I replied, ‘Whatever, I desperately need to get out of here!'” she laughed. Working alongside other actors in the studio also pushed her to improve. “I was accustomed to recording alone, and if I made a mistake, no one would judge me. [However, with this] I had talented actors surrounding me, and I found myself playing the role while also trying to convince myself that ‘I’ve got this.’ Like, ‘I’ve never done this before, but I can be as cool as these professionals are.’

The series director, Lipstadt, required the actors to perform scenes together, having previously worked with Hamm on “The Division” over two decades ago. Mankiewicz, who had also written episodes for this Lifetime police drama, joined them once more in producing an Audible drama. From the instant Mankiewicz proposed the concept for “The Big Lie,” a series about FBI agent Jack Bergin trying to halt production of “Salt of the Earth” (a film based on a real New Mexico labor strike) due to his belief that the blacklisted filmmakers were using it as a means to recruit for the Communist Party, Navin, head of creative development at Audible North America, sensed its potential for success.

Navin expressed that he valued his fellow creator’s deep-seated enthusiasm for “The Big Lie” because when someone is so passionate about their work, you can be sure they will strive to make it excellent. It was a previously untold tale that resonated with him on a personal level and fit well with our audience. Thus, the shared vision, the burning passion, and of course something that appeals to our viewers – an outstanding combination.

Actually, they hadn’t completed work on the initial project when Mankiewicz proposed an idea for the sequel – titled “The Big Fix“. This story takes place following the actual Chavez Ravine evictions, a somber chapter in Los Angeles’ history. Navin commented that it was indeed a good idea. “The positive aspect is that it was a good idea,” he said. “However, we likely would have agreed either way.

Although we hadn’t undertaken an audio production before, the pandemic presented a unique challenge. With people being told to stay at home and many having recording booths, it seemed like everyone should be able to do this. However, the idea of directing remotely without the usual collaborative surprises was daunting for Lipstadt.

In response to Lipstadt’s initiative, preparations were made under COVID-19 safety guidelines. However, one might wonder how they managed to gather such a prestigious cast for an audio production?

In essence, when you phone someone and mention, ‘I’m working on a project for Audible, Jon Hamm is involved,’ it’s as if you’ve just ordered a meal,” Lipstadt explained. “People would flock in and spend two hours, and the experience was delightful.

Hamm didn’t claim all the glory himself; instead, he acknowledged Lipstadt’s notable achievements and singled out “Miami Vice,” a show he deemed exceptional. He highlighted its stellar guest list, stating, “It boasted the most impressive roster of guest stars in television history, with everyone from Julia Roberts to Ben Stiller to Frank Zappa appearing on it.” Hamm explained the appeal by saying, “People want to be around others doing exciting things. In the 80s, ‘Miami Vice’ was the epitome of cool. It was enjoyable to be a part of something that had such an energetic vibe. Essentially, it was like, ‘Join us in this fun endeavor. And get paid for it.’

Shawkat exclaimed in surprise, “You make money from this?!” Hamm chuckled, responding, “Indeed, I do.”

However, let’s clarify that joke aside, Shawkat is part of the second season not just as an actor but also as an executive producer, similar to Hamm. He will portray the character of roving reporter Aggie Walker.

Shawkat mentioned that the character is a journalist striving for the top story yet lacking ideal opportunities. She’s compassionate, but she needs to be cutthroat. He hinted at the upcoming narrative, describing her as reminiscent of ‘His Girl Friday’s’ Rosalind Russell-like persona. She’s spirited and a delightful character.

Instead of just the friendly atmosphere on set and the chance to wear casual clothes during recording – as de la Reguera pointed out, Hamm preferred flip-flops for his recordings, which caused quite a chuckle from the audience, since Hamm good-naturedly explained that he actually wore slides with socks – creating podcasts is indeed a shrewd business move.

The expansion of this field, put simply, has been extraordinary over the past ten years or so. In fact, the term ‘podcast’ wasn’t even around fifteen years ago, indicating that the possibilities are vast,” Hamm pointed out, highlighting the ease of access. “All you truly need is a microphone, an idea, and an internet connection. Then, your imagination sets the boundaries.

Explaining that transforming “The Big Fix” into a movie would have set them back $100 million, he pointed out that producing a podcast was a much more budget-friendly approach, providing a broader platform for stories of historical significance that might otherwise be hard to market and share with the public.

‘The Big Fix’ delves into an uncomfortable reality,” Hamm explained, referring to how Mexican American landowners in the Chavez Ravine were forcibly displaced to construct Dodgers Stadium. “These people had lives, families, traditions, and histories that span generations. This significant part of Los Angeles is often overlooked. Many Latin Angelenos adore the Dodgers, but they also recognize that Chavez Ravine played a crucial role in our collective cultural history, and it’s essential not to forget its significance.

The issue of displaced communities isn’t limited to Los Angeles; Hamm pointed out, drawing on his hometown, St. Louis, as an illustration. “There’s a stunning public artwork known as the Gateway Arch that we’re particularly proud of. However, a thriving African American community was demolished to make way for it. Although it’s often overlooked, this event took place.

As a film enthusiast, I found myself in a similar predicament to Hamm’s character when I first watched “Watchmen” on HBO. It was through this gripping series that I became acquainted with the tragic events of the Tulsa race massacre – an aspect of history I had hitherto been unaware of. Such is the power of media, it can serve as an eye-opening window into our past, shaping our understanding and empathy in profound ways.

As a movie enthusiast, it’s thrilling to realize there are countless tales yet untold. When the pressure isn’t on hitting a billion-dollar mark for success, we can breathe life into these stories. It’s a chance for viewers to pause and wonder, “Why haven’t I heard about this before? Perhaps it’s worth exploring further.

You can listen to “The Big Lie” right now on Audible, and starting from April 24, tune in for the eight-episode series “The Big Fix: A Jack Bergin Mystery.” Check out the trailer below: [Trailer link]

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2025-01-30 00:17