Pamela Adlon Gets Emotional at France’s Series Mania Rewatching ‘Better Things’ Scene with ‘Anora’ Star Mikey Madison

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Watching a particular scene from “Better Things,” Pamela Adlon found herself tearing up, as it featured Mikey Madison. In the critically acclaimed FX series, Madison portrayed one of Adlon’s character’s daughters, and she recently received an Academy Award for her role in “Anora.

“You mean, I’m the kingmaker? Or a queenmaker?,” joked Adlon.  

I’m deeply moved by this as it feels victorious for me to elicit laughter and then tie it back to its core significance. When I was selecting the girls for the show, they were all very young. Each one had a unique quality about them. Mikey, she reminds me of someone who has just emerged from my womb. She bears a strong resemblance to everyone on my father’s side of the family.

She also talked about her breakout role in “Californication.” 

“Am I naked [in the clip]? I went from being a scrappy boy to doing sex things.”

Reading the pilot for ‘Californication’ left me puzzled. At that moment, I was at a gymnastics event with my daughters, perched on an unyielding, chilly metal bench. Despite the years spent there, none of them have taken to gymnastics. As I pondered this darkness, I later discovered it was a comedy, with its distinctive blend of humor and adult themes.

But it wasn’t just about sex. 

She finds the writing exceptional and believes it sets the project apart. Regarding her co-stars David and Natasha, she remains close friends with them to this day. As intimacy coordinators were not yet a common practice on set at that time, she essentially assumed the role herself, perhaps pioneering its use in the industry. She chuckled, suggesting a sense of pride or amusement about her potential contribution to Hollywood standards.

One time, we were asked to participate in a three-way scene with Charlie [portrayed by Evan Hander], involving an unusual sexual act. I remember telling this woman: ‘Sweetheart, let’s go speak with the showrunner, and we’ll discuss what we’re not comfortable doing.’

Adlon “grew up on soundstages,” shadowing her writer/producer father. 

At age nine, I’d grab a script, tuck it under my arm, don a scarf (thinking it was a producer’s accessory), and then proceed to act out the role. Yet, deep down, I never truly believed I would be the one in front of the camera.

After seeing a Jack in the Box advertisement – “I adopted the tagline: ‘Get creative with chicken'” – she subsequently provided the voice for Bobby King on “King of the Hill,” earning her an Emmy.

She stated, “They mentioned, ‘He’s a young 12-year-old boy from Texas.’ Upon hearing this, I found myself reflecting, ‘I wish I had seen ‘Badlands’ or something similar before now.’ Remarkably, for the past thirteen years, I have been handling this role. An additional advantage? I gained an immense amount of knowledge on writing and discovered that it is my greatest passion,” she shared.

Caring for my kids became possible due to this situation. At the age of two, my youngest made me aware that I didn’t know how long a particular opportunity would last. It was a matter of survival. My father faced a similar predicament as job opportunities dried up for him when he turned 50. Seeing an opportunity closing, he decided it was time to find another job. For me, life is about these windows – moments when something is ending or beginning. When you sense one shutting or opening, quick action is necessary.

Even with her extensive background in acting – “I’ve been around for 150 years and I starred on ‘The Jeffersons’!” – Adlon initially doubted if she was capable of being the main character in a series.

It didn’t cross my mind that anyone would be interested. I lacked the self-assurance to present myself as the main character. The TV show I was appearing on seemed destined for failure – it was struggling like a toilet about to overflow. We worked from Friday morning until four o’clock Saturday morning. During that time, I kept thinking to myself: ‘I could do this better.’

She started by writing a scene called “Girls’ Night Out” for “Better Things.”  

In this scene, a group of mothers are seen dining at an Italian restaurant. However, their evening takes an unexpected turn as they retreat to the restroom to partake in snorting lines of something, while engaging in candid discussions about their personal lives. This was the general atmosphere portrayed in the show, but it wasn’t depicted in the pilot. Instead, this element was introduced in Season 3, as it served a crucial purpose in allowing the character to break free from her current situation and venture out at night.

At first, she didn’t want to go personal.  

Initially, I expressed my aspirations as follows: “I plan to become a manicurist, and I will have one son, whom I’ll adopt from China. In addition, I’ll have a gay brother who resides in our back house. Over time, I found myself distancing myself from my life. My mother, now 89 years old, has been the most significant inspiration for me, often driving me up the wall. I was single-handedly raising my daughters while my mother lived next door. One day, it struck me: ‘Wow, she’s hilarious! This is amusing!’

She stated: “Everything seemed to naturally come together with all the pieces that make up me, but it’s not like a reality show. My mother was always eager to join the discussion and she was a significant inspiration for me. However, she became even more challenging. I went ahead and said: ‘I have enough material now. Just stop and be a person.’

Additionally, she shared insights regarding the acclaimed monologue on menopause from Season 4, which received a standing ovation during the festival performance.

She admitted that she had emailed every female acquaintance she had, sending out an email titled ‘Bellies and Beards.’ Many responded, confiding in her that they were struggling with vaginal dryness. She acknowledged the awkwardness of the situation but felt compelled to listen. When visiting her gynecologist, she noticed some green leaflets similar to those found in adult magazines. Eventually, she pinned one of these leaflets on her writing board.

When a story stirs something deep within me, making my heart race and my palms sweat, I just know it’s gold. I can feel that it will resonate, that it will touch hearts. Writing it feels like I’m the 8-year-old version of myself, locked in my room, pouring my thoughts into a diary, completely oblivious to any potential readers.

As “Mid-Century Modern” reboot of “King of the Hill” and Adlon’s upcoming project approach, her aspiration for the future remains straightforward:

She expressed a simple desire to continue working. This isn’t about grand goals; it’s about making ends meet for herself, ensuring her mother and children are well-cared for. She wants to keep earning a living.

It’s my responsibility to explore realms of art, comedy, film, and pushing boundaries without losing the essence or authenticity in my work, as some people may become apprehensive. If you approach it with pure intentions, success will follow. On the other hand, if you act out of fear, you’ll never achieve your goals. My unique strength lies in the self-assurance I’ve developed over time; I didn’t always possess this confidence when I began my journey.

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2025-03-24 00:18