When singer and comedian Bridget Everett was asked by her childhood best friend, Stephanie Grynkiewicz, to come back to her hometown for a watch party celebrating the finale of her hit show’s second season, Everett said she didn’t know if anyone would come. But Grynkiewicz persisted and convinced her friend to throw a party and fundraiser to honor both the show and the community Everett grew up in — Manhattan, Kansas. (Main photo courtesy of Wareham Hall)
Hosted in the historic Wareham Hall, which community organizers are trying to raise money to renovate, and featuring food provided by local eateries featured in the show — The Chef, Vista Drive In, Rock-A-Belly Deli, Varsity Donuts and Manhattan Brewing Company — the May 28 event benefitted two relatively new local charities close to Everett’s heart — Be Able and True Colors Inc.
Everett did not disappoint her fans, as she took time to meet, greet and pose for photos with those in attendance during the private viewing of the HBO series’ final two episodes of the second season. Fans gathered to celebrate the show and see Manhattan featured on the big screen.
Originally, the story was going to be set in nearby Emporia, Kansas. After a scouting visit there, Everett convinced the show’s creators and executive producers, Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, to drive a little farther west to see her hometown.
“Everybody fell in love with Manhattan right away, rightfully so,” Everett said.
Ever since the producers decided to set the show in Manhattan, Everett has worked hard to represent the community on the program. Although most scenes are filmed in Illinois, the first season of the show featured footage of the real Manhattan, and season two featured a few staged moments featuring Everett, her friends and family interacting with local landmarks and businesses.
“My job — and I take it very seriously as both No. 1 on the call sheet and as a producer — is to represent Manhattan well, and I hope you feel that care. I’m a proud Kansan, and I’m a proud Little Apple-ite,” Everett told the crowd at the event, to a roaring cheer.
Before departing the stage for the screening, Everett took a few moments to pay an emotional tribute to her mother, Freddie, who lived in Manhattan much of her life and passed away earlier this month at the age of 88.
“The last thing I want to say is the show to me is so much about music, and you know our mom died a few weeks ago. She would have loved this so much, and I know she’d have loved to be here,” Everett said. “We were joking around that she’d be poking people with her cane and telling them to quit talking during the show. I just want to acknowledge her because, without her, there would be no show. She kept music as such an integral, vital part of our lives, sitting around the piano and singing. She said to me when I was little, ‘Imagine a life without music,’ and that’s stayed with me every day.”
Everett’s co-stars also addressed the crowd in pre-recorded messages shown before the screening. “Needless to say, we are all huge Manhattan, Kansas, fans on the show, because we wouldn’t have our show without our Bridget,” said Mary Catherine Garrison, who plays Tricia, the sister of Everett’s character, Sam. “And we wouldn’t have our Bridget without Manhattan, Kansas.”
“I just want to thank you all for coming out tonight and for watching the season finale together, and for all your love and support,” said Tim Bagley, who plays Brad. “We really feel it, and we appreciate it.”
The event ended with an hour of karaoke — fondly called “choir practice” on the show — which included performances by community members and Everett’s friends and family. Everett cheered everyone on from the front row.
Somebody Somewhere’s second season finale, “To Ed,” was released on Max on May 28, 2023.
See Everett featured on NBC’s Today with Hoda and Jenna on May 23, 2023, talking about the season finale, her hometown and the watch party.
