Chloe Sevigny disrespects ‘Big Love’, calls it “awful”

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Chloe Sevigny is reminding the world of why we enjoyed those years when she did very few interviews. I have no idea why this is happening, but it seems like Chloe is doing a ton of interviews lately, and all of them are ten kinds of wrong. Now, I realize that some people like the Christopher Walken doppelganger, but I find her “I‘m too cool for this hipster scene” attitude tired and old. Plus, she can’t open her mouth without farting out something laughably ridiculous like “I love being a gay icon” (like she’s Cher or something) or “Men are intimidated by me, I want to be worshipped and adored.” Like men should be falling all over themselves to get with Christopher Walken’s younger sister.

Anyway, Chloe sat down for yet another interview, this time with The A.V. Club (full piece here). She talking sh-t about Big Love and how “awful” the past season was. Okay… I was going to rail against her, but now that I’ve read the whole thing, I still think she was disrespectful, but I also think the dude doing the interview was leading her in that direction. Eh:

AVC: This past season of Big Love has taken a lot of flak for being so over-the-top.
CS: It was awful this season, as far as I’m concerned. I’m not allowed to say that! [Gasps.] It was very telenovela. I feel like it kind of got away from itself. The whole political campaign seemed to me very farfetched. I mean, I love the show, I love my character, I love the writing, but I felt like they were really pushing it this last season. And with nine episodes, I think they were just squishing too much in. HBO only gave us nine Sundays, because they have so much other original programming—especially with The Pacific—and they only have a certain amount of Sundays per year, so we only got nine Sundays. I think that they had more story than episodes. I think that’s what happened.

AVC: It sort of became like Mormon Dynasty.
CS: [Laughs.] I know, I know. I’ve heard a lot of other things like that.

AVC: What was it like when they first laid out what they wanted to accomplish this season? What was your reaction?
CS: They don’t. We only get it episode to episode. We never know what’s going to happen in the next episode until we’re almost finished shooting the one we’re shooting at present. Me and the girls [Jeanne Tripplehorn and Ginnifer Goodwin] definitely were not very happy with where it was going—or more kind of, “We really hope it’s going to work. It seems like they’re really pushing it.” I think next season, they’re going to go back to more just the family. I think that the stuff with Ben and Lois and that stuff was really great in Mexico, but… [Laughs.]

AVC: A part of the show’s initial appeal was how it at least tried to stay grounded in some semblance of reality. Now that it’s gotten away from that, how do you keep things from turning into self-parody?
CS: I guess I just focus on it from scene to scene. Like, “Why is she behaving like this in this scene?” She’s a very particular, peculiar character, when you think of her circumstances. And this season, she was going through an adolescence that she never had, acting out, and vicariously living through her daughter, and realizing stuff she missed out on, and trying to find herself with the different looks. I think it was a very complicated season for her. And you know, the whole relationship with the daughter, and then J.J. [Laughs.] There’s always so much going on.

AVC: Like how J.J.’s trying to inject her with an incest baby?
CS: Oh God, I know. Oh, God. It’s too much. It’s too much. But I hope the fans will stick with us and tune in next year. There’s a lot of people who really love this season, surprisingly. God, I’m going to get in so much trouble. [Laughs.]

[From The AV Club]

In my opinion, it’s never a good idea for an actor to go public so spectacularly with criticism of their own show or film. I mean, of course that actor should go to the writers and producers with their criticism in private. I get that, and I’m totally not saying that every actor should be the perfect little soldier who just does what they’re told. But all I can really think when some actor mouths off about how “awful” a project was is how the other people who worked on it feel. The actor does not stand alone, and there are hundreds or thousands of people who make their livelihoods on a project that some actor deigns to call “awful”. On the other side, I think Chloe was not just speaking as an actor on the show, but as a fan of the show who was disappointed. So… what do you think? Disrespectful, or just a disappointed fan?

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41 Responses to “Chloe Sevigny disrespects ‘Big Love’, calls it “awful””

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  1. Dorothy says:

    Whatever! she is just speaking the truth! I agree the show had it’s worst season. maybe if more stars were honest like this the writers would be accountable.

    Why do I love this girl so much?

  2. snowball says:

    Watching her blow Vincent Gallo in Brown Bunny was retina-searingly awful.

    Big Love isn’t that bad.

    She’s really not as cute or avante garde as she thinks she is.

  3. Fluffy Kitten Tail says:

    First off, IMO, she doesn’t even remotely look like Christopher Walken.

    2nd- I loved this season. I thought it got better and better with each episode, and unlike the season before last, which left me feeling bored, I am looking forward to the next season.

    Frankly, her character irritates me, and I would not miss her at all if she left.

  4. scotchy says:

    i tend to agree, this last season of big love was a little ridiculous.
    however that being said, i tend to find her just way too hip..ugh

  5. lucy2 says:

    I didn’t like the political storyline (mostly because I hate Bill and think he’s a selfish a-hole), and it felt crammed into too few episodes, so on that I agree with her.
    But I think there was a better way for her to express that without saying it’s awful and she didn’t like it. Especially because her own character’s storyline was really great this season.

  6. Lady Nightshade says:

    Between 2 and 3rd season, did she get a facelift? I noticed she looked noticeable less sagging.

  7. anon says:

    I guess, from what I’ve read on this site, the only thing an actress can ever say is how lucky she is and how wonderful everything in her life is. I think actresses should be allowed to have opinions about the work they do.
    You did the same thing to other girl that worked on big love and I think it’s hating.
    They are just being honest. Nothing wrong with it. If you worked as actress, which I strongly suspect you wish you could, you might not be happy 24/7 either.

  8. Vibius says:

    Im not a big fan of hers either but she is 100% right. This season has been pretty over the top.

  9. Mrs.Darcy says:

    huh. we are a bit (a LOT) behind on Big Love in the U.K., so maybe it is tanking creatively – but didn’t she win the Golden Globe this year? Smacks of Heigl. I do love her in the show but it is a bit ingrateful/obnoxious.

  10. gblinda says:

    she’s 100% correct, I couldn’t even stomach watching it this weekend…the whole thing with the casino and the political campaign is ridiculous.

  11. Iggles says:

    I’m a Big Love fan and I agree with her. The actors don’t write the show. They have no input when they have to act out crap material.

    I don’t fault her for acknowledging the obvious. She clearly stated this occurred because they only had 9 episodes, instead of a full season (for HBO that 13 I think).

  12. Melanie says:

    Is she the type of ugly that grows on you when you watch her show like Sarah Jessica? Because she is fuggie.

  13. Roma says:

    I think most true fans were disappointed with Big Love this season. And she hits the nail on the head by saying it had to do with only having 9 episodes. I felt like it went too far, too fast.

    And – SPOILER – killing off Benjamin Koldyke? He was the only intriguing part of this season. (Except the fact I swore he was Luke Wilson for an entire episode.)

  14. hatsumomo says:

    Ok, Im a HUGE fan of Big Love, but even I noticed it seemed a little rushed. And she was kinda spot on about they tried to cram way too much into just nine episodes. I dont think she was disrespectful at all, she’s just telling it like it is. I balked too when I saw there was only going to be a short season, I mean, how can you possibly shove so much of so many people and fully flesh out their characters when they only have precious few minutes to squeeze in their own moments?

    And just for the record, I love Bill, I think he’s the most morally justified person on the damn show. And the fact that his wives keeping screwing up in spectacular ways and he still finds a way to fix it for them so they could be happy and safe is endearing. I would totally convert to Mormonism for him!

  15. heb says:

    She spoke the truth, this season was bad compared to season 3. Way too much stuff packed into 9 eps.

    They’ll never get rid of Chloe though, she’s pretty much the biggest character, arguably bigger than Bill (plus everyone hates Bill now anyway). She could dye her hair blue and refuse to speak english and they’d work it into the show.

  16. Roma says:

    @hatsumomo: But Bill has cheated on his wives TWICE! That’s not a moral compass. That’s why I like his character… you can tell that he’s a very convoluted person.

  17. The Damn Nation says:

    “Mormon Dynasty”? Why have I never checked out this show before?!! I agree she’s annoying, but if you’ve had people telling you how cool you are since you were 15(-ish) it’s going to change your behaviour.

    And if Angelina Jolie or Sandra Bullock had said, “Men are intimidated by me, I want to be worshipped and adored.” I bet they wouldn’t have got the flak this girl has for it. Just sayin’…

  18. Chelly says:

    Ummm, y is Christopher Walken mentioned in this thread???? *confused*

  19. Tess says:

    Me thinks Chloe is a heavy nipper from the crazy cup.

  20. Scarlet Vixen says:

    @Mrs Darcy: I totally agree with your Katherine Heigl reference–way to disrepect your own show that got you a Golden Globe (you don’t even deserve). Is she going to try to get out of her contract early, too?

    And @TheDamnNation: I think Jolie and Bullock would get flak for the ‘I’m intimidating, worship me, blah-blah-blah’ comments. Look how much people come down on the Jessicas (Alba and Biel) for their “I’m so beautiful I don’t get good parts” comments.

    And I think Sevigny looks like the love child of Christopher Walken and Johnny Wier. Except she only WISHES she were half as fabulous (or good-looking) as either of those men.

  21. AbbeyRoad says:

    It’s not that she shouldn’t express her opinion, it’s that there’s a polite way to do it. We peons who work in offices don’t get to go off about how much everything sucks in a forum where our boss is going to hear about it — might as well ask to get fired.

    I don’t disagree with her about the quality of the season, but it really ticks me off when people who make more money per episode than a lot of people will in their entire life start biting the hand that feeds them (and WINS THEM AWARDS.) Of course she can and should voice her opinion, but there’s a tactful way to do it. My problem is not what she said at all, it’s how she said it.

    To the person who mentioned that it would be hard to be happy 24/7 as an actress — yes. It would. Kind of like how it’s hard to be happy 24/7 no matter what job you work. I don’t think she should be a wind-up doll who only spews out niceties that people want to hear, but come on. She’s Rich and Famous ™. I’m not at all trying to say that her life is perfect, but she has LOTS of perks, and the least she could do is phrase this just a little more gracefully.

  22. hatsumomo says:

    Yeah, but at least he wanted to make honest women out if them! He wanted to marry Anna(and did but the twit didnt want to stick around) and did right by Marge.

  23. fizXgirl314 says:

    THIS season… I remember I started watching this show like 5 years ago and after a couple of seasons I couldn’t stand it anymore because the drama level got cranked up so high. At first, it seemed like it would be interesting because it was the lives and times of an unconventional family but it quickly turned into the mormon mafia story… If it was that bad 5 years ago I can’t imagine the level of stupidity it encompasses at this point *shudder*

  24. The Damn Nation says:

    And @TheDamnNation: “I think Jolie and Bullock would get flak for the ‘I’m intimidating, worship me, blah-blah-blah’ comments. Look how much people come down on the Jessicas (Alba and Biel) for their “I’m so beautiful I don’t get good parts” comments.”

    I don’t see how wanting your PARTNER to think you’re a goddess is comparable to an moderately-talented actress claiming that she doesn’t get good parts because she’s too beautiful, but hey, maybe you want a guy that treats you like dirt – I hear Jesse James will soon be available…

  25. Sumodo1 says:

    I saw the whole interview a short while ago and thought: “Girl, this is going to backfire on you. Heigl-syle.”

    Since the writers on this show are basically the CREATORS of the show, they might not be happy. However, the guys have said publicly that they’ll do anything to get more viewers.

    So, to them, any publicity is probably good publicity.

  26. TaylorB says:

    I know this is not the popular opinion, while she may think the show sucks ass this season(and I do NOT disagree) she really should take that up with her bosses and the writers in a private meeting, airing dirty laundry is something to be VERY careful about and I don’t think she was in this case. My mom always said ‘don’t shit where you eat’, she is burning bridges in a very big way and I will bet a dime to a dollar that in the future it is gonna come back to bite her.

  27. LOVE ANGELINA says:

    I know an actor shouldn’t speak against their own work, I guess its a faux pas.

    1) she was right. It was a little over the top. I still enjoyed it but alot of people felt the same about this season.

    2) they aren’t gonna get rid of her because she is after all the most popular character on Big Love. I love Nikki.

  28. Is “Avant-Garde” another way to say “odd & funny looking”?

    Seriously, Big Love has gotten too..outrageous. I know that it was better before, but I think it’s kind of taboo for an actor to denounce a show while they’re still a part.

    At least she’s honest..and odd looking..

  29. Bee says:

    I love Big Love. But, I have to admit she was right on the money about last season. It was absolute “drekitude” as Andre Leon Tally would say.

  30. gg says:

    As usual, the lipstick and makeup/lack thereof, does not do this chick’s face any favors.

  31. CME73 says:

    I agree that it was inappropriate for her to say that the season was awful but on the other hand, maybe she’s feeling like a poorly crafted story line for the season is negatively effecting her career. i’m a screenwriter, so i know i wouldn’t love it if one of my actor’s said something like this but i can also kinda see her view. it’d be like if i wrote something fabulous and there was really poor acting and you’re like but it only sucks because of the acting!

    but i do agree with her about this season of the show. the political plot line was way too far fetched and what really didn’t make sense to me was that he was touting himself as this moral family man yet he was conning his constituents into voting for him.

  32. Linda says:

    We need to remember her extraordinary work in The Brown Bunny and maybe she’ll zip it.

  33. Jess says:

    I love Big Love, but I agree with what Chloe had to say about this past season. And while it might not be the most polite thing to criticize the hand that feeds you, I also like the fact that she’s going to be honest about the show. It’s so annoying when actors try to claim that their latest project is the most amazing ever, when we know that’s not always true. So I say – good for her for telling the truth!

  34. Alecto says:

    she is completely average in looks. never seen the show. should i watch it?

  35. texasmom says:

    I think we’ve all learned something today: if you have an invisible upper lip, this lipstick color is a poor choice.

  36. Goosie says:

    Dang it Chloe, you are making it hard for me to defend you! Argh!

  37. EG says:

    This, coming from the woman who gave Vincent Gallo a BJ in that horrible bunny film.

  38. alexandra says:

    If she is irritating in the show then she accomplished her job. Also I do not see nothing wrong with loving yourself. She loves herself no, she adores herself and that is commendable. If all of us would love ourselves a third of what she does. We wouldn’t be commenting and sometimes hating on people. We would be completely focus in our lives and not wasting time on others.

  39. ThunderC*nt says:

    Starting to like her.

  40. QuinnEdwards says:

    DAAAANG she’s ugly as hell!! Just like poor homely Peaches. Sorry folks there’s no other way to spin it.

  41. Aspie says:

    I’m a huge BL fan and she was spot on..this season stunk. I don’t think she was disrespecting the show by being honest.

    Hopefully next season HBO will provide more Sundays and the show’s writers will have better material to present.