I didn’t realize Mae Whitman was on Parenthood because I didn’t watch that show (I’m sure I will, I tend to pick up a show years after it ended.) So I know Mae from Arrested Development (her?) Now, of course, she starring alongside Retta and Christina Hendricks on the show Good Girls, which is about three women in desperate financial straits who decide to rob a grocery store. I haven’t seen it yet, I want to, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet (see above). One of the things that all three appreciate about their characters is that they are flawed and messy, something that was very different for Mae to play.
On how her Good Girls character is different than her Parenthood character: This character is the opposite of what I usually play. I’m usually the worldly teen who’s too sage for this high school, and now I feel like I’m a 15-year-old stuck in a 30-year-old’s body where I had my development arrested when I had my kid. I like playing the one who’s not all there all the time. I’m the Joey Tribbiani.
On how her character is empowered: And they’re weird women and imperfect women. We talk about that a lot, that they’re messy and they drink too much and they make a lot of mistakes and they’re mean to each other and none of us are perfect and none of us are trying to be “likable,” which I think is a real thing that happens for women a lot in the industry. They’re like, “We’ll just give her a smoky eye and then people will think she’s a mess.”
On who she would you call if she had to bury a body: I would need multiple people. I would call [Castle Rock actress] Jane Levy, my best friend, to do all the heavy lifting because she’s really strong. And then I would have my boyfriend scout the area and make sure we didn’t leave any gloves or tools, because he’s very observant. He’d be on watch. I would have my best friend, [Parenthood costar] Miles Heizer, with me for emotional support if I started to panic. And then I would have [fashion designer] Rachel Antonoff create a fake alibi for me.
Mae was pretty detailed in who she would call to bury a body. I wonder if she wanted to drop as many names as she could or she’s already planned for this. Today’s lesson: don’t tick off Mae Whitman! I love that she likened her character to Joey Tribbiani. I can’t think of anyone I would want less than Joey when executing a crime. That makes me want to check the show out even more.
But what I find more intriguing about the show is that the women don’t have to be likable. Female characters usually wear a white hat or a black hat and they aren’t allowed the layers and nuances that their male counterparts are. So I’m all for female characters that walk the line between good and bad. When Mae gave that answer about the smoky eye, Christina responded, “I know which film you’re talking about,” and then laughed. Now, I want to know what film they’re trashing.
Photo credit: WENN Photos
Holy! The clothing in all these pictures is hideous. Not one good thing about any of the outfits.
Right? And poor Christina. I feel for that back.
Are her breasts real? On the show I notice they are always so high up I wonder if she hits her chin with them often.
They’re not real. You can find before/after pics online. I have to wonder why someone (who isn’t a stripper or porn star) would get implants so large, because of the discomfort factor (I had a reduction myself). But whatever floats her boat. And those could literally float a boat!
It’s almost in character for their “Good Girls” personas. I find it sort of hilarious that they so obviously do not coordinate at ALL for their appearances.
Maybe Forces of Nature with Sandra Bullock is the movie she’s talking about.
I love Good Girls. It’s so funny, and the characters are extremely likable.
This is a really great show. Well written. Well executed.
Ok, I really hate that blonde color hair on people. Her, Rita Ora and the wig color of Wendy Williams. Stooooop.
I just want to say I love Mae Whitman, always have can’t remember the first thing I saw her in but I’d liked you from the first moment I ever saw her she’s really likable.
Same! I think the first thing i saw her in was Hope Floats? She’s one of my favorites. ever.
It was either one Fine Day Or Independence Day…
The first thing I saw her in was the alcoholic film with Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia, When A Man Loves A Woman.
With Tina Majorino playing her sister. I used the routinely confuse them as they both grew up in films.
The DUFF is awesome and one of my favorite movies.
Hope Floats for me (that was her, wasn’t it?). I froze her as a child.
Love this show! 3 women who take matters into their own hands and just when they think they’ve got it figured out someone/something gets in the way.
I really enjoy this show; it’s an underrated gem. I’m afraid that low ratings will cause NBC to cancel it….but if that does happen I’m hoping Netflix will pick it up. I think that’s where a lot of people found the show and got into it.
Yeah, I had NO idea that this show was still on. I remember seeing ads for it before I cut cable.
I guess the characters are flawed but I would not go as far as to say they are not likeable. They end up in the world of crime because they all are victims of an unfair system (maybe except Mae actually) and they are underestimated because they are women, one of them black and they are also victims of predatory attention from some of the male characters.
I love the show actually because it balances really well tragedy and comedy and also, and more importantly, because it stars 3 women who have great roles and are incredible actresses – especially Retta who can light up a scene just from being there. She has a star quality to her.
Interesting because I watched the first season and I am having trouble investing in the show because I do find Mae’s character and Christina’s character unlikable. It’s not that they’re “mean” so don’t skewer me for double standards, it’s that they keep making terrible decisions and never learn their lesson. But I also think that real people do the same things, we’re just not used to seeing it on TV. Now there are a couple of male characters that I dislike because they are genuinely bad apples.
It might be because the show is not only a funny show but also a super real and tragic show that tackles questions of medical insurance, inequality, betrayal, motherhood, etc. It took me a while to get into it but now I find it super good inasmuch as I am finally aware that it’s not a “feel good” series.
I like it for those reasons too. None of them want to be doing what they’re doing, but were forced into it. Especially Retta’s character’s situation, with her kid needing expensive medicine and treatment. I agree she’s a standout, I loved her on Parks & Rec and she’s great on this show too.
I do agree with ItsReallyYou though – Christina and Mae’s characters do make some bad decisions. BAD decisions.
They do make BAD decisions all the time. But I find it a super good portrait of a lot of people who have been breezing through life victims of poor decisions when they were young and did not know any better. Christina H.’s character is so saaaaaaad.
I also had trouble adjusting to the show bc unbeknownst to me, it started getting super real and depressing at certain points and suddenly super funny. It’s a head scratcher in a good way.
Such a great show! Anyone know when/if the latest season will be on Netflix?!
Season 1 is on Netflix now.
Season 2 has started. I think we are on episode 3.
I really enjoy this show even though they make the WORST decisions. Christina & Mae are good, but Retta steals every scene that she’s in! Love her.
Good Girls is underrated! I was worried it would get canceled because I had never met anyone who had seen it. The three of them do a great job with their characters, and they’re all badasses. It’s on Netflix!
We love Good Girls!!
Mae was in the tv show Parenthood and I liked that show but didn’t like her character.
Tears all the damn time; Happy, sad, TEARS but in Good Girls she’s more bad-ass and I like C. Hendricks more the longer I “know” her.
In Mad Men, we referred to her as Jessica Rabbit and I still call her my husband’s pretend girlfriend but she has toned down the red hair on the show – more strawberry blonde, she’s a natural blonde -and I do like her a lot.
I don’t think her douche husband on Good Girls was well cast. He’s not even attractive or smart or funny. Oh well. She’s got a new “drug” and Retta is hilarious. Also shout-out to Reno. He plays her husband. He was the partner of Molly’s husband in Mike and Molly.
I like the show, but Injust cant handle looking at Mae’s massive unibrow. Its all I see on her little face. Girl get yerself some tweezers
Girl, get yourself some glasses. She does not have a unibrow.
Discovered and watched the entire first season on a plane while I was flying back-and-forth from NY to TX for business. What a great escape, thoroughly entertaining. Love seeing three strong women lead the show, and the male cast members do a nice job supporting them.
I enjoy the show. Its great to see an overweight black woman in a functional marriage. More of that kind of representation is needed.