Performer Of The Week: Bridget Everett

THE PERFORMER | Bridget Everett

THE SHOW | Somebody Somewhere

THE EPISODE | "As Much as I Like Not Feeling" (Dec. 1, 2024)

THE PERFORMANCE | Somebody Somewhere loves to make our hearts soar, only to slap us with deep sadness mere minutes later. Sunday's episode was no exception, thanks to Bridget Everett's marvelous showing.

Watching Sam support both Joel and Tricia in their times of need was warming to witness. Everett effused a bouncy frivolity while her character tried to de-stress a post-fender-bender Joel and cheer on Tricia during an enraged call to her ex. Seriously, who wouldn't want Sam in their corner?

But the actress' best work came when the focus shifted to Sam. As she readied herself for her date with Iceland, Everett wordlessly conveyed her character's deepest fears and insecurities with irregular breathing, visible meekness and a few tears, making us want to reach out and hug her through the screen.

When the big date kicked off, we couldn't get enough of Sam and Iceland's chemistry. It was awkward, yes, but natural and honest, too, as Sam made every effort to keep the conversation moving with sweet smiles and irresistible humor. But when Iceland snuck in a kiss, the shock from the romantic encounter caused her to spiral, as she confessed that "maybe I don't have the emotional infrastructure for this." Everett transformed her body language, shying away from Iceland and the camera, and forcing us to live in her skin and discomfort.

Everett later went for the TKO when she admitted to Joel that the kiss triggered her negative feelings toward herself. "I just keep thinking about what if he got to know me. How could he want that?" she asked with a quivering voice. The actress' delivery slayed us. Thankfully, her BFF had her laughing in no time, but Everett's excellent performance was so touching and so grounded, we couldn't help but hope for a brighter, more self-confident future for our ol' pal Sammy.

Scroll down to see who got Honorable Mention shout-outs this week...

Jessica Barden (previously of The End of the F***ing World) and Emma Canning (Masters of the Air) had a head start in playing younger versions of Dune: Prophecy's Valya and Tula, looking as much as they do like adult counterparts Emily Watson and Olivia Williams. But beyond that superficial aspect, both actresses have the chops, as put on display in this week's flashback-heavy hour. Barden's Valya was brimming with pluck and defiance, hungry to wipe a blemish from the Harkonnen family name. She communicated so much in her scenes, whether quietly standing in a downpour as form of protest, or unleashing The Voice on her mum. Canning meanwhile imbued Tula with a perfectly modulated amount of warmth and sensitivity, even as she lured beau Orry into the deadliest of honey traps (but allowed one stray Atreides to run free). Together, Barden and Canning formed a sister act to be heeded. — Matt Webb Mitovich

We've already praised Landman's latest episode for giving Rebecca one whopper of a monologue. Now it's time to throw roses at Kayla Wallace's feet for her excellence in delivering it. The scene was the first time we'd watched Rebecca in her element as a polished, extremely capable lawyer, and Wallace crushed it. She exuded a sense of calm control that only deepened as the male lawyers in the room mocked her gender and her ability. You got the sense that Rebecca has encountered this type of idiocy before... and Wallace let us know that her character feeds on it. How else to explain the little wink — so perfectly implemented — that she threw Billy Bob Thornton's Tommy when she knew that she'd bested the opposing counsel? And all of that legalese, delivered with "Listen up, 5s, a 10 is speaking" energy? We stan.— Kimberly Roots

Which performance(s) knocked your socks off this week? Tell us in the comments!