Eagle reporter goes all fangirl for interview with ‘Somebody Somewhere’ star

If you’re not watching “Somebody Somewhere,” then you’re not only missing a charming show with all the feels — laughter and tears — but you’re also missing a lot of fun references to Kansas.

The show, which is in its third and final season on HBO Max, is set in Manhattan, Kan. There have been a few mentions of Wichita, too. And, yes, we’ve seen sunflowers along with other telltale Kansas signs.

Manhattan happens to be the real-life hometown of the show’s star, Bridget Everett.

She’s part comedian, part cabaret diva and fearless in her role as Sam, a semi-autobiographical character who returns to her hometown and struggles to find her way.

The supporting cast is equally delightful across the board, and the show is especially relatable for people who like cocktails, pancakes and sometimes find themselves on the fringe of regular society.

Everett is returning to Manhattan on Dec. 8 for a public watch party of the show’s finale at Wareham Hall.

Co-star Jeff Hiller, who is especially lovely as Joel, will be there, too, along with, according to the ticket site, “other special guests!”

There will be a “ ‘choir practice,’ (aka karaoke)” following the show. There appears to currently be a waiting list for the event.

Even if you don’t get to go, the show is worth checking out.

The occasion of the finale and the party seemed like a good opportunity to check in with Everett. Or it may simply have been an excuse for one fangirl to get to talk to the star under the guise of a Q&A.

Well, Bridget, I’ll just warn you in advance, because your people have been very clear: Only 15 minutes, so I can’t go all Terry Gross on you. So we’re going to have a little bit of fun, if you’re game, with a Q&A. But first, I have a disclaimer to make: Taking a bit of inspiration from Sam, I started writing these questions just after midnight last night and, let’s just say, also after more than one cocktail. So why don’t we start there. Are you a Gin or vodka gal?

Oh, vodka all the way.

Ugh, really?

I know, I know. Some of my friends . . . that drink the classic martini say that the gin is the way of the world, but to me it’s smells like, I don’t know . . . air freshener, and I just can’t get behind it.

And I was so sure we were going to be friends.

Don’t let this ruin it for us. . . . There’s other things we can connect on. I’m sure of it.

People from places like New York always seem so fascinated to meet someone from Kansas, like it’s another country or maybe another planet. So what kind of reactions do you get?

Oh, you know, first it was always the Dorothy and the Toto stuff. . . . Honestly, I think through . . . the show, people are seeing it a little differently, and that makes me happy.

Do you have any good comebacks for Dorothy and Toto jokes?

Oh, God. . . . I think my mind is awash . . . with the remnants of too much chardonnay and vodka to give you a great answer.

It’s been fun to hear Wichita references on the show. Have you spent any time here?

When I was a kid you know, I was on the swim team . . . and I had a couple swim meets down there. I have family that lives there. . . . The story line where the mom goes to Wichita for behavioral stuff . . . something like that happened in my own life, so I’ve got my connections with Wichita for sure.

Are there any other Wichita references coming up?

Not this season, no.

Speaking of Wichita references, did you watch “The Golden Bachelorette” where a Wichitan was the top bachelor?

Ahhhh, spoiler. I almost started watching last night. Oh, man.

Oh, my God, I’m so sorry. I just ruined it for you.

No, you know what you did? You gave me 25 hours of my life back, so thank you.

You know, I’ve actually recapped every one of the shows, so you could just go on Kansas.com and read my scintillating summaries.

That’ll give me the sense of place and the love, but I don’t actually have to watch it.

That’s right, there you go. Also did you watch “The Perfect Couple” recently?

I started watching it. . . . I really don’t like anything scary. . . . It doesn’t even look that scary.

Well, it’s not exactly scary, but it is a murder mystery, and I was just wondering what was it like for you to see Tim Bagley — also known as Brad on your show — in that compared to your show?

Tim just lights up the screen for me. I just love him. He’s such a gem.

You are so emotionally and physically open on your show. I think I was triggered when I saw you in that tiny little paper outfit they made you wear at the doctor’s office while the doctor told you everything you’re doing wrong. What was that like to do that scene for you, and did you have to talk yourself into doing it?

To me . . . I like the show to be a reflection of real life, and when I went to my doctor’s office to get my last physical, I sat in a gown like that, and I’m like, oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. . . . You’re already vulnerable — in a vulnerable state when you go to the doctor — and if you add that on top of it . . . it’s a good way to show, you know, where Sam is. . . . The last time I went to the doctor . . . she was pretty gentle with me, but there are doctors that are straight shooting and like, that’s the last thing you want to hear is everything that you’re doing wrong while your boobs are hanging out.

Exactly.

Can you at least wait till I put my bra back on and then let me know?

On another serious note, did we or did we not see you double dip the cheese dip in that first episode of season three in the scene with your on-screen sister? Are you a double dipper, Bridget?

I think you can allow double (dipping) with a sibling because you came out of the same vagina.

No, no. I am going to firmly disagree with you there. I’m now starting to re-evaluate our entire relationship, Bridget.

Let me tell you what, in real life, I am adamantly against double dipping. But I think for Sam, it just shows her sort of lack of awareness about things like that. . . . Bridget Everett would never do that, but Sam would. It’s a small thing . . . but it just sort of shows where her head is at. It’s small things like that. It’s interesting that you noticed that. You’re the first person who’s ever said anything to me.

So even though we have to say goodbye to all these wonderful characters after this season, is it just goodbye for now? Haven’t you said you can see the series returning one day and catching up with everyone?

I can. I was just on a walk, and I was dreaming about a conversation between Sam and Joel and where they might be right now. So it doesn’t leave my brain. I would always welcome the opportunity to continue on down the line somehow.

You’ve joked about being a regionally recognized cabaret singer, but when are you coming to this region? Or better yet, Wichita in particular?

I should. I’ve been taking a break from touring since I’ve been doing the show because it kind of has consumed me, but I just had a conversation with my agent the other day about going out on the road, so it could happen. It’s in my blood. . . . The show is a little racy, so I get a little nervous to take it where I have blood relatives living. But if they’re OK with it, then I’m OK with it, too.

So speaking of getting on the road, since you haven’t come to us, we’ve got a Wichita posse coming to see you in Manhattan for the big watch party. We think you’re going to love us and just wanted to let you know we are available for the after party. You game?

(Much laughter.) I love that you’re always ready to go. I’m sure it’ll be a gin night, and, um, you never know. . . . Let’s just leave it at that.

All right, that was a little noncommittal. My feelings are a bit hurt. So now that I’ve embarrassed myself and gone all fangirl, who have you done that with on the celebrity circuit?

Oh, my God, so many people. I’m trying to think of the worst encounter, but there are so many.

Yes, that’s what I want to hear.

I know, but I’m trying to think who. . . . Well, I like, God, I can’t believe I can’t think of any right now because there have been so many. . . . But I remember I got to meet, like, Richard Simmons, and that was really major for me.

What, really? Why?

I just grew up with him. . . . I loved him. Like, doing the “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” with my sister in the basement. . . . He’s one of the top five best all-time talk show guests, in my opinion.

Interesting.

When I see you in Kansas . . . I’ll think about this, and I’ll give you a better answer.

Well, except then none of our readers will hear the answer. Come on, you can think of somebody. Some particularly memorable or embarrassing encounter. . . . Hey, Jimmy Fallon really loves you, doesn’t he?

Oh, he’s great. . . . When I was on his show . . . not this last time but the time before, after I finished my appearance, I heard him talking to the audience, and he said . . . “I’m really rooting for her. I want great things for her.” That’s so generous. . . . I was really moved.

So my final question — I like to ask this at the end of all my Q&As — what’s one thing that nobody knows about you?

That I’m a shut-in.

What? Are you?

I am.

In what way?

Like, I like to be on my couch with nobody here except for my dog and then cuddle with either a nice martini or a bottle of chardonnay and listen to music. Those are my favorite days. . . . I’m a shut-in, but I’m working on it. I’m working on breaking out of the shell.

Well, on that note, how much of Sam is you?

Ahh, I would say, like, 60 percent.

What parts aren’t like you?

That she embraces change even in her slow, inch by inch way.

I just yesterday said, with a line I stole, “Change bad. I want blue blankie.”

See, there’s one other thing we have in common.

Well, you have been very game, and I appreciate that, I look forward to meeting you.

Thank you so much. It was great chatting with you. We’ll see you in Kansas.