Her style of comedy
Outlandishly fashionable Moira Rose of Schitt’s Creek is one of the most fun roles that Catherine O’Hara has inhabited
TORONTO — Catherine O’Hara’s beloved “Schitt’s Creek” character, former soap-star Moira, has inspired many a meme on social media with her outlandish outfits, prima donna behaviour and hilariously dramatic elocution.
O’Hara explained the development of the diva in an interview with The Canadian Press.
On Moira’s over-enunciation and use of archaic words:
“I’ve met people in my life who speak in a way and with an accent that has nothing to do with what you know of their history but you don’t dare question it. It’s like, ‘OK, all right, I guess you’re French now, OK,’ ” said the Toronto-born Emmy winner and “SCTV” alum, whose films include “Beetlejuice,” “Waiting for Guffman,” “Best in Show” and two “Home Alone” films.
“Like any insecure actor ... Moira had to believe that she was capable of so much more than just being a soap-opera character, that she has so much more potential. So that sadly comes out in most of her conversations.”
Does O’Hara sometimes slip into the character of Moira?
“Oh, way too much, but especially if I’m defending her — and I have to defend her quite a bit,” she said with a laugh.
On Moira’s outlook on living in Schitt’s Creek:
“Moira is not letting go (of her past life),” she said. “Moira gets involved with (town) things like Jazzagals but not with any kind of agenda. It’s just like, ‘What, you think you can sing? No, no, no.’ Or ‘What? You’re going to direct the play? No, that would be me.’ Or ‘You’re going to run things in town? No, not if I have anything to say about it.’
“It’s not with any plan to stay involved, it’s just more out of a desperate sense of competition.”
On Moira’s wild outfits:
“Oh my lord, I’ve had the best,” O’Hara said. “They always look wilder when I’m walking the streets of ‘Schitt’s Creek.’ That is the silliest, when we go on location.
“But Daniel (Levy) has always said, because we dress this way, you don’t have to verbally remind the audience of our past life. It’s just a great visual reminder of who we were and who, Moira for one, still thinks she still is.”