‘‘Creek’ went beyond my expectations’

O’Hara on how she fine-tuned Moira

IBy Amanda Lee Myers

n Moira Rose, Catherine O’Hara has created a character that will arguably go down as one of the best in TV history. Even though Moira lost her fortune and lives in a roadside motel in a town called Schitt’s Creek, the former soap opera star is always dressed to kill, complete with a different wig every day. She speaks unlike anyone else, using words like “frippet” and “unasinous” in a wild, unplaceable accent.

With “Schitt’s Creek”, O’Hara – nominated for an Emmy for her role in the show last year – talked with The Associated Press about how she finetuned Moira and what she got to keep from her killer closet. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Question: How did you create Moira?

Answer: I thought of women that were married to wealthy men who used to be actresses who sort of, oftentimes, want to remind everyone that they’re special, too . ... And I love the idea of somebody reinventing themselves. And I always thought of Moira as coming from a small town and getting out and then marrying and getting a career, marrying this rich, lovely man and then being thrown back into a town, so she’s more threatened than anyone else.

Q: Where did Moira’s look come from?

A: I went online looking for interesting women. And I found (socialite) Daphne Guinness, and my first lunch with Eugene and Daniel (Levy, the show’s creators) to talk about the character, our characters, I brought a ton of pictures of Daphne Guinness, and we all instantly agreed that that was a great direction to go in . ... And the wigs: I knew a woman who would have dinner parties at her house and she would keep disappearing and coming back with different wigs. And she would appear like, ‘Tada!’ Like really excited to show them off ... So whatever Moira was feeling on a particular day would dictate what kind of wig she would wear.

Q: What about her insane accent?

A: It’s part of Moira, you know, reminding people, especially in this town, that she is different, that she’s special, that she appreciates the beauty that the world has to offer that she isn’t living in right now . ... I had great dialogue written for me but it was really fun to be able to go through my arcane vocabulary books and Moira-ize my dialogue even more.

Q: What has this show meant to you?

A: It was really a great experience right from the beginning, and that’s all you can hope for. Really, beyond that, you don’t know who’s going to be interested in watching or how long you’re going to get to do this. So no matter what happened with the show, it was always going to be a lovely working experience, and then to have it have this positive funloving effect on these fun-loving people who watch the show as a bonus – that I, for one, never expected or dreamed of. It’s gone way beyond anyone’s expectations ... and I’m really proud to be part of it.

Q: Did you get to keep anything from Moira’s killer wardrobe?

A: I’ve worn a little (Alexander) McQueen double-breasted shirt jacket several times now. I love that and my Givenchy 6-inch booties. They were by most favorite shoe to wear on the show if only because they were the most comfortable. But also they’re just really cool.

NEW YORK:

Also:

ESPN and NFL Network will join forces for this year’s NFL draft. They will produce a broadcast that will air on both networks over all three days.

The April 23-25 draft was originally scheduled to be in Las Vegas but has been moved due to the coronavirus pandemic. It will now originate from ESPN’s headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.

Draft hosts and a limited number of commentators will be in-studio but will adhere to social distancing guidelines. Other reporters and analysts will report remotely from home. Commissioner Roger Goodell will introduce first-round picks from his home in Bronxville, New York.

ABC will air a separate draft broadcast on Thursday and Friday before simulcasting the ESPN/NFL Network feed on Saturday.

The league previously announced that the draft will serve as a “Draft-AThon,” which will pay tribute to health care workers and first responders. Funds raised will help support six national nonprofits and their relief efforts.

ESPN has broadcast the draft since 1980. NFL Network launched in the fall of 2003. Their first two drafts were done remotely from Los Angeles before they started reporting on site in 2006. (AP)