Jennifer Coolidge stole hearts with her role as Tanya McQuoid on seasons 1 and 2 of The White Lotus. We intended for her to always play Pam's mom. In the theater, he has worked with directors and playwrights that include Mike Nichols, Tony Kushner, Edward Albee, Tom Stoppard and David Hare. During her lengthy stage career, she served on the board of directors for both Company of Angels and Deaf West Theatre. ET It always seemed like Pamela Hupp was your friendly, easygoing neighborhood pal. Liz Cole, executive producer of Dateline NBC and the then-president of Peacock Productions, announced she would also serve as president of the new company. Pam Hupp (inset) was eventually fingered as the killer and she'd been busy. Later this year, he's due to appear in Blackout, Shotgun Wedding and opposite Mel Gibson in Bandit. The real-life Pam is currently serving a life sentence in prison for the 2016 murder of Louis Gumpenberger, and therefore has not spoken about the NBC show. "[27], The score was composed by Giona Ostinelli and Sonya Belousova. "Normally I'd jump at the chance to meet the person I was playing but I was so daunted by this project that I quickly scrambled to wrap my brain around playing Russ," Fleshler explained. "[36] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 55 out of 100 based on 18 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Save 20% On Olaplex Haircare Bestsellers to Repair Damaged Strands, Save $105 on This Highly-Rated Dyson Vacuum Alternative from Amazon, Hailey Bieber's Favorite Denim Shorts Are On Sale Now at Amazon, Khloe Kardashian's Good American Drops New Neon Swimwear Collection. On Halloween day of 2013, the body of Pam Hupp's 77-year-old mother Shirley Neumann (played by Celia Weston) was found on the lawn of the senior retirement community where she was living at the time. On television, Duhamel is known for his role on the NBC drama Las Vegas. Additionally, he lent his voice to Nickelodeons Emmy Award-winning animated series Fanboy & Chum Chum and starred in several seasons of the long-running ABC soap opera All My Children, for which he received three consecutive Daytime Emmy nominations. If only Pam had one. Its almost hard to watch how easily people can be fooled. In real life, Betsy's husband Russ Faria was charged with killing his wife in 2012 and found guilty by a jury in 2013 following testimony from key witness Pamela "Pam" Hupp, despite him having an alibi and police finding no blood on him at the time. Meanwhile, Zellweger is no stranger to transforming her body onscreen, as previously seen in Bridget Joness Diary and Judy, for which she won her second Oscar portraying Judy Garland at the end of her career. One of the earliest of these characters to have actual screen time is Pam's mom, Helene Beesly. Russ Faria added: "I think they've done a really good job of staying true to the story as much as they could. Purl's iteration of the character is a bit more involved. When Dateline started premiering episodes about Pam Hupp back in 2013, they had no idea what they were in for. ET. Does she really know Pam? Get the latest updates, reviews and unmissable series to watch and more! The Thing About Pam finale airs Tuesday, April 8 on NBC at 10 p.m. You can just tell that the toxic narcissistic energy that she has is just starting to eat her alive and you know, bite her in the a**," the actor said. As the defense attorney for Russ Faria, Joel Schwartz had his work cut out for him. ("Sexual Harassment") Later, she and Pam talk to each other after Jim tells Pam that he loves her. [28] Zellweger described her physical transformation as "pretty much head to toe". The case shocked the nation, becoming the subject of several Dateline episodes, and is stirring up attention once again through NBC's true-crime series, which airs on Tuesdays. Barnes? He has also appeared in such films as Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!, When in Rome, and Love, Simon. Based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in the conviction of her husband, Russ, but he insisted he did not kill her. Recovering from cancer, trying to get her life back together and her only mistake was to trust the wrong person. The website's consensus reads, "Rene Zellweger is visibly having fun, but The Thing About Pam's glossy take on a true crime is neither as entertaining or insightful as it aims to be. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp.Based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in the conviction of her husband, Russ, but he insisted he did not kill her. Two-time Academy Award winner Renee Zellweger plays Pam Hupp, the central character in the true-crime story about the murder of Betsy Faria in December 2011 in the small town of Troy, Missouri. She's lightly involved in the later seasons of the show, as well, and even makes the final cut for Michael's off-beat flick "Threat Level Midnight.". 2021. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. [10] In a statement, Cole said that "having been at the forefront of the true-crime genre for so long, we know better than anyone that truth is often stranger than fiction, and with the twists and turns in this case, we saw a real opportunity to present it in a scripted format". After he spends three years in prison, there is an appeal to Russ's conviction. The slurping effect, which the duo came up with before filming began, was also used in the sound design. [1], On January 10, 2020, NBC announced its plans to shut down the unscripted production unit Peacock Productions. When asked how she would respond, Adlon said she could see why Mariah was concerned and would likely feel the same in her position, but she assured that was never their intention. So, go download it now. [37], Zellweger's performance divided critics. The Thing About Pam may seem too far-fetched to be real, but it is based on the actual 2011 murder of Betsy Faria. Where do we even begin? Even portraying Mariah for a few months, having that moment was a relief for me. (6 episodes, 2022) Series Film Editing by Series Casting By Series Production Design by Meghan C. Rogers . It's always intense, especially when you really care about a project and a role, and everyone else around you does too. The character appears twice. It was prosthetics, it was a [padded] suit, it was the choice of clothing, it was the briskness in her step-step-step, her gait, she shared. Russ Faria's conviction was overturned by a judge in 2015 and he was released from prison. That's the way someone acted in the world and had no remorse and just could give less of a s**t about how they ruined people's lives.". Zellweger told Newsweek: "I love an opportunity to be cheeky with something. In addition to her on-screen projects, Adlon is an active voiceover artist. She dates Michael Scott for a brief stint and is present during the delivery of Cece at the hospital. Actor Bio. We cast her as Pam's mom. With heavy makeup and prosthetics Renee Zellweger is unrecognizable until she speaks. Dateline journalist Keith Morrison provides the show's narration. The series was announced in May 2020 when the company revealed a partnership with Blumhouse Television. New episodes air weekly on NBC on Tuesdays. Jenna Fischer took the lead, explaining that "We wanted Shannon Cochran to come back. In the upcoming series co-starring Josh Duhamel as defense attorney Joel Schwartz, Judy Greer as prosecutor Leah Askey and Katy Mixon as Betsy Faria, Zellweger plays Pam, whose deeply diabolical and deadly scheme was exposed by a chain of events following the overturning of Russ Farias conviction in the 2011 murder of his wife. And our job at that point is to provide Renee and the rest of the cast with all the tools they need to embody these characters. Previously, she starred on CBS Mike & Molly for four seasons. From there, the actress says that for a long time, "The Office" had a rule against stunt-casting. Jenny Klein serves as showrunner for the series. She accidentally locks her in her car and calls Jim to tell him. "I think Glenn [Fleshler, who plays Russ] did such an incredible job of conveying that on screen, and you can see Mariah struggle with her want to connect with him and just how she doesn't agree with anyone around her. Pam Hupp (Rene Zellweger), who declares herself "a pillar of the community," has been intimately involved in Betsy's life while Betsy has been getting cancer treatments. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, [19], On September 28, 2021, Scott Winant was announced to be directing the first two episodes as well as executive producing. It was a smart policy, as it allowed the less-well-known actors (many of which have since become super stars in their own right since) to develop into the characters that we all know and love. Josh Duhamel got his start on All My Children back in 1999. She has taught at Deaf West's Summer School and does specialized audition technique seminars as well as serving as an acting consultant for the UCLA Extension for screenwriters and UCLA/US Performing Camps.Spoke participated as an actress at the Sundance Lab and on panels for ActorFest, along with judging the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Gideon Adlon found speaking to her real-life counterpart Mariah Day for The Thing About Pam "heart-breaking," she told Newsweek. She always has lip balm, CBD oil, and Ilia's Skin Serum Concealer with Vitamin C. "I love Ilia. He never gets the chance to tell her he might have herpes. [35], On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 44% of 27 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.8/10. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Gideon Adlon had her first major movie role in 2018s Blockers. It's a factor that is constantly upsetting schedules and casting calls. Minnie seems to keep popping up as Pam works her schemes almost as a voice whispering to Pams conscience. Oscar-winning actress Rene Zellweger is making her return to broadcast TV as Pam Hupp. Michael tries to analyze their relationship but Helene reminds Michael that he romanticizes and rejects that they ever had a good relationship. I think without it, it's much more difficult to kind of tiptoe in the underlying themes.". Avery Thompson. A one-stop-shop for all things video games. ("Chair Model"), Helene and William Beesly separate to the dismay of Pam. The case of killer Pamela Hupp is a twisted tale involving money and murder. ", Helene is upbeat, kind, and is interested in Jim. The Thing About Pam premieres Tuesday, March 8 at 10 pm ET on NBC. 19) In what film is Bruce Willis' first scene backed by Al Green's "Let's StayTogether"? After a nearly flawless relationship, the final season of The Office found Pam and Jim's marriage seriously on the rocks. [40] From Vulture, Roxana Hadadi said "Zellweger is simultaneously broadly cartoonish and blandly nonspecific. BA1 1UA. Watch The Thing About Pam: Becoming Pam Hupp, Watch The Thing About Pam: She's A Killer, Watch The Thing About Pam: She's A Star Witness, Watch The Thing About Pam: She's A Good Friend, Watch The Thing About Pam: Renee Zellweger Is Pam. She plays Pam with a lot of dark humor, I'd suppose the character is exaggerated. The actor portrays Mariah in the NBC true crime drama which charts the 2011 murder of Day's mother Betsy Faria and its aftermath, including how Betsy's husband Russ ( Glenn Fleshler) was . "I was lucky enough to speak to Mariah on the phone once, before we started filming, and it was obviously very enlightening and heart-breaking, but she really gave me more perspective into what it was like, at that time in her life," she explained. The Thing About Pam finale airs Tuesday, April 8 on NBC at 10 p.m. Jim panics and drives off to go help and accidentally leaves Michael behind at the gas station they were at. Rene Zellweger is best known for portraying the title role in the Bridget Jones movies, as well as playing Roxie Hart in Chicago (2002). Zellwegers breakout role came in 1996 in the film Jerry Maguire. "You're filming it, you're looking at Rene and you're like, I can't believe that this is an actual person. Russ Faria spent years in jail after finding wife Betsy fatally stabbed. 7. [16][17] On August 27, it was reported that pre-production would be suspended for some time due to Hurricane Ida with a filming start date set for early September. In 2021, the real Pam was charged with first-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of Betsy Faria in 2011 she has pleaded not guilty and is still awaiting trial. "[46], The premiere episode increased its viewership by 205% after seven days, from 2.9million viewers when it aired to 8.7million viewers after a week with delayed viewing across linear and DVR, as well as Hulu, NBC.com, the NBC app, and Peacock. Shirley threatens to take her out of her will every time Pam makes a misstep, which infuriates her because she struggles with finances. In The Thing About Pam, Judy Greer will play former Lincoln County Prosecutor, Leah Askey, one of the attorneys who led the case again Russ Faria. "Episode 5, I feel like is definitely the most, in a way for me, I feel like it's almost the most heart-breaking and empowering episode for Mariah.". Zellweger serves as an executive producer on both The Back Nine and The Thing About Pam through her production company, Big Picture Co. Zellweger is known globally for her starring role as the seminal British everywoman in the film Bridget Joness Diary, for which she received an Oscar nomination, and the sequels Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and Bridget Joness Baby. She also earned an Academy Award nomination as convicted killer Roxie Hart in Chicago and won her first Oscar in the category of Best Supporting Actress for Anthony Minghellas Cold Mountain., After graduating with an English degree from the University of Texas, Zellweger made her feature film debut in Richard Linklaters seminal coming-of-age film Dazed and Confused. Other film roles quickly followed, including Reality Bites, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation and My Boyfriends Back. Soon after, Zellweger won the affection of audiences with her breakthrough role in Jerry Maguire., Additional credits include One True Thing, Nurse Betty, Me, Myself & Irene, White Oleander and Cinderella Man. She has also lent her voice to such animated features as Shark Tale, Bee Movie and Monsters vs. Aliens and made her television debut in the Netflix limited series What/If., Suanne Spoke stars as Janet, Betsy Farias mother and grandmother to Betsy and Russ two daughters, including Mariah Day, in the new NBC limited series The Thing About Pam.. Lancaster on HBOs Lovecraft Country. Previously, he co-starred on DirecTVs Kingdom and has also recurred on Night Shift, Colony and Valor. On the film side, he has appeared in the features Game Over, Man and Venom, and hell also be seen in the upcoming feature films To Leslie and Grey Elephant., Katy Mixon plays Betsy Faria in the NBC limited series The Thing About Pam.. Over the next few years, they would keep coming back to Hupp as her name would continually be linked to several murders. Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison who narrated the original NBC News podcast, The Thing About Pam (opens in new tab) which remains one of the most-downloaded shows on Apple Podcasts is returning to narrate the TV adaptation. Martin is a Staff Writer with WhatToWatch.com, where he produces a variety of articles focused on the latest and greatest films and TV shows. RELATED: 'The Thing About Pam' Trailer Reveals Rene Zellweger's Compulsive Lying. Between Hupps deception and the misguided prosecution, Russ has all the blame placed on him all while grieving the death of his wife. The twists and turns of this saga are truly stranger than fiction, said Susan Rovner, Chairman, Entertainment Content, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, adding, This series will bring a completely new perspective to a story that has already captivated millions.. 'The Thing About Pam' Cast & Character Guide, 'The Thing About Pam' Trailer Reveals Rene Zellweger's Compulsive Lying, SNL: Kenan Thompson Keeps Passing Out on The Slingshot Ride, 'The Last of Us' Creators on Why They Changed the Mall Attack. Arjen and Benadryl. The Thing About Pam details the murder of Betsy Faria, a cancer-stricken woman found dead in her home in Troy, Missouri, in December 2011. At the time of its announcement, NBC News Studios had already attained partnerships with Blumhouse Television and Focus Features, with the former revealing they were in negotiations to develop and produce scripted programs based on stories told on Dateline. 1,373 Likes, 340 Comments - Pam Tronson Coaching (@pamtronsoncoaching) on Instagram: "Being a mom was easily the most important thing I ever did. In a statement, Borsiczky said the murder case she was adapting could be interpreted as both a whodunit and a character study. Since then, he has starred in Las Vegas, Crossing Jordan, and Unsolved. Greers feature credits include The Descendants, Jurassic World, Driven, Whered You Go, Bernadette and many others. This is the first television role for Jeff Ryan Baker. Going on to speak about what it was like filming with Zellweger, Adlon said her co-star was able to convey Pam's "toxic" nature with ease. It received mixed reviews from critics. The Thing About Pam is an American true crime comedy-drama television miniseries detailing the involvement of Pam Hupp in the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria. : 1) Ben Vereen 2) Michael Fishman 3) The Lincoln Tunnel 4) The Lincoln Tunnel. NBC/St Charles Missouri Police Department, Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. 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