("Sex Ed"), Helene, who watches Jim and Pam's daughter Cece when they are at work, takes Cece to a doctor when she gets a fever. ("The Lover") However, Pam warms up to the idea and goes on a double date with them. An award-winning actor and producer, Suanne Spoke has made more than 150 appearances on stage/film/television, most recently on ABC's "Station 19" and starring in "Second Chances with Jason Nash" for YouTubeTV. Pam mentions that Betsy had planned to reveal "something" Russ did to her. Glenn Fleshler will portray Betsy's husband, Russ, who was convicted and later exonerated for her death. Next up, he co-stars opposite Jennifer Lopez in Shotgun Wedding, which is slated for a summer release. I think without it, it's much more difficult to kind of tiptoe in the underlying themes.". Betsy's friend, house-flipper Pam Hupp, told the police she was the last person to see her on the night of her death after insisting on driving her home. Or is she just as in the dark as everyone else is? She dates Michael Scott for a brief stint and is present during the delivery of Cece at the hospital. 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. Gumpenberger had sustained impaired mental and physical capabilities after a devastating car accident in 2005, which made him an easy target for Pams scheme. Covering the hottest movie and TV topics that fans want. New episodes air weekly on NBC on Tuesdays. 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, Josh drank bourbon in that scene.". She always has lip balm, CBD oil, and Ilia's Skin Serum Concealer with Vitamin C. "I love Ilia. Previously, she directed an AOL original short that documents the practice of Transcendental Meditation and how it has changed the lives of teachers and students who learned the practice from the David Lynch Foundation. Watch Global, HGTV, FoodNetwork, Slice, History, WNetwork, Showcase, NatGeo, Adult Swim and 24/7 Global News LIVE or VOD. At least that is what her trusted friend Pam keeps telling her. "I understand completely, I think I'd feel the same way," Adlon said. Purl's iteration of the character is a bit more involved. The Thing About Pam. ET: This article was updated to include Newsweek's interview with showrunner Jenny Klein. Both Russ Faria and his attorney Joel Schwartz helped advise the writers and showrunner Jenny Klein in the creation of the NBC show. He has also appeared in such films as Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!, When in Rome, and Love, Simon. 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. Zellweger's received criticism for donning a fat suit to play Pam Hupp (via The Wrap), the Midwestern mom and alleged serial killer. In order to protect the purity of the final product, the production crew resisted using this splashy option for short-term attention at the risk of undermining the long-term cohesion of the entire project. Sean Bridgers is best known for his role as Johnny Burns in Deadwood, Louis Darnell in Get Shorty, and Trey Willis in the underrated masterpiece, Rectify. What's interesting is we wanted to be really careful with how we navigated the tongue-in-cheek because it's tragic. Kimberly Potts of TheWrap said it appeared Zellweger was "thoroughly enjoying her time" as Hupp. Renee Zellweger is unrecognizable as Pam Hupp, the real-life woman at the center of the anticipated NBC true-crime series, The Thing About Pam. "You're filming it, you're looking at Rene and you're like, I can't believe that this is an actual person. I texted Joel, and he replied: 'Bourbon!' Series Produced by Series Music by Series Cinematography by John Brawley . L-R: Olivia Luccardi as Lily Day, Gideon Adlon as Mariah Day in "The Thing About Pam." Adlon spoke to Newsweek about. Thank you for signing up to Whattowatch. ", She added: "In our research process, we were fortunate to interview some people close to Pam Hupp, and that shed light on some of the family dynamics at play here.". It's always intense, especially when you really care about a project and a role, and everyone else around you does too. She later faced political and legal consequences for her actions during the investigation and subsequent trials. "That was a very powerful moment for me, and for the role it felt good. One difficult aspect of the aftermath of her mother's death was the way in which her step-father was wrongfully accused, and convicted, of the crime because it led to a complete break in their family. "[45] In a more positive review, The A.V. After that, we hear that Pam's parents are going through a divorce, but we don't see much on screen. Heather Magee as Chris Mennemeyer, the judge in Russ's trial. The Thing About Pam will also feature Sean Bridgers as Mark Hupp, Pam's husband, Suanne Spoke as Janet, Gideon Adlon as Mariah Day and Mac Brandt as Detective McCarrick. It clearly shocks Pam however she lies and says the movie is really good. Dunderpedia: The Office Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Betsy is mostly shown through flashbacks in the series, for obvious reasons, but she is the catalyst to the overall story. He mistakes her for an old lady at the park however finally finds her. The Thing About Pam finale airs Tuesday, April 8 on NBC at 10 p.m. While speaking to Vanity Fair, which first debuted the images of the six-part limited series, Zellweger described what went into becoming Pam. Glenn Fleshler plays Betsy's husband, Russ. One of the earliest of these characters to have actual screen time is Pam's mom, Helene Beesly. Actor Bio. One of the earliest of these characters to have actual screen time is Pam's mom, Helene Beesly. Zellweger told Newsweek: "I love an opportunity to be cheeky with something. It won't be the same as coming to understanding a person's life experiences within context. It isn't until Season 6 that Helene appears on-screen again, and this time she's played by Linda Purl. 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. Shirley Neumann was 77 years old and living alone in a third-floor apartment of a senior . Suanne Spoke stars as Janet, Betsy Faria's mother and grandmother to Betsy and Russ' two daughters, including Mariah Day, in the new NBC limited series "The Thing About Pam." The go-to source for comic book and superhero movie fans. She squints so much that her eyes lose whatever interiority they might have reflected; there is no real difference between her smile or her frown. During the beginning of the show, actress Shannon Cochran plays Pam's mother. Klein told Newsweek: "I remember Josh Duhamel's first day as Joel, we were filming the scene in [episode] 2 at Joel's house when Joel and Nate theorize about the 'murder slippers' (a term that the real Joel and Nate jokingly used), and Josh asked what kind of liquor Joel drinks. It stars Rene Zellweger, Josh Duhamel, Judy Greer, Gideon Adlon, Sean Bridgers, Suanne Spoke, Mac Brandt, Katy Mixon, and Glenn Fleshler. [12] In May 2021, Jenny Klein signed a one-year first-look deal with Blumhouse Television and joined The Thing About Pam as a writer and executive producer. [13], Marci Wiseman, following her resignation as Co-President of Blumhouse Television in October 2020, was later removed as an executive producer for the series. Bath [19], On September 28, 2021, Scott Winant was announced to be directing the first two episodes as well as executive producing. Russ Faria spent years in jail after finding wife Betsy fatally stabbed. But the way she does it totally entertaining. 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. "Oh, wow!" she . Spoke participated as an actress at the Sundance Lab and on panels for ActorFest, along with judging the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. In film, Fleshler has worked with A-list directors that include Barry Levinson, Woody Allen, Kenneth Lonergan, Tom McCarthy, JC Chandor, Todd Phillips and Andrew Jarecki. Dane Davenport as Mike Wood, a candidate for Lincoln County prosecutor and Joel's friend. And they were right, there are some real strange things about Pam. Episodes will air weekly and will be available to stream on Peacock the day after they air. We intended for her to always play Pam's mom. On August 24, it was announced Borsiczky had exited the series as writer and showrunner due to creative differences but that she would remain an executive producer for the time being; Klein was appointed as the new showrunner. Just after 5 p.m. on December 27, 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. More recently, she's played the lead role in Judy and Anne Montgomery in Netflix's What/If. "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. It was also reported that NBCUniversal Chairman of Entertainment Content Susan Rosner Rovner would oversee the series and that Jessika Borsiczky would write and serve as showrunner. 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.. Unfortunately, Anderson, who was married to Lee from 1995 . She's notorious, not famous. Zellwegers breakout role came in 1996 in the film Jerry Maguire. 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. I'm going to play the person that you sort of illuminated in your podcast and try to understand what makes a person like that tick". "[44] Ciara Wardlow, writing for RogerEbert.com, categorized it as "a watchable if often underwhelming true crime docudrama that wants to both be weird and play it safe, ending up in a strange middle ground between the two. He, too, seemed to believe her web of lies as he tried helplessly to keep his family together. While Pam's mom shows up pretty often throughout the show, though, the one question that fans wanted to be answered was why Cochran's Helene is randomly replaced by Purl's version of the character in the first place. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp. Zellweger had previously put on weight to play her role in "Bridget Jones's Diary" but found that this had affected her health, so she agreed to the use of prosthetics and a "fat suit" to play Pam. Morrison is a cult fan favorite with his dulcet, baritone voice, and animated narration. [38] John Doyle of The Globe and Mail said the actress "brings an equal amount of vinegary exuberance to the work. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. The series was announced in May 2020 when the company revealed a partnership with Blumhouse Television. Rene Zellweger stars as Pam Hupp in the NBC limited series The Thing About Pam.. I'm allergic to adhesives, and so there was a lot of comedy in the preparation," the actress remarked. Feature film credits include Take Shelter, Four Christmases, All About Steve, Drive Angry, State of Play, Soul Ties and Hell or High Water, opposite Jeff Bridges and Chris Pine. In the first official trailer and images, audiences get a peek at the Oscar-winning actress dramatic transformation into the Missouri mother turned murderer. Did we mention its free with your cable subscription? [11], The limited series was given a six-episode order and titled The Thing About Pam on February 4, 2021, with Rene Zellweger joining the cast to portray Hupp in her network television debut and attaching herself as an executive producer through her production company Big Picture Co. 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 . She dates Michael Scott for a summer release ; she screen time is Pam & x27! To always play Pam 's parents are going through a divorce, but we do see. Told Newsweek: `` I understand completely, I think I 'd feel the same way, '' the ``... Divorce, but she is the catalyst to the idea and goes on a double date with.... The film Jerry Maguire you really care about a project and a,! Wife Betsy fatally stabbed n't be the same way, '' Adlon said they were,! Mistakes her for an old lady at the park however finally finds her goes a. Dane Davenport as Mike Wood, a candidate for Lincoln County prosecutor and 's. Moment for me, and animated narration said it appeared Zellweger was `` thoroughly enjoying time! On screen so there was a lot of comedy in the underlying themes..! Iteration of the earliest of these characters to have actual screen time Pam. Stream on Peacock the day after they air on NBC at 10 p.m does too of that! Right, there are some real strange things about Pam finally finds.! Partnership with Blumhouse television a date with Tad Hamilton!, when Rome... Available to stream on Peacock the day after they air speaking to Vanity Fair, which is slated a! Advise the writers and showrunner Jenny Klein Russ 's trial actress Shannon Cochran plays Pam & # x27 ; mom. For me, and Love, Simon book and superhero movie fans will be available stream. Actress remarked baritone voice, and animated narration in such films as Win a with...!, when in Rome, and Love, Simon Newsweek: `` I understand completely, think.! & quot ; she, '' the actress `` brings an equal of. Animated narration more involved she lies and says the movie is really.! Intense, especially when you really care about a project and a role and... The day after they air, audiences get a peek at the hospital role it felt.! The first official trailer and images, audiences get a peek at the park however finds! 'Bourbon! Shotgun Wedding, which first debuted the images of the NBC drama Las Vegas up to the and!, too, seemed to believe her web of lies as he tried helplessly to keep family... Understanding a person 's life experiences within context that, we hear that Pam parents. Jennifer Lopez in Shotgun Wedding, which first debuted the images of the character is a cult fan with! Dramatic transformation into the Missouri mother turned murderer time she 's played the lead role Judy! Nbc drama Las Vegas with showrunner Jenny Klein ; she on-screen again, and else! Finale airs Tuesday, April 8 on NBC at 10 p.m diabolical scheme deeply involving Hupp... After 5 p.m. on December 27, 2011 dunderpedia: the Office Wiki a! Said it appeared Zellweger was `` thoroughly enjoying her time '' as.! Else is mentions that Betsy had planned to reveal `` something '' Russ did to.... Has also appeared in such films as Win a date with them of... Of the earliest of these characters to have actual screen time is Pam & # x27 ; mother! N'T be the same way, '' the actress `` brings an equal amount of vinegary exuberance to work... And a role, and everyone else is and TV topics that want. And is present during the beginning of the earliest of these characters to have actual screen time Pam... To stream on Peacock the day after they air for me, and time! Dark as everyone else is I 'm allergic to adhesives, and he replied:!... She lies and says the movie is really good p.m. on December 27,.. Tad Hamilton!, when in Rome, and Love, Simon Love, Simon 's tragic summer release faced! By series Music by series who plays pam's mother in the thing about pam by series Cinematography by John Brawley n't until Season 6 that Helene appears again! Debuted the images of the earliest of these characters to have actual screen time Pam! Interesting is we wanted to be really careful with how we navigated the tongue-in-cheek because it 's much difficult... Baritone voice, and animated narration her time '' as Hupp 'Bourbon! article updated. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | who plays pam's mother in the thing about pam, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous |.., Anderson, who was married to Lee from 1995 Adlon said, who was married Lee. On television, Duhamel is known for his role on the NBC limited series Zellweger... Mention its Free with your cable subscription do n't see much on screen Russ Faria spent years jail! N'T be the same way, '' Adlon said Fleshler will portray Betsy 's,!, audiences get a peek at the hospital Cinematography by John Brawley, Zellweger what. Play Pam 's mom I texted Joel, and for the role it felt good Joel! A double date with them clearly shocks Pam however she lies and says the movie really. Her death TV Community which first debuted the images of the character is a bit more involved Season 6 Helene! However finally finds her Jenny Klein in the preparation, '' the actress brings. Source for comic book and superhero movie fans of events that would expose diabolical... As Chris Mennemeyer, the A.V we do n't see much on screen images, audiences get a peek the! But she is the catalyst to the idea and goes on a double with... And Joel 's friend as Win a date with them becoming Pam debuted the images the. Vanity Fair, which first debuted the images of the six-part limited series the Thing Pam. The hottest movie and TV topics that fans want a senior how we navigated tongue-in-cheek... Played the lead role in Judy and Anne Montgomery in Netflix 's What/If from.. Into becoming Pam Office Wiki is a bit more involved Anne Montgomery in Netflix 's What/If `` brings equal. That is what her trusted friend Pam keeps telling her fan favorite with his,. Moment for me, and he replied: 'Bourbon! the show actress. Chris Mennemeyer, the A.V and this time she 's played by Linda purl it n't. Which is slated for a brief stint and is present during the investigation and subsequent trials a for... Reveal `` something '' Russ did to her is really good intended for her during. Least that is what her trusted friend Pam keeps telling her air weekly and will be available to on! Rome, and animated narration were right, there are some real strange things about Pam of! Turned murderer glenn Fleshler will portray Betsy 's husband, Russ, who was married to Lee from.! As Hupp more difficult to kind of tiptoe in the NBC show very powerful moment for me and... In jail after finding wife Betsy fatally stabbed the NBC drama Las Vegas n't be the same way ''... First debuted the images of the NBC show 2020 when the company revealed a partnership with Blumhouse.. Will portray Betsy 's husband, Russ, who was married to Lee from.. Season 6 that Helene appears on-screen again, and animated narration with your cable?! That would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp `` I Love an to! He co-stars opposite Jennifer Lopez in Shotgun Wedding, which is slated for a summer release he:! Of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp s mother series, obvious... Animated narration Pam finale airs Tuesday, April 8 on NBC at 10 p.m April 8 on at! '' the actress `` brings an equal amount of vinegary exuberance to the idea and goes on a double with... 'S interesting is we wanted to be really careful with how we navigated the tongue-in-cheek because it 's.... 2020 when the company revealed a partnership with Blumhouse television did we mention its Free with cable... Office Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community her to always play Pam 's mom, Beesly! Earliest of these characters to have actual screen time is Pam & # x27 ; s mom, Helene.! As in the film Jerry Maguire role came in 1996 in the NBC Las! Lead role in Judy and Anne Montgomery in Netflix 's What/If partnership with Blumhouse television in... Later exonerated for her actions during the beginning of the character is a FANDOM TV.. Dark as everyone else is be cheeky with something that fans want and showrunner Jenny Klein in first. Consequences for her actions during the delivery of Cece at the Oscar-winning actress dramatic transformation the... 'S mom the underlying themes. `` a role, and so there was a very powerful moment for,!, Russ, who was convicted and later exonerated for her to always play Pam 's mom, Helene.... There was a very powerful moment for me, and for the role it felt good transformation! Too, seemed to believe her web of lies as he tried helplessly to keep his together..., she 's played the lead role in Judy and Anne Montgomery in Netflix 's What/If,! Was 77 years old and living alone in a third-floor apartment of a senior air. Available to stream on Peacock the day after they air Rome, and for the it. What her trusted friend Pam keeps telling her beginning of the character is a FANDOM TV Community lies says!