Today we’d like to introduce you to Bridget McManus.
Hi Bridget, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in New England and have been creating art for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I designed my own fashion catalogs, directed my little brother in fake pizza commercials, and if there was a wig around, watch out!
That cheap flammable mane was mine.
As an adult, I graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, moved to Los Angeles, and began creating art professionally.
I’ve toured internationally as a comedian, and worked in front of and behind the camera in numerous roles, from directing to production design to acting to editing.
Over the last few years, I’ve thrown myself into my writing. In 2021 I was selected to be a Sundance episodic writing fellow. I spent time at the Sundance hub in Utah and met amazing writers, showrunners, executives, and mentors who I continue to work with to this day. The highlight was pitching my one-hour drama, The Family Pet. The series centers on a young woman hired by a wealthy psychiatrist to care for her daughter, only to discover the precocious 7-year-old may be a serial killer in the making. The show is set against the backdrop of the fetish world and examines the formation of an unusual chosen family, brought together by chance, forbidden desire, and desperation to belong. Just a little light fun for the family! The series is an open marriage between Killing Eve and Six Feet Under.
Since Sundance, I wrote an episode of the animated series Mermaze Mermaidz, and I’m currently working with the showrunner on the upcoming Peacock series Apples Never Fall, based on the book of the same name by Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers).
https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/peacock-liane-moriarty-apples-never-fall-series-1235175816/
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I was working full time as a stand-up/warm-up comic, it was a challenge not to murder all the d-bag comedy bros who told nonstop unoriginal d*ck jokes, (I have great tits and I’m not talking about them on stage), and the crew guys on TV sets who would say, “You’re a comic? Say something funny.” To which I would respond, “No, f*cker. I’m not here to prove myself to you. Now turn on your little camera and shoot something.”
I was one of the only female TV warm-up comics working in LA, and I frequently encountered sexism on set. But I always immediately shut it down and demanded respect. If I aggressively challenged the comment or shot back with one of my own, the offender would usually scuttle away, never bothering me again.
To quote writer Anne Victoria Clark, “Treat all women like you would treat Dwayne ‘The Rock” Johnson.” I doubt random dudes would walk up to ‘The Rock’ and tell him to smile.
I can honestly say the difficulties I have endured have shaped me into a better artist with a strong point of view.
Like many people all over the world, a big shift happened for me in March 2020. I was working on an Emmy-winning talk show, hosting a monthly comedy show at the Hollywood Improv, and gearing up to launch my own production company. When the California COVID lockdown went into effect, suddenly there were no live shows. I went from performing daily for hundreds of audience members on a soundstage to writing alone in the corner of my bedroom.
After 14 years of working as a professional live performer, my livelihood completely vanished. I had no choice but to start over. Luckily, necessity is the mother of (re)invention. I’ll always be a performer but now I’m focused on my writing career, and I couldn’t be happier.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m known for being a high-energy performer. I’ve pumped up audiences for more than 30 award shows, comedy specials, talk shows, and game shows. Including 15,000 screaming fans at the Teen Choice Awards.
I created and hosted two TV shows, Brunch with Bridget and Bridget McManus Presents: That Time of the Month (Logo), and had recurring roles on Transparent (Amazon) and The Queen Latifah Show (CBS).
I take pride in the fact that I’ve successfully balanced my work and home life. It helps that whenever I have an out-of-town show, I usually get to take my wife with me.
I’m open to criticism, have a great work ethic, and greatly enjoy taking care of the people I love. I’m the person you call in the middle of the night to bail you out of jail.
What makes you happy?
Sleeping in. My life would be pure bliss if I could wake up every day at 11 am. Sleep is healing, and restorative, lowers your risk for heart disease and diabetes, and, with four cuddly pets and an adorable wife, why would I ever want to get out of bed?
During my waking hours, I enjoy watching The Great British Baking Show, sitting on my floor painting, and reading books about cults. Cults are fascinating to me because they’re basically all the same. They’re led by an unattractive middle-aged man who claims to have the answers to life or a fast pass to “God”. Nope, Sorry. I’m way too gay for that. If you’re a cult enthusiast like me, I recommend reading Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape by Jenna Miscavige, Sarah Berman’s Don’t Call it a Cult: The Shocking Story of Keith Raniere and the Women of NXIVM and Breaking Free by Rachel Jeffs, daughter of the FLDS cult leader Warren Jeffs. Whenever I’m having a bad day, I always say to myself, “At least I’m not in a cult”…or am I?
Contact Info:
- Website: bridgetmcmanus.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/officialbridgetmcmanus
- Facebook: facebook.com/officalbridgetmcmanus
- Twitter: twitter.com/bridgetmcmanus
- Youtube: Dancing on The Queen Latifah Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr8V-DEFlu8
Image Credits
PRESS SHOTS by Eliza Ladensohn https://www.instagram.com/elizaladensohn/ SUNDANCE SHOT by Shelly Simonshellyandthesnaps.com SUNDANCE Shot by Karman Kregloe https://www.karmankregloe.com Photo by Dana Pleasant https://www.danalynnpleasant.com PHOTOS by The Queen Latifah Show
