SEASON FOUR CHANGES
On Season Three
An: Hi. I have a two-part question. There are a couple of things I really enjoyed last season which included the incredibly or increasingly introspective monologues, making Stan stronger, stabilizing Mary’s family, showing even more of Marshall’s ability to read Mary, and showing their ability to work apart. Are any of those items going to be carried over to the new season?
Mary McCormack: I think those are all changes that are continuing. I mean the first one you mentioned was the monologues. Are you referring to the voice-overs?
An: Yes.
Mary McCormack: Those will continue and be written in the same way. I’ll let Fred address the rest. One of my favorite things about the voice-overs at least from my perspective, is that Mary Shannon is a person who doesn’t let people in.
You know, I mean she barely lets Marshall in and he’s the closest person in her life to her. And so to me it’s opportunity for the audience to just know the real her. And I think it’s a way for them to — I think what’s nice is the audience has a really intimate relationship with her, even though no — she doesn’t really allow anyone else to. So I would — I love those and I think they’re beautifully written. And so, yes I know that they are continuing.
What were the other things? The stabilization of the family is continuing obviously, along with our theme of this year Brandi is engaged and getting married. And so far her relationship seems to be going great. And my mother is still sober and doing great, and so that’s all confusing for Mary Shannon. But I think in an interesting way.
On Allison Janney and West Wing Alum
An: …my final question is just, In Plain Sight cut short last season, are there any unfinished story lines that you might incorporate for this season, such as Allison Janney’s character, the return of Mary’s brother or even — although Marshall does have his girlfriend — his former feelings for Mary?
Mary McCormack: That is a really good question and we have new show runners this year, so it’s a bit confusing. And I don’t hear — I haven’t heard any mention of the brother coming back this season. Although everyone was a big fan of that actor’s work, he was — I mean, I thought he was sensational.
So — and we do mention him this season. I don’t know if he’s plan — I don’t know if there’s a plan to have him back later in the season. I’m not 100%. But hopefully we’ll have him back eventually if not this season, next season, because he was sensational.
Allison Janney I know is busy unfortunately on another TV show right now. But you know, I will always — she’s one of my best girlfriends in the world, so I will call her once a week to harass her. See what we can do, and then …
Fred Weller: We do have some other West Wing alum.
Mary McCormack: Yes.
Fred Weller: Well, at least one.
Mary McCormack: This year we have Bradley Whitford who shows up this year. And we might have Richard Schiff back, I don’t know because we still have …
Fred Weller: That would be great.
Mary McCormack: … a lot of season to write. But you know Richard Schiff was in an earlier one in season — I think he was season — golly I don’t know, one or two, or two or three. Anyway, but Bradley Whitford does episode two this season. So it was wonderful to get him down.
Fred Weller: Yes.
Mary McCormack: So like that.
Clacked by An Nicholson Photo Credit: USA Network
on May 30, 2011 @ 09:00 EST5EDT
