14 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Strangers with Candy'

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14 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Strangers with Candy'

'Strangers with Candy is a show that tells the story of a forty-six-year-old woman named Jerri Blank who returns to high school. The show follows her as she struggles to fit in and make friends. 'Strangers with Candy is a satirical show that pokes fun at the high school experience. However, it also has a lot of heart. Jerri Blank is an unlikely hero, but she is ultimately a kind and caring person. 'Strangers with Candy is a movie that will make you laugh and make you think.

Jerri Blank is a middle-aged junkie, prostitute, and all-aroundocial misfit who returns to high school in an attempt to start her life over. 'Strangers with Candy' follows Jerri as she navigates the treacherous waters of teenage life, making mistakes and learning lessons along the way. While her antics are often outrageous, Jerri is a surprisingly sympathetic character, and her journey is one that is both funny and touching. Although it only lasted for three seasons, 'Strangers with Candy' has gone on to become a cult classic, thanks in large part to the hilarious performance of lead actress Amy Sedaris.

Jerri Blank was a user, a boozer, and a loser. Here are 14 more things you didn't know.

No more Jerri

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Don't hold your breath for a reboot. CRACKED.COM Sedaris and Dinello agree that they are definitively done with Jerri Blank. I like the mystery of her, says Dinello. I don't think you want too much information about her.

Esquire

Make it up as we go

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS A lot of Strangers with Candy was improvised. CRACKED.COM The writers would develop an outline, with instructions about where scenes needed to begin and end. Next, we would sit in a room and improvise, says Paul Dinello, and then we'd take down what made us laugh.

Esquire

On the big screen

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Dave Letterman produced a Strangers with Candy movie. CRACKED.COM The Strangers with Candy film was actually a prequel to the TV series. Find out how how self-described junkie whore Jerri was released from prison to learn that high school sucks as much as ever. With cameos by Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker and Philip Seymour Hoffman!

IMDB

The Talent Family

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS David Sedaris helped create Jerri Blank. GRACKED.COM As kids, my brother David and I wrote a lot of plays together, says Amy, and I always did a character like Jerri Blank. The two siblings still write plays together under the name The Talent Family.

Esquire

Comedy Central groundbreaker

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Strangers with Candy made Comedy Central history. 26 CRACKED.COM The show was Comedy Central's first original, live-action, non- sketch series. Yeah, that's a lot of qualifiers, but pretty cool nonetheless.

IGN

Never come back

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Jerri probably never graduated high school. CRACKED.COM After eight or nine years, school adminstrators probably would have just told Jerri she graduated. Just to get rid of her, says Paul Dinello. We'll give you this piece of paper if you never come back.

Esquire

Fashion icon

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Amy Sedaris wanted to look like she owned a snake CRACKED.COM Jerri Blank made distinctive fashion choices. Unfortunately, says Paul Dinello, her instincts were wrong. Like she thought pleats were attractive.

Esquire

Exit 57 ruled

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Strangers stars got their TV start on Exit 57. LOTTO M Cough - - Cold GRACKED.COM Before Strangers, Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello and Amy Sedaris starred on this Comedy Central sketch show. Despite multiple CableACE nominations, the show only lasted 12 episodes.

IGN

Something in common

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Amy Sedaris and Jerri Blank have a lot in common. OSITION GRAGKED.COM COM They're both survivors. Both can be simple-minded (says Amy). Both live in the moment. She's desperate to be loved, says Sedaris. Deep down, there's a little bit of Jerri in everyone.

GQ

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