In a world where social media platforms like TikTok have become the new frontier for storytelling and cultural commentary, Diane Thomassin and Michael Miceli bring us My Favorite Narcissist—a sharp, witty pilot that blends humor with political satire. Inspired by the chaotic energy of TikTok’s armchair therapists and fueled by real-life stories of workplace dynamics, this project takes a bold dive into the psyche of its characters. At its center is Olivia, a Latina protagonist who defies stereotypes with her intelligence, ambition, and sharp wit. In this interview, Thomassin and Miceli discuss the origins of the project, the delicate balance of humor and serious themes, and the collaborative magic that brought this unique narrative to life.
Patrick Roy, UniversalCinema Magazine (UM): What inspired you to create My Favorite Narcissist, and how did you come up with the concept of blending political satire with a comedy series?
Diane Thomassin (DT): The inspiration came straight from the wild, wild west of TikTok. You know, where everyone’s a therapist without a license. Someone slid into my DMs with a story about workplace bullying, and bam! The lightbulb went off. I thought, “What’s the perfect profession to showcase a narcissist?” Politician, duh! And voila, the pilot became a vehicle for political commentary. It’s like if Norman Lear and TikTok had a love child.
(UM): Can you elaborate on Olivia’s character development in the pilot episode and how her background as a Psych-major-dropout-turned-political-aide shapes her interactions at City Hall?
(DT): Olivia is sharper than a stiletto heel on a red carpet. Her psych background gives her this uncanny ability to read people like a tabloid. She’s got the insight to see through everyone’s BS, which is why her voiceovers are pure gold. I wanted her to be the therapist we all need but can’t afford. The message here is simple: once you understand why people act the way they do, you can empathize instead of divide. It’s like therapy but with better outfits and without the co-pay. It’s not in the script, but I envisioned Olivia’s stylish and unique business attire as a big part of her character.
(UM): How do you balance the humor in the show with the serious topics of narcissism and political ambition?
(DT): It can be challenging. Once you nail it, everything falls into place. Incorporating some humor is essential to prevent things from becoming too dark, heavy, or intense. Imagine it’s like sweetening your coffee with a bit of sugar and cream, it helps the medicine go down, and without it, it’s just plain gross.
(UM): What specific traits and experiences make Olivia a unique and relatable Latina protagonist, and how do you ensure her character avoids common stereotypes?
(DT): First off, Olivia is no maid, no gang member, and definitely not running a drug cartel. She’s smart, she’s savvy, and she’s always looking to level up. She’s more intelligent than the rest of the office combined, including Mr. Mayor. And she’s humble enough to learn from her mistakes. She’s the Latina protagonist we all deserve—complex, ambitious, and relatable.
(UM): How do you envision the dynamic between Olivia and Jonathan evolving throughout the series, especially considering their contrasting personalities and ambitions?
(DT): Oh, the dynamic between Olivia and Jonathan is going to be like a comedy roast with a side of therapy. They’ll call each other out with humor, showcasing their differences. Olivia will be able to take it a lot better than Jonathan can. Narcissists like Jonathan do not like criticism, and his reactions will reflect that and be entertaining too.
(UM): Can you discuss the importance of diversity in the cast and how characters like Roger and Ben contribute to the show’s inclusive and insightful narrative?
(DT): Diversity is crucial, not just important. Each person brings a perspective that should be acknowledged. Characters such as Roger and Ben contribute viewpoints and backgrounds adding depth and inclusivity to the storyline.
(UM): What challenges did you face in writing the pilot episode, particularly in creating a satirical yet engaging portrayal of City Hall and its characters?
(DT): Finding the sweet spot between humor and a serious topic can be challenging. You have to be funny while getting your message across at the same time. You also have to be careful not to come across as insensitive. I don’t even really know how I do it. I guess posting on TikTok helped me learn to blend humor with a dark subject like narcissism. TikTok groomed me to be more sensitive, lest my account get banned.
(UM): How do you plan to use humor to critique and comment on the behavior of narcissistic politicians in each episode?
(DT): Humor is one way to criticize narcissistic politicians without making it too dark, heavy, and well, critical. It’s like adding a laugh track to a political speech, it lightens the mood and makes it more easy to swallow.
(UM): The show aims to find solidarity in the shared experience of the underappreciated. How do you portray this theme through Olivia’s interactions and experiences in the workplace?
(DT): Olivia is always looking for solutions and resolutions. She’s navigating different perspectives and personalities, trying to find common ground. She hates division and one way to avoid conflict is to look for similarities instead of focusing on differences. She’s smart enough to have that figured out and I swear, more often than not, people don’t do this.
(UM): My Favorite Narcissist has already won numerous awards and festival selections. How has the positive reception influenced your approach to developing the series further, and what feedback have you found most valuable?
(DT): The validation that I can write was sweeter than candy. The feedback was invaluable, especially the constructive criticism. That’s when I brought in co-writer Michael Miceli to sprinkle some of his magic. He added to my 25 pages, and it really uplifted the script. It was like adding a little glitter to an already fabulous outfit.
© 2020-2024. UniversalCinema Mag.