Julie + director Sam Irvin on working w/ crazy Vic
Recently Strip Mall director Sam Irvin posted on Facebook a pic with Julie Brown from behind the scenes of the show, and someone asked what it was like having to work with former SNL performer and current bat-doodoo-crazy zealot Victoria Jackson. Both Sam and Julie answered:
Julie:
Victoria Jackson was a sweet but slightly crackers person when we did StripMall, and she would refuse to say anything that she thought would piss Jesus off. I would off trick her by telling her that I had run a certain joke by Jesus and he thought it was funny. The she'd say it. But since then I don't think anyone is helping her figure out what is funny and was is nuts. Especially Jesus.
Sam:
Yes, Victoria Jackson was in STRIP MALL. I don't think any of us knew how right-wing she had become at that point. To all of our surprise, her religious views were super extreme and she had issues over saying raunchy words and performing in scenes that dealt with raunchy humor (um... like, I don't know, which maybe existed in 100% of every scene of every episode!). We all had been fans of hers from her days on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- which, obviously, deals quite often in pretty raunchy territory -- so we were perplexed and astounded at how sensitive she was over material during the shooting of STRIP MALL. We all wondered why on earth she had agreed to take an acting job on a series that was so clearly going to push the envelope into raunchy territory. Having said that, I must say that, at least back then, she still seemed sweet and polite. She certainly knew I was gay (and there were plenty of other openly-gay people on both sides of the camera) yet I never perceived any homophobia from her. Since then, however, I have been astounded and horrified by the ignorant, racist, homophobic, and hate-mongering comments she has spewed into the media with ever-increasing ferocity. The current, heinous Victoria Jackson is not the same Victoria Jackson I knew on STRIP MALL several years ago. Back then, she just seemed like a naive born-again Christian who had not yet realized that in order to be an actress, you have to check your personal beliefs at the door.
Facebook User:
Hmmm, maybe since she's out of the comedy biz, she should put out a line of Slightly Sweet Crackers in the shape of Jesus.
...with a bow on his head.
"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!" C. M. Burns share