5 Questions With Meredith MacNeill Of IFC’s “Baroness Von Sketch Show”

Meredith MacNeill: Credit: Matt Barnes/IFC.

If you haven’t caught IFC’s award-winning, late-night satire Baroness von Sketch Show (Wednesdays), you’re missing a good time. Just starting its fourth season, the all-female comedy series features Meredith MacNeill, Carolyn Taylor, Aurora Browne and Jennifer Whalen. MacNeill is the only star who doesn’t hail from a comedy background (her costars are Second City alums), so when she commits to a sketch — oh boy, does she commit. “For me it’s such a fun, fantastic, freeing place to play really close to where it shouldn’t work when you’re pushing it that it does,” she shares on her often over-the-top absurdities. “I’m classically trained, so the only thing I could offer on the table is commitment. I think I just committed so hard.” Here she commits to answering our “5 Questions.”

1. What are you finding funny on TV these days?
Barry. Can we just talk about how incredible that is? It was so good.

2. What are some movies that you will never get tired of watching?
The Shining. I think that’s incredible. To me that was like the most perfect piece of horror film because it was psychological. I loved it. I am obsessed with Let the Right One In. I think The Florida Project was absolutely wonderful. Everything I’m saying is on the darker side. But I think that’s what I’m attracted to in essence. I think also even in my comedy when I do stuff, I always try to play the antihero or take things to actually really dark and vulnerable places. Obviously there’s so much to mine from there.

3. What are three things that you have to have in your fridge or pantry at all times?
Cheese, cheese, cheese.

4. What is your most prized (nonhuman) possession that you would never give away?
I was going to say my daughter, but I’m going to have to think about that. I’ve had the same bear named Freddy that squeaks since I was 3 years old. I moved around a lot, but I know exactly where it is at all times. It’s so funny, like it’s in my daughter’s room now. I love you, my baby Hazel. But secretly? [That bear is] mine.

5. Tell us about a time when you were starstruck.
Oh my God. I used to live in London, England, and I was near the Strand, crossing the Strand. I wasn’t supposed to cross the street. And on the other side of the crosswalk was Metallica the band. I’m 44, so of course I grew up on heavy metal in a small community, bring it on. In my mind — well, maybe out loud — I was like, “Oh my God, that’s Metallica. That’s Metallica. They’re going to cross the street and I’m going across the street and we’re going to be on the crosswalk and I’m going to say something really important.” As we crossed, I was like, “Here you go, here’s your chance.” And I went, “You’re Metallica.” Lars looked at me and nodded and then they kept walking. It didn’t matter. I thought I was so cool.

1 Comment

  1. Meredith looks like a Lady i used to see at my last Job. She was always flirting with me, and the Auburn haired lady was Married.

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