Melissa McCarthy had plenty to say about Hollywood’s treatment of comedy, and she did not mince words. The Bridesmaids star argued that the industry had unfairly decided comedy movies no longer worked, despite audiences still craving a good laugh.
McCarthy also looked back on the film that changed her career and her creative partnership with Paul Feig. Meanwhile, her upcoming dramatic role as Patsy Ramsey showed just how far her career had traveled beyond comedy.
Melissa McCarthy says Hollywood’s claim that comedies no longer work is a “false narrative”
In an interview with Variety, McCarthy defended comedy and criticized the industry’s growing reluctance to make it. “I think the narrative of comedies don’t work anymore is bullshit,” she said. “I think it’s absolute bullshit. It’s a false narrative.” McCarthy argued that comedy depended on individual voices, much like music. She said studios often focused too heavily on formulas instead of trusting performers and characters.
“No, bad comedies don’t work,” she said. “And I won’t take the fall for that.” The actress specifically praised Feig, who directed Bridesmaids, The Heat and Spy. “Paul should be legally bound to make one comedy at least every two years,” McCarthy told the publication.
She also recalled Bridesmaids exceeding expectations after executives doubted its early numbers. McCarthy remembered watching theaters erupt with laughter alongside Feig, Ben Falcone and Laurie Feig.
The 2011 hit earned McCarthy an Oscar nomination for supporting actress. She later received another nomination for Can You Ever Forgive Me? McCarthy also lamented that Spy never became a franchise. “We should be on the ninth ‘Spy’!” she said, noting that the cast had wanted to return.
Her comments came as she prepared for a very different role. McCarthy is playing Patsy Ramsey in Netflix’s The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey, premiering December 10. The project forced McCarthy to confront her own past fascination with the case. She said she had once been part of the public “feeding frenzy” surrounding the Ramsey family.
McCarthy also said the production employed a psychologist on set because filming became emotionally intense. Her work ultimately reflected the dramatic range she had developed since Gilmore Girls. Yet comedy remained close to her heart. She said audiences still needed it, even as Hollywood continued questioning its place.
This story originally appeared on Realitytea
