Chloe Sevigny Laments 'Awful' Season of 'Big Love'

By Marc Schneider Posted Mar 26th 2010 07:52AM

In a move of Katherine Heigl-ian* proportions, 'Big Love' star Chloe Sevigny has dissed her own show, complaining bravely that the recently wrapped season was "awful" and the main storyline "far-fetched." In an interview with The Onion's AV Club, the actress says the show's writers "were really pushing it" by "squishing too much" into nine episodes of the HBO show.

"It was very telenovela," she said. "I feel like it kind of got away from itself. The whole political campaign seemed to me very far-fetched."

Gary Susman: How to Fix 'Big Love'

Seemingly aware she was stepping in a steaming pile of controversy ("I'm not allowed to say that!"), Sevigny tried to soften her comments by saying she still loves the show, her character and the writing. However, she ended that diplomatic-sounding sentence with "but I felt like they were really pushing it this last season."

She also accidentally dragged her "sister wives" into the mess. "Me and the girls [Jeanne Tripplehorn and Ginnifer Goodwin] definitely were not very happy with where it was going."

But she added, "or more kind of, 'We really hope it's going to work. It seems like they're really pushing it.' I think next season, they're going to go back to more just the family. I think that the stuff with Ben and Lois and that stuff was really great in Mexico, but ..." and she trailed off, perhaps aware of the weight of her comments.

On one of the more sensational developments in the recent 'Love' season, where the character J.J. attempts to get her pregnant with an "incest baby," Sevigny couldn't hold back.

"Oh God, I know. Oh, God. It's too much. It's too much. But I hope the fans will stick with us and tune in next year. There's a lot of people who really love this season, surprisingly. God, I'm going to get in so much trouble."

* A reference to Katherine Heigl's 2008 comments about the writing quality on 'Grey's Anatomy.' She announced this week she's leaving the show.

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Chloe Sevigny Snapshots

Chloe Sevigny attends a game between the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 2010 in New York City. Celebrity Sightings In New York City - March 23, 2010 Streets of Manhattan New York, NY United States March 23, 2010 Photo by James Devaney/WireImage.com To license this image (59990371), contact WireImage.com

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Chloe Sevigny Snapshots

Chloe Sevigny attends the first hockey game in 3D telecast viewing party at Madison Square Garden on March 24, 2010 in New York City. First Hockey Game In 3D Telecast Viewing Party Madison Square Garden New York, NY United States March 24, 2010 Photo by James Devaney/WireImage.com To license this image (60000162), contact WireImage.com

Chloe Sevigny Snapshots

NEW YORK - MARCH 24: Actress Chloe Sevigny attends the first hockey game in 3D telecast viewing party at Madison Square Garden on March 24, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chloe Sevigny

Chloe Sevigny Snapshots

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM 'The Runaways' premiere at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema, New York City Picture shows: Chloe Sevigny NON-EXCLUSIVE March 17, 2010 Job: 100317NZ1 New York, New York www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

Chloe Sevigny Snapshots

NEW YORK - MARCH 17: Actress Chloe Sevigny attends the premiere of "The Runaways" at Landmark Sunshine Cinema on March 17, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chloe Sevigny

Chloe Sevigny Snapshots

NEW YORK - MARCH 17: Actress Chloe Sevigny attends the premiere of "The Runaways" at Landmark Sunshine Cinema on March 17, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chloe Sevigny

Chloe Sevigny Snapshots

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Comments

(59)

Friday 26 March

By sfraser230

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I guess I'm in the minority too. I've been watching since the beginning and absolutely loved this season. Yes, there was a lot going on (some of it out there), but I thoroughly enjoyed it!!

By Ortiz Family

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

I feel that Chloe is wrong, if anything was "awfull" on season nine it was her bad acting. Infact, that is the case for all of the seasons. This season is what some people call "the hook" that will reel you into Season 10.

By Candice Cunningham

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

If Chloe Sevigny gets in trouble over that than I will have lost all faith in the higher ups at HBO. Sevigny should have the right to defend her opinions on the writings for Season 4.

Actors decline scripts left and right if the material is not of their liking; however, it's unfair when their locked into a show that suddenly decides to go off course. What do they do? Sink with the show?

I freaking LOVE "Big Love" and I'm crossing my fingers for all them. All of those actors do such an amazing job and I feel their fan base will not turn their backs. I certainly will stay tuned.

By CraiginKC

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I still enjoyed the season, but I definitely see what she's saying. There were a few times when I thought to myself "there's no real way out of a situation like that," and somehow, there was. I think what she's trying to say is that character development became secondary to far-fetched plot lines, and I don't think anyone could deny it. I hope the writers don't take out their embarrassment on her.

By Wendell

An important part of effective storytelling is plausability within the context of the general plot. This last season left that principle in the waste basket. The premise of Big Love originally is something that actually exists. This last season was a cartoon based on a fantasy, based on a nightmare. Chloe is dead on. This last season stunk.

By sal

To save the show, maybe Bill should awake and realize the entire 2009/2010 season was a dream...(nightmare).

By Kris

Have to agree. Some of the stories this year were Shark Jumpers. The political campaign was totally unbelievable. And tossing his friend and manager under a bus for political gain? Certainly not in keeping with his religious beliefs , I wouldn't think. I think that Chloe's entrance to the modern world is a good move though. There's still hope for the show, but keep it to the original point.

By Big Love Fan

i TOTALLY agree, me an my hubby watch Big Love "religiously" lol and when the season finally was over, i looked at him and said "that's it"? How are they going to continue this story?? is it going to be a dream?, they can't really keep this going like this?? I was also strangely sad that they stopped the gay part, in the Mormon culture, i thought that was a great storyline to add. my hubby couldn't watch the scenes LOL but i thought interesting. i have also found out from my step-daughter that in Utah, they have banned Big Love?! that's sad, it is just a TV show? silly people. hope everyone has a great day! Big Love, i will be waiting impatiently for the new season!!! look so very forward to it! Have watched it since day ONE! :-)

By bbb

I knew when Tom Hanks came on board as a producer things would get sucky.

By Dave

Hanks has been exectutive producer since the show started.

By SageBySea

~I actually LOVED it !!! Very exciting. I do admire all the actresses on the show & always have, they are very talented in everything they appear in. However, for some reason (I guess she wasn't "into" it) Chloe's acting was terrible. The most "un-natural" on the show. She should concentrate on her acting & leave the rest to everyone else. Can hardly wait for the new season !!!

By Hoosierdaddee

Right On Chloe! I have grown to really like this show but this past season was a bit over the top. There were at least 10 story lines and none got the depth they deserved. Maybe next seasons the writers will embrace "less is more".

By susie

I agree, this was the worst season. I am so tired of Bill and his big callings every season. First opening a new store, the casino and now politics. I loved the first season which showed how they all worked together and how they balanced things. I have actually started hating Bill with all his stupid ambition. It's all about what he wants and he uses his wives to get it. Lets go back and focus on the family and not just Bill. How does he keep these women loving him? Lets show some love and apreciation on his part towards the women who bear him children and take care of the family. Lets see more of what we saw in season one.

By lilsmile027

I was sooo disapointed with this season. I am a die hard Big Love fan and I almost quit watching it. Waaay too much stuff happened. When Don was outed I thought that was going to get the attention it deserved, but the writers seemed to move on to a new source of drama every episode. With the Mexico plot, Alby's lover, the election, the casino, the marriages and Ana, and who knows what else I am sure I am forgetting, it was too much! By the 3rd season, I had my fiance semi-interested in the show, but now there is no way he will watch season 5 with me. Or I should say, I won't be watching season 5 either unless the writers go back to the way it used to be.

By Gary

I had to stop watching this show. However, if you want to talk about bad shows and bad acting, has anyone seen Kirstie Alley"s new show. Oh my God has this lady no class. How desperate can someone be to have their face seen on tv? And it doesn't help her cause to stuff her face on the air. Feeding time at the zoo!

By tree

Wow my husband and I thought we were the only ones who were highly dissatisfied with this season, glad to see we weren't alone. Very rushed and like she said far fetched. Every week we watched it we said, "we waited a whole year for this?!" Hopefully it will be better next season.

By paulz

She is right, I didn't mind the polical part so much but the stupid going down to Mexico stuff didn't work

By N. Foxx

well, have been watching since the start of Big Love and I'll admit I'm waiting for reruns because I'm so confused over everything that happened this season, I have to see it again to sort it out!!! Didn't like the political storyline...I see enough of that on the news every day and hate it all. Otherwise I think the show's a Big Hit. Back to the real drama, please.

By Val

This last season of Big Love was definitely wierd - but I still loved it! They better not fire Chloe because she is terrific as Nickie. Looks like we don't have to worry about JJ anymore - he went up in smoke - or did he?? Albie being gay was sort of predictable but Lois chopping off Mr. Green's arm was hysterical! Margene gets on my nerves so let her stay married to Goran. Jean Tripplehorn is priceless as Barb. You can really tell how pained she is with everything. Hopefully the writers and producers will take more input from the actors and next season will be better. I'll be watching.

By jacksson

Sevigny is so right. Week after week, the foolish plots thickened with hard to follow conflicts, ridiculous characters, contrived events, that turned into nothing more than a polemic on just about every societal ill imaginable. Big Love this season was one Big Bore.

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