Why Betty Broderick From Dirty John Looks So Familiar
True crime podcasts have become immensely popular. People feel compelled to figure out how exactly authorities manage to solve the mystery. The fact it's all based on reality adds a chilling element you don't find with other horror stories. "Serial" and "My Favorite Murder" have caught on in significant ways, but few podcasts have managed to find the same level of success as "Dirty John," hosted by Christopher Goffard.
The eight episodes of the podcast went on to inspire the first season of a television series of the same name that aired on Bravo. The show was such a hit it spawned a second season based on an entirely different crime, and while it may have moved over to USA Network for the follow-up, audiences can now view both stories in their entirety on Netflix.
Season 2 ventures away from topics discussed in the podcast as it explores the murder of Dan Broderick and his new wife, Linda, who were both shot by Dan's ex-wife, Betty, played by Amanda Peet in the series. If she looks familiar, that's because she's acted steadily over the last two decades, and there are many places from her filmography you may have seen her before.
Amanda Peet played a psychotic girlfriend in Saving Silverman
"Saving Silverman" didn't exactly light up the box office when it first came out in 2001. Still, it's enjoyed somewhat of a cult status over the years as a ridiculous comedic romp featuring some serious A-list talent. If you haven't caught a late-night viewing of the film on Comedy Central, the movie follows Darren (Jason Biggs), who ends up in a relationship with the emotionally abusive Judith (Amanda Peet). His two friends, Wayne (Steve Zahn) and J.D. (Jack Black), kidnap Judith to get her away from Darren, while they simultaneously attempt to get him to reunite with his long, lost love Sandy (Amanda Detmer).
While most of the movie's reviews are fairly lackluster, some people are willing to go to bat for it. This includes Eric D. Snider, who wrote, "Once you accept that it's all for laughs and not grounded in reality, it truly is very funny." No doubt much of the comedy came from Peet's performance, who remains grounded and domineering while her captors often engage in over-the-top zaniness.
She then appeared in the one-season wonder, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Despite an all-star cast, "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" just wasn't meant to be. NBC canceled Aaron Sorkin's comedy-drama after just a single season, instead opting to renew "30 Rock," which was similar in premise. Both shows highlight the behind-the-scenes happenings behind the development of a sketch comedy TV show. It's a shame because the cast, including Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, and Amanda Peet, could've elevated it to something great.
Peet landed one of the lead roles as the newly-appointed president of the National Broadcasting System, Jordan McDeere. She was often a highlight of the series, who butts heads with pretty much everyone and constantly worries Hallie Galloway (Stephanie Childers) will take her place.
Several years after the cancelation, Peet spoke with CNN about why she believed "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" wasn't given a fair shake: "I think it was too expensive and there was too much anticipation. I guess all together we seemed like this arrogant monolith, but individually, none of us felt very arrogant. So it's kind of curious." The setback didn't slow Peet down in the slightest as she went on to star in an array of films, including "The X-Files: I Want To Believe," "2012," and "Gulliver's Travels."
Most recently, she had a recurring role on Brockmire
Most comedy fans may be familiar with Hank Azaria as the voice of dozens of characters on "The Simpsons." However, he occasionally steps in front of the camera, and he got the chance to show what he could do in the live-action realm with the lead role on IFC's "Brockmire." The show follows the titular Jim Brockmire, played by Azaria, a baseball announcer who suffers an embarrassing meltdown and leaves the public eye. 10 years later, he attempts to kickstart his career again by announcing minor league baseball.
As he tries to get a comeback off the ground, he forms a friendship of sorts with Jules James (Peet), the Morristown, Pennsylvania Frackers owner. Despite not knowing anything about baseball, Peet told Vanity Fair in an interview that she was drawn to the part because it was outside the realm of the "supporting mom" roles she tends to see. She mentioned, "As soon as I knew she was the owner of a Minor League baseball team who is an alcoholic, I was like, 'I'm in.'"
Peet's on a roll with taking on interesting characters that don't generally fit the mold of what audiences associate her with. Now that more people can see what she's capable of as an actor in "Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story," she should have plenty of other great roles on the horizon.