The cast and creators of HBO's Lookingappeared Wednesday for a panel discussion at the Paley Center in Los Angeles, and Lauren Weedman, channeling her popular character, Doris, easily scored the most laughs from the evening.
Led by moderator Jim Halterman, stars Weedman, Jonathan Groff, Raul Castillo, Frankie J. Alvarez, Murray Bartlett, and Daniel Franzese as well as creator Michael Lannan and executive producer Andrew Haigh gave a thoughtful, spoiler-ful, and hilarious talk about the show, addressing this season's cultural impact, behind-the-scenes reveals, and the incorporation of hot-button issues like HIV and nonmonogamous relationships.
Weedman easily stole the show. Here is a recap of the panel, as told through the funniest quotes from the actress and illustrated by reaction GIFs from the show, created by Out's Stacy Lambe.
1. "Take your shoes back, girl!" --Weedman, quoting gay friends who are initially thrilled that she may be dating someone, but then develop separation anxiety if her relationship lasts. Her character, Doris, has embarked on a relationship with a man this season.
2. "We all have our own journey." After cast members discussed how emotional it was to film an upcoming funeral scene, castmate Daniel Franzese said he felt his own sadness when he noticed his character wasn't written into the episode. Weedman gave that remark as quick-witted rebuttal.
3. "The Frito-Lay Song" The cast and creators made Weedman sing a song that she had composed during a long road trip to Modesto, Calif. It drove them a little crazy.
4. "I just popped an Adderall and went to work. ... That will be on my gravestone." --Weedman, on preparing for her scenes in Looking.
5. "I fast-forward to your scenes, Lauren. Not a big fan of the dick-on-dick," Weedman, quoting socially conservative friends and family from her hometown in Indiana.
6. "I'm a character actress ... I walk in [to work] and go, 'Hey fags, let's go see a movie!'" --Weedman on the blurred lines between herself and her gay-loving character.
7. "It's funnier when Lauren says it," said actor Frankie J. Alvarez, discussing the inappropriate use of the word "fag" and other homophobic language.
"It's funnier when you're saying it and you're sucking cock," she joked in response.
We love you, Lauren!
Watch the full panel discussion on the next page.
GIF Credit: Stacy Lambe, Looking GIF-caps for Out.com
