J. Peterman Jumps to Jerry Seinfeld’s Defense After Anti-Woke Tirade

J. Peterman Jumps to Jerry Seinfeld’s Defense After Anti-Woke Tirade

32 Companies and Corporations Who Blew It, Plain and Simple

32 Companies and Corporations Who Blew It, Plain and Simple

Nikki Glaser Makes Cynicism Filthy and Fun in ‘Someday You’ll Die’

Nikki Glaser Makes Cynicism Filthy and Fun in ‘Someday You’ll Die’

James Corden Is Trying Remind the U.K. Why It Ever Liked Him in the First Place

James Corden Is Trying Remind the U.K. Why It Ever Liked Him in the First Place

The 19 Most Devastating Burns at Tom Brady’s Netflix Roast, Plus the One That Went Too Hard

The 19 Most Devastating Burns at Tom Brady’s Netflix Roast, Plus the One That Went Too Hard

14 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About 'Strangers with Candy'

'Strangers with Candy is a show that tells the story of a forty-six-year-old woman named Jerri Blank who returns to high school. The show follows her as she struggles to fit in and make friends. 'Strangers with Candy is a satirical show that pokes fun at the high school experience. However, it also has a lot of heart. Jerri Blank is an unlikely hero, but she is ultimately a kind and caring person. 'Strangers with Candy is a movie that will make you laugh and make you think.

Jerri Blank is a middle-aged junkie, prostitute, and all-aroundocial misfit who returns to high school in an attempt to start her life over. 'Strangers with Candy' follows Jerri as she navigates the treacherous waters of teenage life, making mistakes and learning lessons along the way. While her antics are often outrageous, Jerri is a surprisingly sympathetic character, and her journey is one that is both funny and touching. Although it only lasted for three seasons, 'Strangers with Candy' has gone on to become a cult classic, thanks in large part to the hilarious performance of lead actress Amy Sedaris.

Jerri Blank was a user, a boozer, and a loser. Here are 14 more things you didn't know.

14

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS The stars met at Chicago's Second City. CRACKED COM Paul Dinello, Stephen Colbert, and Amy Sedaris rose through the Second City ranks together in the late 1980s. The three often shared the stage with fellow Second City alum Steve Carell.

Late Show with Stephen Colbert

13

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Sexiest Man Alive Paul Rudd did a cameo. CRACKED.COM Rudd played Brent Brooks, the most popular boy at Flatpoint High. Other guests include Will Ferrell, Ellen Pompeo, Winona Ryder, David Cross, Janeane Garofalo, Cheri Oteri, and Andy Richter.

Mental Floss

12

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Don't hold your breath for a reboot. CRACKED.COM Sedaris and Dinello agree that they are definitively done with Jerri Blank. I like the mystery of her, says Dinello. I don't think you want too much information about her.

Esquire

11

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello are still together. en and - ME ... - Stuffer CRACKED.COM The Strangers co-stars have continued to work together over the years. Dinello was a producer/writer for The Colbert Report, where he would often appear as building manager Tad. He's now supervising producer for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

The Second City

10

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS A lot of Strangers with Candy was improvised. CRACKED.COM The writers would develop an outline, with instructions about where scenes needed to begin and end. Next, we would sit in a room and improvise, says Paul Dinello, and then we'd take down what made us laugh.

Esquire

9

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Dave Letterman produced a Strangers with Candy movie. CRACKED.COM The Strangers with Candy film was actually a prequel to the TV series. Find out how how self-described junkie whore Jerri was released from prison to learn that high school sucks as much as ever. With cameos by Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker and Philip Seymour Hoffman!

IMDB

8

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS David Sedaris helped create Jerri Blank. GRACKED.COM As kids, my brother David and I wrote a lot of plays together, says Amy, and I always did a character like Jerri Blank. The two siblings still write plays together under the name The Talent Family.

Esquire

7

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Strangers with Candy made Comedy Central history. 26 CRACKED.COM The show was Comedy Central's first original, live-action, non- sketch series. Yeah, that's a lot of qualifiers, but pretty cool nonetheless.

IGN

6

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Jerri probably never graduated high school. CRACKED.COM After eight or nine years, school adminstrators probably would have just told Jerri she graduated. Just to get rid of her, says Paul Dinello. We'll give you this piece of paper if you never come back.

Esquire

5

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Amy Sedaris wanted to look like she owned a snake CRACKED.COM Jerri Blank made distinctive fashion choices. Unfortunately, says Paul Dinello, her instincts were wrong. Like she thought pleats were attractive.

Esquire

4

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Strangers stars got their TV start on Exit 57. LOTTO M Cough - - Cold GRACKED.COM Before Strangers, Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello and Amy Sedaris starred on this Comedy Central sketch show. Despite multiple CableACE nominations, the show only lasted 12 episodes.

IGN

3

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS The show was inspired by ABC Afterschool Specials. GRACKED.COM The coming-of-age specials, with titles like The Runaways, Me and Dad's New Wife, and Story of a Teenage Alcoholic, taught tweens life lessons. Strangers with Candy borrowed many of the same plots. The difference is Jerri Blank always made the wrong choices.

Esquire

2

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Amy Sedaris and Jerri Blank have a lot in common. OSITION GRAGKED.COM COM They're both survivors. Both can be simple-minded (says Amy). Both live in the moment. She's desperate to be loved, says Sedaris. Deep down, there's a little bit of Jerri in everyone.

GQ

1

COMEDY NERD BEHIND-THE-SCENES FACTS Sedaris, Colbert, and Dinello wrote a book together. WiGField CRACKED.COM It's a story about the can-do town that just may not, with the three comedians showing up in photos as imaginary Wigfield's bizarre citizens. The authors turned the book into a play, again with each of the actors playing multiple weirdos.

Playbill

Related: