Bette Midler, the acclaimed American actress, recently delved into one of the significant setbacks of her career during a candid conversation on David Duchovny’s Fail Better podcast. Reflecting on her 2000 CBS sitcom, “Bette,” Midler admitted that it failed to resonate with audiences as anticipated.
In the podcast episode, Midler described the show as a “big mistake,” particularly recalling the aftermath of Lindsay Lohan’s departure from the series following the pilot episode.
Midler shared her feelings, saying, “I ventured into television with ‘Bette.’ Could it be any more mainstream? It was a huge misstep for me, for several reasons. My intentions were off, and I struggled to grasp its media landscape. While I watched, appreciated, and even enjoyed it, I was lost in understanding what it truly meant to be a part of it.”
The sitcom, which only lasted one season and comprised sixteen episodes, portrayed a semi-satirical rendition of Midler’s life.
Reflecting on her experience, Midler admitted, “I had made theatrical, live events, I had made films, and I had made a variety of television shows, I had been on shows, but I had never done a situation comedy. I didn’t grasp the pace, nor did I comprehend the hierarchy. Nobody bothered to tell me.”
Regarding Lohan’s departure, Midler shared, “Lindsay Lohan was cast as my daughter in the pilot. After filming the pilot, Lindsay Lohan opted out, deciding to pursue other opportunities. With Lindsay Lohan’s departure, what’s the next step? The studio didn’t help me.”
Midler expressed regret over her lack of awareness about the industry dynamics at the time, acknowledging that her current knowledge would have been invaluable during the production of “Bette.”
“If I had been aware that it was part of my responsibilities to assertively address issues by saying, ‘This is unacceptable, I’m prepared to take legal action,’ but it appears I was shielded in a manner that prevented me from accessing the writers’ room, speaking directly to the showrunner, and effectively communicating my concerns,” she explained.
In hindsight, Midler recognized the importance of understanding the workings of the television industry, suggesting that such insight could have altered the outcome of her sitcom venture.
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