In the second season of ‘Wednesday’, comedic relief is expertly provided by Steve Buscemi’s Principal Barry Dort and Fred Armisen’s Uncle Fester.
Steve Buscemi and Fred Armisen Discuss Their Roles in ‘Wednesday’ Season 2
SPOILER ALERT: This piece contains spoilers for Wednesday Season 2 Part 1.
In the second season of Wednesday, comedic relief is expertly provided by Steve Buscemi’s Principal Barry Dort and Fred Armisen’s Uncle Fester. Buscemi steps into the role of Principal Dort, taking over from the late Larissa Weems (Gwendoline Christie) and embracing the concept of “Outcast pride.” In one of his initial scenes, Dort makes a dramatic entrance at the Founder’s Pyre celebration, dancing to Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark.”
“[The song] was actually in the script, and Tim Burton just gave me the greatest note. He said, ‘Yeah, this is when Dort comes out and does his dad dancing.’ I thought, ‘Okay, I know what that is,’” Buscemi shared with Deadline. “Dort thinks he’s so cool doing it, expecting a big reaction when he introduces himself, but there’s just silence. He quickly realizes he needs to change his approach and becomes the cheerleader.”
Fred Armisen returns as Uncle Fester in Episode 4, the final episode of Season 2 Part 1. He discussed with Deadline the anticipation leading up to his character’s significant moments, which are detailed below.
In the interview, Buscemi elaborates on Dort’s motives in contrast to Principal Weems, while Armisen reflects on the pressure of delivering comedic moments and speculates about potential interactions between their characters in Season 2 Part 2.
Fred Armisen on Uncle Fester’s Comedy
DEADLINE: Fred, how did you approach Fester’s comedic scenes in Episode 4? Did you improvise anything?
FRED ARMISEN: No, it was so well written and funny. As soon as I read the scripts, I was laughing. The fourth episode has so much content that it’s worth the wait. The build-up to Fester going to the insane asylum is fantastic, and the lines are genuinely humorous. There was no need for improvisation; everything was already there.
Steve Buscemi on Barry Dort’s Strategy
DEADLINE: Steve, how do you differentiate Barry Dort from Principal Weems, and what motivates his decision to abolish The Nightshades?
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STEVE BUSCEMI: I appreciate that he has a disdain for Principal Weems’ methods. He constantly criticizes her focus on incorporating the Normies. He embodies Outcast pride and has ulterior motives behind his actions, even though he genuinely enjoys being an Outcast. He wants Wednesday on his side, yet he also relishes her indifference towards him.
Future of Uncle Fester
DEADLINE: Fred, are there any developments regarding an Uncle Fester spinoff, and do you feel pressure to bring comedic relief to the horror elements of the show?
ARMISEN: No pressure at all. It’s incredibly fun and feels organic. I love embodying this character who has a long-standing legacy.
Potential Character Interactions
DEADLINE: Could we see your characters interact in Part 2?
BUSCEMI: No spoilers but…
ARMISEN: I imagine there might be a scene involving a janitor’s closet, a space where Fester could need something, and Dort might as well.
