Have you watched ABC’s new show Speechless yet? It’s SO good. And I’m not only saying that because I adore (adore!) Minnie Driver and would probably love anything that she is involved with. This truly is a fantastic show. It’s a very different approach to a family comedy because mixed in with the comedy are some very serious and at times, heart gripping realities and eye opening situations.
Photo credit: ABC/Kevin Foley
The show centers around the DiMeo family. Minnie Driver plays mother Maya DiMeo, a mama bear like no other who goes to all lengths (for reals!) for her family, and specifically her son JJ (played by Micah Fowler) who has cerebral palsy. The show provides us with a peak into their lives as a family fights injustices (both real and imagined). It is eye opening. Powerful. Sometimes hard to watch. Heart gripping.
Plus: HILARIOUS. So.
Q&A with Creator & Executive Producer Scott Silveri
I had the awesome opportunity to hang out with the cast of Speechless on their set, and I am excited to share my experience with you. Our set visit started with a Q&A with Creator & Executive Producer Scott Silveri. Scott has a true passion for his work on Speechless because he actually has a brother who has cerebral palsy. Many of the story lines and situations in the show come from his family experiences growing up. I think that his personal experiences are truly what gives this show it’s heart, and this show has a HUGE heart.
I love the photo below of Scott because it shows his humor, and obviously that is something that he draws on a lot in both his personal life, and in his story lines for the show. In our discussions with us, he shared his deep desire for people to understand what living with a disability is like and how important it is to him to bring these real life situations into people’s living rooms so they can see first hand what families like
Scott Silveri Creator and Executive Producer, ABC, Speechless
Scott Silveri is a veteran television writer and producer. Born and raised in Yonkers, New York, his earliest credits were NBC’s “Mad About You” and “Friends,” where he rose through the ranks to executive producer, receiving the Emmy award for Outstanding Comedy Series. He co-created the show’s spinoff, “Joey.”
Recent work includes the NBC series “Go On,” starring Matthew Perry, which Scott created, and “Perfect Couples,” co-created with Jon Pollack. At Twentieth Century Fox Television, Scott developed numerous projects and served as executive producer on the pilot for Fox series “The Grinder.”
Scott attended Harvard University where he served as an editor of the Harvard Lampoon. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Shana.
The cast of Speechless
One of my favorite parts of the set tour was our time chatting with Minnie Driver (Maya DiMeo) and John Ross Bowie (Jimmy DiMeo) … they are so fantastic together, and there is so much great chemistry between them for these roles! Look how darling they are together! It kind of made me want a “set” husband.
Another HUGE highlight of the set tours for me was getting to meet the shows real star, young actor Micah Fowler who plays JJ. What an amazing young man. I am so excited to watch his career unfold and see all of the amazing things that he will be doing.
One thing that makes this show so fantastic, are the relationships. Cedric Yarbrough plays Kenneth, JJ’s companion and caretaker. Their relationship is just awesome. Because he helps to tend to JJ’s needs, Kenneth essentially becomes part of the family, and that element alone makes for some very special moments on the show. I think that caretakers deserve a lot more credit than they probably get, especially the good ones and I love that Kenneth’s role brings light to that. Look at me all snuggled up to Cedric Yarbrough, he’s like a big teddy bear!!
We also had the chance to chat with young stars Mason Cook (plays brother Ray DiMeo) and Kyla Kennedy (plays sister Dylan DiMeo) and these kids are just darling. I think that another reason that this show works is because is really is the story of a family working together to support JJ and his disability, and as creator Scott Silveri shared, it really is a family effort and that is one of the very beautiful things about this show. It gives credit to all of the factors that make this family so functional and lovable.
On the set of Speechless
If you have watched the show, you have probably noticed that one the DiMeo family is not, is rich. They are truly a family that many can relate to. They live very modestly, often chaotic, messy and I LOVE IT. I feel like just that aspect of the show alone makes them very likable and relatable. No crazy over the top Pinterest perfect mommy here! In fact, I think that’s one thing that I love most about Maya DiMeo… she’s a flat out hilarious mess, and she owns it! Here’s a peek around the set of Speechless:
Here is this fun clip you will see as the entire family helps JJ prepare for his date, it’s hilarious:
The creative and frugal mind behind She Saved for over 12 years now, Keri Lyn shares her adventures in parenting along with her love for family travel, country living and brand marketing. A self-proclaimed “brand loyalist”, Keri Lyn is known for her strong and enthusiastic voice when it comes to the products and brands that she loves. Passionate about family and the challenge of raising good humans (through the teen years, no less!) Keri Lyn has also served as a brand ambassador to many brands including her time as a Hilton Mom Voyage travel writer and currently an O Mag Insider for O, The Oprah Magazine and the 2019 recipient the O-verall Contribution O-ward. Read more...
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