Sam Brigger

Yeah, you wear a lot of wigs. You probably wear like 100 wigs during the show.

That'd be a good podcast.

That'd be a good podcast.

That'd be a good podcast.

That's like exactly how it shows.

That's like exactly how it shows.

That's like exactly how it shows.

midnight and Matthew would come in to the trailer with some crazy mustache and we would just laugh our heads off it was it was so fun so Carrie I wanted to talk to you a little bit about your childhood and how you got your start in acting when you were cast on the all-new Mickey Mouse Club and this was in the early 90s I think you were on the show for three years is that right

midnight and Matthew would come in to the trailer with some crazy mustache and we would just laugh our heads off it was it was so fun so Carrie I wanted to talk to you a little bit about your childhood and how you got your start in acting when you were cast on the all-new Mickey Mouse Club and this was in the early 90s I think you were on the show for three years is that right

midnight and Matthew would come in to the trailer with some crazy mustache and we would just laugh our heads off it was it was so fun so Carrie I wanted to talk to you a little bit about your childhood and how you got your start in acting when you were cast on the all-new Mickey Mouse Club and this was in the early 90s I think you were on the show for three years is that right

It was a long time ago, but yes. Yeah, it started when you were like 15. And the show's famous as the launching pad for a lot of talented young actors and musicians, including yourself, Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears. So there was a big casting call in Colorado. And so you decided to try out.

It was a long time ago, but yes. Yeah, it started when you were like 15. And the show's famous as the launching pad for a lot of talented young actors and musicians, including yourself, Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears. So there was a big casting call in Colorado. And so you decided to try out.

It was a long time ago, but yes. Yeah, it started when you were like 15. And the show's famous as the launching pad for a lot of talented young actors and musicians, including yourself, Ryan Gosling, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears. So there was a big casting call in Colorado. And so you decided to try out.

And at this point, it doesn't sound like you've done a lot of acting. Did you know what you were getting into? And like, was... Was one of your ambitions to be on television at that point in your life?

And at this point, it doesn't sound like you've done a lot of acting. Did you know what you were getting into? And like, was... Was one of your ambitions to be on television at that point in your life?

And at this point, it doesn't sound like you've done a lot of acting. Did you know what you were getting into? And like, was... Was one of your ambitions to be on television at that point in your life?

Well, if people haven't seen the show, it was a variety show. And you did some singing, you did some dancing, and then there's a lot of set pieces. So I wonder if you compare your upbringing to your kids' life. And if there was a casting for another Mickey Mouse Club, would you let your kids audition? You had a good time, but it was certainly a unique way to be a teenager.

Well, if people haven't seen the show, it was a variety show. And you did some singing, you did some dancing, and then there's a lot of set pieces. So I wonder if you compare your upbringing to your kids' life. And if there was a casting for another Mickey Mouse Club, would you let your kids audition? You had a good time, but it was certainly a unique way to be a teenager.

Well, if people haven't seen the show, it was a variety show. And you did some singing, you did some dancing, and then there's a lot of set pieces. So I wonder if you compare your upbringing to your kids' life. And if there was a casting for another Mickey Mouse Club, would you let your kids audition? You had a good time, but it was certainly a unique way to be a teenager.

Carrie Russell, recorded in 2023. Season two of her series The Diplomat is currently streaming on Netflix. We'll hear more of my interview after a break. And later, we remember writer Dorothy Allison, author of the critically acclaimed novel Bastard Out of Carolina. I'm Sam Brigger, and this is Fresh Air.