"Bridesmaids" was one of the first movies that started the charge of full-female cast raunchy comedies. Its humour was both subtle and very over the top at times, and it appealed to a large audience with its satirical, hilarious approach to weddings and the dynamics of friend groups. While only a few years old, it is still an absolute favourite of comedy fans. Here are 30 hilarious facts you never knew about "Bridesmaids." Enjoy!
3/30. Annie's photograph of herself and Lillian was made from real childhood pictures of Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph, with their heads merged onto other bodies.
4/30. Rebel Wilson and Matt Lucas became roommates in real life. In 2012, they told Us Weekly that they were inspired by their roommate roles in Bridesmaids and decided to move in together. While living together, the two received complaints from neighbours for singing "Annie" showtunes too loudly.
5/30. The scene where all the ladies meet at the engagement party is mostly improvised. Wendi McLendon-Covey, who plays Rita, has said all of the scenes were filmed scripted, but some allowed the ladies to show their improv skills. Kristen Wiig has added that director Paul Feig told them before shooting the scene to just talk.
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6/30. Jon Hamm is not listed in the films credits. It was decided that listing his name in the credits might make audiences think it was a more serious film, since Hamm is known more for his dramatic roles.
7/30. Chris ODowds character was originally supposed to have an American accent. Everyone was so entranced by his native accent that they decided to change that detail just for him.
8/30. Rose Byrne had to learn Thai for her engagement party speech. During an improv session for the scene, she pretended to speak Thai, and the producers loved it. When they later found out that she was just making up words, they made her learn the actual phonetics of some Thai words before she included it in the film.
9/30. The engagement party scene was filmed at the location used as Wayne Manor in the Batman television series. And it was just as majestic in "Bridesmaids."
10/30. Melissa McCarthy says she based her character on Guy Fieri. She said he was the first person she thought of when she saw the script: I wanted to do the shirt Every scene I would have my glasses on the back of my head.
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11/30. Jon Hamm used to be a high school drama teacher. He taught at John Burroughs School in Missouri, and Ellie Kemper (Becca) was one of his students.
12/30. In the second bedroom scene between Annie and Ted, Annie tells Ted that she will take the fictional "George Glass" to Lillian's wedding instead of him. "George Glass" was also the name of Jan Brady's fictional boyfriend on The Brady Bunch.
13/30. Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo said writing the script took several years. They began writing it in 2006 (the film was released in 2011). Munolo said they spent most of the time getting into the heads of each of the characters, based on experiences they both have had in their lives.
14/30. Helen's stepdaughter was played by Paul Feig's real life neighbour (Molly Buffington) and the cake-munching raccoons are the director's own pets, "Sonny" and "Cher."
15/30. When Feig asked actress, Wendi McLendon-Covey (Rita) if she had any babysitting stories, she answered that she had once caught a kid sh****** on a shag rug and trying to shovel it into the kitchen trash.
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16/30. Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone are married in real life. They got married in 2005, and she says hes the nicest in the world.
17/30. The engagement party scene was inspired by an actual experience had by co-writer Annie Mumolo. Mumolo, who plays the anxiety-filled woman sitting next to Annie during the plane scene, said, My friends engagement party was at this beautiful country club. My car had both rearview mirrors duct-taped on. I remember sitting there thinking that this was this great divide between where I was headed and where my friend was headed.
18/30. All Vegas scenes were removed from the film because of "The Hangover." Producer Judd Apatow said that The Hangover did Vegas just as well as any film was going to do it, although before the film was even released, critics were calling it The Hangover for girls.
19/30. The film wasnt originally supposed to be about a wedding. Wiig has said in earlier stages of the script, there wasnt a wedding in it at all: We just wanted to write a fun script where our friends would come in and play and write something that had a lot of women in it.
20/30. Kristen Wiig and Chris ODowd bonded over several rounds of 'would you rather?' while on set. In an interview, ODowd said there was so much improv necessary for their scenes together that the two decided to play the game. One of the rounds included, Would you rather have a nipple growing on the end of your nose or a tooth growing out of your cheek?
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21/30. The teenager who gets Annie fired is played by Peter Framptons daughter. The rockers daughter (now 18 years old) was also in this years Tammy.
22/30. "Bridesmaids" was Jill Clayburghs last film. The talented actress, who plays Annies hilarious mom, passed away the year before the film's release, and several of her dirty joke scenes were cut from the film, to better preserve her memory.
23/30. It's the highest grossing R-rated female comedy of all time in the domestic US box office, edging out "Sex and the City" (2008).
24/30. Maya Rudolph was pregnant with her third child during the filming of this movie. Most of the clothes she wore had a belt on them to distract from her stomach.
25/30. Paul Rudd appears in a deleted scene as Dave who briefly dates Annie. However, his role is uncredited but the scene is shown in the deleted scenes section of the bonus features on the DVD.
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26/30. In the DVD commentary Kristen Wiig made it a point to say that the audience was not seeing her own hands during the baking (and many other close-up) shots. Because she was so busy, a hand stand-in was used for several scenes.
27/30. The exterior of Teds house is the same one used to show Kelly Taylors house in Beverly Hills, 90210.
28/30. When asked, "What were the actors' favourite Craft Service item," the answers were, "Veggies with peanut butter (Ellie), veggie chicken patties (Maya and Kristin) , chocolate Pop Tarts (Wendi) and flavoured spa waters: cucumber and mint, tarragon and lemon (Melissa)."
29/30. To date, this is the most financially successful Judd Apatow production.
30/30. The cast spent about two weeks improvising with each other during rehearsals, some of which was incorporated into the movie.
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When we're intoxicated, or even the slightest bit tipsy from having a little too much to drink, our immediate perspective on things is hazy.
But there's nothing like a bit of alarming news or a jarring incident to snap us out of the fog and focus on the moment.
Sometimes alcohol isn't always to blame for our impairment.
It can be a state of mind, like a perpetual numbness from being complacent in life, and all it takes is one shocking moment to rattle us back to our senses.
Curious to hear from strangers online about this type of scenario, Redditor Known_Challenge_7150 asked:
"What’s one thing that sobered you up real quick?"
These individuals were witness to shocking events that sobered them up right quick.
Bleeding Out
"Got out of a taxi and found a naked man profusely bleeding from his head crawling up the driveway in my condo. Called him an ambulance completely forgot I was absolutely wasted until 45 minutes later when I'd helped him translate and in to an amublance and stepped in my front door."
"Later a few days later learned he'd slipped in the tub and literally crawled out for help. Poor dude. He was fine but I genuinely thought he was going to die there."
– DongLaiCha
Tragic News
"At a bachelor party and we got a phone call that the groom’s father had suddenly passed."
– accountnameredacted
Bottom Of The Barrel
"I went to visit my parents back in July. I was homeless and deep into fentanyl addiction so I lost a lot of weight. My folks could see it. They knew something was up. Anyway, I spent the night and I was getting ready to leave in the morning and I looked at myself in the mirror for a good long time. I finally had enough and told them everything. They took me to detox, from there I went to rehab. Graduated in August and been living with them ever since then. I have 160 days clean and sober."
– Crotch-Monster
A reality check can be enough for some people to snap out of it.
Like Father, Like Son
"Was driving a drunk friend home, he had been on a bender again and was smart enough to call me for a lift rather than try and drive. As I helped in to his house his mother came down the stairs and said 'your as drunk as your father' and went back upstairs. I haven't seen him drunk since then, he still drinks but the thought of turning into his dad scared him out of hard drinking."
– psycospaz
Busted
"Flashing blue lights."
– FiddleOfGold
"This sobered me up just thinking about it."
– redmaple_syrup
Losing Sight
"Woke up to no sight in one eye. I had cataract surgery so just thought one of the lenses had slipped and it was an easy fix. Eye doc says nope, you had a stroke. I loved soy sauce, teriyaki sauce and salty food, which caused high blood pressure, which caused retina damage. Over six months was able to get most of my eyesight back with medication, and all back within a year. Trying to navigate life with one eye was very sobering. Started taking HBP much more seriously."
– MissHibernia
Quitting The Bottle
"Looked up someone I went to highschool with who was an awesome guy. Found out he had been dead for 3 years from alcoholism, at age 33. I made an overnight change. I hadn't started drinking that night yet, 10 months ago. Haven't touched it again since."
– omgtater
These disturbing moments were enough for Redditors to immediately come to their senses.
Unplanned House Guests
"Me and a buddy Woke up in someone’s living room, realized neither one of us knew the people, they were just nice and let 2 drunk guys sleep on their living room floor. We didn’t even say goodbye."
– Oneinsevenbillion75
Serious Health Warning
"Elevated liver enzymes."
"And the knowledge that this sh** was gonna kill me and I just couldn't orphan my family over it."
"So I opted for recovery, instead."
"Clean and sober since June 5, 2009."
– Far_Meal8674
The Joyride
"Grew up in a rural area. The little town hosted dances at the hockey arena, everyone (adults and kids) went and they overserved everyone, regardless of age. I was maybe 16 or 17 and was absolutely sh*tfaced, and jumped in the back of someone's truck with about 8 other people to go back to someone's cottage for after dance drinking. The driver (still don't know who it was) started racing one of his buddies and we whipped around small dirt roads, flying around blind corners on the wrong side of the road, going god knows how fast. It was basically a disaster waiting to happen. It was crazy scary and I was sober and thankful to be alive when we finally arrived."
– foxfood9116
The human psyche is a fascinating thing, isn't it?
How we can automatically focus on something urgent at a crucial time, even after getting buzzed from drinking too much alcohol.
But as we're in the thick of the holidays, it's a good reminder to drink responsibly and stay off the roads if you drive to your celebratory destination.
Cheers. Stay safe. And happy holidays.
We've all complained or vented about something in our lives which, in the grand scheme of things, wasn't exactly a problem, or is very easily solved.
Then there are those who complain about things that others almost hope will happen to them at some point in their lives.
These are known as "first world problems", as they are problems that pretty much only the world's one percent faces.
From having to fly business class instead of first class, or being served Roederer instead of Dom Pérignon, these complaints are often met with amusement, bewilderment, or even anger.
Redditor jennimackenzie was curious to hear the most absurd "first world problems" anyone ever complained about, leading them to ask:
"What’s the most ridiculous 'first world problem' you’ve seen people get worked up over?"
"Tale As Old As Time..."
"I once knew a mom who was legitimately devastated, to the point of tears/grief, because a doctor predicted her 8 year old daughter's final height to be around 5'2","
"Which wasn't tall enough to get cast as Belle at Disney World."
"That was the child's (and her mother's) only dream in life, apparently."
"Didn't appreciate my suggestion that she could be Minnie or Mickey."
"Lol!"
"Only a face character would do!"- TravelLovingMom
"Must Be Funny, In A Rich Man's World..."
"My boss from about a decade ago was this insanely rich dude who always went to the bank to get fresh and crisp currency."
"He'd call the bank in advance to make sure they had some on hand."
"I think he was a germaphobe."
"He had a trash can that he'd throw $1 and $5 bills in that he thought was 'dirty' and regularly just donated it vs spending it."
"I asked him why he did this and he said it was too much trouble and asked if I wanted it."
"I said f*ck yeah dumped it into my bag and when I got home it was close to $400 in singles and fives.
"Another time, he wanted to upgrade all the computers in his studio, so we went to a store and bought 10 PCs."
"They all had $150 mail in rebates and he wasn't bothered to go through the trouble of mailing them in."
"3 weeks later I received $1500 after spending a whole afternoon filling out all those goddamn forms."- azninvasion2000
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Who Wore It Better?
"When I was about 19 years old, I was at my boyfriends family BBQ."
"I was wearing this pretty floral sundress."
"His cousins girlfriend showed up in the same dress and she was SO mad that she went and changed."
"I will never understand being upset when someone is wearing the same thing as you.'
"Did you really think that your shirt you bought off the rack is going to be unique to you?"
"No."- mertsey627
Seeing Red! Or Blue In This Case...
"The blue of the balloons wasn't quite the same as the bridesmaid's sashes."
"Years ago my wife and I attended a wedding."
"It was very low key."
"The dinner was in the dining hall at the university where the couple met, cinder block walls and all."
"It was a Baptist wedding - no booze and very serious."
"The dark blue balloons attempting to liven up the hall were a slightly darker shade of blue than the sashes on the bridesmaid's dresses."
"The bride lost here sh*t and absolutely raved for nearly an hour."
"I can't remember how they finally managed to talk her down."- mechant_papa
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See You In Court!
"Rich neighbors who end up in expensive court battles because they disagree about where a tree can be planted or whether the color of a fence fits in with the street’s 'amenity'."
'These disputes get really heated and rack up huge lawyers’ bills."
"The most pathetic part is after the judgement when they are arguing about who should pay the other party’s costs."
"Lots of affidavits filed citing the 'emotional distress' they had to endure, or painting themselves as brave warriors who were forced to take a stand to fight for 'justice'."
"Also lots of pompous litigants insisting that the judge refer to them by their 'Dr' title."
"An absolutely insane dumpster fire of entitled rich people problems."- ElectrocRaisin
It's Always People With Money Who Don't Want To Pay!
"I work in a public library."
"People will get so so mad if they have to be put on a wait list for a book."
"A popular book that just came out."
"Ok our services are not only free but so are the books."
"You’re welcome, a**holes."- Switchbladekitten
A Warm Butt Is A Happy Butt!
"My own."
"We have a bidet toilet seat (Fabulous! Everyone should have one!) and not only does it wash your bum and blow dry it, but the seat's heated!"
"It's shocking how much a heated toilet seat makes the whole process more agreeable."
"Except: We had a power outage and I went to use the toilet and the seat was cold!"
"Unacceptable!"
"This shall not stand!"
"I was really upset because it didn't feel good."
"Then I stopped and thought: This is the most first-world problem anyone's ever had."
"I was really pissed because my heiny was tepid."
"I got over it."- DeathGrover
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Holy Matrimony!
"Weddings are a gold mine for this question."
"People get so hyped up over their 'most important day of their life'."
"They'll destroy friendships, go into debt, and have crazy expectations."
"It's not always the couple who go crazy, either."
"Sometimes, it's the parents or another family member who feels entitled to control the wedding."
"It's just a party."
"Be considerate of guests, have plenty of food and drinks, and enjoy it."- magicrowantree
When Fast Food Isn't Fast Enough...
"Having to pull off to the side to wait for a drive-thru order to be brought out to you because your food isn't ready and there's a line building up behind you."- demanbmore
In Case You Don't Think Customer Service Employees Are Undervalued...
"I was working the return desk at a Target next to a military base so I have so many stories."
"One of my favorites was a lady who had her baby shower before revealing the gender and was livid that she had received floral newborn diapers when she’s having a boy."
"It was a huge box of super expensive, all organic diapers, that we didn’t carry and therefore could not return."
"I cannot accurately express her fury and disgust."
"How dare either suggest her boy could wear feminine diapers."
"I suggested she donate them if she didn’t want to use them and she instead threw away the entire box."
"When she left we pulled it out and threw it in our donate bin."
"There have also been multiple times where mom’s order massive toys and when we bring them out to the car they get furious that they aren’t wrapped."
"We don’t offer wrapping services."
"Here’s the thing, if you don’t want your kids to see the toys you got them for Christmas or their bit to day DON'T BRING THE CHILD WHEN YOU PICK IT UP."
'I’ve had multiple women scream and curse me out that I had ruined their kids Christmas by bringing the toys they ordered out to the car like they requested."- clever-mermaid-mae
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Happiest Place On Earth!
"I used to work for Disney."
"That in itself should tell you everything."
"However for fun I'll give you two specific stories one form our tech department and one from my wife who worked bookings."
"I specifically worked for their call center to help with technical issues with magic band and the website."
"Suddenly got worse huh?"
"A right of passage call everyone has at least one story of is the 'Dome call'."
"Basically there is a subset of Disney Guest (TM) that believes if it rains at Walt Disney world there is someone that will push a button to encapsulate the whole of Disney property in a dome to keep out the rain."
"I'm not kidding."
"If this button is not pushed they call our tech department to angrily ask why."
"My wife worked booking."
"Pretty much everything including Bibbidi Bobbidi boutique and Pirate's league."
"These two things did roughly the same thing difference being price and theme."
"BBB was expensive did more and was focused on princesses, pirates league did a bit less and focused on mermaids and pirates."
"Lady called up my wife, and got pissed about BBB being booked up (It goes FAAAAST)."
"Karen: 'Im going to give the phone to my daughter and I want you to tell her how you are ruining her vacation by not letting her do BBB'."
"Wife proceeds to explain how pirate's league is so much cooler and how she can be a mermaid or pirate and basically gets the kid to start demanding to their parents about how they want to be a mermaid instead of a princess."- trollsong
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The horror!
Being booked into a junior suite at Disney World instead of an executive suite!
It's almost as bad as having no money for groceries, or no food to feed you children...
Said absolutely no one.