Feud
Sunday, 10 p.m., FX
Of all the monumental performances in FX’s new series “Feud: Bet♉te and Joan,” none marries desperation with exasperation quite like Jackie Hoffman’s Mamacita, Joan Crawford’s (Jessica Lange) stoic Teutonic housekeeper and babysitter. Serving her mistress’ every whim with the occasional roll of the eyes and shrug of the shoulders, the unsmiling Mamacita serves as the show’s unlikely moral compass and unexpected big-picture thinker. It’s a plum role for the 56-year-old Hoffman, a veteran ꦫNew York comedienne, stage, television and film actress who first rose to prominence as the zany sidekick to Jennifer Westfeldt in the iconic 2001 comedy “Kissing Jessica Stein.”
Back in Go🦄tham after “Feud’s” LA shoot, Hoffman talked to The Post about her newfound not♍oriety, working with Oscar winner Jessica Lange and why “Feud” is proudly a feminist statement.
This is such a great role for you. How did you get the part?
I’d worked with Ryan Murphy previously on [the 2012 NBC series] “The New Normal” and he called me in to read. It was all very secre▨tive; I didn’t even know the 💜character’s name — just that she was a “generic German maid,” nothing unusual. But [I] ended up [being cast] as Mamacita. And that’s when my head exploded.
How familiar were you with the history of Joan and Bette’s relationship before shooting?
Well, I’m deep in gay circles, so I was pretty familiar with all things๊ Bette and Joan. There wasn’t much out there about Mamacita herself; but I dug deep and researched and found out she had nine kids — and her last name was Hoffman, spelled the Jewish way — just like mine!
One of Mamacita’s best moments occurs in Episode 3 when she tells a despondent Crawford: “Women outlive men, children leave, get used to it.” Was that part of the script, or did you make it up?
It’s a great line and wဣas part of the script — it was even one of my audition lines. I don’t have children and got married [to Steven Smyth] at age 47, so it hasn’t exactly been my personal experience. But I mostly agree with her — Mamacita always speaks the truth.
So now that you’re a TV star, are you getting stopped more often at Starbucks?
Folks are definit💛ely coming out of the woodwork, although, sadly, Spielberg hasn’t call𒁃ed yet.
So what can you tell us about Jessica Lange? Give us the dirt.
I can tell you she’s this very cool, mature kind of chick who loves animals and the outdoors. 🔜But she also was part of Warhol♛’s Factory, lived with Baryshnikov and studied mime in Paris. She’s had one of these lives that you barely scratch the surface of — she was intimidating but incredibly cool.
The “Feud” shoot lasted for five months out in LA. Did you dig it out there?
Well, I love the climate but I don’t༺ drive so Uber was my life-saver. I did enjoy it there and even had moments where I could have seen myself living in LA, but ultimately I am too quake-nervous; and leaving NYC would probably send my mother to her grave.
“Feud” spills the beans, you might say, on the rampant sexism of Hollywood’s golden age. Have things changed much since then?
Davis and Crawford were notable in tha🔥t they said “F-you” to the studio system;𓃲 they strived for power any way they could. So sure things have changed — but there is still a long way to go.
“Feud” is a certifiable hit, but do you think Donald Trump is tuning in?
Probably not. That p—y is too old for the president.
— David Kaufman
And here’s what else to watch this week:
Imaginary Mary
Wednesday, 8:30 p.m., ABC
Series premiere. Alice (Jenna Elfman) flips out when she falls for Ben (Stephen Schneider), a divorced dad with three 🍰kids. Then the imaginary friend she created as a child, Mary (Rachel Dratch), reappears just when she meets Ben’s kids for the first time.
Taken
Monday, 10 p.m., NBC
Christina (Jennifer Beals) orders the retrieval of sensitive documents from a Zurich bank vault to prevent economic and political disaster in the US. Meanwhile, Asha’s (Brookly💧n Sudano) trust in Elena (Layla Alizada) proves to be misplaced and leaves Bryan (Clive Standen) in a vulnerable position. Also starring Gaius Charles and Monique Gabriela Curnen.
Jane the Virgin
Monday, 9 p.m., The CW
🍸Jane (Gina Rodriguez) asks Petra (Yael Grobglas) to help her start dating again. Meanwhile, Rogelio (Jaime Camil) must settle a lawsuit before launching a telenovela.
Shots Fired
Wednesday, 8 p.m., Fox
When a damaging video of🥃 Deputy Beck (Mack Wilds) leaks, Ashe (Sanaa Lathan) and Preston (Stephan James) have to rethink their priorities. Meanwhile, Pastor Janae (Aisha Hinds, inset) is linked to Joey Campbell’s death. A witness to his murder may have gone missing.
Major Crimes
Wednesday, 9 p.m., TNT
As the war between bikes and cars escalates in the streets of LA, Acting Assistant Chief Fritz Howard (Jon Tenney) deploys the Major Crimes unit to solve a hit-and-run. Lt. Provenza (G.W. Bailey), frustrated by t🥀he constant contest to succeed Russell Taylor (Robert Gossett), contem𝕴plates retirement.
The Americans
Tuesday, 10 p.m., FX
Philip (Matthew Rhys) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) have qualms about a new assignment, while a specter from Philip’s past creates unforeseen dangers. Over at the FBI, Stan (Noah Emmerich) makes a play that could throw his career into turmoi💙l.
Big Little Lies
Sunday, 9 p.m., HBO
Jane (Shailene 𝓀Woodley) confronts Renata (Laura Dern) about a petition. The nature of Abigail‘s (Kathryn Newton) secret school project makes Madeline (Reese Witherspoon) sick.
