The White Lotus Official Podcast: Episode 3 - The Managers with Murray Bartlett and Sabrina Impacciatore

In Episode 3 of The White Lotus Official Podcast, hosts Jia Tolentino and Josh Bearman delve deep into the intricacies of Season 3 of HBO’s acclaimed series by engaging in an insightful conversation with actors Murray Bartlett and Sabrina Impacciatore. These two stars bring to life the characters Armand and Valentina, respectively—both managers at the White Lotus resort who navigate the complex dynamics of catering to a predominantly straight clientele while managing their own personal and professional challenges.

Parallel Characters: Armand and Valentina

The episode opens with a discussion on the striking parallels between Armand and Valentina. Both characters share the same job title and are depicted as gay men who must constantly adapt to the demands of their straight guests. Murray Bartlett emphasizes the subtle nuances of their roles:

"[...] self disclosure is discouraged, especially with these VIPs who arrive on the boat. You know, you don't want to be too specific as a presence, as an identity. You want to be more generic." (00:38)

Sabrina Impacciatore concurs, reinforcing the idea that both characters embody a form of “tropical kabuki”, where their true identities are masked to create an impression of seamless service and vagueness for guest satisfaction (00:56).

Auditioning and Casting Experiences

Sabrina Impacciatore’s Journey

Sabrina shares her emotional rollercoaster upon receiving the casting call:

"I was literally walking on people. And then I went out of the theater and there were my two Italian agents on a video call, and they told me this unbelievable news. And I started to cry and laugh and scream, and I still was in the theater." (11:40)

Her vivid recounting highlights the overwhelming joy and disbelief she felt, cementing her place in the show.

Murray Bartlett’s Experience

Murray details his audition process during the pandemic, highlighting the surreal nature of receiving a callback:

"It was such a surreal experience anyway, but also in, you know, in the midst of a Pandemic and all of that. It was just. It was a strange and wonderful thing." (15:16)

He recalls his first meeting with the cast, including Jennifer Coolidge, whose enthusiasm added to his excitement:

"Coolidge wanted this role. Like, no pressure. So it was like. It was sort of a slow unfolding of me realizing that I had the role and what the job was and that it was actually real." (15:34)

Discovering the Characters: Breakthrough Moments

Both actors describe their initial struggles and eventual breakthroughs in embodying their characters.

Sabrina’s Transformation into Valentina

Sabrina admits feeling lost at first, unable to fully grasp her character’s essence:

"I was too intimidated. So I just followed Mike's indications for the first days. And he told me this sentence that was, the more she's bitchy, the more she's funny." (16:04)

A pivotal moment occurs when she delivers the infamous "Peppa Pig" line, which Mike White encouraged to bring out Valentina’s bitchy yet humorous side. This breakthrough allowed her to fully merge into her role:

"From that moment, like, something made a click inside of me and I got the character there." (18:56)

Murray’s Journey as Armand

Murray echoes similar sentiments, detailing the intense and collaborative environment fostered by Mike White:

"Mike leaves space for that I mean, the script didn't really change much after those first couple of scenes at all. But he adjusts to what you're bringing to it." (21:05)

This adaptive approach enabled both actors to explore and refine their characters organically, leading to rich and authentic performances.

Memorable and Controversial Scenes

The Analingus Scene

One of the most talked-about moments involves Armand and Lucas Gage’s characters engaging in an analingus encounter. Murray and Sabrina discuss the spontaneous creation of this scene:

"Lucas and I came up with this idea of like, oh, my God, what if we did that? And so we went to Mike and said, we think this should be like an ass eating thing." (24:06)

Dan Savage, a guest on the podcast, provides context on the scene's significance within gay culture, explaining:

"[...] this is the progression. This is the beginning of the Ass play. And it was interesting." (27:45)

Lucas Gage adds that the scene’s virality was unexpected:

"It was like such a spur of the moment decision, like we're about to. And then me and Murray and Mike are just discussing really quick, like, what can we do that's even more funny or more. More interesting and more shocking." (29:02)

The Turd in the Suitcase Scene

Another unforgettable moment features Armand discovering feces in his luggage, a scene meticulously crafted for maximum impact. Murray shares the behind-the-scenes efforts:

"It was painstakingly detailed and precise in the way that we shot it. We did all different angles. I had like a five minute conversation with the props guy about the, like, what he made the." (32:11)

The authenticity was crucial, with realistic props and choreography to ensure the scene's believability and shock value.

Production Insights and HBO’s Bold Storytelling

Francesca Orsi on Audacious Storytelling

Francesca Orsi, who oversees drama series at HBO, praises Mike White’s fearless approach:

"There's a fearlessness in Mike and what he always, you know, proposes and what he writes and what it is that he's delivering. Never once on White Lotus have we ever challenged these audacious scenes." (30:34)

She underscores that such bold scenes are only included when they are deeply rooted in character development and psychological depth, ensuring they feel earned and integral to the narrative.

Personal Reflections and Emotional Resonance

Both actors reflect on their most significant moments tied to their characters.

Sabrina’s Deep Emotional Connection

Sabrina recounts an intense emotional scene that transcended her understanding of herself:

"I was Valentina. I was not Sabrina. I was Valentina." (37:27)

This moment of complete immersion left a lasting impression, highlighting the profound impact of the role on her personal and professional life.

Murray’s Anchor Moments

Murray identifies key memories that define his character’s struggles and resilience:

"He's overwhelmed by all this, like, obnoxiousness and all the kind of the insanity of the world around him and trying to resist his escape hatch." (39:44)

He speaks to the quiet, introspective moments that reveal Armand’s inner turmoil, as well as the high-energy scenes that showcase his character’s complexity.

Final Thoughts and Future Episodes

As the episode wraps up, Murray and Sabrina highlight the intricate process of creating unforgettable moments on screen, emphasizing the collaborative spirit fostered by Mike White. They express gratitude for the opportunity to explore such deep and challenging roles, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating future episodes of the podcast.

Hosts Jia Tolentino and Josh Bearman conclude by hinting at the next episode’s focus on Season 2, exploring its major themes of sex and romance, promising more in-depth analyses and exclusive insights.

Notable Quotes:

• Murray Bartlett (00:59): "It's a Japanese ethos where we are asked to disappear behind our masks as pleasant, interchangeable helpers."

• Sabrina Impacciatore (10:25): "I did two auditions, and then no one said nothing for weeks."

• Dan Savage (26:34): "I recommend it to straight people all the time who are thinking about experimenting with anal sex as foreplay."

• Francesca Orsi (30:34): "If it's rooted in character, we're good. If it's rooted in psychology, we're good."

This episode offers a rich exploration of the characters’ depths, the actors’ transformative journeys, and the bold storytelling that defines The White Lotus. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, this podcast provides invaluable insights into the making of one of television’s most compelling dramas.