DENISE MARTIN — Sherri Shepherd is not afraid to use her pain for a laugh. In July, "The View" co-host got her first Brazilian wax on camera, and this week, Lifetime premieres "Sherri," a semiautobiographical comedy she stars in about her life after a messy divorce. Her next project, the Sundance film "Precious," will be released in November.
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It's been three years since you joined "The View." Have you recovered from telling Barbara Walters that you didn't know if the Earth was round or flat?
Oh, girl. People hated me for that. I didn't think it was a big deal until I realized I was the second most Googled person in the country. It was a brain fart! It was my second or third day on "The View," and I just got nervous. Barbara asked me if it was round or flat and I said, "I don't know, I'm just trying to take care of my kid." When the show was over Barbara came over and said "Dear, the Earth is round," and I said, "Barbara, I know that!"
But you know I also got hundreds of comments from women that said, "You know what, Sherri, I don't care if the Earth is round or flat either, I'm trying to get my ex-husband to see my kids," or "I'm just trying to work this job and take care of my family." There were so many letters of support. That was actually the inspiration for my book "Permission Slips."
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What do women need permission for?
Women are trying so hard to be perfect, and we just got to give ourselves permission to say, "It's OK that I made a mistake as long as I can get up, keep smiling and keep going." You ever said anything stupid? I'm your patron saint.
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How did your divorce turn into the basis for a sitcom?
My husband had this affair, so I was going through this divorce and I had started doing stand-up about it. The producers of my last show, "Less Than Perfect," knew my husband, so when they heard some of my material they started crying and then they were laughing and then crying again. They said to me, "This is the show we want to do. This is very real. Women will be able to relate to this." When we screened the pilot, people were howling. They were stomping on the floor. And they were of all colors, because this is a subject that has no color. It is pretty universal. Ask any politician.
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You've been vocal about wanting to date on "The View." The men who visit seem to be interested.
