Sundance Channel is taking the popular “before they were stars” concept even further with “The Mortified Sessions,” in which celebs delve into mementos from their pasts to share the moments that mortified them into the people they are today.
The concept springs from Dave Nadelberg’s “Mortified,” a series of books and stage shows in which people share pivotal moments from their early years, using photos, diary entries and ill-conceived love letters.
The 10-episode series includes Bryan Cranston, TOMS philanthropist Blake Mycoskie, and married couple Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman. It premieres with host Nadelberg talking to Mo’Nique about how real-life abuse shaped her Oscar-winning performance in “Precious.” “The Office” star Ed Helms, meanwhile, reads an elementary school essay about how girls were so “icky” that he once decided to send Valentines only to boys.
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In the second half of the premiere, “Modern Family” Emmy winner Eric Stonestreet talks about starring in fashion shows and raising pigs for 4-H, going into the woods to try on condoms, and developing Fizbo the Clown.
Fizbo was the actor’s first — and very serious — showbiz ambition. A Fizbo gig led to an unfortunate incident involving a pair of obscene stickers and two young clown fans.
“The Mortified Sessions” premieres Monday at 8/7c on the Sundance Channel.
