‘The View’ Alum Meghan McCain Talks About ‘One of My Passions’ in New Project – and It’s Not Politics
Meghan McCain is clearly keeping busy following her exit from The View. Recently signing on as a columnist with the Daily Mail, the former talk show panelist is also teaming up with Lifetime for a biopic starring Melrose Place alum Heather Locklear. McCain recently shared the personal reason she took on the role of executive producer for the TV movie.
Meghan McCain, Executive Producer
The Lifetime film Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff is based on the true story of Kristine Carlson, who co-authored the best-selling series of the same name with her husband, Dr. Richard Carlson. The movie chronicles how Kristine must deal with her relentless grief in order to help her family heal and move on when Richard suddenly dies.
With Locklear starring as Kristine, the TV movie also features Jason MacDonald, Natasha Bure, Ella Dorsch, and Emily Rose. McCain was drawn to the project for its inspiring message.
“I think all of us, no matter who you are, [are] going through some kind of existential moment in the past two years because of the nature of the crisis that has happened in the world,” The View alum said at Lifetime’s virtual Fall Press Day, according to Yahoo! Entertainment. “I think the best part of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff is that it is accessible and it’s not overwhelming for people that want to grow and want to sort of make changes in their life that are more accessible.”
‘The View’ alum hopes to open a conversation on grief
McCain has been very transparent about the impact the loss of her father, Senator John McCain, in 2018, had on her life. She read Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff after his passing to help deal with her grief.
“After my dad died, I went on Amazon and just looked at books that were good for grief and the book came up again,” McCain revealed.
Carlson’s story resonated with her, making the decision of taking on the executive producer role for the TV film a perfect segue into new opportunities. McCain hopes the Lifetime movie serves as a message of healing for those grappling with major losses in their lives.
“One of my passions in life is helping people get over grief because I don’t think it’s something that we talk about enough in culture, in anything, in any medium,” she explained. “Americans are very fearful of talking about grief and this is a very accessible, kind story that has a philosophy — literally a book and a philosophy behind it — and I really think this is going to help and heal people in a time when people really need help and healing.”
Meghan McCain wanted a project she was ‘authentically passionate about’
McCain announced the upcoming Lifetime movie on Instagram in July. “I am beyond excited and honored to be partnering with @lifetimetv and @kristine_carlson to executive produce the legendary ‘Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff’ book into a Lifetime film with icon @HeatherLocklear starring as Kristine,” she posted. “This book helped me through my own journey in grief and loss with inspiration from Kristine. … I know this movie, like the book, is going to help and inspire so many people and there is no better time than now for it to be made!”
When McCain was approached with the offer to team up with Lifetime, she had a few requirements.
“I said it would have to be something that would be organic and something I would have to be authentically passionate about or else it wouldn’t work,” McCain said. “Obviously politics is incredibly divisive. And this is something that is meant to be feel good and is going to bring people together.”
