Big Mouth’s Final Season Highlights: Ayo Edebiri’s Childhood Celebrity Crushes and the Show’s Lasting Impact

The Big Mouth gathering wouldn’t be complete without a cast member sharing an embarrassing adolescent sexual fact. During a post-screening Q&A at the Egyptian Theatre for the show’s eighth and final season, Ayo Edebiri took the spotlight by revealing an eclectic list of her childhood celebrity crushes.

Edebiri, who joined the series as a writer in season four before becoming the voice of Missy, has since emerged as a breakout star—earning accolades as a writer, producer, and Emmy-winning actress on The Bear. She fondly recalled her youthful infatuations with TV favorites such as Tony Danza from Who’s the Boss, Tony Shalhoub during his Monk era, Lee Thompson Young from The Famous Jett Jackson, and John Ritter. She also mentioned her affection for Don Knotts, a co-star from Three’s Company. However, her all-time favorite was Harry Anderson from the original Night Court—admired for his magic tricks, fedora, and fair judging.

During the event, cast member and co-creator Nick Kroll praised Edebiri for her seamless transition into the role of Missy in 2020, following original voice actor Jenny Slate’s departure amid concerns about a white actress voicing a Black character. Kroll described this casting change as “one of the more impressive, complicated things an actor has ever had to do in this kind of situation.”

Edebiri expressed deep gratitude for joining the writing team, sharing, “When I got the writing job, I literally cried. Working with my favorite writers and comedians changed my life.”

Andrew Goldberg, Kroll’s longtime friend and the series co-creator, shared his admiration for Edebiri’s growth and commitment. Goldberg emphasized that after extensive auditions for Missy’s role, Edebiri’s unique connection to the character and evident talent made her the perfect fit.

One of the most unexpected outcomes of Big Mouth’s eight-season run has been its role as a source of sexual education, comfort, and open communication for families. Kroll highlighted heartfelt feedback from viewers who found the show helpful during difficult periods, praising its honest portrayal of anxiety and depression.

Executive producer Jennifer Flackett noted the impact the show has had on parent-child conversations, saying, “The very best times are when a parent and a kid come up to us. The conversations they have after watching separately are powerful.”

While Big Mouth concludes, the creative team isn’t slowing down. Their next Netflix series, Mating Season, explores the animal kingdom with characters in their 20s, symbolizing a new chapter that resonates with Big Mouth’s original audience growing into adulthood.

Goldberg remarked, “We’ve met many twentysomethings who started watching in ninth grade and are now college graduates. It feels like we’re growing up with them.”