Just Buy the Staff and Other Life Lessons from Annie Potts

During the Toy Story 4 Press Conference, we had the honor of having a smaller roundtable interview with Annie Potts. Toy Story 4 is just as much Bo Peep’s story as Woody’s story, and Annie Potts imparted her words of wisdom on us. She also called me out. And that’s exactly who Bo is – sweet and sassy. Here are some life lessons from Annie Potts.

Photo: Jennifer Borget, Cherish365.com

Life Lessons from Annie Potts at Toy Story 4 Press Conference

We just saw Annie Potts throw some shade at Tom Hanks, lovingly turn to him and say, “Oh Woody,” and talk about what a kick-butt Bo Peep shows up in Toy Story 4! I was already a fan of her from the Designing Women days. If you look at the picture above, notice everyone’s face in the front row. 

That’s how it felt to learn life lessons from Annie Potts. You’re in a constant state of awe. 

Photo: Jennifer Borget, Cherish365

No One’s Going to Screw with Bo

Maybe it’s the being the mom of 5 girls that made me so enamored with this new Bo Peep, but I am here for it. No one’s going to mess with this Bo, and sometimes having girls, you get tired of seeing people try to mess with them. You get tired of seeing people attack their looks, their self-esteem, their worth, their value. That’s why I loved what Annie Potts had to say about Bo Peep’s qualities in Toy Story 4.

ANNIE POTTS: “I have the privilege of presenting those qualities that are so admirable and inspiring and everything. She’s been knocked around quite a bit and she’s just kept on going and in a cheerful inventive way. I mean, this girl drives a Skunk Mobile. No one is going to screw with her. She’s figured out a way to make it happen. I think it’s fantastic for young women and young boys to see this.  It’s like yes, this is what a woman is and to young girls, this is what a woman can be, and is.”

In later questions, Annie talks more about Bo Peep’s qualities.

ANNIE POTTS: “Even though this isn’t a Superhero Movie, her super powers are her heart and her courage.”

When talking about Halloween and how excited she is to see little girls dressed as Bo Peep, Annie describes her as feminine, but nobody’s fool.

ANNIE POTTS: “And I think little girls are empowered by that, and I think the world is moving that way. Bo gives it a nice shove in that direction.”

Where’s the standing ovation emoji? Bo is feminine and nobody’s fool. No one’s going to mess with Bo, and no one’s going to mess with me and my girls.

When Pixar Calls, You Say Yes

When asked about whether when she got the call, did she have to think about coming back for Toy Story 4, this was Annie’s reply. “When Pixar calls, you say yes.”

She told a story about when she first received a call 25 years ago to be in the first Toy Story. Her agent had called her and said they wanted her to do the first ever completely computer animated feature film. She had a toddler, a teenager, a series; she was busy. They sent her a disc with some Pixar shorts, and she never looked at them. Two weeks later, her agent called back. Annie still hadn’t watched them, and she said she’d get to them. Meanwhile they kept sending her discs.

One day she came home and her youngest son told her she had to watch them. He had been watching them all day. After watching about one and a half, she said, “Sorry, mommy’s got to make a call.”

So it may take awhile to know when you have a good thing, but once you know, you know. Then the next time, “When Pixar calls, you say yes.”

Photo: Jennifer Borget, Cherish365.com

Just Buy the Staff 

So when you tell your story to Annie Potts about how your teen daughter dressed like Bo Peep for the screening of Toy Story 4, be prepared for follow-ups. 

Me:  “My 14-year-old daughter dressed like Bo Peep last night for a party so it’s not just for little girls.”

ANNIE POTTS: <excited> “Did she get her staff?”

Me: <please don’t say the first thing that comes to your mind> “No, Mama is too cheap for that.” <DOH!!!>

ANNIE POTTS: “Is the staff expensive?”

Errrr….so, let this be a lesson. Just buy the staff. Was I too cheap to buy it? Yes, because I had just spent a bunch of money making DisneyBound outfits for my family of 7. Would the staff have completed my daughter’s outfit? Yes, yes it would have. Was Annie Potts right? Yes, yes she was. In the grand scheme of things, the extra $2o would not have busted our budget. And looking back at this picture, I regret not getting the staff. If you need a Bo Peep staff, you can find one on Amazon for $20. (affiliate link).

Just buy the staff. Take the trip. Just do the things that will bring you memories. 

Treasure Your Besties

Photo: Jennifer Borget, Cherish365.com