My first (and second!) vlogs ever. Co-vlogs really. Thanks to my sweetheart for getting these up on youtube. And also, being a great co-vlogger. Below, our thoughts on the first two seasons of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
“Listen see. I’ve got a hot story, boss. It’s real hot. And it just got hotter. It’s a newfangled device called a cellular phone. That’s right, a cell phone for short. I’m talking to you right now. And I’m outside, see. That’s right. It’s gonna change the world I tell ya. Get it to the presses, boss!”
I am happy that GB and her hunky footballer husband have found love and made a beautiful baby. I do not care what her opinion on breastfeeding is. Partly because it’s a personal decision and partly because breastfeeding isn’t on my radar.
She thinks there should be a worldwide law requiring breastfeeding for the first six months? Awesome! That’s stupid. She’s since backpedaled…sort of. In so much as she mentions opening a discussion. As though women’s choices in general and especially as mothers aren’t already scrutinized under the cultural microscope.
But here’s the thing. Even though I don’t agree with her on the issue, and even though I wish she hadn’t spoken as though her experience should be every woman’s experience, I am once again dismayed by the responses that seem to pop up whenever a famous woman dares to open her mouth.
Readers of the CNN Marquee Blog (Dear CNN, that blog is the opposite of news.) had a lot to say about Bundchen’s initial interview. I have no doubt many of the quotes were thoughtful expressions of frustration, but CNN chose to use the kind of problematic statements that shoot steam out of my ears.
“Classic ignorant statement by someone who is only known because of how she looks in her bra and panties…”
She is a model who is famous primarily for her work as a Victoria’s Secret model. She made some “ignorant” statements (though they’re not what I would call ignorant, more misguided and judgmental). Those two things? Are not related.
“It’s love that matters, not where the milk comes from. So, stop doing public appearances and magazine shoots, and raise your baby.”
Yes, it is love that matters. And love has zero to do with whether Bundchen or any woman chooses to work outside the home, provided she even has a choice.
“Do your own research but please don’t get your information from some model that just popped out a kid and now she thinks she’s an expert…”
Again with the that makes sense statement followed by the come on now, don’t be an a-hole statement. Yes, women should determine for themselves if breastfeeding is the right decision. But “just some model who popped out a kid”? How’s about we leave her profession out of it…and the phrase “popped out a kid.” Thanks.
This is a blip of a story that won’t play much longer especially now that Bundchen has apologized. But the reactions? Those stem from something deeper. Something ugly.
Oh, and as for a smart response, I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I thought the Ladies of the View (tm ABC’s marketing department of cliches) had thoughtful and reasonable reactions despite their anger. Which ranks with, “Hugh Hefner is my hero,” as the statement I’m least likely to make without a major personality change.
*I haven’t read anywhere that Gisele Bundchen breastfed for three weeks. Joy Behar probably confused her with Denise van Outen who said that she breastfed for three weeks because of concerns about the paparazzi. What Behar should have said is that none of these women’s choices are our business.
Well hello. How are all of you? My name is Olivia Williams, and I am lovely. Talented and beautiful. Utterly charming in interviews. What’s that you say? You’re trying to place me? Oh please, don’t apologize, I confuse myself with Embeth Davidtz and Rachel Weisz sometimes too. If if helps, I played Anna Crowe, Bruce Willis’ wife, in The Sixth Sense. I was the object of Jason Schwartzman’s affection in Rushmore. Still no? I’m afraid I can’t help you. Rent the first season of Dollhouse and get back to me.
Despite the fact that a few of you in the States don’t know about my brilliance onscreen, I do occasionally receive fan mail from a Yank. I’d like to share the last missive I got, which was…well, both sweet and a little intense.
Dear Ms. Williams
She really should feel free to call me Olivia.
I have so enjoyed you in your many film and television appearances.
No mention of theatre tells me the writer is American.
However, I would like to know why you turned down the role of Lily in the 2nd season of Dexter. You would have been perfect for the part! I mean, come on!! The character is British and pretty and a little screwy. It was made for you.
Despite her rather backhanded compliment, I have no idea what she’s talking about. I was never offered a part in Dexter. Which is too bad, since Michael C. Hall is dreamy.
Did you watch that season? Because I did. Twice. The woman they cast as Lily may have been the most annoying actress on any t.v. show of the last 10 years. And I’m including Denise Richards’ guest spot on Two and a Half Men. She was whiny and strange and possibly drunk half the time.
Which is not true at all. The actress who played Lily was…method, she was striving for something. Perhaps, yes, she failed to bring any nuance or depth to it. And, yes, she may, in fact, be the reason that I no longer watch the show, but she isn’t to blame. The casting director who asked for an Olivia Williams’ type and not Olivia Williams bears the brunt of it. Isn’t it too bad really? Ah well. Happy birthday to me. If they ever decide to cast Lily’s mysterious, murderous cousin Rose, I do so hope they’ll get it right and call me.
I’ve been meaning to write a post about Breaking Bad and Bryan Cranston. Because both of them are awesome. I know, not the most descriptive praise, but it’s hard to put into words just how compelling, smart, and tense BB is and how much of that is owed to Cranston’s performance as Walt, the meth-making cancer survivor.
But I can’t write either of those posts until I spend a few minutes singing the praises of Dean Norris. Norris plays Hank, a DEA agent and Walt’s (now former) brother-in-law. In the first season, he was a goofy, trash talking man who loved his wife and his job in equal measure. Taking down the bad guys was almost a game to him. And he was good at it.
When he stepped into a firefight with a local drug dealer and arm of the Mexican cartel, Tuco, in season 2, his bravery and skill earned him a promotion. And the evolution of the best character on t.v. began.
Suddenly, Hank went from the joking DEA agent to a man riddled with self-doubt. His move into the more intense world of El Paso also brought with it panic attacks and anxiety. As someone who was normally in control of himself and his environment, he didn’t know how to handle either except to just get through. And he kept his worries and problems from his biggest supporter, his wife Marie, for fear that she’d think he was less.
Sidenote: As someone who knows from panic attacks, I give Breaking Bad and Dean Norris huge credit for the only realistic portrayal of an attack I’ve seen in pop culture. Rather than the spinning room or the hyperventilation, Norris played his attacks as though whatever room he was in was getting smaller. He looked like a man who wanted to run away from himself. And what was even better, is that from the moment he had his first attack, he was utterly convincing as a man who was just waiting for the next one to hit.
This season, Hank’s troubles finally caught up with him. Back at his original position in Albuquerque, he’s obsessed with finding the creator of the mythical blue meth. His obsession and increasing anxiety caused him to alienate his wife and his partner, Gomez. It wasn’t until his search led him to Jesse and a savage beating that he dealt out that Marie and company found out about his problems.
And that’s where I’ll stop. I’d hate to spoil the amazingness. If you need me to tell you why the last few episodes were the most spectacular of all three seasons, buy yourself a season pass on iTunes and catch up already. Parking lot shoot out. That’s all I’m saying.
Seriously, if Dean Norris isn’t nominated for an Emmy this year, I officially quit awards shows.
**If you want some fun, read Hank’s blog. I don’t know who writes it, but he/she has Hank’s tone down.
Dear Tina Fey,
I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I’m all set. No really. I’m done. With you I mean. With your entertainment. With your show. With your movies. And especially with your brand of feminism.
Wow, I just started this post, and I’m bored. Because, Ms. Fey, you’ve become a pale version of yourself. Or perhaps the self that the media made you out to be. The perfect comedienne. Smart but amused by fart jokes. Pretty but not so beautiful as to be alienating. Successful but with a lot of years of work behind it.
You’re everywhere now. On t.v. and in the movies. On every type of magazine. And you’re not undeserving. You’re a writer, producer, actress, and improv superstar. You got your start in Chicago and climbed the ranks. It’s impressive.
It’s just too bad that I can’t stand your show anymore, your movies are terrible (except for Mean Girls, which I don’t like as much as most people, but is well done), and you’ve gone on national television and slammed women who don’t fit your standards of what’s appropriate.
The segment for Women’s News on SNL a few weeks ago sealed the deal for me. I couldn’t believe that the face of third-wave feminism was slut-shaming women. Throwing around the words skank and whore as though it’s funny and edgy instead of a sexist mess.
Thanks for the laughs. The first season of 30 Rock is up there with the first season of Sports Night as my favorite ever. And you introduced blerg into my lexicon. Which is awesome.
Sincerely,
Your former biggest fan
p.s. This really is so sad:
That Scrubs stole Elliot’s “I told you so” dance from Will & Grace.
Sadly, I couldn’t find Grace’s dance. It’s worth seeing if only for the look on her mom’s face. Her mom, by the way, is played by Debbie Reynolds.
The above tidbits were brought to you by The Foundation for Useless Pop Culture Information.
“That’s why it’s been on the air so long. Because nobody could figure out what the Hell was going on.”
Lifted from an overheard conversation…okay, argument about the logic of Lost.
You are an unfunny, untalented, unoriginal writer who makes rape, misogyny, racism, xenophobia and every tired stereotype known to man or woman a part of your execrable show.
Stop. Stop what you are doing and realize that you have seriously lowered the bar for animated television shows that had been set so high by The Simpsons, Animaniacs, Batman, and Futurama. You, sir, are a hack. You’re success and popularity baffle me.
30 Rock has, once again, lost me, and I don’t watch Parks & Recreation. But this picture is beautiful. So much funny in one place.
