We have Work It on tv, the new ABC sitcom which has men dressing up like us. And not just us as women, but dressed using the worst, most ridiculous stereotypes of us. And most bizarre, it seems to be implying that it would be easier to be a woman than a white man in business.
We also have The Bachelor on tv (Also ABC as a matter of fact) with girls crying hysterically over losing the love of their life, that they met 15 minutes ago.
You mean you DON’T do that?
And, as a coworker of mine pointed out, our political representation includes “I can see Russia from my house,” and “9/11 widows are harpies.”
It’s really hard sometimes.
So when I saw an article entitled “‘Most runway models meet the BMI criteria for anorexia’, claims plus-size magazine in powerful comment on body image in the fashion industry,” I mentally groaned.
If it’s not one thing, it’s the other.
Looking at the pictures, of an admittedly gorgeous woman, I can’t help but wonder what HER BMI is. In one in particular, where we see her body next to a scarily thin girl (See Below.) I found myself thinking- aren’t we celebrating extreme’s? Isn’t THAT what our culture is guilty of?
The larger woman, is that a healthy weight? Isn’t the above picture illustrating negatives of two kinds- what it means to be to thin, as well as what it means to be too large for ones frame?
And I guess the same goes for my first examples- we are all guilty of it. I’m probably represent the worst, when it comes to consuming those stereotypes- think about my TV addictions! I turn on Real Housewives because hearing women scream at each other is FUN. I like the stupidity, the crazy. And yet, in the same way healthy isn’t found in anorexia or obesity, neither is what it means to be a woman.
Our world could use far more normal: in body, in intelligence, in life. There are super women all over the world- going to school, working, helping others.
So let’s take a minute to celebrate THAT.
P.S. Along those lines, check out this story about the women at Miss America. I still get my share of comments but I think this story accurately portrays why these women are truly pretty super- (I’ll be rooting for the wonderful and incredibly sweet Miss Indiana who happens to be my former roommate!) Tune in Saturday evening, as ABC redeems themselves by showcasing some actually wonderful young women with incredibly wonderful “healthy” bodies. I’ll be tweeting furiously, I’m sure.
I had it pointed out that I never really gave a conclusion to the Best Buy saga of 2011 (and 48 hours of 2012), nor did I give any real plan of action after my 2012-freak-out or wrap up some loose ends of my many inevitable social media rants. So today I bring you:
In Conclusion- 5 Things I Forgot to Finish
1) The Best Buy Saga
Thanks to another cord (cord #4) my tv is now in working order. For those of you “techies” who are curious, it took an audio cord, the kind you normally use in a car to hook up your iPod to get audio. The y-cord didn’t work because my tv doesn’t have an audio work around, allowing it to play analog sound, while displaying HD video. Thus, why I needed cord number 4. So it now works
Thank god for Dynex customer service.
Best Buy however is still on my list. They didn’t respond to my Twitter rant or my blog. Alright, some companies aren’t very strong in social media response. But they also didn’t respond to my Customer Service hotline complaint, my formal complaint or my email.
As far as I’m concerned THAT is inexcusable.
2) 2012 Plan of Attack
You read my 2012 blog entry right? (If not you probably should.)
And in it I very calmly outline some “vague” concerns for a new year and end with a very cheerful spin.
Perhaps, in non-blog form I was not as calm about the coming year/my life. And perhaps my concerns took shape more like a freak out. And perhaps in a series of text messages to my friend, I spewed about needing a project, needing something to work on, blah-blah-blah.
So my friend, the king of “fix-it” suggested I needed to adopt his own 2012 resolution and create a vision board.
Yep. Think Oprah. UGH.
And in his words: “You can use it as a brainstorming activity- To figure out what the next “something” to attack is. And then we’ll develop an action plan to achieve it.”
Of note: I disapprove of anyone using phrases like: ‘develop an action plan’ or ‘brainstorming activity’. But somehow, in a moment of weakness, I signed on to this activity. And now I’m making a Hobby Lobby stop tonight to begin putting together something that constitutes a vision board.
3) Iowa Caucus
I tweeted last night as I watched the results roll in and I’ve been listening to CNN updates today. Bachmann out, Perry soon to be, blah-blah-blah.
Can I remind everyone that Iowa, while exciting and an incredibly fun way to kick off the “election season” actually means very, VERY little? (Think 2008 election- Huckabee? Riiiiggght.) And that, unless you are Iowans who freaking love caucus time, everyone sort of knows the process is ludicrous?
Even CNN reporters were phoning that shit in last night. “Elections come down to geography,” explained one CNN commentator. “And votes.” Why yes sir, that is an election. This election, and every election, in just about any democracy. (Except Chicago. And Texas. They have entirely different government systems there.)
Then this morning, while watching The Today Show, they were talking to someone about how close the vote was. And the reporter pointed out that there was no way of doing a recall. First, there were no provisions for that in the Iowa Caucus format/rules. Second, in her words, “People wrote their votes on all sorts of things- scraps of paper, even the back of receipts.”
Say what???
And this is why, in conclusion, the Iowa Caucus is sort of useless.
4) The Bachelor
I was asked why I didn’t live tweet The Bachelor premiere these last couple days. Normally I enjoy taking advantage of any pop culture spectacle that is just so easy to mock. These girls are idiots- crying hysterically over a man they just met. There is a bizarre lack of diversity, not to mention differences in body size, types, etc. It’s just- exhausting.
And really who would ever have thought I would have standards? But as it turns out ABC is testing me.
My mom called last night to find out if I was watching Wife Swap Celebrity edition. It was that one pastor who got caught with a male hooker, doing blow and Gary Busey. They swapped partners, then filmed a tv show. And it was AWFUL. Or so I hear. I lasted about 30 seconds (insert joke here re: 30 seconds being how long Ted would have lasted with his male prostitute boyfriend.) before realizing this was the worst show known to man and moving on out of sheer repugnance.
So for the 3 of you who usually enjoy my pop culture ramblings- I just couldn’t stomach it this year. I’m sorry.
5) Awkward Social Media Conversations
It’s my own fault.
I’m overly mouthy. I enjoy making public social media statements. I’m a tad judgmental. And really enjoy sharing things I think are funny.
But in the last month I’ve had more people get confrontational over it than I ever have before.
My responses have varied:
Sometimes, I’ve felt badly and edited my statement. I realized I was a bit harsh and adjusted accordingly.
Sometimes I’ve responded in an equally mouthy way- I’ve felt my point was valid and got all indignant and uppity. (Irritating right? I’m sorry for that too.)
And sometimes I just haven’t responded to at all because I thought the comment was too awkward for words.
But let it be said- I’m sorry. If I have in any way offended you (and you know me at all) you know it wasn’t intentional. I dislike the symptoms I bitch about, not the people.
My snark is meant to be well intentioned. And funny. And sometimes thoughtful.
I have a well documented history as the television kiss of death. I am my own, one woman, curse. I love a show, set my dvr, begin watching it each week, only to have the network kill it off just as quickly as it began.
Don’t believe that one little midwestern girl can single handedly pick the most publicly, critically, societally panned shows, that will quickly be shipped off to the place where series go to die?
Wikipedia Show Synopsis : (Because I’m too lazy to do this myself) The series takes place behind the scenes of a live sketch comedy show (also called Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip or Studio 60) on the fictional television network NBS (National Broadcasting System), whose format is similar to that of NBC’s Saturday Night Live. National Broadcasting System is owned by the TMG Corporation. Created and written by Aaron Sorkin, West Wing creator and unknowing love of my life. (Ok, I added the last part)
Why I Began Watching: One of the characters is based loosely on Kristin Chenoweth. Loved her, loved the idea. I was in. Also, in the first episode they mentioned Terre Haute
Why I Kept Watching: I thought it was funny. And smart. Rather Hollywood insider-ey, with references my 16-year-old self couldn’t possibly have understood but the characters were lovable and human. Plus, the musical guests? Awesome. When Sting played the lute? Field of Gold? You knock my socks off?
Ok, I’m literally the only human who watched this show.
Cancelled: 22 episodes. One season. FYI- Loved it so much, I have it on DVD. Deal with it.
2) Mr. Sunshine
Wikipedia Synopsis: Ben Donovan (Perry) is the operations manager for the Sunshine Center, a second-tier arena in San Diego, who has to deal with the unusual demands of his job and his unpredictable boss.
Why I Began Watching: It has about half the cast of Studio 60/The West Wing in it.
Why I Kept Watching: ONCE AGAIN, I thought it was funny. Unusual, perhaps, and sort of quirky. There is a scene where Crystal, the boss, throw children AT a axe yielding clown. She also sings her own song about the different races. I would giggle SO hard at Allison Janney.
Once again, I was about the only human who watched this show. Watch the below clip- see didn’t it look promising?
Cancelled: May 2011 after just 9 episodes
3) Free Agents
Wikipedia Synopsis: The series followed the lives of two public relations executives—Alex, who is recently divorced, and Helen, a woman trying to move on after the death of her fiancé–at an advertising firm in Portland, Oregon. They discover that they seem to have an attraction for each other, and have a drunken one-night stand, but try to stay professional at work, where their friends will do anything to get them to re-enter the dating scene.
Why I Began Watching: It was about PR professionals.
Why I Kept Watching: It wasn’t awful? Maybe not a ringing endorsement, but I really believed it had promise.
Cancelled: After 4 episodes, with 9 unaired.
What that means is- playing nothing is worse than playing your already filmed awful awful show.
Well here it is.. The real reason for revealing to the world my history as the Grim Reaper of TV. There is a tv show, not yet buzzed about, in early filming, in which I am already emotionally invested, without having seen a single actual episode. And when this happens, when I catch on early to a show (As opposed to my Mad Men, West Wing, Modern Family loves, that I discover 4, 7, 2, seasons in when they’ve already been established as awesome) they inevitably crash and BURRRNNN. And I just don’t want that to happen with this one. And here’s why.
Good Christian Belles (GCB)
Wikipedia Synopsis:
GCB(formerly titled Good Christian Bitches and then Good Christian Belles) is an upcoming American comedy-dramaseries created and written by Robert Harling, produced by Darren Star and stars Leslie Bibb and Kristin Chenoweth, Jennifer Aspen, Miriam Shor, Marisol Nichols with Annie Potts as Gigi Stopper.
This will debut on ABC as a midseason replacement in the 2011–12 television season.The series is based on the book Good Christian Bitches by Kim Gatlin. There will be 10 episodes produced for the first season.
Why I Am Excited: It has Kristin Chenoweth actually in it this time. I have the most massive girl crush on her EVER. She’s short, she sings, she dances, and she’s HYSTERICAL. What’s not to love? Plus, perhaps the fact that she is in it as opposed to loosely shaping a character will make it fair better than the tragic Studio 60 incident?
Why I Have High Hopes: Look at the cast beside Kristin- Leslie Bibb, The hot guy from JAG (Ok, so I’ve never seen an episode of JAG, but David James Elliot? Still hot.), the chick from Designing Women (Annie Potts) Plus, the producer, Darren Star is the wonderful mind behind Sex and the City.
Conclusion: Let’s all be good christian… whatever’s and say a little prayer shall we? Cause I’d like to break my flop streak once and for all.
(Even if I’m not necessarily proud of my excitement)
1. Dance Moms
Why yes, looks like an absolute trainwreck of a show and I must confess: I. Am. Giddy. Beginning July 13th, this “documentary” of sorts follows in the pattern of Cheer Nation and others: Insane Parents. Sadistic Teacher. Little Kid Tears. As a dancer, a dancer who grew up at a dancing school, with tamer but, at times, equally crazy parents, I cannot wait.
I have read reviews of the studio. It is, no doubt, a demanding studio that demonstrates a high level of technique and precision. But it is also a breeding ground for star crazed mom’s with delusions of grandeur (think Dina Lohan) and dancers getting burnt out by the age of 12. (Note the lack of teenage or older dancers in the previews.) Despite the possible years of therapy these little ones will have to endure, not to mention their inevitable future putting these dancing skills to use on a pole, I’ll be shamefully tuned in to every insane moment.
*Can we also take a second to enjoy the morbidly obese teacher? Does a teacher have to be the best dancer to teach? No, often the best dancers make awful instructors. But perhaps I would like my children’s teacher to look like she could see her toes, none the less pointe them.
2. Project Runway
Yet another Lifetime Network gem, the return of this show for it’s ninth season on July 29th promises a predictable mix of flamboyant and crazy. They choose telegenic, easy to categorize personalities (the annoying one, the talented one, the flamboyantly gay one, the hot straight guy you want to make you a dress before having his way with you) who compete in predictably ludicrous challenges (who has to make an outfit out of car parts?) and are held together by a 2-parts-bitchy-1-part-fatherly judging/advice panel. No one tunes in because they don’t know what’s going to happen, we tune in because we do.
3. Entourage
It’s the final season for this HBO boys club and I’ve never been so excited to have HBO. (July 24th)
4. Good Christian Belles
Haven’t heard of it? Well here it is.
I’m excited for this show for one reason.
Kristin Chenoweth is one of the most underrated, painfully talented actresses in Hollywood. (Yeah I said it.) She’s one of those actresses that you might recognize (She’s been in everything from Glee to the West Wing) but would be hard pressed to name. She sings (original Glinda in Wicked anyone?) she dances (a SYTYCD judge this season) and has a comedic timing and sharp wit that’s made even more cutting with her sugary sweet voice. (Can you tell I’m a fan?) With any luck, this midseason replacement from ABC will turn her into a household name and showcase her variety of talents. Sadly, ABC midseason replacements don’t have a lot of luck getting off the ground- a la Mr. Sunshine. Let’s hope this show has a slightly less dismal fate.
Ok, so it isn’t slated to hit the HBO airwaves until 2012 but this Aaron Sorkin project about a cable news station has to be one of the most buzzed about tv projects that is still in casting. Equal parts West Wing, Sports Night, and Studio 60 (at it’s best perhaps) it is said to profile an Olbermann like idealist, liberal reporter and his staff. With each new casting addition (Dev Patel, Kathleen Kennedy) I get more excited for its eventual premiere. (Note to self: either need to move again or not be so cheap by the time this comes out. HBO will be a must have for this Sorkin junkie.)
