Friday, June 07, 2013

My Weekend Crush

You know you know Teri Polo. From “Meet the Parents,” et al, and “The West Wing.” She has often played the supportive and/or long-suffering wife. She has popped up in numerous TV shows and movies. And each time you see her you think, oh – yeah, her. But now, perhaps finally, you’ll see her and think, oh – of course, her.


Because in just one episode of her new series “The Fosters,” Teri has made her character Stef Foster her own distinct person. Yes, she’s the loving wife again. But she’s the loving wife in an equal relationship not one where she is background scenery to Ben Stiller or Jimmy Smits. I especially like how in a few short scenes she has been able to establish both Stef’s sense of authority and abundance of compassion. Her little dashes of dry, even awkward, humor help, too.

Another thing I enjoy about “The Fosters” against stereotype characters is that while Stef on the surface might seem like the butch one, being a cop and all, she’s also the one who was married before and had the couple’s biological son. Also, I like how they’re letting Teri look her age, which is a settled in 44. She ‘s beautiful, obviously, but not trying desperately to be 24.

Also, dammit if Teri doesn’t look exactly like Jodie Foster’s slightly butcher little sister. I mean, it’s almost distracting. I keep expecting Jodie to walk on screen and introduce herself as Aunt Jo and there to be lots of inside jokes about how lesbianism runs in the family.

I hope the show continues its very solid course, and I look forward to seeing a lot more of what Teri can do. Oh, and don’t you worry, we’ll be talking about Sherri Saum’s glorious hair porn soon. So soon. Happy weekend, all.


14 comments:

Rachelle said...

Loved The Fosters...looking forward to your posts ;)

Anonymous said...

I think of Rachel Skarsten (Tamsin) when I see her. I think she has similar humor and snarking

Anonymous said...

Love the show, especially given that it was the pilot. Good enough to bode well for future episodes. I just wish they hadn't been so heavy-handed with naming them the Fosters. I mean, really... unnecessary. But the diversity is all pretty believable, and there's a lot of love there.

Someone should tell Ryan Murphy/The New Normal that this is how it's done. Queer couples don't need to mimic heteronormativity with a dash of bitchiness thrown in.

tlsintx said...

Thanks for the tip, Snarksy!

Anonymous said...

Well, I have to say that you show excellent taste! She really is gorgeous as well as talented. I liked your point about how they are allowing her to be her proper age. Popular culture is too hung up on youth. I know some women in their 60s who look like they are in their 60s, and are still ravishingly beautiful.

Anonymous said...

LOVE.

Allison said...

Okay, I LOVE Teri Polo in season 7 of The West Wing. She may be the long-suffering wife and First Lady-to be, but her character is witty and smart and tough as nails. I'd never really known anything about her when I heard about The Fosters for the first time, so I was a bit wary. But then I saw her on The West Wing and was just like yup, yup, totally, I'll love seeing her as a lesbian. So what I'm saying is, great casting job :)

Unknown said...

I wrote about the show on my blog I sometimes post on.... I like the two mom characters. I think everyone's part is well cast and realistic. But I think the show lacks substance and originality outside of the fact it features a stable gay couple with a diverse family.

http://iamthethirdheat.blogspot.com/

Basically my point is I would not watch this show if it were the same show but with hetero parents. And I can't see most of America tuning-in to this show if it didn't feature a family with two moms.... I mean, I know I'm taking the bitter lesbian perspective here but for some reason I can't get all 'this is so lovely and great for our community' etc.

I don't understand what function this show serves other than to make a basic point that gays have families too and it's fine. And maybe I just find that a little disheartening.

Anonymous said...

Your Jodi Foster comment made my night. Please get in touch with JLo asap!

Anonymous said...

Your Jodi Foster comment made my night. Please get in touch with JLo asap!

Anonymous said...

"But I think the show lacks substance and originality outside of the fact it features a stable gay couple with a diverse family."

a stable gay couple with a diverse family = as original as it gets.

"Basically my point is I would not watch this show if it were the same show but with hetero parents."

exactly. i wouldn't either. but it's not the same show, it's different now. it's original.

Anonymous said...

Oh gods, please post about Sherri Saum soon. Isn't she just perfecttt? I swear, ever since she's entered my mind she has yet to leave. I'm dying for that post dedicated to her hair!

tam said...

OMG! You weren't joking about Teri looking like Jodi Foster!

Deb Rox said...

I love her. You perfectly articulated her compassion/awkward appeal. I hadn't seen the Jodie Foster similarity before, and now I can't unsee. I think this is a good development.