Paper Trail

You know that show with the 1980s nostalgia about those kids who get into a bunch of otherworldly trouble and through their friendship and bravery manage to save the world? No, not that show? The other show, the one with a lot more girls in it.

Yes, yes, we’re all grateful for what “Stranger Things” has done for Kate Bush’s career. But now we’ve got another 80s show led by a young cast giving us all the end-of-the-universe feelings as well. Based on a comic by the same name, “Paper Girls” comes to Prime Video July 29 and as soon as I head the show’s title I just knew — just knew — there would be a couple gay girls in there.

Now, I’ve never read the comics series that the new TV adaptation is based on. But the title sets up the premise pretty well, as the year is 1088 and we meet four 12-year-old girls who are all deliver newspapers (for anyone under the age of 30, newspapers those are printed pieces of paper that get thrown at your front door each morning filled with The News and other things like crosswords and comics and advertisements for shoe repair). And then they run into some sort of time travel sky storm that transports them 20 years into the future into 2019 where they all confront their future selves. Also one of their future selves is played by Ali Wong which, well, it’d be pretty exciting at 12 to realize you grow up to be Ali Wong.

Anyway, as I was saying, without even seeing the trailer I felt my Lesbian Spidey Sense tingling about this one. But now that I’ve seen the trailer I’m happy to report that the future is queer as heck for these Paper Girls. It appears that Mac (obvious future queer) and AJ (probable future queer) might hook up in the future.

Already, I’m predisposed to watch this because I am predisposed to watch any female-led ensemble shows with diverse cast and an interesting premise (see: “Yellowjackets,” “Girls5Eva,” “We Are Lady Parts,” et al). So, clearly, I am going to watch. Who knows, maybe “Paper Girls” can do for newspapers what “Stranger Things” did for “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God).” Hey, if acid wash jeans can come back, anything is possible.