Happy Not Outing

Would you like something adorable that isn’t actually gay but is definitely gay adjacent and also did I mention adorable? Now many of you may know Allison Tolman from the first season of the “Fargo” TV series (or “Emergence”). But I know and love her from the very little-seen “Downward Dog” which was told from the perspective of Allison’s character’s dog and omfg was so sweet and I kind of hate the universe for not watching this show. Anyway. Where was I? Oh yeah, so recently Allison was on Seth Meyer’s show and told the story of her accidental coming out. Not only did she accidentally post that she came out, she did it on National Coming Out Day and then turned off her phone for a couple hours. Aw, the straights say the darndest things. Unrelated, but I would kill for Allison and Melanie Lynskey to play sisters in a project. Make it happen, universe! Then I might almost forgive you for the “Downward Dog” thing. Almost.

p.s. Is anyone watching “St. Denis Medical” on NBC? It looks kinda funny, but I’m kinda maxed out on network shows. Worth it? I don’t want to be making others “Downward Dog” mistake here.

My Weekend Crush

Fine, FINE, I started watching “Emergence” on your suggestions. And I’ve gotten sucked in even though it’s basically “Stranger Things” with a plane crash and without 80s nostalgia. But I’m mostly into it because of Allison Tolman. Man, is that lady good at acting. There’s something at once incredibly relatable and organically soulful and unquestionably capable about her as an actress. She makes it feel real. She feels real. Have I mentioned she’s good at acting?

I never watched her in “Fargo” (I know, I know), but I was one of like three people to watch and love her in “Downward Dog,” a show I still love and still miss and every now and then watch the final episode of over again on my DVR JUST BECAUSE I CAN AND I WANT TO.

In “Emergence” she brings that same innate capableness to the role of a small town police chief. And you root for her, not because she’s trying to be so incredibly winsome but because she’s so non nonsense. Life gets weird and messy and inconvenient and sometimes there are telekinetic orphans you have to take care of all of a sudden, but smart women like Allison’s Police Chief Jo Evans find a way through. Through great performers sometimes we see ourselves reflected back in ways we never imagined.

So, in short, it’s great to be able to see Allison on my TV (once I catch up on my DVR) week after week. So I guess that means my weekend plans are set. Have a happy weekend, all.