Look, maybe I’m still post Olympics afterglow (more on that later in the week). So I am perhaps feeling especially nostalgic. But this little clip of Amy Poehler being Angela Chase and Claire Danes herself being Jordan Catalano spoke directly to the deepest parts of my Gen X heart. I only wish it was set to Buffalo Tom’s “Late at Night,” like the original (though, who knows, maybe it was wherever the clip originated - but this was the only embeddable version I could find). Though, points for finding a somewhat Jordan-y jacket for Claire and grunge stripes for Amy.
Right, where was I? Oh, yeah, time to go down another “My So-Called Life” rabbithole. Too bad Jared Leto turned into such a douche. But, at least for a moment, they had a time.
Well, we celebrated Christmas Eve with “My So-Called Life,” it only seems right we spend New Year’s Eve together too. Also, I will always happily age myself by referring back to my favorite one-season show. Something about the energy of this clip has stuck with me all these years. The freedom of releasing something that absolutely destroyed you for a long time is more than cathartic. It’s healing. So as we end this most horrible and horrifying of years, let us all figuratively (and literally, if you can – I mean, why not?) exorcise the demons of 2020 by collectively dancing on our beds with complete abandon. Fuck you, this fucking year. May we all find a happier, healthier 2021 ahead.
Gosh, this sure made my heart feel good amid all the awfulness. This strange separation that we all find ourselves in together has made us crave connection like never before. And it’s made us reach out in new ways to old acquaintances. I know I’ve had more Zoom cocktail hours with my friends over these last few weeks than we probably would have ever had real cocktail hours together. It’s even made the cast of the best one-season show in the history of television reunite after 26 years. Most of the stars of “My So-Called Life” (well, the best ones, anyway – ahem) reunited last week for a Zoom catch-up. Wilson Cruz (a.k.a. Rickie Vasquez a.k.a. the best gay male teen character in the history of television – yes, I am making a lot of grand proclamations – it’s a pandemic if not now when?) shared a photo of the historic and heartwarming event.
So...This happened the other night. Most of the #MySoCalledLife cast was available for what turned out to be a very comforting, sweet, heartfelt and overdue reunion. We all have such love for each other, even 26 years later. It was overwhelming to see all of those faces together. pic.twitter.com/sei5eBRYw2
Present were (clockwise from top left): Wilson Cruz (Rickiiiiiie!), Bess Armstrong (Angela's entirely relatable and very human mom, Patty), Devon Odessa (Angela's former bestie, Sharon), Mary Kay Place (Sharon's mom, Camille), Claire Danes (Angela Chase herself), AJ “I Am Legit a Countess Now” Langer (Angela’s new bestie, Rayanne Graff who I have absolutely no doubt would have come out as bisexual or poly or at very least sexually fluid in later seasons), Devon “Lisa the Lesbian Man” Gummersall (the guy Angela probably should have had a crush on instead, Brian Krakow), Tom Irwin (Angela’s cheaty yet also still relatable but in a different way dad, Graham), and in the center creator Winnie Holzman and her husband Paul “I Had No Idea You Were Married to Winnie Holzman” Dooley (Angela’s adorably tax evading grandpa, Chuck).
The only major missing pieces were Angela’s little sister, Danielle (played by Lisa Wilhoit) and Jordan “He Leans Great” Catalano (played by Jared Leto…no comment on Jared Leto – ahem). And, of course, Cousin Tino was a no show.
Yeah, so, not everything is bad. Some things are so beautiful, it hurts to look at them.
Sometimes, out of seemingly nowhere, I remember this “My So-Called Life” scene. It’s such a simple scene on its surface – a rehearsal of a high school production of “Our Town.” But it contains multitudes. And, as with so much in life, it’s what we don’t see that makes this so very powerful.
The set-up – Angela and her best friend Rayanne have stopped being friends because the latter slept with the former’s ex-boyfriend – is remarkably pedestrian. Female friendships torn asunder over a boy. Nothing revolutionary about seeing that on television. But it is the execution that never fails to bring a lump to my throat. I wondered why this particular scene sprung to mind so vividly the other day. And I think it is because I’ve been watching “Girls.” The past few episodes have dealt with the ways young women support and alternately let each other down in the most mundane ways. But when played for more than the lazy catfight, the way it feels when women break each other’s hearts and how – if we’re very lucky we heal them again – is unmistakably riveting. That’s all human beings are. Just blind people.
Right, so I think my subconscious is telling me it’s time to marathon “My So-Called Life” again. Happy weekend, all.
You know, there wasn’t even that much SGALGG at the Emmys, more evidence that it was a generally forgettable year (minus a few notable exceptions, who of course helped prove the rule). But I worked hard to find you the closest I could find to Straight Gals Acting Like Gay Gals at the awards this year, because I believe in selfless endeavors that betters humanity. Also, I just like it when ladies hold hands. And this gives me more opportunities to post pictures of Tina and Amy. Award season gives you lemons, you turn it into Liz Lemonade. Too much? Well, I tried. On to the SGALGG.
Tina & Amy
I love how it looks like Tina is totally checking out Amy’s ass and Amy is all, “Like what you see, of course you do.”
Alison Pill & Jane Fonda
I don’t know what Jane is trying to do to Allison, but I’m not entirely sure it’s consensual.
Diahann Carroll & Kerry Washington
Two beautiful women who look beautiful together. No joke, just facts.
“Orange Is the New Black” Emmy Selfies
Stop being so adorable, cast. You only make me miss you more.
Sofia Vergara & Padma Lakshmi
I. Will. Be. In. My. Bunk.
Sofia Vergara & Julie Bowen
Clearly Julie’s being all possessive with Sofia after seeing that display with Padma.
Claire Danes & Lena Dunham
If you watched the E! Red Carpet, you saw Lena & Claire discuss being BFFs. You also saw they awkward goodbye faux makeout.
Bonus: GGALGG
Carla Gallo & Sarah Paulson
I really wanted the gay lady to win for playing a gay lady. Better luck with “American Horror Story: Coven,” Sarah.
Oh, Emmy Awards. Each year I have such high hopes that only the most deserving will wing and each year something like Jon Cryer happens. And I even used to love Duckie. While they’re not always the most merit wothy of meritocracies, they are almost always a great source of Straight Gals Acting Like Gay Gals. Like whatever is happening here between Sofia Vergara, Sofia Vergara’s mom and Julie Bowen. Well, Julie did go on about sister wives in her award speech. So keeping it all in the family must just come naturally. A few more SGALGG moments from this year’s Emmys which merit your attention.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Amy Poehler
Even Julia thought it was a shame Amy didn’t win. But at least they hugged it out.
Lucy Liu & Julianne Moore
In my head, Julianne just told Lucy she wanted to see her Russia in her house. Are those euphemisms? You betcha.
Jessica Lange & Connie Britton
You can’t blame Connie for taking a shot at Jessica. In fact you’re probably a little jealous.
Morena Baccarin & Claire Danes
While nothing overtly SGALGG-y is happening here, you have to believe the magnificent V in Morena’s dress is giving Claire pause.
Amy Poehler & Tina Fey
If I can’t marry My Fake TV Wife, then I want Amy to have her and I want them to make the funniest babies in all the world together.
Ginnifer Goodwin, Emily VanCamp & Julie Bowen
Julie just made Ginnifer and Emily and offer they can’t refuse.
Katee Sackhoff & Tricia Helfer
What happens in the photobooth rarely every just happens in the photobooth. Ahem.
Christina Hendricks
While she isn’t doing anything gay, she is certainly making a lot of new gays just by sitting there.
Sarah Paulson
This is what I call a Gay Gal Acting Like a Gay Gal. I mean, really, look at how excited she is at the sight of sensible shoes.
Sofia Vergara & Julie Bowen
Screw Jay and Phil. Think how big a hit “Modern Family” would be if we got to see Gloria and Claire do this every week.
NSFW BONUS
So Sofia Vergara suffered a bit of a wardrobe malfunction right before “Modern Family” took home the Emmy for best comedy. I think this might be proof there is a benevolent God, and she loves us lesbians.
Sometimes it’s good to remind ourselves that with so much ugliness in the world, these is still more beauty to those who look. It’s been a very busy week for me. I’ve hardly had time to catch my breath. But when I do, if I’m looking, I can almost always find something that moves me. Something that cuts through the mundane. Something that surpasses the meanness. Something beautiful. So today, just as a little Jesus why is it only Thursday and not Friday yet pick me up, here is a compilation of beauty – both literally and figuratively. Please enjoy.
My So-Called Life
Christina Aguilera
Parks & Recreation
Lost & Delirious (NSFW, but worth it)
People are so strange and so complicated that they’re actually beautiful. Definitely even you.
I love the Bridesmaids more than cheese. Granted, this isn’t saying a ton because I’m lactose intolerant and too much cheese makes me bloaty. But still, dammit, if I don’t love me a hunk of Camembert every now and again. You always hurt the ones you love, no? But, truly, the Bridesmaids typified what I enjoyed about this award season. Ladies enjoying each other’s company, making each other laugh and giving us all great entertainment in the process. Which, after all, is the true spirit of Straight Gals Acting Like Gay Gals. Sure, it’s about the touchy feely fabulosity of those fauxosexual moments. But it’s really about women being comfortable in the presence of other women and appreciating each other for the fantastic creatures that we are. So, in that spirit I give you a very special Oscars Edition of SGALGG.
Rose Byrne & Melissa McCarthyNo true drunken straight gal hookup starts without shots. Scorsese!
Viola Davis & Octavia SpencerI just love these two together. Also, this is a Viola Davis Arms Appreciation Post.
Viola Davis & Meryl StreepI just love these two together. Also, this is a Viola Davis Back Appreciation Post.
Busy Phillips & Michelle WilliamsThese two are obviously taking a couple shot for their Facebook profile pictures so they can simultaneously change their statuses to “In a Relationship.”
Gwyneth Paltrow & Penelope CruzIs it just me, or does this totally look like albino Batman is giving hot Robin a hug here?
Glenn Close & Janet McTeerGlenn’s all, “Did you see her flash those puppies in ‘Albert Nobbs?’ Yeah, keep your hands off. They’re MINE!”
Claire Danes & Rashida JonesI am overcome with the unshakeable desire to see Claire guest on “Parks & Recreation” as a grown-up Angela Chase who befriends Leslie and Ann.
Jessica Chastain & Milla JovovichI feel like they’re silently acknowledging to each other that 1) They had two of the prettiest dresses on the red carpet and 2) They’d love to see each other’s dresses in a pile on their hotel room floors.
Dianna Agron & Malin AkermanI feel like Dianna is not-so silently acknowledging the No. 2 point above.
Amy Adams & Olivia WildeReboot. I’m sorry, I think my brain short circuited for a minute from all the pretty. Reboot. I’m sorry, I think my brain short circuited for a minute from all the pretty. Reboot. I’m sorry…
Ginnifer Goodwin & Sasha AlexanderSuddenly, looking at Ginnifer’s sexy pixie cut, Jane Rizzoli is starting to feel a little insecure.
Heidi Klum & Bar RefaeliClearly they did this purposely to get into SGALGG.
Cameron Diaz & Kate HudsonPlease see above.
Miley Cyrus & Kelly OsbourneWell now it’s almost starting to feel desperate.
Amy Adams, Jennifer Westfeldt, Claire Danes & Paula PattonYou want us to do you one on one? Or two by two? Or we could do three on one? Or we could do four by four? Do four by four? Four by four.
And finally, I call these last group of pictures: Meryl Streep Seduces The World
With Sandra BullockSandy is reminding Meryl of the time they kissed and trying to impress her with her finger size.
With Rooney MaraNow is your chance, Rooney. Kiss her! Hard, on the mouth!
With Octavia SpencerAnd we’ve come full circle with the drunken straight gal hookups. Someone must have yelled Scorsese and Meryl obliged.
Bonus: Angie’s Right LegI think we should acknowledge that Angelina’s bisexual side was alive and well at the Oscars as her right leg was obviously trying to initiate a threesome with Angie & Brad.
Wow, thems were some gay Emmys. Yes, indeedy. From Jane Lynch to “Modern Family” to that all-singing, all-spectacular Gleetastic opening number, the show was a merry and gay affair. Now, digesting the full magnitude of a major award show always takes me two days. The first day is to go over the nuts and bolts of who won this and who said that. Then the second day I can just sit back and devour the pretty. And, kittens, there was so much pretty. Let’s start with the gay gals and their lady loves (sorry, I can’t say lovers – to quote my favorite Emmy loser Tina Fey, “that word bums me out unless it’s between the words ‘meat’ and ‘pizza.’”) and then we’ll progress to the straight gals. But no matter where they stood on the Kinsey Scale, a whole lotta ladies were acting like gay gals at the Emmys. Can you blame them, I mean, we are pretty awesome.
GGALGG
Jane Lynch & Lara EmbryThe love, it burns! I love them together. I love that Jane kissed Lara when she won. I love that she also said “I love you my wife, Lara” on stage. You want to know why gay marriage matters? This is why gay marriage matters. Love. Wanda & Alex SykesThey look like a fresco of Greek goddesses painted onto an ancient wall somewhere being uncovered by an archeologist who thrills with each brush stroke as she carefully reveals their beauty from underneath centuries of earth and time. Sorry, let me amend that, a smoking hot fresco of Greek goddesses. Hot damn, those girls – and Alex and Wanda look good, too. SGALGG
Tina Fey & Mariska HargitayThis is becoming like a thing between these two. It is like the mere sight of each other in sleek, sparkly gowns is too much for them to take and then that hand goes from firmly around the waist to, well, firmly everywhere. Maybe Mariska and Tina are the real-life Alex and Olivia. Ship that, people.
[Hat tip, Allegra!]
Sofia Vergara & Julie BowenIf you thought Mariska had a firm grip on Tina, check out Julie’s grip on Sofia . You’d need the Jaws of Life to get her hand off of her. Plus dude in the back is totally, “Hell, yeah.”
Claire Danes & Julia Ormond
Claire looks like she has had a bit too much champagne and has just whispered “Take me home” into Julia’s ear. Also, shoot Julia, where have you been hiding all that gorgeous these last few years?
Christina Hendricks & January JonesI want to say something terribly witty about how they look together, but I’ve forgotten how to form words.
Toni Collette & Julia Louis DreyfusI like to think that the Emmy losers console each other backstage. And by “console,” I mean “make out.”
Padma Lakshmi & Gail SimmonsWhen people say food porn, this is what they’re picturing.
Heather Morris & Naya Rivera
Brittana, you’ve got me wrapped around whichever finger you want to use in whatever situation you feel like using it. Ahem.
Mariana Klaveno, Kristin Bauer & Anna PaquinThe Bill-Sookie-Eric sandwich isn’t the only threesome worth talking about on “True Blood.” Not by a long shot.
Amy Poehler, Aubrey Plaza & Tina FeySpeaking of threesomes, gay sexy vampires aren’t the only ones who look good having them. Let’s make this “30 Rock” meets “Parks and Recreation” very special crossover happen.
Archie Panjabi & the Emmy statuetteShe is going to take it behind the garage door and get it pregnant, Tracy Jordan style.
Bonus I: Best. Emmy. Picture. Ever.Tina Fey, Amy Poehler & Jon Hamm dancing their asses off. I’ll be honest, that’s a threesome I could totally get behind, too.
Bonus II: Best. Tina. Video. Ever.
After dancing her ass off with Amy and Jon while downing what I can only assume was copious amounts of champagne, Tina goes to find her limo. God, that giggle. That hair.
What it looks like when New York gets drunk, y’all. Suck it, nerds!
