Back to Dollywood

It’s been a whole pandemic and then some since we last saw Natasha Lyonne die many, many (many, many, manymanymany) horrible deaths only to awaken alive back where she started. Back in 2019, if you can remember that far, “Russian Doll” premiered on Netflix. It was like “Groundhog Day” on acid and makes us question the nature of life, the possibilities of the multiverse and unexpected fallout of trauma. In short it’s gloriously weird and showcases the best of Natasha Lyonne (which is quite a thing to say because Natasha Lyonne is great in everything, period).

Now, three years later, it’s coming back. Season Two, what a concept! When last time we saw our unkillable (well, actually, she’s very killable, she just won’t stay head) heroine, she and Alan (her trapped in their own timelines cohort) walking off into an impromptu street parade together.

The series probably could have ended there, a trippy moment in time. But lo, the crazy train is returning, and according to Natasha it’ll be “deep, and deeply off-the-wall.” She calls the second season for the show she co-created and acts as showrunner for, a “Wild ride.” What we know is it picks up four years after Season One. And, reading between the lines, it sounds like we’re gonna get Quantum Leapy up in this hizzy (What? Snoop played the Super Bowl, that slang is cool again.)

While it’s not explicitly laid out, it seems some time traveling, era hopping, timeline jumping could be in order for Season Two. All the principals are back AND the show has added “Schitt’s Creek” alum Annie Murphy. That news is the polar opposite of, “Ew, David.” Also, her hairstyle in that photo sure looks 80s to me.

For those who forgot (I mean it has been three years since it last aired), the show was created by Natasha, Amy Poehler and out lesbian creator Leslye Headland. And in case you need more queer bonafides, and “But I’m a Cheerleader” director Jamie Babbit traded off directing duties with Leslye and Natasha on the entire first season.

Also two of Natasha’s character’s best friends: Maxine (played by Greta Lee) and Lizzy (played by Rebecca Henderson) appear to be LGBTQ+. At least I think they were, right? Three years was a long time ago, OK? And, from the promo stills, at least Greta is coming back.

Netflix only has the show’s Season Two return listed as “Spring,” but it was in the 70s in California over the weekend, so hurry the hell up. So, kittens, are you ready to do the time warp again?

But We're in Fresno

1,2,3,4, I won't take no anymore. 5,6,7,8 Now we don’t have to because they’re reuniting. Fine. That cheer totally doesn’t work. But the sentiment is true because just the thought of Natasha Lyonne reuniting with her “But I’m a Cheerleader” director Jamie Babbit is making me want to shake some pom-poms.

The women will reunite for “Fresno,” what sounds like a dark comedy about two sisters who wind up in the title city cleaning hotel rooms together. Natasha plays the “stoic lesbian” sister and Judy Greer plays the “sex addict with no impulse control and a long history of poor decisions.” According to Deadline:

“When they accidentally kill a guest, the sisters are forced to confront their unpleasant co-dependent relationship.”

So it’s “Sunshine Cleaning” with more murder and more overt lesbianism, hopefully?

The movie is just brimming with talented gay lady bona fides. In addition to Jamie, the script comes from out “Portlandia” writer Karey Dornetto and is being produced by Jamie’s ex, Andrea Sperling, who is also producing the much buzzed about Amazon show “Transparent.” Yeah, Fresno is that gay. No word yet if Anne Heche will show up, too, searching for the mother ship.