Don’t worry, and thank heavens, this isn’t an in memoriam post. Instead it’s to commendation of sorts, to honor the courage it took for Natasha Lyonne to go public with her relapse. After a decade of sobriety, the actress took to Twitter (no, I’ll never call it that other thing) to talk about recovery as a “lifelong process.”
I’ve been a fan of Natasha’s for what seems like a lifetime. Even before “But I’m a Cheerleader,” I took notice of her in 1998’s “Slums of Beverly Hills,” her indie breakout role. And I’ve followed her along the way (Heck, I even remember her in that one “Blade” film”) and delighted at her TV renaissance with "Orange Is the New Black” to “Russian Doll” and “Poker Face.” Yes, we all kow she is the most gay not gay actress. But, I have accepted her heterosexuality, not that there’s anything wrong with that.
I think, during these very troubling, very enraging, very frightening times, we should all give ourselves grace. We may mess up. We may fall short of our own expectations. Be honest, but be gentle with yourself. So many of us are struggling in ways large and small, and too often unbearable ways. May Natasha find help and the right path back. We’re all rooting for ya, kid. Happy weekend, all.
While it hasn’t been a particularly surprising award season so far (yes, we get it, you liked Beef, Bears and the movie about The Bomb), it has been a pretty season to behold. Many of the best and brightest or at very least most photogenic among us have decided to go the Gender Fuck route and wear snappy suits to the various red carpet outings. And, as always, I am here for it. In fact, if we don’t get at least a few major suits at the Oscars I will riot. (Kidding, I won’t riot. There’s too much real shit happening that deserves rioting - sadly.) Anyway, keep up the good suits, you gorgeous actor types.
Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall
Truly, exactly what I’d expect Megan and Graham to look like together 25 years later. (Yes, I’m sorry to inform you, it’s been 25 years since “But I’m a Cheerleader.)
Bella Ramsey
Bella’s suit game has been STRONG all season, and they have only just begun their red carpet career. So many more suits to come.
Ayo Edebiri
It’s hard to call someone so cool the “darling” of the award season, but she is definitely my darling and I’ve only seen her in “Bottoms.” Speaking of which, did anyone clock the little suit she’s wearing - in white. Ahem!
America Ferrera
Suddenly I have the strongest wish to see America as Ken. Because in that tux she’s more than Kenough. Much more.
Meryl Streep & Greta Gerwig
Little Women, but they wear suits through the whole thing. What? I can’t have innovative IP ideas as well?
Amanda Seyfried & Meryl Streep
Or, hear me out, The Devil Wear Prada but Miranda only wear Prada suits and sunglasses. Amanda approves, clearly.
BONUS
Someone on Twitter called them boygenius and honestly, yeah. I’d definitely buy a ticket.
Hey, the delayed Emmys were pretty cool. At least they didn’t have a host who blamed the writers for bombing. Also, some fairly gay stuff happened. Also, I guess this really means I should start watching “The Bear.” Also, fine, yes I know I already featured Tina and Amy. But they almost look like they might kiss here and I have an active imagination.
1) In an evening of pretty good speeches, Niecy Nash-Betts gave the nights most impassioned and most empowering speech. Also did you see her wife, Jessica Betts, escort her up to the Emmy steps? Hot.
2) Pedro Pascal brought his sister, trans actress and activist Lux Pascal, as his date because fuck the right wing persecution of trans existence.
3) Bringing a sister was a trend, as Aubrey Plaza brought hers too. Also very resourceful of her to wear her hotel mending kit as a dress. More reason Abby should have picked her instead of Harper.
4) Don’t fear drag queens, give them Emmys. So sayeth Ru, amen.
5) Like, I mean, the show was so gay they gave GLAAD an award. And you’d better believe I loved seeing Wilson Cruz standing on stage because his LGBTQ+ advocacy throughout his entire career has been so very Rickie Vasquez of him.
6) Fine, there’s nothing gay about Amy Poehler and Natasha Lyonne. But, dammit if there shouldn’t be.
7) While we’re wishing for things, how about a women of a certain (awesome) age lesbian rom-com starring Jennifer Coolidge and Lorraine Bracco? I mean, Jennifer already thanked us “evil gays,” so you know the built-in fanbase is ready. Think of it, Stifler’s Mom and Mama Rizzoli. Make it so, evil gays!
8) Speaking of lesbian rom-coms, I would also watch this movie. Hannah Waddingham and Ariana DeBose could totally do the thing.
9) While there was nothing gay about these two moments either I just thought they were wonderful passing of the torches/trophies from different generations of female comedy geniuses to another.
10) Jodie Foster. Yeah, any time she shows up and throws on a suit jacket I’m gonna notice. Obviously.
Honestly, it’s hard to think of another actress who could pull off this cover look. But Natasha, well, she can do anything because she is Natasha freaking Lyonne. Her career has been the remarkable one where she has been able to pull herself back from the stereotypical early protégée turned cautionary tale cycle, and come back even stronger. Basically, she is the female Robert Downey Jr., except without the waking up in a strange kid’s bed extremes and also there’s nothing extraordinary about men failing upward. That’s just their normal career trajectory. Anyway, damn I love me some Natasha Lyonne.
Can’t stop, won’t stop with the 90s nostalgia. I am remember buying this Out magazine with Natasha Lyonne and Clea DuVall on it back in 1999. Honestly, “But I’m a Cheerleader” would make a great double feature with the Barbie movie. Pink Squared.
Look, I know neither of these women are actually gay. But, come on. Come on. COME ON. Both Natasha and Melanie were pioneers in playing gay before playing gay was considered Oscar bait, when it was just extremely rare and kinda risky. Now if only Clea DuVall was also there (like before), I’d finally have a throuple to believe in. But, this post isn’t just purely superficial (only partially). This post is also about how great it is to watch two supremely talented, unassailably smart, fantastically funny women in their 40s get to talk about their work and lives uninterrupted for half an hour. Now, powers that be, I demand another Natasha Lyonne and Melanie Lynskey collab. I mean, if they show up looking this OMFGAMAZING together for an interview, think what they can do together on screen. (Again, “But I’m a Cheerleader” turns 25 next year and wouldn’t it be OMFGAMAZING if we got to catch up on these women’s lives?) Make it so, universe. Make it so.
While this post is not Yellowjackets specific, it is Yellowjackets adjacent given the presence of Melanie Lynskey. She and Clea DuVall and Natasha Lyonne had a “But I’m a Cheerleader” reunion last month and it’s doing by Gen X lesbian heart so much good. I did my own journalisming and found out the women reunited at a W magazine shindig celebrating “2023 Greatest Performances Occasion” or some banal party excuse like that. Clea and Melanie look like they arrived together, which also does my heart good. Honestly, can we just start casting Melanie in more lesbian shows, because she seems to be the common thread when it comes to series with queer female leads surviving the Cancel Your Gays axe for a second season (basically “The Last of Us” and “Yellowjackets”), which given her characters on both those shows is fairly ironic and not Alanis-ironic. I’d love a “But I’m a Cheerleader” sequel where we see these grown up women now. I mean, if they can keep churning out endless adaptations of Batman, Superman and Spider-Man, they can at least give us one more movie about lesbian cheerleaders, right?
Look, I’m as continually perplexed as anyone that Natasha Lyonne is and remains straight. But she also remains one of the most entertaining actresses around, and her new series “Poker Face” looks all kinds of fun. Essentially a crime-of-the-week series from “Glass Onion’s” Rian Johnson, it following a drifter played by Natasha who is essentially a human lie detector. Add in actual lesbians Cherry Jones and Clea DuVall (the latter isn’t in the trailer – at least that I could see – but is in the credits) and the rest of the next-level supporting cast including in no particular order Judith Light, Ellen Barkin and Stephanie “Jobu Tupaki” Hsu you know that sounds entertaining. So bring on the chaos and lies. See, I told you, Peacock has some good shows. No lying.
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?
While we’re talking about righteous justice, here’s something else we can very much look forward to. We’re slowly working our way through some long-deserved biopics about the great women (who also happened to love other women) of the blues and soul. Dee Rees’s “Bessie” in 2015. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” in 2020. And now “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” The film chronicles the iconic singer’s long persecution by the American government (which, yeah, we’ve never been great). I can’t wait to see Andra Day as Billie Holiday with Natasha Lyonne as film star Tallulah Bankhead, obviously. Let’s hope the film does these great women justice.
You didn’t think the start of Hot Impeachment Fall would make me just breeze past Clea DuVall’s Emmys tux with one line, did you? Please, it’s like you don’t know me at all. So in honor of all the Very Pertinent To Your Lesbian (and Bisexual, and Queer, and Trans) Interests, here is a very special combination Gender Fuck Thursday/SGALGG Emmys Edition post.
Clea DuVall & Her Tuxedo
I just… I can’t… Who gave her the right…. I mean, the hand in her pocket is just… And cheekbones like… All that and the tailoring makes me want to be a better woman.
Clea DuVall & Natasha Lyonne
The only thing that could possibly make me happier than knowing Graham & Megan made it is if they then became couple BFFs with Luce & Rachel.
p.s. I know this is cheating, but at a pre-Emmy party Clea & Natasha radiated the strongest “Longtime Couple on A Date Night That Is Going Extremely Well”-couple vibes I have ever seen.
Natasha Lyonne & Amy Poehler
I know Megan is with Graham (20 years and still going strong!), but when her wife has to work late Megan lets Amy and her Big Top Energy take her out on the town (in a flirty but respectfully platonic, “Let’s Break Everyone’s Heart at This Bar Just For Fun”-kind of way.)
Jodie Comer & Sandra Oh
See, Eve can look genuinely happy for Villanelle when they aren’t stabbing/shooting each other. The only thing you two should be cutting is that sexual tension.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge & Sian Clifford
Look, I know they play sisters, but they’re not sisters. So I will totally allow it.
Joey King & Patricia Arquette
Look, I know they play mother-daughter, but they’re not mother-daughter. So you see where this is going.
Amy Poehler & Catherine O'Hara
Free Idea, Hollywood: Amy and Catherine play a May-December lesbian couple in a rom-com where they move from New York to rural Iowa to start an organic farm and attempt to befriend the locals.
Laverne Cox & Chase Strangio
The two trans rights advocates, and in particular Laverne’s purse, are a reminder that LGBTQ rights are very, very much at risk. Because on Oct. 8 the Supreme Court will decide whether trans (and really all LGBTQ) people can legally be fired for simply for being ourselves.
Gwendoline Christie & Her GoT Ladies
Her Brienne Jesus look obviously brought all the girls to the Tarth. Can Arya and Daenerys be her disciples, because they’re something I can believe in.
Gwen & Emilia Clarke
I mean, imagine how much better the ending would have been if instead of getting stabbed by Know-Nothing Jon Snow, Daenerys was saved from herself and her murderous madness by Brienne of Tarth and they then ruled together as co-queens with compassion while also adopting all the stray cats in Westeros.
Gwen & Lena Headey
Fine, part of me would also be fine if Daenerys let the world burn and Brienne instead saved Cersei and they then found a new life together crafting fine battle swords in a remote beach village across the sea while also adopting all the stray cats in Dorne.
Gwen & Her Pink After-Party Jesus Suit
I am not a religious person, but this is a real come to Brienne Jesus moment for me.
HOLY CRAP, THAT WASN’T HALF BAD. SORRY, AFTER JODIE WON I PROMISED I’D TYPE IN CAPS LOCK FOREVER. RULES ARE RULES. Kidding, SORTA.
But in no way am I kidding when I say the Emmys weren’t half bad. I mean not the show’s production, which was basically a weird, host-less mess. But television’s biggest night mostly eschewed the safe and predictable and instead went for some unexpected but very, very (very, very) deserving winners. Like, I would never have thought the Academy would dare to not give Julia Louis-Dreyfus the trophy for her final year of “Veep.” But instead another three-named comedy goddess took it all in Phoebe Waller-Bridge. I know, Fleabag would be so shocked.
So here are some somewhat random (though thankfully not in all caps) thoughts about last night’s Emmy Awards.
1) JODIE! FUCKING! COMER! (Sorry, I lied about the all caps.)
Like, I know how much we all gush about Sandra Oh. But without Jodie’s gorgeously seductive psychopath, the show would just be about an overqualified lady who gets a little too obsessed with her job. Also, Jodie has a standing invite to come murder me.
2) PHOEBE! FUCKING! WALLER-BRDIGE!
When the announcers called “Fleabag” a show about a female sex addict I basically dashed all hopes of the Academy understanding its brilliant. But hot damn, did they ever. But, then, they were just following my instructions to give Pheobe all the awards always.
3) I commit myself to our Lord and Savior, Brienne of Tarth.
I mean, she’s not wrong. And Gwendoline Christie totally wore it better.
4) ALL MY BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER DREAMS HAVE COME TRUE (sorry, the struggle is real with the caps locks.)
But, seriously, Clea’s tuxedo is making me feel so validated in keeping my 20-year crush on Graham alive.
She eloquently reminded everyone in the room about women and particularly women of color’s worth. Now I feel extra bad about not watching “Fosse/Verdon” yet.
6) Billy Porter the EG_T.
He just needs an Oscar to join the club. But regardless he is the first out gay black man to win best actor in a drama – not to mention the only out gay black man to ever be nominated for the honor.
7) The Totally Exonerated Five.
While it was beyond great to see the Exonerated Five honored in Jharrel Jerome’s win, a quick reminder that our “president” took out a full-page ad back then to demand they be executed immediately. So, there’s that.
8) Cersei deserved better.
It remains outrageous that in eight seasons Lena Headey never won an Emmy for playing Cersei. But, as this dress implies, she’ll always be our favorite florist, regardless.
