Do Call Me Shirley

Earlier this month, when British actress Pauline Collins passed away, her obituaries noted her breakout role in “Shirley Valentine.” The role, which she originated on stage before taking to the screen, earned Pauline an Oscar nomination and Tony, Olivier and BAFTA awards. But what it really did was solidify the still-radical-in-1989 idea that middle-class housewives should be allowed to have dreams beyond domestic servitude. Yet, here we are 36 years later, and a whole genre of men (you know the type, they run our federal government now) are out there saying, out loud, that wouldn’t women just be happier if they were back in the home again? But it was true in 1989 as it is true in 2025, women contain multitudes. And if they want to fuck off to Greece at a moment’s notice, they should absolutely fuck off to Greece. Or anywhere else, for that matter. Thanks for the reminder, Shirley. Rest in power, Pauline.

Gender Fuck Thursday: Forever Diane

News of Diane Keaton’s passing at age 79 earlier this month has filled me with a lingering sense of loss. Not only did I grow up with her on screen, she inspired so many women my age and truly all women by being so endlessly herself. Much like Katharine Hepburn, Diane was an iconoclast for independent women everywhere. She also dressed her entire life outside the traditional male gaze. Her style was for her, and other women. And if the fellas also liked it, well, I mean a few of them have to have good taste, right? There was a time when “Baby Boom” was my favorite movie. She was big-shouldered but relatable and endearing and just herself. Yeah, I know, she never condemned Woody. But I refuse to allow women to face more consequences for the actions of bad men than the bad men themselves. So, thank you Diane. Know you inspired so many of us to find the big-shouldered, big-hearted heroines in all of us. And, forever, love the suits.

My Weekend Crush

Am I the only one who still feels unsettled by the sudden death of Anne Burrell this June? It wasn’t necessarily that her death was ruled a suicide, which is of course tragic. And I hope anyone contemplating the end knows you aren’t alone. Nor should we necessarily be surprised that the circumstances of her passing seemed at odds with her public persona. I’m not even truly talking about the fact that it was only posthumously that I realized Anne was actually bi (or pan, however she identified) and not lesbian as I had assumed since she first entered our collective consciousnesses with that female Guy Fieri hair. What makes me feel weird and hasn’t ceased to seem off is how the Food Network has basically not handled her death or memorialized her in any way. They just keep plugging her final season of “The Worst Cooks in America” as if nothing has happened. And I say this as a person who watched the so-called “memorial” to Anne that the network aired right after her death which was just a random assortment of “Guy’s Grocery Games” where she appeared and, again, never mentioned her death. What a sad, unceremonious ending for someone who was as much a face of that network’s early success as any dude who ate on camera. Put some respect on her name, Food Network. And rest in peace, Anne. Happy weekend, all.

My Weekend Crush

The universe can feel so small and so cruel sometimes. Like why would it take someone so vibrant and so sweet and so creative like Jill Sobule. News of her death in a house fire last week at age 66 was a shock to the system. While many people may not have thought of Jill since the mid-90s when her songs were on the radio and in movies. Like, “Clueless” wouldn’t be “Clueless” without “Supermodel.” Still I was lucky enough to have interviewed her, and enjoyed her music, well past her MTV/VH1/charting days. She remained an advocate and an activist through the years. And she will always, always be the singer of the infinitely superior and actually gay “I Kissed a Girl.” May her music and memory live on in the hearts forever. Thanks for all the lovely songs and sentiments. Now rest in power, Jill. Happy weekend, all.