Sunday, March 18, 2012

Kacey Talks Funny Females...

Women are funny dammit...

And I do have a plethora of examples to share...Driving from Seattle to Bellingham Jamie and I started making a list of women who we think are absolutely hysterical. I had this idea that I would discuss the significance of these funny females… but the truth is the list got out of control.

The more names I wanted to add the more I realized I can’t just name a few and expect to cover it. Instead I stopped adding and decided to post the list I (or rather we) had come up and break it up into categories of sorts… There are women who led the way, currently continuing to open people’s hearts and minds, up and coming and cracking me up online.

Conclusion: fabulous funny females are everywhere.

Trail Blazers:
Carol Burnett
Madeline Kahn
Lucille Ball
Betty White
Whoopi Goldberg
Penny Marshall
Phylicia Rashad

Following the Trail:
Amy Poehler
Tina Fey
Alyson Hannigan
Zoey Deschanel
Ellen
Megan Mullally
Jane Lynch
Jennifer Coolidge
Kristen Chenoweth
Margaret Cho
Allison Channey
Wanda Sykes
Emily Blunt
Christine Baranski

Currently Breaking Through:
Kat Dennings
Melissa McCarthy
Emma Stone
Catherine Tate
Lizzy Caplan

Appearing in Groups:
(women in ensembles on television)
Golden Girls
The Big Bang Theory
The Office
Saturday Night Live
Designing Women

Of the Online Fun:
Jessie Cave
Maureen Johnson
The Bloggess (Jenny Lawson)
Felicia Day


What I love about these funny females is that they not only funny because of what they say but they are not afraid to be goofy, able to laugh at themselves, are at times indecent, always intelligent, and worthy of my total admiration.

And if you don’t know who all these women are- I suggest you look it up.

**The only embarrassing part of this is list is the lack of names in literature. While Maureen Johnson and the The Bloggess are published authors, I am most familiar with their tweetings and blogs as a source of amusement. However, I know there are many funny female authors out there and in doing some research I can direct you to some articles I found with names and titles I was sort of familiar with:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2008/oct/29/funny-books-women-writers
http://flavorwire.com/104195/required-reading-10-women-writers-we-love
http://jezebel.com/5050694/new-york-times-hard+pressed-to-name-funniest-female-novelists

I will have to consult with my resident book expect- Librarian Jenna- to get a more educated opinion.

Coming soon: Sarah analyzes the women in works of Shakespeare and compares them to the Doctor's companions.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Jamie's New Favorite Book: Bossypants

The title of this blog may be a slight exaggeration, but at a minimum, reading Tina Fey’s comedic memoir Bossypants elevated my already high opinion of her.  Not only that, but I have discovered that we are basically the same person.  Okay, so Fey is a brilliant and talented comedic writer, who has her self-proclaimed dream job writing and staring in her own TV show, and I, well, am not.  But after laughing my way through the first couple hundred pages of Bossypants, I came across the revelation that cuts to core of what really matters.  Tina Fey does not drive, and she does not have an affinity for animals.  SEE!  We are exactly the same.  We don’t wish them harm, but we’re just not looking to be friends.  And we ride in cars, we just let someone else drive.

I know, you’re thinking, is that all you got out of this book?  No, but it’s the most important thing, what more could you want?  Wait, don’t leave.  It’s possible that these revealing similarities between Tina & I (we’re on the same page with driving and dogs, so I feel I can call her Tina), don’t appeal to you on the same level that they appeal to me.  I mean, you could read this book because it’s hilarious.  Everything from her awkward youth filled with summers of theatre with diva teenagers to her awkward college years and eventual career starting with Second City, moving on to Saturday Night Live, and finally creating 30 Rock is told via amusing anecdotes in her own voice that is both empowered and self-deprecating.  Because yes, you can be both. It’s pretty damn funny when pulled off properly.

And in case the whole “it’s funny” thing doesn’t work for you, then perhaps you can be drawn to the underlying theme (yes, I’m going to say this comedic memoir has an underlying theme) that women are funny, dammit.  And also capable of being in charge, and the world will not end.  And unless you are going to ask the same question of her male counterparts, please don’t ask Fey (in reference to career and family) how she “does it all,” she might punch you in the face.  There is this ridiculous notion that women are not funny, or that very few women are funny. (Kacey will soon be posting about this nonsense and she has a plethora of examples ready to go.)  Fey deals with these biases in the best way possible, by ignoring them and being both funny and in charge.  While thinking about this aspect of Bossypants, I was reminded of an Emerald City Comicon panel I attended last year with Felicia Day, another funny and talented women, who is in charge as the creator/writer/star of the incredibly successful internet series, The Guild.  The question of how to deal with jackasses who think that women are incapable of being serious and/or good gamers came up, and Day gave her standard answer, which was something along the lines of don’t whine and sulk, just play harder and beat them.   Now, it’s not always that simple, but you can’t argue with the attitude. Both Fey & Day (yes, I am aware that rhymes) are of the mentality that things won’t progress by sitting around and complaining, but by working hard, ignoring the bullshit, and just getting it done.  This idea is clear throughout Bossypants, and gives what is a very silly and amusing memoir a little more heft. 

So, to sum up, Bossypants confirmed that Tina Fey is hilarious, badass, and most importantly, just like me.  Except the foot thing.  I am pro-foot.  I hope this isn’t an issue.

Books read: 16

Coming Soon: Sarah will attempt to write a bittersweet evocative song, that doesn’t remind us of Musetta’s Waltz.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Jamie Finally Started Watching Fringe (Please don't cancel it yet!)

After much pushing from Kacey and the use of Netflix, Amazon Instant Watch, and Xfinity On Demand I am completely caught up on Fringe.  As I worked my way through these three and a half seasons I could not help but think of other shows created by JJ Abrams.  I’ve comprised a list (super spoilery!!) of what you can expect when watching a JJ show, or, if you are an aspiring writer, what you may want to include in your show to get his backing:

Doubles – What a brilliant tactic, you kill of a major character, but keep the actor by putting in an imposter and waiting a few weeks (or longer) for the other characters to figure it out.  On Alias it was Francie, dead in the kitchen only to be replaced and then use poor Will to learn CIA secrets.  On Fringe we not only saw it happen to Charlie, but you never know when the shapeshifters might do it again. 

Prophesy – When they first pulled out that picture of Peter in the machine and again with Olivia playing a roll in the process, my first thought was of the image of Sydney in the Rembaldi prophesy.  I haven’t looked it up, but I feel like they used the same artist for both shows.  It is an excellent way to deal with the issue of fate vs free will, something that comes up time and time again in all of Abrams’ shows.

Romantic leads with the wrong person – Okay, so this isn’t unique to an Abrams series, but when Peter was shacking up with other Olivia I was yelling at the TV in the exact same way I was when Vaughn couldn’t see that Lauren was evil.  How could they not know? So, really, it's not just that they are with the wrong person, it's that the person they are with is actually evil. Or at least acting in an evil manner.  But I'm getting into the good vs evil topic and that comes later.

Daddy issues – So this is pretty much always present.  Peter & Walter and Peter & Walternate’s relationships are complicated in every timeline and every universe.  You could write an entire dissertation on the complicated back and forth relationship of Sydney & Jack.  But we can leave that for Sarah to handle in a future entry.  And Lost was a mass of characters whose issues with their fathers could keep a therapist busy for decades.  I wouldn’t want to make any assumptions about Abrams, but it is very consistent. Just saying, JJ, if you need to talk, we’re listening.  Let it out.

Badass chicks – As certain as you can expect to see some complicated father-daughter or father-son relationships on an Abrams series, you can also expect that the female lead could kick your ass.  I don’t really care who you are, her only competition would be one of Joss Whedon’s leading ladies.

Good vs Evil is not simple as it initially seems – Again, this is certainly not unique, but when watching Fringe I found that the relationship between the first universe we encounter and the second – from the perspective of both the audience and the characters – is very similar to the crash survivors and the Others on Lost.  We meet one group first and our initial introduction to the other side is so evil. The shapeshifters are killing people and causing chaos, the Others are kidnapping people. However, as we learn more about the other side and see things from their perspective, who is good and who is evil is far less certain.  While we maintain a certain degree of loyalty to our initial characters, we definitely abandon our black and white view of these complicated worlds.

Yell at the TV Cliffhangers and a constant fear of cancellation - Now that I’m finally watching a JJ Abrams show as it unfolds (I watched Alias on DVD and Lost on Netflix Instant Watch, both after the series had ended), I can now share the frustrations that come with taking such a risk.  First you live with the horrible cliffhangers week after week, and worry that the end of season will come with an even more insane ending and you’ll be stuck waiting all summer wondering what will happen. Like when Syd woke up and it was 2 years later and she had no memory of it or when Peter just up and disappeared… from existence.  And worse, as I am sucked further into the story and the lives of the characters I live in constant fear that some idiot at the top of the corporate food chain at Fox will cancel this show.  I mean really, what kind of ratings can you expect on a Friday night in the age of the internet and DVR.  Fingers crossed for season 5.

All in all, these are elements of great TV.  This is definitely not a criticism.  I like that I know what I'm getting when it says, from writer/creator/executive producer JJ Abrams, I'm getting quality, well-written TV and if lucky some time travel and red matter. 

Coming soon Sarah will write an epic poem on the adventures of Malcolm Reynolds, in iambic pentameter. 

Kacey's Random Rambling...

So three things have recently "happened" in my life I needed to share in writing...

I have discovered Pinterest and find it rather addicting.... it satisfies the nerd and the teacher in me...I have taken to sending Jamie some rather entertaining "Geek" things- mostly images.

The second thing is I have recently started watching Doctor Who. Well I've actually watched a lot of Doctor Who and am currently in season five. Shit is good.

These two things have lead me to send Jamie photos such as the following...
Pinned Image


 The third thing is my recent discovery of the pindippy website. As I have continued to explore it I find myself giggling a lot. My enjoyment of this site has actually added more fule to my fire about why I love and appreciate funny women...and maybe it's because of international women's day I feel a special need to mention this (ALSO JAMIE'S BIRTHDAY)... but there are some very funny ladies out there who are so super and my hat goes off to them for just being themselves and making people laugh....perhaps I'll put my thoughts together a litte more at a later date and write a full blog about awesome funny females. 
(PS- Jamie today I began following the Bloggess after reading some things on her blog- funny)

Wohoo... two blogs in row are by me! Yup... it must be the end of the school quarter and I must have my finals pretty much completed. *pauses for laughter* *hears crickets*

Happy Birthday Jamie!

Coming Soon: Sarah explains how time is "more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly... time-y wimey... stuff."

Saturday, March 3, 2012

When Television Does Good….

I’ve been recently inspired by the latest happenings on GLEE to take a moment and discuss that while yes, television might be slowing rotting my brain and as I continue to see the rise in crap television *cough-reality T.V.*(*pauses for laughter*) there are still some pretty great moments in television that take on important issues head-on. And in those moments I have hope that people are still using their powers for good and attempting to bring a little awareness to things that may otherwise might go unacknowledged or un-discussed by many.

Many shows have had their moments and have briefly brought awareness to social issues, but there are some that have just gone above and beyond a “special episodes” and will weave important topics and themes into an ongoing storylines proving that not all television is mindless. There are arguably many shows like, but here are some of my personal favorites:

M*A*S*H:
Okay, I wasn’t alive when M*A*S*H originally aired and there are many episodes I haven’t seen. But M*A*S*H is one of my dad’s favorite shows and I have spent many hours watching reruns with (and sometimes without) him. It has occurred to me as I have watched M*A*S*H just how ground breaking it was. Besides the obvious topic of a war, there was often something Hawkeye needed to fix (with the help of Trapper or Hunnicut) because other people were being stupid (usually Frank).
Granted war is a lot less funny than this show made it out to be, but in face of such tragic things sometimes people just need to laugh.

Buffy:
Maybe vampires and demons aren’t everyday occurrences for everyone, but much of Buffy’s (and the Scooby Gang’s) fighting was clearly a representation of things people fight daily in reality, particularly in high school. Teen suicide, feeling socially invisible, parents trying to live their children’s life, school shootings, being careful what you drink at frat parties, teen runaways…
Yes, many of these were one episode only, but it was ongoing. Joss Whedon created a show that tackled valid life things by creating actual demons and monsters to fight. Plus it created one of the most awesome, strong, bad-ass chick characters ever. The creation of a female character that all girls could see as a role model- in itself made this show worth a mention.

My-So-Called Life:
Oh the angst of Angela Chase! However, despite her middle class, nuclear family upbringing this show did bring up some issues that many “typical” high schoolers faced in the mid 90s when they left the house. One was having a best friend who seemed sort of wonderful and had far less boundaries than you, but facing the reality that this friend’s life was spinning out of control and she had way more problems than known. However, the best ongoing story was Ricky. Ricky admits in one episode he is gay, which is news to no one (but in the mid  90s somewhat controversial), but as it turns out Ricky is hiding a lot more than that. As seen in by-far the best episode of this short-lived series, “So-Called Angels,” Ricky’s home life is not good and hardly exist. Angela has her eyes opened to reality of teens without homes or home lives that are so much different than her own. It would have been a beautiful thing to see this show continue, but perhaps it’s better that we only saw a glimpse of the lives of these great characters.  

Jamie kept mentioning 90210 when I told her what I was writing about. Of course she means early 90210. I have a hard time buying into the fact that 90219, one of the most popular television dramas/soap operas ever, was trying to get a message out, especially since it was about a bunch of rich, spoiled kids. But I think she makes a valid point about all the “issues” they brought up on that show (abuse, gambling, drugs) and it is valid to mention the attention it may have brought light to some of these issues. And I honestly just don’t remember very much of it (nor have I watched it much in reruns).

GLEE:
As mentioned my inspiration for this blog was the latest episode of GLEE. Despite the wackiness of GLEE, it has continually taken on the topic of gay teens and what sort of reality high school can be for them (both good and bad). With the huge popularity of this show I can’t help but applaud that it has not deserted this issue, but instead tried to bring about more awareness. I feel like its creator Ryan Murphy is to thank and for him I give standing ovation.  *stands and applauds*

And in case you don’t believe television can actual make an impact, Jamie sent me this:


Sitcoms are silly, dramas are filled with one unrealistic happening after another, and reality TV will ultimately the down fall of our society. And maybe it is all just a ratings and money game and I am naïve… but I like to think that some writers/creators/actors really are using their powers for good.


Coming Soon: Sarah analyzes whale migration patterns and likens it to the multiple reappearances of the Daleks.