Liz Lemon + Don Draper = ROFL
I was just about to commence stress-baking when I came upon early footage of Mad Men‘s Jon Hamm’s arc on 30 Rock. You can watch it at Videogum. I laughed so hard I almost threw my back out – but then that’s probably because I share an Achilles’ heel (or two) with Liz.
I! Love! This! Woman! (Also, yes, the Creature lives.)
First watch this:
Sooo, yeah, some of you tenacious, long-time followers might remember a particular faux postcard that was printed in the San Antonio Current, wherein I described wanting to lick the face of a certain specialty studio for not compromising the vision of a director in order to pander to the vile and unjust MPAA. Can I redirect my affection for just a sec? I hope Current TV’s Sarah Haskins won’t mind (I hope she won’t mind) that I put down in words how wonderful life is, now she’s in the world.
OK, I know she’s been around (but what won’t I do to throw in a little Elton?). What’s changed, then, since the yogurt Target: Women segment, or the bridezilla one, to inspire my somewhat lewd declaration? Haskins is and was and will be a total beast. A brilliant, brilliant, hilarious beast. But I am in grad school now. And very important. (Ha.) So important that I get to hear outsider professors (that’s outside of journalism, natch) preach about the failings of my people. One individual went so far as to laud comedic performance-based programs like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report because they have substantial content, plus people are, you know, willing to give them their undivided attention. (Psh, I have your undivided attention right? Right? Are you out there? I’M SORRY FOR TAKING SO LONG TO POST! Come back!)
Anyway … it’s true, the gents over at Comedy Central (and their writers and researchers) are doing gorgeous work, aren’t they? Especially through the conventions these past few weeks. I’m a big fan. But even as they critique the media and the boys’ club that is Washington (not withstanding the GOP’s attempt at a bait & switch) Daily and Colbert are themselves male-dominated establishments. (This was certainly cause for some major alligator tears.)
It all got me to thinking, um, where’s the knee-slapping XX-driven infotainment/commentary? Or is that bastard Christopher Hitchens right? Oh, Dorothy, they’ve been with us all along. (If by “all along” I mean when time started over again a couple of years ago.) There’s Tina Fey for one, who, post-Weekend Update, has a new-and-improved outlet for cultural, political, and corporate criticism in 30 Rock. (Which doesn’t return until 10/30. AAHH!) And there’s Sarah, for whom Salon’s Broadsheet has apparently demanded a position at the aforementioned Daily Show. (She fucking deserves a wider audience than I’m guessing Current TV provides her … although the exclusivity is fun, huh? [Did that sound like I have a problem with Current? I don't, it's super. InfoMania!].)
But moving on: Thanks Sarah, for doing what you do. (And for my new favorite quote: “Is someone whose daughter likes Spoon going to take away your right to choose?”) You certainly have my undivided attention.
(Also, uh, it seems we both live in LA now, so, if you want to be best friends or something, I could fire the old guy. We could go out for some yogurt and talk about your time at Harvard and in the Chicago comedy scene. Maybe meet up with my other hero Manohla Dargis. I’ll stay far away from your face, promise.)
