marsha

You know, it really wasn't a good fit. Ro really is better when it is her show or she is moderating a panel. I came back to The View (off and on, here and there) this season just because Ro was back but Whoopi (who I used to just love back in her movie stah days) has become just unbearable to watch so I'd invariably have to change the channel. My heart goes out to to Ro.

Unless, of course, you live in Canada (as I lovingly do). In which case: tough.

Just got my COMPLETE SERIES box set today! I was being a complete FOL nerd at HMV when I brought it to the cash. I told the young woman there (indicating the box set) "Dreams do come true!". She, to her credit, laughed. I asked her if she knew the show and said she didn't. She was maybe ... 25 or so (hey, she could have been 18 or 30; i can never tell). I'm just glad to finally have it. FOL Marathon, here I come!

This is the odd thing (for me) when it comes to this show: Paddy is the main character and ... I really don't care for him at all. I don’t actively ‘hate’ him but I find his weird naiveté both cloying and off-putting especially for a young man his age living and working in San Francisco in 2015. It makes me not care at all about whole ‘Oh, will it be Kevin or Richie?’ story line. I like both Kevin and Richie fine and wish their connection to the show didn't depend on Paddy. I’d much rather see Kevin and John’s life or Richie and his friends and more of Dom and Lynn’s relationship explored (well just any scene that features Lynn). Doris? ::eyeroll:: Frankly, she and ‘Auggie’ (bleh) can just join hands and merrily jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. Apart from all that? Good episode!

Yeah, it was fun watching that Michelle Visage roast (it was on one of those 'Chuck and Al' cruises, right?) Bianca was a great host and,wow, Mimi Imfirst was on fire! She really killed it. Oh, and what the hell with Detox? She just drunkenly walked around and was completely unprepared. I mean, i like Detox fine (I never tire of her 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now' number), but sometimes she really comes across like she thinks just showing up drunk is funny enough. Whatever, girt. I'm wondering what's up with the scheduling of Season Seven. The commercials on OutTV say something like 'later on this month' (January) which I thought was strange as we are in January so ... they don't know what day yet? So, now it's supposed to be in the Spring? Curious.

I was wondering if anyone heard when this series will be released on DVD? I'd love to own it and would hope it might have some insightful commentaries and interesting extras. I'm glad it's getting some awards recognition (well, nominations so far) but thought it might get a few more than it has. I've a feeling Jeffery Tambor will win at the Golden Globes, though. It'll be interesting to see what happens when the Emmy nominations come out next summer. That's when Season 2 should be just about starting to air, I think.

Is anyone else getting the complete series on DVD when it comes out? I, of course, already have Seasons 1-5 on DVD (and probably watch them more frequently than most other series I have on DVD) but, still, I'll be the first one buying the set when it goes on sale. It'll be a hoot to have a complete series marathon and see some of those latter episodes that I haven't seen since their initial airings. I still have some latter season episodes I taped during the original airings that I sometimes still watch. One of my faves was the one where Blair's new boyfriend (played by the same actor who played a mentally slow young man who Blair wanted to date and then after she found out went all 'Annie Sullivan' on him instead in an early FOL episode) turns out to be a cocaine addict and they spend the whole day in 'Edna's Edibles' waiting for his drug dealer to show up. I always loved that episode and thought that for it's 'very special' nature is was well done. Anyhoo, happy holidays everyone! I mean, hey, at least were not stuck in Peekskill with Mrs. Garrett ... oops! Christmas eve cheeseburgers for everyone!

The list seemed kind of off to me. I mean, Jinkx, Sharon and Alyssa not even top 10? Detox and Shangela not on the list at all? Adore at #1?!? Now, I like Adore fine but ... #1?! I understand that we all have our faves amongst the queens (as well as those we are, shall we say, not fond of) and no list is going to please everyone but ... #1? Really!?

This show just keeps getting better and better. Great writing and wonderfully layered performances. I loved the scenes between the phenomenal Laurie Metcalf and Mary Kay Place (who was checking her out!) Oh, and Scatter Beds Galore is my new drag name.

I enjoyed 'Smash' in the same way I tend to enjoy most the 'behind the scenes' in showbiz type shows/movies. Truthfully, it got to be not quite 'hate watch' tv for me as there always seemed to be something going in that I could actually enjoy (and, frankly, I could watch/listen to Anjelica Houston do just about anything) but the biggest issue I had with the series was Megan Hilty. I couldn't stand her and it wasn't just the character, Ivy, either. I thought she was just over-the-top annoying all the time and her singing always sounded really so shrill to me. YMMV, natch. Also, the character of Ellis was such a waste of a potentially fascinating character. In that case I'm not sure if it was also the actor playing the part that had something to do with it but, it sure didn't help. 'Karen' was kind of 'meh' (not a good reaction to have for one of the series leads) but I think it would have been more interesting if they had made her more 'Eve Harrington-ish'. A talented young woman who 'played' at being a 'innocent lamb let loose in the concrete jungle' instead of being such a 'Mary Sue' (is that the right term?). Oh, and I had to laugh when I saw an add for what was the upcoming Fall show 'Scorpion' (I think) that said something about the 'long awaited return to television' of Katherine McPhee. Really? Really?

I adored this show during it's first season and have watched the DVDs of it many times. It was some wonderful commentary tracks, some with both Lisa and Patrick together and apart and one with Lisa in character as Valerie that was just brilliant. When I heard the show was returning I was over the moon! The first episode was terrific on many levels. It's so interesting to see that Val is virtually the same person we left nine years ago. She has 'put a pin' on her 'look' and is trying to recreate he 'comeback' reality show but this time believing it'll be different because she has 'control' over it. Oh, Val ... I agree that it was odd that she said her reality series was cancelled after the one season (because that's how long 'Room and Bored' lasted) as it was renewed for a second season in the last episode of season one. That seemed like kind of a glaring error to make (unless they explain it later). Also, it seems a little odd that in the last nine years she didn't do something more than her seven 'independent' films (although I guess that took up a lot of time) and her hair care infomercial. I think the best moment though was her 'cold read' at HBO. She was amazing. It felt completely in the moment and, even though Val would never believe this, when she let's go of trying to control and micro manage every second of her life, she's really very good. Oh, Paulie G. was 'smoking' one of those electronic cigarettes (or whatever they are called) and not a pipe though, right?

Desperation?

Well, almost everything Valerie says but I've a special affection for when she referred (in anger) to Jane as "Spider Eyes!"

"Phipps are a great big bunch of gyps!"

Years ago, a friend told me that a friend of theirs said she had decided that everyone in her life was allowed four quirks. Once you tipped over into quirk number five it was so long, it's been good to know ya! Being someone who both fancied and feared they had a veritable trunk load of 'quirks' this way of handling one's friends and life both scared and kind of thrilled me too. It's not something I've consciously adopted for myself but, on the other hand, I never forgot it either. So, that said: Madame Secretary is one of my new friends (not new 'best friend' as that would be Transparent). This episode, as much as I love the cast (especially Téa, Bebe and Zeljko) and still think is a decent lead-in to The Good Wife is officially: quirk one.

I feel the same. Many times within the marriage between a crossdresser and his wife, part of the negotiation is that there is no talk of hormones or transitioning. Even Helen Boyd (My Husband Betty and She's Not The Man I Married) who is pretty hip politically drew this line in her marriage with 'Betty' (who I think has now transitioned and is living full time as Rachel). I was lucky enough to be able to go to NYC last Spring and see Harvey Fierstein's new play Casa Valentina (based on the real life Casa Susanna) that takes place at a similar summer resort as Transparent's Camp Camilla. The play takes place in 1962 though and is about the early years of the forming a national group for Crossdressers. The founder of the group (Charlotte in the play, based on real life founder Virginia Prince) felt strongly that including the wives of the crossdressers was vital and that's why it was restricted (well officially) to heterosexual crossdressers (no gay men or transsexuals). It was to reassure (as much as was possible,especially back then) the wife that her husband was not doing this because he was secretly gay or wanted to actually have a 'sex change' (to use a now antiquated term). I strongly felt this as well. I'm hoping that it was just that they realized they were on separate paths and began to drift apart but ... I don't know. Mark/Marcie just feels like maybe s/he does feel the same way but doesn't have the courage (and believe me, I'm not judging here) to completely come out and transition. Even with Maura, we see Mort/Maura coming out more in '94 but then, what went on in the next twenty years before we meet her in 2014?

I saw the pilot awhile back but binge watched the rest of the season last night. I wrote some in the 'Best New Girl' episode thread so I'll try not to repeat myself here except I loved the friendship of Mort/Maura and Mark/Marcie. That resonated for me on so many levels, especially bringing back those early, early online years. I love the friendship between Maura and Davina, especially since it's in no way television perfect. I know we don't know all that much yet about Davina but the fact that she lost all of her family (parents? siblings? partner? children?) and was quick to tell Maura to more or less forget about her kids after they didn't stay for her whole number at the LGBT Trans Talent show (I forget it's official title) is telling and that she has her own issues and, just like anyone can, was quick to 'project' on Maura. Also, loved that Maura stood her ground and didn't just go out with the gals to drown her sorrows. I was so touched by the whole Crossdresser's Retreat and especially Bradley Whitford's Mark/Marcie. Like all the acting in this series (and how rare is that?) it's spot on and very (and I know I keep using this word) touching. I haven't been this moved and involved by a television series since 'Enlightened' but this one goes much deeper for me. It'll be interesting to see if it gets Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. I can't imagine it not getting them but, you never know.

It made me smile and feel so hopeful when Mort/Maura (well, 'Daphne Sparkles') first met Mark/Marcie. Their budding friendship as 'best girlfriends' was not just sweet but so accurate especially for those early internet days. Going to the crossdresser's retreat together and realizing for the first time (probably) that as much as they have in common (or think they do) they are really on different paths. Mark/Marcie is a crossdresser (as we are lead to think at this point, anyway) and Mort/Maura is a transsexual. That said, there is an old joke in the M2F trans community: q: what's the difference between a crossdresser and a transsexual? a: about two years. I'm wondering if their friendship survived this weekend in the woods. I really hope so as I thought Bradely Whitford's work as Mark/Marcie was wonderful and very, very touching. I've binge watched the entire series but, in many ways, this is the real stand-out episode. Brilliant work by all across the boards.

See, for me, what could be better? Truly. I have to say that I find this show virtually perfect for a Sunday evening and a terrific lead-in to The Good Wife. Also, I didn't realize that this show was created by Barbara Hall (Joan of Arcadia and Judging Amy) but knowing that now I get the similar vibe. I really enjoyed those shows too.

Thank you, Vixenstud! I never found Zach funny. To quote Boys in the Band "he doesn't have charm; he has counter-charm". I can't even imagine the depths of his joyful assholeness had he made it any further in the game. He really did take pleasure of making fun of people and kicking them when they were down. It's no wonder he and Frankie 'clicked'. This, as Bianca Del Rio would say, bears repeating: Go away, douchebag! Yeah, listening to Derrick on Rob Has A Podcast today ... well ... i'm not surprised. I guess you can't just go from being in the BB house all that time and then suddenly be back in the world without some adjustment time but the way he was talking about Donny was still very much Big Brother In The House 'HOLLA!' Derrick Mode and, asshole, we've seen (or read them here like me) the feeds. You ain't kiddin' us, copper! Oh, and when I saw that pic of Arianna in the audience sitting between Jeff (take about douchebags!) and Rachel (who I have an odd, off-beat liking of) was just great! Even though I love Rachel I know she's not everyone's cup of tea and I'm sure she rubbed Arianna's nerves RAW last night, lol. My fave pic of last nights show that's been circulating was of the very end and you see Derrick and family hugging and,off to the side and very much The Cheese Stands Alone, the legend in his own mind, sniveling, F. J. Grande! Perfect last shot!

Jeepers, I thought it was kinda swell!

Well of course! That old battleaxe would be stealing food from her own granddaughter's mouth!

... but, he'd have to! He'd just have to ... otherwise, his daughter would starve! She'd starve!!

I fucking hate Jeff and Jordon so this was mostly a nightmare of an episode to sit through. I didn't care for them at all in their first season and by the time of their second season (where it seemed so obvious that Grodner had all but promised 'Big' (yeah, not so much) Jeff that it was going to be a cake walk to the winner's circle) they were down right insufferable. Honestly, one of my Top 5 BB episodes is when Jeff gets booted out in a double eviction. Man, even though I quit smoking a decade ago, I could have smoked an entire carton of cigarettes basking in the afterglow of the big galoot's boot! It's so hard to sit through these episodes when you've absolutely nobody to root for and that it's just come down to hoping that Frankie or Derrik get booted before the finale just to see the looks on their faces. The best part would be that if somehow Victoria won. She would somehow be the perfect winner for this most boring season ever of Big Brother. Great work there, Grodner.

I've barley posted at all this season but had to say that I signed up on CBS too for the 'espresso' purpose of twenty NO! votes. Also, I never thought any hamster would ever rival my all-time number one most reviled house guest (that would be Evel Dick) but ... Frankie, you're getting pretty damn close. Donny, you're well out of that house. I'm looking forward to seeing you on the final episode when you can give these jerks a lesson in dignity and class ... mind you, you do that every day in the house.