I’m just about the last person on the planet to see Little Miss Sunshine, and I’m probably one of only a handful of viewers (sorry, Docstymie) who wasn’t particularly impressed. However, as the fourth of (at least) seven children born to an itinerant preacher, I certainly identified with the family of traveling minstrels crammed in that Volkswagen bus! The parallels aren’t perfect, of course; real life never plays out as neatly as it does in Hollywood. Best part of the movie: the woefully untalented but moxie-driven dance Olive does, to the beat of Rick James’ Super Freak.
Speaking of which (flimsy segue the 1st), TV producer McG was in Pasadena last Friday, stirring up interest for his upcoming reality show, Pussycat Dolls Present: the Search for the Next Doll. In describing the series as “aspirational and fun for a woman to be involved in,” he sparked a heated debate.One TV critic snapped,
“Why should young girls aspire to dress up like skanks?” Others quickly followed suit, barraging McG with similar jabs, including this pointed question: “When the Pussycat Dolls sing Don’t cha – ‘Don’t you wish your girlfriend was hot like me? Don’t you wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?’ – what exactly are they saying?”Worst part of the interview? McG’s song-and-dance substitute for an honest answer: “‘Don’t you wish your girlfriend could be free and comfortable in her own skin and do her own thing like me?’ That’s what we’re saying.”
If you’re rolling your eyes, you’re in good company: a skeptical media actually booed.
“Freak is a dance,” the producer insisted. “It’s just a word…Even Rick James knew that.” Whatever! In the context of the Pussycat Dolls’ stage performances, the intended meaning of those song lyrics is fairly obvious anyway, don’t cha think?While the connection to the rest of this post isn’t obvious (this is the last feeble segue, I promise you), I thought I’d mention that my newest column, Rediscovering the Lost Art of Letter Writing, is now available on the SisterDivas Magazine website. If you find time to read it, I’d love to hear what you think!
[In case you’re wondering, this was a writing exercise in which I tried to weave together three seemingly unrelated topics…mental gymnastics for a Monday morning. Didn’t quite stick that landing, did I?]
Your life and background never cease to amaze me. I hope you’re doing well.
I’m happy and healthy…and missing you! What’s the latest on your fab agent and books?
Your life and background never cease to amaze me. I hope you’re doing well.
Oh great! I’m glad to know that I’m not alone with my opinion of Little Miss Sunshine. I think it was greatly overrated. Most of the people who I’ve talked to about this movie LOVED it. I, on the other hand, found it to be predictable and somewhat boring. 1. There’s no way that they would get away with smuggling the dead grandfather’s body. 2. No beauty competition would have let that little girl perform without viewing her routine beforehand. Though, the one part of the movie that I could personally identify with was when the little girl ordered the ice cream and was somewhat ridiculed by her father. My father never did that to me, but other relatives would say stuff to me about my weight and what I ate as a child. (No wonder I ended up bulimic for 9 years!) All in all, I was VERY glad once the credits began to roll because it meant that I could stop slapping myself to stay awake to watch the darn movie.
As for the PCD auditions…IS THIS WHAT AMERICAN ENTERTAINMENT HAS COME TO?! Oya ve! I’ll admit a few of their songs are very catchy, but why can’t they just sing? Why do they have to dress slutty? I guess they might as well enjoy their 15 minutes of fame now because soon enough, like the Spice Girls, people will be saying, “Pussycat Dolls, who?”
Oh, a kindred spirit on LMS! I’m surprised…everyone seems to rave about it, but me? Meh. As for the Pussycat Dolls, I’m not so sure singing’s their strong suit. Heh.
You did a nice job, oh 3-Topic WordWeaver Friend. You know why you wobbled on the landing? Because you did a TELL. You were doing FINE with the “SHOW.” ;>
I love our rambling commentaries and truth be told, there tends to be a connecting thread among the issues addressed, whether we consciously string them along in advance or not.
THANKS A LOT FOR LEAVING ME BEHIND: I thought -we- were the Last Two Souls on Earth to see LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE. Look what you did to me. You LEFT this child behind! (Booooo Bush. Booooooooooooooooooooo.) I have not seen it and I don’t have a mad rush desire to take it in before its gone. I like Greg Kinnear– Frank and I used to ROAR out loud when he was the host of E Channel’s TALK SOUP– but nothing that I have read and heard about the movie has compelled me to see it. Only ‘s review would walk me into the theatre to see the movie.
Oh no. Not again. Just lost the 2nd half of my response because I didn’t type Doc’s name correctly.
What I said: How insulting that people use the “Pussycat Free Speech” defense whenever a woman is doing something that involves taking her clothes off? I bet I have a lot more interesting things to say without my silicone investments and barely-covered tush while doing a pole dance! Come on. I’ll prove it. $1. Just $1. Who wants a laptop dance??
YOU CAN PUT YOUR CLOTHES ON. I promise. I will understand your expressions so much more without wondering how pushed-up a bra could be before something locked inside it explodes. ;}
You’re right! I wondered what went wrong, but you nailed it!
My husband always wonders how I get from one topic to another in our conversation, but this is how my mind works…one seemingly random subject after another. Makes for interesting conversation with someone like you, but I think he gets a little flustered trying to follow me.
I bought the DVD based on Docstymie’s recommendation. Ah well, to each his own.
About the Pussycat Dolls inspiring a “third wave of feminism”? Bwa ha ha ha ha ha!