Get real

There are many artists who have fallen in stature for me in recent years, most of them for being predators, racists, or transphobes. (Oh my!) But sometimes I lose interest in an entertainer for less horrid reasons, Tina Fey being a great example. She's just been kind of... boring and unimpressive in the past 5-ish years. Which I suspect she's fine with. She raked it in with the Mean Girls franchise and is likely enjoying a nice comfortable life. Good for her.

But something she said in an interview with Bowen Yang has been gnawing at me and appears to be bugging him too. In response to Yang sharing honest opinions about the movies he sees, she said, “Authenticity is dangerous and expensive.” Well... okay. Is this her statement on 'cancel culture'? Is she telling us she's never been honest with us? Is that her right as an artist, to protect her real self? Or isn't that the whole damn point of art, to explore and evince who you really are? I do not know the answer to any of these questions and would love for you to exercise the Comment feature of this newsletter by telling me what you think. In the meantime, here are my authentic opinions about some things, none of which cost me anything or put me in peril.

📺 Eric (Netflix)
If you're looking for lighthearted, best move on to the next thing. This six-episode show starring Benedict Cumberbatch is a barn-burner, encompassing mental illness, grief, homophobia, and marital strife set against a backdrop of a missing child. The acting is astounding, though—I think Cumberbatch will likely get an Emmy for it—and it's a pretty unique, well-told story. Also there are puppets. Fun!

🎥 Black Orpheus (Max)
Who wants to watch a re-telling of a Greek myth set in 1950s-era Brazil during Carnival? You do of course. This is one of the most unique movies I've ever seen. Joyous and chaotic, it's basically one long dance scene, set against stunning images from the tops of the hills of Rio. There is a plot, based on the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, but it kind of doesn't matter. This would be a lovely movie to have on in the background while you clean house or fold laundry.

🎶 Twin Fantasy
It's been a while since I recommended an album, and I'm lazy today, so you get what I was listening to while writing this. The wonderfully named Car Seat Headrest put this out in 2018, and I still listen to it on the reg. It's some good old alternative rock. You will see that the second song, Beach Life-In-Death, is 13 minutes long but I hope that doesn't deter you because it's really freaking good. (Fun fact: my 18-year old listened to that song 221 times in a row last year and the 16-year old is still traumatized from it.)

That is all! I had too much fun with my friends last night so I'll be spending the day on the couch reading. Also, I have taken up painting. Alert the media.

xoxo