Philosophy
This weekend was Lucille Ball's centenary. There was a big celebration up in Jamestown, New York, Lucy's hometown. Included a series of performances by prominent female stand-up comics, including Joan Rivers and Paula Poundstone. Lucy was a ground-breaker for women in show business in many ways. She and Desi formed Desilu Studios and after the divorce it became her ship to run, making her the first female head of a studio in Hollywood. She may have been wacky and impulsive on tv, but she was smart, tough, and insightful in real life. Her show was in many ways the illustration of the Feminine Mystique. Lucy was the prototypical housewife of the post-war era, trapped in a middle-class life that left her unfulfilled. She was always trying to get a job, to reach beyond herself, to fill the void that our culture left in the lives of women at the time.
Who are the Lucy's after Lucy portraying in different ways the plights of those who are stuck in the culture, trying to give voice in funny or poignant ways to those we usually do not hear from? Rosanne Barr in the late 80s did this for blue collar families. Others?
- Seeing America
While we're on a USA roll, we're thinking about car trips we'd like to take this summer with the short people. Looking at the Lucy-Desi museum in Jamestown, NY which is close to some big waterfall on the Canadian border people keep talking...
- Feast Of Saint Carol
Brothers, Sisters, and Transgendered Comedists Everywhere, This week we celebrate the feast of Saint Carol. Carol Burnett turns 75 this weekend. She was born in Texas, but raised by her grandmother in Hollywood. Working her way up through small parts,...
- Funny Girl: Women And Comedy
Sisters, Brothers, and Transgendered Comedists Everywhere, This weekend's Comedist meditation focuses on women and comedy. Aspazia last week asked whether women have to not be women to be funny. She points to Kate Clinton who argues that there is...
- Lucy Liu As Watson...not A Good Idea
I don't think this is a good idea...not for the Asian female aspect, but for the generalized female notion. There is way too much license being taken here with the Holmes' concept. Roll over in your grave Doyle. This is just going to cause numerous...
- "living Popular Scientist" Poll
Who is your choice for living "popular" scientist? Brian Greene...0 Freeman Dyson...3 Lawrence Krauss...0 Neil deGrasse Tyson...2 Stephen Hawking...3 Somewhat surprised. I suppose Hawking would lead...he is quite an icon. I expected Krauss to be at the...
Philosophy
Lucy's Cultural Legacy
This weekend was Lucille Ball's centenary. There was a big celebration up in Jamestown, New York, Lucy's hometown. Included a series of performances by prominent female stand-up comics, including Joan Rivers and Paula Poundstone. Lucy was a ground-breaker for women in show business in many ways. She and Desi formed Desilu Studios and after the divorce it became her ship to run, making her the first female head of a studio in Hollywood. She may have been wacky and impulsive on tv, but she was smart, tough, and insightful in real life. Her show was in many ways the illustration of the Feminine Mystique. Lucy was the prototypical housewife of the post-war era, trapped in a middle-class life that left her unfulfilled. She was always trying to get a job, to reach beyond herself, to fill the void that our culture left in the lives of women at the time.
Who are the Lucy's after Lucy portraying in different ways the plights of those who are stuck in the culture, trying to give voice in funny or poignant ways to those we usually do not hear from? Rosanne Barr in the late 80s did this for blue collar families. Others?
- Seeing America
While we're on a USA roll, we're thinking about car trips we'd like to take this summer with the short people. Looking at the Lucy-Desi museum in Jamestown, NY which is close to some big waterfall on the Canadian border people keep talking...
- Feast Of Saint Carol
Brothers, Sisters, and Transgendered Comedists Everywhere, This week we celebrate the feast of Saint Carol. Carol Burnett turns 75 this weekend. She was born in Texas, but raised by her grandmother in Hollywood. Working her way up through small parts,...
- Funny Girl: Women And Comedy
Sisters, Brothers, and Transgendered Comedists Everywhere, This weekend's Comedist meditation focuses on women and comedy. Aspazia last week asked whether women have to not be women to be funny. She points to Kate Clinton who argues that there is...
- Lucy Liu As Watson...not A Good Idea
I don't think this is a good idea...not for the Asian female aspect, but for the generalized female notion. There is way too much license being taken here with the Holmes' concept. Roll over in your grave Doyle. This is just going to cause numerous...
- "living Popular Scientist" Poll
Who is your choice for living "popular" scientist? Brian Greene...0 Freeman Dyson...3 Lawrence Krauss...0 Neil deGrasse Tyson...2 Stephen Hawking...3 Somewhat surprised. I suppose Hawking would lead...he is quite an icon. I expected Krauss to be at the...