Last week, in reviewing Melissa McCarthy and Jason Bateman's new movie Identity Thief, Rex Reed of the New York Observer, managed to work in a number of personal attacks on McCarthy's appearance, that were swiftly rubuked as being cruel, unfair and unneccesary. And they should have been. Calling an actress doing a job "hippo" and "tractor-sized", among other things, is totally unacceptable and disgusting. When Jennifer Aniston or Katherine Heigl churn out another of their cringe-inducing romantic "comedies", is their physical appearance a focal point of the reviews? No. Nor should it be. Melissa McCarthy doesn't seem to have a problem playing her size for laughs. That's her prerogative, but it's her call. Now Rex Reed has the gall to attempt to defend his remarks, but basically comes off as a concern troll, purporting to point these "observations" out for the good of McCarthy's health and all of his very, very serious concerns regarding obesity. He then has the audacity to pat himself on the back for the movie's decent opening weekend performance, saying his comments are what got butts in the seats, and that McCarthy remaining silent on his bullshit comments shows she's "completely classy." Melissa McCarthy is aware she's a woman of size. She's constantly being asked about it, and is constantly forced to publicly acknowledge it. She doesn't need some small-minded asshole feigning concern about her health as an excuse to take potshots at her. There are so few people of size successfully working in Hollywood as anything other than "jolly best friend" or "supporting character obsessed with food". Can we not, as the media-consuming public, just let a few of them have their careers AND their dignity?? Does it have to be one or the other? I don't think so. This season on SNL, a comedian named Aidy Bryant joined the cast as a feature player, and while she's a larger woman, they don't play that for laughs, or even acknowledge it as being "different". She simply is given material as any other cast member. And it doesn't even look difficult!
Last year I took exception to Pantone's declaration of tangerine as Color of the Year for 2012. It was all for naught, as I never saw it anywhere. This year's choice of emerald, in my opinion, is far superior. Not JUST because I look ravishing in green, even if it's not my favorite.
As is my habit, I watched the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show again this year. And I loved it like I do every year. One of these days I really ought to get myself a small dog and a pantsuit and practice my slow run. Anyways...this year's winner was a spunky little Affenpinscher named....wait for it... Banana Joe. Jeebus. If that isn't the best name ever, I don't know what is. His handler was clearly thrilled and said some adorable things like "You don't train an Affenpinscher, you befriend him." I adore photos that personify love, and this (in my opinion) is one of them :)
This was the first year Jack Russell terriers were shown, and oh my. Cute city.
Anyways, that's about all right now...Hope you all have a wonderful week, thank you for reading :)
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." - Leo Tolstoy
