As I was writing about Mary Tyler Moore last night, I kept thinking, “Hers wasn’t the only important show about a single working woman living alone in a big city.” But there was so much to say about Moore that I decided I’d write about Marlo Thomas another day. Procrastination in moderation once again worked…
Family Guy
All the Young Dudes
I’m quite proud of my habit of keeping pop-culture ephemera, such as this program from Madonna’s 1987 AIDS benefit concert and a Duran Duran ticket stub from the same year. However, my high-school friend Jim Begala wins the prize for keeping everything. Jim previously confirmed the exact date of a 1984 INXS concert for me,…
What Wendy Wore: Striped Summer Dresses
When I was a kid, I was crazy for Fruit Stripe gum. A photo brings the Fruit Stripe taste back to me instantly. The taste leaves me just as quickly, which makes the whole experience totally realistic because Fruit Stripe gum has only about five seconds of flavor in it. The disappointment of Fruit Stripe…
I Need a Vintage Ozbek Dress … and a Time Machine
You never get over your first love. I don’t mean your middle-school crush or high-school boyfriend/girlfriend. Who cares about those people?! Damn, I can’t even remember any names. The romantic feelings that last are your first music and fashion loves. Even if you don’t listen to those bands or wear those styles any more, I…
Jewel of the Month: Hockey Mask and Chainsaw Emoji Earrings
October’s Jewel of the Month are the Halloween-appropriate hockey mask and chainsaw stud earrings, available in silver … … and gold-plated silver. Because I’m all about the single-earring look, you can also buy just a chainsaw (or two) stud or just a mask. I’ve also got the mask available as a ring. Although the chainsaw…
Slut-Shaming and Women-Blaming at People Magazine
I was managing editor of People Magazine’s website in 1999, and I’ve subscribed to the magazine ever since I left that job. Today, I was flipping through the Sept. 15, 2014, issue and came across an item about the recent celebrity nude-photo hacking. Because it slut-shamed and blamed actress Jennifer Lawrence and model Kate Upton…
Wanderlust 2014: I Tuned In to Liverpool
Back in 1980, I got a fever and the only prescription was John, Paul, George and Ringo. Since then, I’ve wanted to go to Liverpool, the Fab Four’s hometown. It’s difficult to schedule a trip to Liverpool though. It doesn’t top most non-Beatlemaniac vacation lists, so every year, I’ve told myself, “Maybe next year.” Then…
Kale Chip (Lightly Salted) and Quiet Sex
While brainstorming new additions to my vast collection of emoji-inspired jewelry designs, I came across the Rejected Emojis Tumblr. If Family Guy‘s Peter Griffin had been put in charge of new emoji, we would definitely have random-ass things like … … and … Check out the blog for other highlariously surreal emojis including the lightly…
Just David Letterman, Retiring.
I’m very sad about David Letterman retiring! Even when it comes to television hosts, I’m like Stewie on Family Guy. Dave was so different and shocking when he first got on the air. The parents kept watching Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show and the kids all switched to Letterman. People forget how revolutionary Letterman…
For Grammy Night: Six Degrees of Ringo Starr
The Grammys are tonight and Eminem’s “Berzerk” is nominated for Best Rap Performance. I hope rocker Billy Squier has been making mad money from that song, which samples Squier’s 1981 hit, “The Stroke.” Billy deserves it! I have been meaning to write about Billy for years. I didn’t see him perform live in his heyday,…