My Weekend Crush

So I’ve been thinking a lot about Sarah Paulson lately. She’s made a bit of news, what with her amicable split from Cherry Jones and emphatic assertion that her ex and Jodie are not America’s newest celesbian couple. But mostly what I’ve been thinking about is how talented she is, far too talented to not be on my television (or big screen, I can share) on a regular basis. Of course, she is happy and marvelous on the stage out yonder in New York City. Which is fine. But that leaves all of us middle and left coast cold and alone.

I’ll let you in on a little secret that may be surprising for some of you. Back in 2006 when NBC had this wacky idea of premiering two shows set behind the scenes at late-night sketch comedies, I wasn’t initially on Team 30 Rock. Sure I enjoyed “30 Rock,” but my attention first went to “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” I’ll give you a second to recover from the shock. At first, my affections were rewarded. The writing was whip-smart, the cast was tremendous and there was this lovely creature called Sarah Paulson warming our hearts each week. Of course, half way through that first season things went sadly awry and I never even ended up watching the end of that series. But what that short-lived run did give me was a lifetime adoration of Ms. Paulson.

There’s that adorable little overbite, that delightful sparkle in her eyes. She is accessible, yet clearly intelligent. And then there is her Twitter stream where she is prone to use the word FUCK in all caps and holds open conversations with an ungodly number of people – some famous and more just ordinary folk. It’s pretty amazing and well worth a follow @sarahpaulson (and while you’re at it and if you don’t already, give me a follow @dorothysnarker – though I can’t guarantee anything similar to Sarah except a penchant for the word fuck.)

In short, someone needs to hire Sarah. In fact, I feel terribly remiss in not mentioning her for one of the two lesbian comedies in development right now. Think of it: Starring Sarah Paulson and Leisha Hailey. Make it happen, universe. Happy weekend, all.

p.s. You haven’t really lived until you’ve seen Sarah impersonate Holly Hunter…and a dolphin. See, adorable.

Welcome, Madam President

Is America ready for a lesbian in the White House? (That was not a Hillary Clinton joke, I swear.) According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cherry Jones has been cast as the new President of the United States for the upcoming season of “24.” The two-time Tony-winning Broadway powerhouse (who has also popped up on movies and TV) has been out since 1995 and in a relationship with “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” actress Sarah Paulson for the past few years. Now, at first glance this news is fantastic. A lesbian playing a woman president on a hit show? Someone pinch me, I must be dreaming! But then when you consider the behind-the-scenes back story to the 1440-minutes of televised counterterrorism things get a little hanky.

The new season will unfold in the midst of the 2008 presidential campaign and parallels are already being drawn to 24’s new Madam President and Sen. I-would-like-to-be-Madam-President Clinton. And then there is the little business of series co-created by Joel Surnow proudly declaring himself a “right-wing nut.” Oh dear. And he has hired an out lesbian to play a woman president? Oh dear. Still, I can’t imagine that Cherry -- who is both one smart and tough cookie -- would sign off on any role that turned her into the Bitcher-in-Chief or some other sad stereotype about powerful women. So I’ll but my skepticism in a lockbox for now and instead start dreaming about imaginary State Dinners at the White House where a radiant President Jones enters with a glowing First Lady Paulson on her arm. What? You’ve got to dream big, right?

NBC loses 60, goes Bionic and finds Shahi

NBC held its upfronts yesterday and it’s official: Studio 60 is dead. The much-hyped, then much-maligned and finally much-ignored dramedy from the overly-articulate mind of Aaron Sorkin officially got the axe. I love, love, loved this show at first. The story was smart. The writing was witty. Sarah Paulson was pretty (and witty and gay). But the writing and story suffered as things shifted away from topical, political storylines and into the emotional arena. Watching ex-couples argue and pseudo-couples stalk each other? Not that fun. Too bad, because had it been able to stretch its genius without the constant specter of cancellation, I think it could have grown into something special. Sigh. In more uplifting news, NBC unveiled its full fall season. Of interest (because she is endlessly interesting) is the return of Tina Fey as Liz Lemon. The previously-announced pickup of “30 Rock” comes with a move up one time slot on Thursdays. Looks like I’ll be glued to my couch Thursday nights -- again. A couple new shows also caught my eye. One was the reimagined “Bionic Woman” airing Wednesdays. I watched the original and remember running around our house making the bionic “Na-na-na-na-na-na-na” sound. The new Bionic babe will be played by British actress Michelle Ryan. See a one-minute clip here. No “Na-na-na-na-na-na-na,” but it still looks pretty hardcore. Strong women and super powers? Kick and Ass.And finally, just because she is hot like fire, here is Sarah Shahi all smiles at the upfronts promoting her new show “Life,” which will air Wednesdays behind the “Bionic Woman.” O Carmen, Carmen! Wherefore art thou Carmen? Sarah plays a cop (hot damn, I’m going to have to add her to my girls with guns list). Otherwise, I have no idea what the series is about (fine, I know a little -- detectives, second-chances, life…) but, really, I don’t care. What I do care about is the zipper that runs down the front of her dress. The only thing between us and heaven is one good tug.

Studio 60 riding off into the sunset strip

Well, to all three of you “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” fans out there wondering if the much-hyped Aaron Sorkin show-within-a-show would ever return, your wait is over. NBC slyly announced (if you call a website banner an announcement) that the dramedy would be back May 24, the day after May sweeps ends. Yeah, that’s not a good sign. This probably means that the Peacock is giving Sorkin and Co. a courtesy run off of the remaining six episodes before it goes off to that great back lot in the sky.

My response to this news is a resounding, “Meh.” As much as I was wowed by the show’s initial smarts and as much as I adore Sarah Paulson, the last few episodes have been decidedly unimpressive. In fact, since the Christmas episodes, it has been a downhill slalom of Olympic proportions. It’s almost as if the writers knew that the show was doomed and started updating their resumes instead. Now, I’m not even sure if I’ll bother to tune in to see how it all ends. Which is sad, because the show had such potential. Goodbye Harriet, we hardly knew ya. Sigh.

My Queer Year's Resolutions

Sure, sure. We all make and promptly break New Year's resolutions. Eat less. Exercise more. Stick to a budget. Make a budget. Volunteer for a worthy cause. Finally finish "War & Peace." Etc. Etc. Etc.

But instead of focusing my own flaws (of which, clearly, there are none) this New Year's, I resolve to dissect other people's problems. So, without further ado, I give you my five resolutions in hopes of making 2007 as gay a year as possible.

1. For Rosie O'Donnell: Stop and think - really, really think - before you speak. Stop entering needless feuds with other celebrities. Stop offending entire ethnicities with your ignorance. Stop crying homophobia over insignificant incidents. And, for God's sake, stop writing your blog in haiku.
2. For the writers of "The L Word": Rediscover your sense of humor. It's that thing located above your sense of impending doom and penchant for killing off beloved characters. That thing that is generally followed by the sound of laughter and people enjoying themselves. That thing that makes us feel happy instead of like slitting our wrists after we watch each week.
3. For Sarah Paulson: Win that Golden Globe and plant a big, wet, sloppy kiss on Cherry Jones on your way to the podium.
4. For Jodie Foster/Queen Latifah/Michelle Rodriguez/et al: Come out. Make it official. Bring a friend. Your toaster ovens are waiting.
5. For Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz: Consider lesbianism. Preferably with each other. Preferably with pictures. That's all.

Happy New Year, all.

Golden girl

Oh Sarah, Sarah. That adorable little overbite. That winsome sparkle in your eyes. That easy, yet accessible intelligence. All that and now you’re Golden. OK, you’re almost Golden. “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” actress Sarah Paulson got a Golden Globe nomination for best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a series, mini-series or motion picture made for television (whew, say that in one breath) this morning. She is, as far as I can tell, the only out actor/actress to be recognized. Other notable queer-ish nominees: Annette Benning for playing gay and crazy in “Running With Scissors” and Chiwetel Ejiofor for playing gay and fabulous in “Kinky Boots.” Oh, “Ugly Betty” got a nod as did its star America Ferrera and that show is family, m’kay [insert snaps and head bobs here…] Check out the full nominee list and start dreaming about what Sarah and Cherry Jones will wear now.

Studio 60 sends me to Cloud 9

Well, that was lovely. I’ve been a fan of “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” since its pilot blew me away with its smarts, wit and backbone. Today, I’m as much a fan as ever (OK, the skits could be considerably funnier). But overall, big kuddos. Monday's episode (the last before the new year) was an early Christmas gift. Funny. Principled. Romantic. The show has two of my four favorite female characters from the new season: Jordan McDeere (the brilliant Amanda Peet) and Harriet Hayes (the brilliant and out Sarah Paulson). All season long we've been treated to layered portrayals of interesting, intelligent and independent women.

Last night both actresses got to add “love interest” to that list. Now, I realize praising an episode where both women’s roles primarily boils down to “romantic foil for lead male character” might seem like a blight on my feminist street cred. Hey, let’s face it, everyone loves romance. That’s why romantic comedies are so popular. Note how when movies are about married couples, they’re usually called “dramas.” But, getting back to my point, Studio 60 makes me happy I own a television. Really happy. Get a little happy for yourself and watch the full episode online.

p.s. In case you were wondering, my other two favorites from the new season are Ugly Betty’s Betty Suarez and 30 Rock’s Liz Lemon.

Sarah Smile

So, I’m starting to really love Sarah Paulson on Studio 60 and the Sunset Strip. How much? Well, I’m willing to overlook the fact that she plays a Christian conservative who willingly appeared on the 700 Club. Why? She is damn good. Intelligent. Nuanced. Quick-witted. Immensely likeable. You can see what Cherry Jones sees in her. I hope the show (which continues to impress after its knockout premiere) can find an audience. It, like Sarah, is intelligent, nuanced, quick-witted and immensely likeable. Plus it's nice to finally have an out actress in primetime, instead of forever stuck in the daytime chat cycle. But, perhaps most deliciously, it has got to chap the Religious Right's ass that a gay woman is playing a sympathetic evangelical Christian on TV. That must just blow their crazy little minds.

The idiot box gets smart

Holy shit. I just watched the premiere of “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” and wow. The series had tons of hype coming into the fall season with critics hailing it as the “Next Big Thing.“ Let me tell you, it lived up to its billing. This show is smart. Whip smart. It’s a show-within-a-show that follows the backstage goings on at a suspiciously “SNL”-like sketch comedy show (hell, it's even on the NBS channel...) that has lost its funny. It opens with the longtime producer having an on-air “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore” breakdown about the abysmal state of television. And it only gets better. Plus, while I don’t see any discernable gay content yet, the show stars out actress Sarah Paulson. Interestingly, she plays a devout Christian actress/singer. I know, now you’re thinking, “Damn! Why didn’t I watch.” Fear not, you still can. Through the magic of the interweb, you can catch the whole thing online, today. If you still need convincing, read the raves from my favorite TV columnist Tim Goodman.