TV Power Ladies
I can't quite recall the first time I watched The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but I do remember always feeling deeply connected to the series. As I grew up and pursued a career in journalism and moved to a new city by myself, I always meant to re-visit the world of Mary Richards at WJM-TV in Minneapolis. It wasn't until recently, when I started reading Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted: And All the Brilliant Minds Who Made The Mary Tyler Moore Show a Classic (written by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong), that I decided to do an official watch of the hit show as an adult. The series itself is timeless. Watching Mary find her voice at the TV station and build a friendship with Rhoda and her colleagues is still fun and genuine, and the fact that such a strong female character made her debut in the late 70s is no small feat. With this self-assigned reading on the side, I've unearthed the backstory of the series and learned more about the equally powerful women behind-the-scenes, who helped give Mary, Rhoda and women everywhere a voice on-screen.
Flash Forward: Jumping ahead in time, a new group of powerful women are taking over our screens and fighting some of the same battles that come up in Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted. I'd be remiss if I wrote about steps women have taken in TV without mentioning Shonda Rhimes and The Hollywood Reporter article about Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo, her contract negotiations, lessons she's learned from Shonda and the struggle they've both fought to change antiquated network opinions about female-led shows.
As Seen on TV
Another fictitious TV heroine to watch out for is Midge Maisel, the leading lady in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. The eight-episode first season premiered on Amazon in November. Were you watching the Golden Globes and wondering who is that lady in a top hat asking if there is cheese backstage? That would be show creator Amy Sherman-Palladino (a.k.a. the brilliant mind behind Gilmore Girls). It's nice to see her sharp dialogue, endearing and quirky characters, strong female friendships and sweeping wide shots get the critical acclaim they deserve with Maisel. The show tells the story of Midge (played by the outstanding Rachel Brosnahan), who stumbles into the NYC stand-up scene after her husband leaves her. Despite being set in the 50s (the clothes! the sets! the music! the hair!), the gender themes and dynamics ring true today. The relationship between Midge and her manager Susie (Alex Borstein, who can communicate an array of emotions with just a glance) is the heart of the show. These two strike up an immediate friendship, built on mutual admiration and a shared sense of humor, that provides a core backdrop to Midge's ever-changing world. The supporting cast, especially Tony Shalhoub as Midge's father, round-out the show, making each scene shine.
Bonus Pick: If you're looking for additional commentary as you work your way through the series, Kevin T. Porter (one half of the team behind the Gilmore Guys podcast) and Alice Wetterlund are going episode-by-episode through the show on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Goys.
Haven't You Heard?
If you're looking for a tune to match your mood, the answer can often be found in a Walk the Moon song. If you...
Just want to dance: Let's be honest; you already know this one
Are in love: "The real life love is under the mirror of the surface" - Aquaman
Are pondering life's big questions: "One summer turns into ten summers / One lover turns into ten lovers / But this memory is still with me" - Portugal
Are experiencing heartbreak: "And you make me want to change with the look on your face / 'Cause I miss you, babe / But I can't stay" - Surrender
Want to have fun with your friends: "Live my life without / Coming up for air / Now it's all a wash / I want everyone / Racing down the hill / I am faster than you / Wait for summertime" - Anna Sun
An indie-rock band from Ohio (I have to support my fellow Midwesterners), Walk the Moon's sound is the embodiment of summer evenings and driving with the windows down. But the lyrics are deeper than that, questioning what love means, encouraging acceptance, and pushing you to be the best version of yourself. Their latest album What if Nothing has a similar Walk the Moon essence, but the lyrics go further than ever before, as the band itself questions its identity and the answers they thought they'd discovered at the end of their sophomore album Talking is Hard. The band is on tour right now, and if you have the chance to catch one of their live shows, go. It's a must-see, non-stop dance party that's sure to lift your spirits and keep you smiling all night long.
Required Reading
A final recommendation for the week. I stumbled across The Everywhereist after the I Made the Pizza Cinnamon Rolls from Mario Batali's Sexual Misconduct Apology Letter story went viral. First off, if you haven't read the piece yet, it's incredible, and you should stop reading my newsletter and catch up right now. Once you're done, enjoy the many stories of wanderlust, feminism and life journeys written by Geraldine on her site. This one takes place in Philadelphia. It's short and sweet, AND it combines snow and romance -- what could be better?
