The Fey Way

WRITERS NOTE: I know it's been a while, and I'm an a-hole. I've been 'filling the well' from which I draw inspiration/cursing the cold weather (I likey the hybernation). I 'spose I should be writing about the holidays or something more relevant but this blog needed out. If there are any out there that have been waiting patiently, thanks. I'll be back sooner next time....



I look around, and I see a generation of fledgling women emulating for tomorrow. Then I look past them and I see those they are emulating, and I do a double take. Double spit take, even.

I'm all about to each their own, and celebrity is a tricky, sticky-wicket. We've watched it escalate to psychotic heights of importance in these past ten years or so, and no one ever signs on the dotted line to be "looked up to" but they are regardless, just by being available to observe. I definitely think we can do FAR better in way of women worth mimicry, though. For your consideration, I nominate Tina Fey.



I won't ever forget seeing a four year-old girl meeting her "idol" Paris Hilton on one of the entertainment news programs. You know, the ones that are half the problem. It wasn't the far-too-mature-for-her-wardrobe, the make-up or the giddy anticipation she had slathered all over her as she stood on the street and a "dream became a reality". It wasn't Paris' signature half-assed cordiality as she bent her lanky frame to cradle the little tot, clearly phoning in a meet and greet (reason numero uno to be suspect of her cred as a role model). It was the look of almost ravenous adoration the child's mom had, standing a foot away. She could have pooped a Twinkie in that moment, begging the speculation that maybe her idol is Paris. I closed my mouth, sighed, switched the channel, wishing that misguided mom had a LONG time ago.

It's no secret how I feel about the lack of character exhibited these days, so when a middle-aged female in the throws of the Hollywood machine consistently churns out intelligence and class and side splitting laughs, it's a very brainy no-brainer. She's not trying to fit into the mold, she's custom made her own.


Who knew such an unassuming, wall flowery lass would have such walloping star power. By all industry standards, she's a total loose cannon. Out, wittily trolling the youth/drama-obsessed streets with her anti-serum of smart, sweet and sassy no matter what she looks like or how old she is, not that she's trying. She's comfortable in her goofy, neurotic skin, she's un-afraid to go head to head with anyone comedically (or otherwise I'd wager), she's a breezy anti-sex kitten that reassures you of who you are, by just being who she is. You're in good hands with Tina. She's not going to go all weird and homogenized or jump any shark. No impossible comparative standards. No sensational falsehoods, no hype-generated flash in the pan-ness. She's worked her ass off bringing the funny for years, the majority of them behind the scenes yet all of them with integrity to be herself and share her unique perspective. She's earned her place.


SNL was infinitely funnier and more memorable when she was head writer. Meta-marvelous 30 Rock is quite easily one of the funniest shows EVER (the live episodes alone for that matter), as a result. Mean Girls was a deserving instant cult classic, and any subsequent movies she's been a part of have done well box-office wise, and she didn't have to pop her tits out or play damsel in distress once, to achieve any of it. I challenge you to watch television and not long for an ounce more Tina-ness out of Snooki, the Kardashians, Bratz dolls, or any other female archetype in the spotlight. That's the true beauty of what Tina represents...she's not an archetype, she's a real person.


Like one of her own comedic idols, Bea Arthur, Tina has the awesome power to be warm and comfortable while she takes you on an outlandish journey that in anyone else's hands would be too outlandish...all while pulling a laugh and a half a minute. She's a wife, a mom, a career girl. She's cool, only because she could care less if she is or not.


Cheers to a modern icon that deserves to be, and here's hoping more four-year olds find her.