Twenty-five years later and people are still talking about My
So-Called Life. It’s interesting how a low-rated drama that only lasted one
season has gone on to become so iconic and gain cult status. Obviously, it
struck a chord with the few viewers that did find it.
MSCL followed teenager Angela Chase (Claire Danes) as
she navigated through high school, trying to find herself and where she fit in.
She grew apart from her best friend, made new friends who shook up her world,
and fell for a guy that she wasn’t quite sure even knew she existed. At home, she
couldn’t get on the same page with her parents, Patty & Graham (Bess
Armstrong & Tom Irwin), and couldn’t get away from her little sister Danielle
(Lisa Wilhoit) fast enough.
Along with Angela, the show had an amazing group of characters.
Rayanne (A. J. Langer) could easily be written off as just a wild party girl.
But she was coping with deeper issues at home and growing alcoholism. Rickie
(Wilson Cruz), one of the few gay teens on TV at that time, struggled with
others’ reactions to his sexuality. Brian (Devon Gummersall) was the socially awkward
nerd who pined for Angela. Sharon (Devon Odessa) was Angela’s former best
friend who had to find her footing after being dropped. And Jordan Catalano (Jared
Leto) was the complex, extremely good-looking love interest.
I think a lot of teenagers, myself included, related to Angela
and her friends. Yes, there had been plenty of teen shows up until that time, but
this one felt more real. These looked like any other kids in my school and they
were going thru similar experiences. Plus, they articulated things we had thought
before. Like when Angela says, “And, I mean, this whole thing with yearbook – it’s
like, everybody’s in this big hurry to make this book, to supposedly remember what
happened. Because if you made a book of what really happened, it’d be a really
upsetting book.” That doesn’t mean everything Angela said was so profound. As
much as I loved her, there were a few times when she needed to get over
herself. But most teens are a little too preoccupied with their own perceived
dramas. That made the Halloween episode where Danielle dresses up as Angela,
mocking her teen angst, so funny.
My other favorite moments included Rayanne and Sharon reluctantly
becoming friends, the “Weekend” episode with Danielle providing voiceover, the
Christmas episode with Juliana Hatfield, Rickie finally finding a home, and
Patty’s evolution. Even when the show did something not-so great, like the
Rayanne/Jordan hook up, it led to a rich fallout.
Maybe getting cancelled was a good thing for My So-Called
Life. It never wore out its welcome or jumped the shark. We didn’t have a
bad “college years” season. And it’s probably best that we’ll never know if
Angela chose Jordan or Brian. Those 19 episodes will remain a time capsule of a
fleeting moment in the 90s. When the teenagers were funny, smart, authentic and
didn’t have to be perfect. They definitely had a time.
Episode two of BH90210, the not-reboot-reboot, starts
with Jennie at home with her daughter, Kyler. That’s actually her name for some
reason. Kyler wants to be an actress and audition for a TV show. Jennie forbids
it. “No acting under my roof!” Drugs? Sure. Acting? No! Jennie is also served
with divorce papers. So, she’s having a great morning. Later, she and Tori meet
at Fox to pitch their actual-reboot idea. Surprisingly, the executives buy it.
They assume the entire cast is on board. Tori & Jennie lie and say it’s a
done deal.
Cut to the LA County Courthouse, where the cast faces
sentencing for the stolen dress incident. Paparazzi and screaming fans await
them outside. Like a low rent red carpet premiere. We see the young guy from
the Las Vegas convention staring Brian down. Btw, I totally forgot to mention
this guy in the first episode recap and how he followed Brian home to LA. Oops.
What is he up to? In court, the judge sentences the cast to 50 hours of
community service. Plus, Tori has to pay the owner of the dress (a weird fan)
100K. As if she wasn’t already strapped for cash. As they’re leaving court,
Tori and Jennie throw out the reboot idea to their castmates. They all laugh
and give a resounding “no”. But Tori is a persistent producer, like her dad
(RIP Aaron).
Jason is focused on rehabbing his career after punching that
douchey actor, in ep. 1, got him blacklisted. It also seems that his wife,
Camille, is keeping a secret from him. Some random guy threatens to expose her
if she doesn’t help him. Later, we learn this guy is a writer hired to do the
reboot. Jason also gets the news from his doctor that he has a fertility
condition that would make it difficult to have kids without medical
intervention. Hmmm could these two things be related? Of course!
Brian auditions for a role in a film and actually gets it.
So many greenlights in this episode. But he finds out the producers only cast
him because he’s superstar Shay’s husband. They get into fight, which is
secretly captured on tape by stalker/convention guy. Later, Brian and Shay make
up. They’re a pretty dull couple. Also, stalker guy applies to be BAG’s
assistant. Creepy is getting closer.
Kyler threatens Jennie with emancipation for not supporting
her acting career. After receiving some good parenting advice from Jason of all
people, causing a temporary thaw between the adversaries/lovers, Jennie
relents. Kyler gets a part on the reboot alongside her mom.
Ian catches his wife cheating on tape. Again. Now he can
divorce her and keep his money. But he needs to build up his brand again. Ugh,
that damn brand again. In return for doing the reboot, Tori has to help him sell
his lifestyle/fitness products. It’s as dumb as it sounds.
Gabrielle is grappling with her sexuality and hasn’t told
her husband about the bartender kiss. She shares with Jason that she’s always
had these feelings and thinks she’s not being true to herself. So, she shifts
this narrative to Andrea, agreeing to do the reboot if Andrea can explore her
sexuality. But by the end of the episode Gabrielle appears ready to tell her
husband everything. Maybe she could appear on The L Word reboot too.
Later, the group gathers to do their community service,
picking up trash in Griffith Park. A fight breaks out about the reboot,
prompting Gabrielle to suggest they go to group therapy. That will be
interesting. Then the paparazzi shows up at the park and suddenly it’s a phot
shoot. They could make the cover of Community Service Weekly.
After a lot of finagling, Tori gets everyone to agree to do
the reboot. They meet up at Fox and learn that the executive overseeing the show
will be Christine Elise, aka Emily Valentine. She’s come a long way from nearly
burning down that homecoming float in season 2.
Throughout the show we see Tori playing with 90210
dolls. Side note, these are a far cry from the real Mattel dolls that were made
of the cast. I should know since I had a set. Anyways, we see each cast member
receiving a package with their doll inside. Except these dolls are all
mutilated. Yikes. That’s not how you play with iconic toys!
Other 9021Notes
Shannen gives Brian marriage advice while she attempts to save
a seal caught in a net. No, really. I’m ready for her to interact with the cast
and put a pause on the animal rescue.
Jennie’s dream about being back on the show as Kelly, as others list off her characters many dramas, was pretty funny. The cult. The drive-by shooting. Good times.
Jason and Gabrielle confiding in each other was sweet. I’m
enjoying their friendship. It’s just like Andrea and Brandon.
Favorite line, as Brian jokingly ponders stepping back into
David Silver’s shoes, “You know what’s super sexy? A middle-aged white rapper.”
Beverly Hills 90210 is my all-time favorite show. It premiered in 1990 when I was
11 years old and ended in 2000, a few months before my 21st
birthday. I grew up with it, loving the storylines (well, not all of
them…seasons 8-10…yikes) and characters. Treasuring the actors and following
them into new projects. I could go on forever about my 90210 adoration, but
I’ll save that for another day/post/anniversary.
BH90210 is a whole
different animal. A reboot without being a reboot. Basically, the cast (Tori
Spelling, Jennie Garth, Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Ian Ziering,
Gabrielle Carteris, and Brian Austin Green) are playing heightened, fictional
versions of themselves. Paying homage to the original without trying to
continue on with it in its exact form. Thank God. This is so much better than
going back to the well. Instead, they’re spiking the well water with vodka and
getting a bit wacky.
The show kicks off with Tori, Jennie, Gabrielle, Jason, Ian, and
Brian headed to Vegas for a 30th Anniversary 90210
convention. I would so attend this. They’re anxious about seeing each other for
the first time in years. Plus, they each have their own stuff going on back
home.
Tori is broke. Again. Her reality show about her lame husband
and their six kids just got cancelled. So, she desperately needs this convention
money. Btw, big points for casting Ivan Sergei as her husband. He played her
psycho boyfriend in the 90s TV movie Mother May I Sleep with Danger? Not
to be confused with her other movie Awake to Danger. Tori was in a lot
of danger in the 90s. Jennie is on her third marriage. And soon-to-be third
divorce. She’s trying to keep it on the down low, but TMZ blows that up. Brian
is a stay-at-home father of three with a famous pop star wife (La La Anthony).
He stopped acting to focus on his family and lost his mojo. Ian is married to a
young wannabe-famous chick. They’re building some sort of brand, just like most
people on social media these days. Jason has a sad career directing bad TV
shows while trying to get his indie film made. He also has a wife/publicist who
focuses more on his career than their marriage. Lastly, Gabrielle is the
president of SAG-AFTRA, just like in real life. And a new grandma. Really
playing up those Andrea is super old jokes.
The cast is suffering though a panel at the
convention (stop asking Brian about his much more famous wife!) when the host announces
a surprise guest. Shannen! Her huge live streamed image is projected on the
screen behind them. Apparently, she’s been saving wild cats all these years.
The crowd eats it up. Here former castmates aren’t so impressed. I love how the
writers play up the disdain for Shannen, always a constant rumor back in the
day.
Post-panel, the gang decides to hang out at the
hotel before flying home to LA. Jennie flirts with a douchebag by the pool with
horrible results. Then she and Jason end up in bed, despite the fact that she
can’t stand him. Gabrielle flirts with and actually kisses a female fan/bartender.
I haven’t read any, but surely there must be some Andrea lesbian fanfic out
there. Meanwhile, Brian and Tori seem close to possibly rekindling their past
off-screen romance. But she gets drunk and loses her shit. She decides that
Donna’s dress from the spring dance episode in season one, that is currently on
display at the hotel, belongs to her. A broken display case and a mad dash to
BAG’s wife’s private jet ensues. On the flight home, Ian discovers his wife is
cheating on him and decides to take it out on the group. Harsh words are
exchanged all-around. Making it worse, they land and find the police waiting
for them. Orange is the new BH?
The next day Tori and Jennie make up. Tori is
suddenly hit with inspiration after seeing her kids watch her on an old 90210
episode. So much meta. They should reboot the show! Jennie side-eyes her,
but considers it. Maybe this could work…dunadunadunadunadundun!
Other 9021Notes:
Jason’s wife announces she’s pregnant, stopping
him from revealing his romp with Jennie. Good timing!
Brian decides to give acting another shot. Maybe a
Mr. Mom remake?
Ian doesn’t tell his wife that he knows about her
cheating, but reads over their prenup.
Gabrielle keeps her bartender kiss a secret from
her husband.
In the final shot, they zoom in on Luke Perry in the old 90210
episode. It’s still hard to believe that he’s gone. There were a couple of other
brief mentions of him earlier in the show. I’m glad they found a way to honor
him.
I’m late to the party, since it came out in 2017, but I recently
finished reading Little Fires Everywhere. It was an impulse buy at the
airport newsstand, but it turned out to be the right decision. It took me
through two plane rides and a long beach day. A sign of a good vacation read.
Celeste Ng’s novel, set in the late 1990s (a
favorite time period of mine), focuses on two families in the idyllic community
of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Elena is the head of the wealthy Richardsons, which
includes her lawyer husband Bill, outgoing older kids Lexie and Trip, aptly
named son Moody, and rebellious daughter Izzy. Their lives are shaken up by the
arrival of Mia Warren and her teenage daughter. Mia normally lives a nomadic
life, shuttling shy (yet blossoming) Pearl across the country. But they decide
to settle in Shaker Heights and into the Richardson’s rental home.
The story follows the families as their lives become
intertwined. New relationships form and several lives are changed. Elena and
Mia represent the main source of conflict. Mrs. Richardson is the definition of
type A, steamrolling anyone and anything that doesn’t fit into her perfect
world. While Mia is more earthy and free. She has no use for Elena’s rules.
They cannot, or choose not to, understand each other. Along with this drama, a
custody battle ignites between an adopting couple and the birth mother of a
Chinese-American baby. It causes a divide among the residents of the town,
especially between the Richardson and Warren matriarchs.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Ng creates a complex
world in this supposedly Utopian town. There’s so much going on below the
surface. Characters that could be one note are given multiple layers and intricacies
that make them much more interesting. And, I was eager to find out where they
ended up by the last page. The book is set to become a limited series on Hulu,
starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. Great casting, by the way. I
look forward to seeing how the adaptation compares to the original source and
if the series finds even more depths in Ng’s work.
When I was a little kid, I fell in love with soap operas.
Yes, I watched the normal kid shows, like cartoons or dumb sitcoms. But around
10 years old soaps became my thing. I took a peek in at almost every show at
that time. But my absolute favorite was One Life to Live. It was pure amazingness.
The history, stories, and characters. I watched it from sometime in the 80s
until it went off the air in 2012. This year OLTL would have celebrated its 51st
anniversary. The show may be gone (damn you ABC), but my memories of it and the
denizens of Llanview live on. So, to celebrate I’m making a list of my Top 10
OLTL characters.
10. Billy Douglas
Billy (Ryan Phillippe) has a special place in my heart. He
was the first gay teen TV character. Like Billy, I was a young teen coming to
terms with my sexuality. It helped so much to have a character like that on TV.
On my favorite show no less. Representation in the media is very powerful. A
young Phillippe made his acting debut in the part in 1992. He brought so much
to the role, playing Billy’s vulnerability and ultimately his strength. It’s
too bad the character was written out after only a year. But he still managed
to make a huge impact at that time and years beyond.
9. Megan Gordon
Megan (Jessica Tuck) was brought on as Viki Buchanan’s long-lost
daughter. Viki had a few of those. She had similar trials to her mother: love
triangles, heartbreak, and multiple personalities. But she was her own person.
Fiery, independent, and quick-witted. It was unfortunate when Tuck decided to
leave the show and they wrote Megan out. Her soap death broke my 12-year-old
heart. So many tears. But at least she came back as an angel from time to time.
8. Max Holden
Sexy, charming, and sometimes dangerous. Max (James DePaiva) was the bad boy that people loved. Even when he was doing wrong, you still rooted for him. And nothing was better than his toxic romance with Gabrielle Medina. Or his equally explosive one with Blair. In later years, he got a bit watered down. But Max was always a pleasure to see onscreen.
7. Tea Delgado
Tea (Florencia Lozano) came to town as a ruthless lawyer, ready to
decimate any opponent. She was ridiculously smart and cunning. Everyone’s go-to
lawyer. Especially Todd Manning. That was a delightfully dark
client/attorney/husband/wife relationship. But she had a softer side at times.
She cared about her community and her loved ones. And she had the best frenemy
relationship (this side of Viki & Dorian) with Blair. A truly multi-faceted,
rich character.
6. Blair Cramer
Two actresses played Blair over the course of the show. One Asian
and one white. Yeah, that really happened. It was the 90s. Mia Korf was first.
She was the scheming ice princess; ready to take down anyone or use them for
her own gain. After Korf left the show Kassie DePaiva came on as Blair. I was
reluctant to accept her in the role, but over time I grew to love her
portrayal. She softened some of Blair’s edges while still remaining razor
sharp. Fighting for (or with) her family and working her way to the top. And
pushing a bitch out a window, if necessary. You didn’t want to mess with Blair.
5. Natalie Buchanan
Natalie (Melissa Archer) was one of the most polarizing characters
on OLTL. You either hated her or loved her. I fell in the latter category,
always ride or die for my girl. She was the bad girl turned heroine, suffering
through several kidnappings, lost loves, and that dolt John McBain. Ugh Jolie. She
was always getting involved in some tragedy, much like her mother, Viki. I
loved their relationship, btw. But through it all Natalie kept going. Always
the fighter.
4. Dorian Lord
It’s easy to call Dorian (Robin Strasser) a villain. Yes, she was treacherous, devious, and a pathological liar at times. And she kinda killed a man. Only kinda because of the retcon. But underneath that armor of bitchery was a huge heart. She loved her family and some of her husbands. And even Viki at times. Strasser was one of the best actresses on the show and in daytime in general. Dorian’s death row storyline really stands out as a winning moment. Strasser could turn any plot, no matter how small, into gold.
3. Viki Lord
All roads lead back to Viki (Erika Slezak). She was the heart of
the show from the very beginning. It was her life to live. For years we saw
drama swirl around her. A horrendous father, a career in journalism, a long
line of husbands (many who died on her), dissociative identity disorder,
numerous Dorian schemes, and enough maladies to kill the average man (well she
actually did go to heaven…twice). Slezak deserved all six of the Emmys she won,
if not more. There’s no better actress in daytime.
2. Gabrielle Medina
Coming in at a VERY close 2nd is Gabrielle (Fiona
Hutchison). Usually female characters go from bad to good in some dumb
redemptive arc. But Gabrielle went from virginal ingenue to one of the baddest
bitches in Llanview. I grew to love her during a twisty baby switch storyline.
So, she swapped a few brats? She had her reasons. I could excuse any Gabrielle
scheme. And I wanted her to be with Max. Even though they were horrible for one
another. You can’t deny the heat they had. But whether she was entrenched in a
bad romance or on her own, Hutchison always shined in the role. And she did it
with great hair. Can’t say enough about that hair!
1. Tina Lord Roberts
Tina, Tina, Tina (Andrea Evans)! There is no better character, in
my opinion, in soap opera history. Sorry Erica Kane. Tina was everything for
me. Most importantly she was the reason why I started watching One Life. One of
the first scenes I remember watching was when she accidentally killed her wicked
mother-in-law, Maria, by spilling poison on her. Of course, Maria was trying to
kill Tina, so she had it coming. Tina was always getting involved in crazy
stuff like that. This is the same woman who went over a waterfall (while
pregnant) and lived to tell the tale. Typically, her own schemes put her in
these precarious positions. She always wanted more. More love, money, jewels!
And she never went about getting these things in the right way. How boring
would that be? Unfortunately, Tina got derailed when Evans had to leave the
show because of a crazed real-life stalker. She made a return years later, but
was bogged down by bad writing. Luckily, before the show ended, she came back
one more time and had a happy (and zany Tina-like) ending with her long-time
love (and four-time husband) Cord.
Even though the show has ended and these characters are out of sight, they’ll always be in my heart (sorry for the cheesiness). And on YouTube. Cause you only have One Life to Live! Dun, dun, dun!
Twenty years ago, Destiny’s Child released their second
studio album, The Writing’s on the Wall. It would go on to be certified
8x platinum, launch four hit singles, and garner multiple Grammy nominations. Instead
of focusing on that success most people remember the revolving DC lineup at the
time. Originally it was Beyonce, Kelly, LaTavia, and LeToya. Then LaTavia and
LeToya were dropped. Michelle and Farrah were added. But Farrah got kicked out
pretty quickly. So, by mid-2000 the group was a trio. That’s a lot of change
for the Children. But the one constant was an impressive R&B album that
deserves more attention than the controversy going on at the time. So, let’s
celebrate TWOTW and rank its 14 songs.
14. Sweet Sixteen
This isn’t so sweet at all. SS deals with a young girl
looking for the love that she was never given growing up. She meets a bad guy,
gets pregnant, and ends up alone and sad. It’s a cautionary tale for other
teenagers not to move so fast. A very well-intentioned, but oh so boring tale.
The lyrics are clunky and the melody itself is fairly stale. And in the end,
it’s an after-school special set to music. But I’ll give it a few points for
sampling Diana Ross’ “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To).
13. Hey Ladies
Hey Ladies (and gentlemen) could this song be more basic? So,
this woman’s boyfriend is doing her wrong. He’s lying and running around on her
with a Tenderoni. He’s got to go…got to go. This dumb song needs to go as well.
It’s supposed to be an anthem for women to get rid of their crappy men, but it
doesn’t stir up much energy. I’ve heard better rallying songs. Some, from
Destiny’s Child!
12. Confessions (featuring Missy Elliott)
These are some lame confessions. In a couple of verses, she tells
her man about the things she did behind his back. Cheating, taking his credit
card to buy some clothes, blah, blah. Nothing really scandalous. What’s
surprising is how tired this song is. You’d think a DC/Missy Elliott
collaboration would be on fire. Not so much as it turns out.
11. Now That She’s Gone
Kelly’s ex has come crawling back after getting dumped by
his current chick. He treated his now-ex much better, so he has a lot of nerve
trying to step to Kelly again. It’s a pretty dick move. This one is just ok.
Not horrible, nor great. My biggest question is why is the song over 5 minutes?
The story could have been expressed much more succinctly.
10. Stay
A nice ballad. The vocals are beautiful. But it’s fairly tame.
The melody is quite dated, sounding like something from the 80’s or early 90’s.
And the writing is weak. She’s begging her man not to leave her, promising to
grant all of his wishes if he doesn’t walk out. Really? That’s too desperate.
Just let him go, girl.
9. If You Leave (featuring Next)
Matching up DC with fellow R&B group Next was a good
decision. Their voices blend well together on this track about two people
contemplating leaving their current partners for each other. The song itself is
kinda repetitive and it ends with a lot of wailing from both groups. But it’s
not so bad for the most part.
8. She Can’t Love You
It’s hard to name a more sultry and shady song. Beyonce sees
her ex’s new girlfriend and basically comes to the conclusion that this chick
sucks. She could never compete with B. But, really, who could follow that first
act? This new girl was doomed from the start. I like Beyonce’s husky vocals on
the verses. Even better is the sample of Bola Sete’s “Bettina”. The Brazilian
guitarist’s original track adds so much flavor.
7. So Good
This is a kiss off to all the haters who thought DC would
fail. They want them to know that they’re doing so, so, so good. It sounds like
a precursor to DC’s “Survivor”. Same concept of boasting about how they’re
doing much better than those people who doubted them. There’s even a similar
presenting of their album sales receipts. It’s not so, so, so, good, but it’s alright.
6. Bug A Boo
This Bug A Boo is doing way too much. Calling non-stop,
following Beyonce everywhere, emailing her like whodunit. It’s pretty serious
if she wants to break her lease so she can move. On the flip side, who knew a
song about a stalker could be so fun? This is a bombastic track that anyone can
dance (or stalk) along too. Also, there are so many great outdated references.
MCI, pagers, AOL! Very 1999.
5. Where’d You Go
Oh, baby where’d you go? Beyonce’s man has dipped out on her
(seriously) and she’s dying for him to come back. It’s driving her crazy. Again,
girl, let him go. But in the meantime, you have this smooth track to comfort
you. I love all the layered vocals here. Whoa, whoa, whoa…
4. Temptation
Basically, DC is tempted to forget about their man and run
off with another. His body is calling them. This could have been a single from
the album. It’s playful and sexy. Also, “Oops, I forgot I got a man” is the
best random lyric on this album
3. Jumpin’, Jumpin’
This was the last single released from the album, but far
from the weakest. I love how the song revs up an explodes sonically. I
challenge you not to bounce around with them. And the quick vocal delivery
really takes you there. While making it nearly impossible to sing-a-long
accurately.
2. Bills, Bills, Bills
This is a close runner-up for the top spot. Clever writing
and a wicked beat. It’s the best She’kspere production on the album. Everyone
assumes it was about a woman demanding that a man take care of her financially.
But really, she’s asking him to be on par with her. He’s been taking her money,
car, etc. She doesn’t want a scrub…. that’s another She’kspere song.
1. Say My Name
One of the best songs of 1999. Period. And definitely the
best on the album. There was a time in 1999/2000 when you couldn’t escape it.
On the radio, in a club, or on TRL. And I didn’t mind. Once you heard that
opening chorus and those chords, you were hooked. There’s the relatable
sing-song lyrics, a masterful production from Rodney Jerkins (Darkchild 99!),
and beautiful vocals from all the ladies. It deserved to be a number #1 hit and
a lasting legacy for this amazing group. Better say their names!
I heard “My Sharona” for the first time when I saw Reality
Bites in 1994. In the movie, Winona Ryder’s character and her friends are
raiding a gas station food mart when the song comes on the radio. They ask the
clerk to crank up the volume and start dancing manically, next to the twinkies.
It’s a wacky scene made more memorable by the song choice.
The dunna dunna dun dun beat (as the professionals call it) really
stays in your head. I wonder if The Knack knew they were creating such an
earworm back in 1979. Lead singer Doug Fieger wrote the song about his actual
girlfriend, Sharona. It’s basically about some guy trying to get with the hot
girl he’s obsessing about. Simple and to the point lyrics. But the beat,
stuttering vocal delivery, and guitar riffs make it more impactful. It’s also a
bit of a throwback itself, with a sound some have likened to the bands from the
British Invasion in the 60s. The track went to #1 on the Billboard 100 in the
summer of ‘79, staying there for 6 weeks. And it became The Knack’s best-known
song.
In the 80’s, Run-D.M.C. sampled “My Sharona” (without permission from The Knack) for their song “It’s Tricky”. The music goes perfectly with their rap, reinventing it for a new audience. Funny enough, I first heard “It’s Tricky” when I saw Can’t Hardly Wait in 1998. This just proves that movie soundtracks can introduce you to great songs from the past you wouldn’t have otherwise heard.
I remember exactly where I was on May 21, 1999. In my
apartment, with my friend Jessica, watching Susan Lucci win her Emmy. Where
else would I be? Back then I would never miss an Emmy telecast. I was a huge soap
opera fan, having watched them since I was 10 years old. All My Children and
One Life to Life were my favorites. But I had checked in on most of the other
shows, at one point or another. Every soap fan, no matter which one they
favored, knew Susan Lucci, though.
Susan played Erica Kane on All My Children since day one
(January 5, 1970). Over the course of serval decades and episodes, Erica had
done everything. So many careers, husbands, and bitchslaps. When you thought of
soaps you thought of her. And then her history with the Emmys was a soap opera
in itself. For 19 years (non-consecutively) Susan had been nominated in the
Lead Actress category. And every year she lost. That’s a lot of disappointment.
And a lot of fake smiles after the camera cuts to your losing face.
It’s not that she was a bad actress. She just wasn’t an Emmys
actress, I suppose. It also didn’t help that she chose so-so clips for her
submissions. While everyone else was doing serious drama, she did camp. But in
1999 she submitted scenes where Erica was dealing with her young daughter
Bianca’s eating disorder. The change must have resonated with voters. Or maybe
they were worried that the world would truly end in Y2K and they’d never have
the chance to give Lucci an Emmy before it did. Who knows?
But, finally, that historic night arrived. Shemar Moore, a popular actor from The Young
and the Restless, was in charge of presenting the Lead Actress category. They
played the clips of all five actresses and then it was time to open the
envelope. As soon as Shemar shouted, “The streak is over…” I knew, as did
everyone else, that she had won. The crowd in the auditorium lost its mind! As
did I. I gasped and leapt to my feet with them. Jessica had to tell me to stop
saying “Oh My God!” I couldn’t help it. The seemingly impossible had happened.
Susan took to the stage. It felt like the standing ovation would never end. She was still in a state of shock, but she managed to give a great speech. Touching, sweet, and funny. It went on for quite some time despite efforts to play her off. You can see it in all its glory on YouTube. 20 years later, it still makes me weepy. She wrapped up with a very dramatic proclamation, fitting for a soap queen, “I’m going back to that studio on Monday and I’m going to play Erica Kane for all she’s worth!” A truly soaptastic moment.
NostalGeoff 