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Blunt This

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Emily Blunt, like, WHOA. I’m not always an action movie fan. And I’m the opposite of always a Tom Cruise fan. (OK, well, I was a fan back in his “Top Gun” days, but then everyone was a fan back in his “Top Gun” days.) But the trailer for his new film “The Edge of Tomorrow” sure did give me sit up and say whoa. Not because of Tom Cruise. Not because of the action. Not because of its “Groundhog Day” meets “Battle Bots” premise. But because of Emily Blunt, like, WHOA.



So what if it’s Wednesday. I’ll take that tank top all day, any day.



Oh, you wanted to see that again? No problem. Live. Push Up. Repeat.



What time is it?

My Weekend Hosts

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You know why I’m excited there are only two more weekends left in 2013? Not because 2013 was a particularly bad year. Heck, TV-wise it was a pretty fantastic year, and we all know I judge all of my personal and professional life by the quality of the television programming I watch. No, I’m excited for 2014 because a) a lot of those shows from 2013 will be coming back and b) a lot of those shows from 2013 will be honored at upcoming awards shows being helmed by totally awesome female hosts. OK, fine, so perhaps I’m not setting the bar terribly high as far as personal excitement is concerned (it’s the end of a long year, cut me some slack). But, I believe these promos are indeed genuine reasons to get excited for both the Golden Globes with Amy Poehler and My TV Wife Tina Fey and the Oscars with The Great Panted One Ellen DeGeneres. Like I said, with a dozen days left in 2013, it’s the little things that get your through. Happy weekend, all.







p.s. I heard that Tina. You’re supposed to love me! MEEEE!

Who dat?

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You like lesbians, right? And you like crime shows, right? And you like lesbians in crime shows, right – wait, are there any lesbians on crime shows? (“Rookie Blue” is the only one, I think…which reminds me, I should probably watch “Rookie Blue.”) But if you want even more, then you’re in luck. Because “Nikki & Nora” is finally here. Who dat, you ask? Once a failed TV pilot, now a brand-new webseries, the show is a crime show about a pair of former cops turned private detectives working in New Orleans. And those former cops turned private detectives are also a couple. So you could say it’s sorta like “Rizzoli & Isles,” except they actually make out.

The show is from Nancylee Myatt (creator of “South of Nowhere” and fellow webseries “Cowgirl Up) and features former “CSI” actress Liz Vassey as Nikki and former “Better Than Chocolate” actress Christina Cox as Nora. And, after a successful crowd-funding campaign, the series is now live.

The first episode premiered yesterday and you can watch it with a premium membership to Tello Films ($3.99 for a month of unlimited streaming). There will be new episodes each Sunday for the next seven weeks (so, that’s eight episodes in all). You can watch and find out more at the Nikki & Nora site.

The premiere episode is only 11 minutes – which is tantalizingly short. It sets up Nikki and Nora’s work and makes the most of its New Orleans backdrop. But mostly it leaves you wanting more. Like, seriously, is it Sunday yet?

I haven’t been a big webseries watcher, admittedly. It’s not necessarily that I don’t think they’re good. It’s more like I have so much to watch already. Also, OK, some of them aren’t that good. Fine, some of them suck. But from what I’ve seen so far, “Nikki & Nora” certainly isn’t one of them. High hopes, ladies – high hopes. As a sucker for both lesbians and crime shows, I’m ready.

Taystee Christmas and a Crazy Eyes New Year

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’Twas the night before Christmas, and Taystee and Crazy Eyes have some merry and bright to get you through that long winter’s nap. Man, I miss those ladies. And, if you’re worried about suffering the post-Christmas blues after the presents are unwrapped, just know that after tomorrow we’ll be that much closer to seeing Danielle Brooks and Uzo Aduba back on streaming video. I mean, “Orange Is the New Black” has to come back sometimes next year, right? Even if the powers that be didn’t see fit to have the first season box set ready for Christmas so I could gift every lesbian I know with its indescribably joy this holiday season (p.s. Dude, what gives, Netflix?). I digress. Sleep tight, kittens, and may visions of sugar plums and hotties in tank tops dance through your head.

Merry Merry, Happy Happy

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Merry Christmas, kittens. And happy whatever you celebrate. Even if you are the Charlie Browniest of Charlie Browns, I hope this day still manages to bring you comfort and joy.

It's beginning to look a lot like Krampus

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Christmas may be over, but the festivities don’t have to end. And leave it to our friends over at “Lost Girl” to keep the yuletide going with a visit from the Anti-Claus himself, Krampus. I can’t think of a better reason to leave the holiday decorations up a little longer, can you?



Also, in case you missed the Christmas miracle, my “Lost Girl” recap for this week’s episode is also up at AfterEllen. So don’t say I didn’t get you a present this year.

My End-of-the-Year Crush

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It’s been a bad year for closets. A bunch of famous ladies decided to only store their clothes in them and join our big gay family. Granted, many of us knew about many of them already. But there’s still something so special – and so necessary – about making it official. And there was such a wide array of ways they all came out: at award shows, on morning TV, in magazine interview, through newspaper columns and, yes, even on Twitter.

Here’s a look at The Out Eight of 2013 (I know, there were more, but these are some of the most high profile. Autostraddle has a nice run-down of alllll the ladies who kicked open the closet.)

Jodie Foster, actress

Sure, it was a little rambling and never quite said the “L” or “G” words, but Jodie’s coming out acceptance speech at the Golden Globes in January was the confirmation of something we all knew but also though would never go acknowledged. And now she’s got a hottie girlfriend out of the deal. Get it, girl.

Jenna Wolfe, TV journalist

The NBC “Today Weekend” anchor came out and announced her and her partner’s impending parenthood on the popular morning show in March. She gave birth to a baby girl in August. As I don’t get up early on the weekends, I wasn’t too familiar with Jenna before the announcement. But, goodness, am I glad I did my research. Hello, arm porn.

Brittney Griner, professional basketball player

After being selected the No. 1 draft pick by the WNBA in April, Brittney came out in a matter-of-fact way during an interview afterward. Granted, she’d never been necessarily in. But saying it out loud with confidence and pride silences the snide whispers. Being able to dunk on them doesn’t hurt either.

Charice, actress and singer

You might remember Charice from “Glee.” Or you might know the Filipina superstar from her own music. But even if you don’t know her at all you have to commend her courage in coming out this June in an often conservative and largely Roman Catholic country. Also, love the hair.

Raven-Symone, actress and singer

Coming out is now so Raven. I’ll happily date myself and say that I can remember little Raven-Symone as the adorable Olivia on “The Cosby Show.” And for others she was the sassy Raven and lead singer of The Cheetah Girls. So coming out in a tweet about marriage equality in August after so many grew up with her makes such a difference.

Michelle Rodriguez, actress

Yeah, finally. After years of talking loudly about not being gay and liking sausage, the actress came out as bisexual in an Entertainment Weekly article this October. She followed it up by telling Latina magazine she decided to be honest about who she is to “see what happens.” Well, honey, what happened? Other than that long-awaited toaster oven you got in the mail.

Abby Wambach, professional soccer player

While she wasn’t necessarily in, she certainly never said it out loud. So getting married to teammate Sarah Huffman and gushing about their big day and thanking well-wishers on Twitter made it official this October. Saying I do and I am all at once means one hell of a honeymoon.

Maria Bello, actress

Modern love can lead to modern families. And Maria Bello wrote eloquently about her own when she came out in a New York Times column earlier this month. She didn’t label herself (well, she called herself a “whatever”), but put words to the love she has for her female partner, the platonic father of her son and their child.

So, there you have it. Eight women who decided the truth was better than any dark closet. Here’s to another open year in 2014. Happy weekend, all.

First Robin of Winter

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Make that The Out Nine. On Sunday longtime broadcast journalist and popular “Good Morning America” co-host Robin Roberts officially came out – via Facebook, no less. Yep, it’s officially the year of unconventional, nonchalant outings. The 53-year-old has not commented publicly on her personal life until now. But, like with so many of the famous women who came out in 2013, most people had know – or assumed – about Robin for years.

In her Sunday Facebook post she reflected on the past year and what she is grateful for. Among them, she listed “my long time girlfriend, Amber.”

“I am grateful for my entire family, my long time girlfriend, Amber, and friends as we prepare to celebrate a glorious new year together.”
ABC News confirmed Amber is Amber Laign, who has been in a 10-year relationship with Robin. I’m incredibly happy for Robin and Amber, but acknowledgements like these always make me a little sad, too. While I have no doubt that Robin was open with her family and friends and probably co-workers about her relationship with Amber, it took 10 years for her to tell the rest of the world. It’s just a reminder that closet doesn’t only hurt the people inside of it.

Over the years Robin has built an award-winning career as both a sportscaster and news reporter. And besides being a newly inducted official member of the LGBT community, she also forever has a place in LGBT history as the journalist President Barack Obama chose to sit down with the express his support of marriage equality in May 2012.



Robin has also let the public into her private health struggles, first with breast cancer and in the last few years with diagnosis and treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome. Her Facebook post touches on that, how a year ago she celebrated 100 days since her bone marrow transplant. (Side note: reflective end-of-the-year coming out, let’s make this a thing!)

What makes her acknowledgement extra special is that not only is this another talented and respected woman, this is a woman America admires and invites into their living rooms every single morning. So thank you, Robin. Being grateful for those we love out loud matters, and coming out always matters. Oh, and score another awesome addition to Team Rainbow. Oh, and one more side note, damn girl looks good for 53 - or any age, actually.

Tops in Teevee

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This being the last day of 2103, I thought we should reflect on what was most important last year. Namely, television. Yes, it was truly a spectacular year for the wires and lights in a box. Not only did some great returning favorites continue to impress, but some newcomers became instant classics. So in the spirit of end-of-the-year introspection and for the love of lists, here are my Top 10 favorite shows from 2013. These were, quite simply, the shows I enjoyed watching most this past year. And, as an added bonus, half of them featured prominent lesbian or bisexual female characters. Here’s to another spectacular 365 days of sitting on the couch and staring at the flickering lights on the screen. Thanks, 2013. Bring it, 2014.

1) Orange Is the New Black

If it took you more than three days to watch this entire series from start to finish you were clearly doing it wrong. This show defined binge watching and defied all stereotypes. On its surface it was a fish-out-of-water story of white privilege meeting prison bars. But underneath it was about women of color, survival and the ways we all interact. Also, it gave us Alex Vause. Best. Show. Ever.

2) Orphan Black

We’ve had to coin a whole new word to describe the crazy twisty turny adventure that is this show – clonespiracy. And, oooooh doggy, if this isn’t this a good one. Human cloning. Genetic engineering. Corporate maleficence. And Tatiana Maslany playing everyone all at once and twice on Sunday. We are all part of the sestra-hood now.

3) Sleepy Hollow

If you told me the story of a Revolutionary War-era, time-traveling Ichabod Crane trying to stop the end of the world as we know it in present day would be one of my favorite shows of the season, I would have thought you’d lost your head. (Rim shot.) But this supernatural story with apocalyptic overtones has the best mix of action, scares, drama and comedy than any other show on right now. It’s just damn good fun.

4) Lost Girl

Sorry, all non-resident and “virtual” (ahem) Canadians, but you’ve been missing out on a pretty a-maaaaaz-ing season thus far. But Syfy viewers will get their chance to get on the crazy train come Jan. 13. I can’t say exactly where it’s all going, but I do know I can’t wait to see how many ships, crackships and straight-up-huffing-glue-ships the writers can set sail this season. Grab some popcorn and a life vest. Oh, yeah, and there’s also Post-Pregnancy Boobs O’Clock.

5) The Fosters

Admit it, you get a little choked up just watching the credits of this show. So much heart is packed into this seemingly simple family drama. This two-mama drama felt so familiar from the start because it showed that family, in all its various shapes and forms, is always just that. They’re the people you come home to, always.

6) American Horror Story: Coven

Witches get stuff done. This season has added a much-needed sense of wicked, wicked fun the over-the-top franchise. And it has hands down the most impressive cast of female talent amassed on one show this season. Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Sarah Paulson, Lily Rabe, Emma Roberts, Gabourey Sidibe…I could keep going. This season is all about women’s power, and damn it if I’m not bewitched.

7) The Fall

I don’t know how she does it, but Gillian Anderson keeps getting better with age. This methodical crime series is a slow-burn cat-and-mouse game that still manages to keep you on the edge of your seat. Also, have I mentioned how amazing Gillians is? I don’t think I can say it enough. Oh, and there’s a little Archie Panjabi thrown in there, too. Because you can never have enough smart, talented women on the screen together. Ever.

8) Girls

Yes, this show is controversial. Yes, some people hate it – with reason. But for all its many and admitted flaws, it’s still invigorating to see young women’s stories told by young women. Also, it reminds me that I definitely don’t want to be in my twenties again.

9) Game of Thrones

Khaleesi! The most epic of mic drops by the Mother of Dragons a.k.a. Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen was a much-needed jolt of female empowerment in a show that you need a freaking flow chart to keep track of all the men trying to take the throne from other men. But this season many women started to come into their own, finally. Yes, there was the Red Wedding. But there were also dracarys.

10) Parks & Recreation

Leslie Knope, yo. That is all.

Some honorable mentions: Elementary (I like it more than the British Sherlock, there I said it), Rizzoli & Isles (I’m just a sucker for gayzzoli), The Mindy Project (this show has improved so much, seriously, so much), and Top of the Lake (I haven’t had a chance to watch this yet, but so many smart people whose opinions I trust love it that I know I will – next Netflix marathon: set).

So, those are mine. Now you show me yours. What were your Top 10 shows of 2013. And, dear God, help the poor souls who still say “Glee.”

Happy New Puppies!

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I can think of no more delightful, no more joyful, no more snuggleful way to start a brand new year than with a box of Corgi puppies. Any year that begins with this much cute certainly can’t be all bad. Here’s looking at a totally adorable 2014. Happy New Year, all.

Big Gay Middle Finger

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You know how I like to start a new year (well, besides a boxful of puppies)? I like to express a little righteous indignation. And this being the beginning of 2014 and 2014 being an Olympic year, the two naturally come together. I still have mixed feelings about the Sochi Winter Olympics. On the one hand, I love watching the sheer skill of these elite athletes who spend a lifetime working toward this accomplishment. On the other hand, Russia’s oppressive policies toward LGBT people can kiss my big gay ass. So what can we do? Boycott the games, boycott their vodka, boycott winter? I don’t pretend to have the perfect answer. But I do know continuing to shed light on their backward politics is important. And, if we can do that with a little humor and a lot of gay-iety, all the better. So let Kate McKinnon as Billie Jean King be the big gay middle finger of us all. Righteous laughter, indeed. p.s. “Saturday Night Live” should use Kate more. Like, way more. Like, all the time.

My Weekend Crush

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So, the first crush of the New Year is fraught with meaning. How you start the first of 52 future crushes sets a tone, you know. Like, you can’t just go crush anyone willy-nilly, right? So, in the face of such pressure, I won’t pick one single person. Instead, I have picked a concept. It’s the undeniably simple concept that movies with women do well at the box office. Consider the evidence. Vocative took the top 50 grossing films in theaters last year and looked at their box office. Turns out, those that passed the Bechdel Test (at least two named female characters who speak to each other about something other than a man) did significantly better than those that did not pass the test. The passing films grossed some $4.22 billion in domestic box office, while those that failed did $2.66 billion. Among the top-grossing test-passing hits “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” ($391 million), “Frozen” ($248 million) and “The Heat” ($160 million). Among the test-failing hits were “Star Trek Into Darkness” ($229 million) and “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” ($190 million). And then there were the test-failing duds like “The Lone Ranger” ($89.3 million) and “A Good Day To Die Hard” ($67.3 million).

Bottom line, shut the fuck up about women on screen not selling movie tickets. TV has already figured this shit out. In fact, it’s hard to think of a scripted show that consistently fails the Bechdel Test. It’s simply too unrealistic in the realm of weekly television to create a world where women don’t interact. Yet, for whatever reason, it’s still too often the norm on the big screen. “Pacific Rim” – fail. “Monsters University” – fail. “Anchorman 2” – fail. Do better, movies. I know you can. And for those movies that passed last year, good job, ladies. Now, if we could get some more female directors as well, we might actually be getting somewhere. Happy weekend, all.

Tweet It To Me, Baby

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Why did no one tell me sooner how hilarious Laura Benanti is? I feel like the universe has been holding out on me. And by universe I mean you, you people. So, wait, who is Laura Benanti? Actress, singer, Tony Award-winning Broadway star. You will recognize her from “The Playboy Club” and “Go On” and “The Sound of Music Live!” with Carrie Underwood that made us all remember why Julie Andrews is a god among us, the unwashed hordes.

Also. She’s fucking hilarious on the Twitters. In fact, she’s the kind of hilarious that makes me want to be her BFF. Like seriously, she is now in a death-race for the role of my imaginary bestie between Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Poehler. Though the latter already has Tina Fey and the former has, well – you know, the world. So I think I have a shot at this with Laura.

If you’re oblivious, like I was, to what I’m talking about, please witness her Twitter feed @LauraBenanti:


Also there was the time she for-real stepped into a stranger’s car because she thought it was her Uber driver. Also all those tweets were just from the past month (much to the continued chagrin of her mother). Also it possible to be jealous of a Twitter account? Because I am. I really am.

Right, let me get this straight. She is talented. She is beautiful. She is hilarious. She gives good Tweet. Why is she not on my television constantly? Please, don’t even get me started at the absolute TRAVESTY of canceling “Go On,” because I can’t put TRAVESTY in all caps enough. Hey, TV executive, give Laura and Julie White a TV show immediately. So, as I was saying, Laura Benanti – now you know.

p.s. She also kind of looks like Linda Carter, and you know my feelings about Wonder Woman. Ahem.

Vacation Vixen: Katie McGrath

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So instead of taking my vacation during the holidays, like a normal human being, I am taking belated time off to visit family. I’m leaving my 60-degree California for the freaking frigid Midwest, so please send hot thoughts my way. Or, you know, Katie McCarth’s boobs. Happy vacation, all.


Vacation Vixen: Sarah Paulson

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OMG, I’ve missed “American Horror Story: Coven” while it was gone. And OMG, I can’t wait to see how all this nutso McCrazy Pants insanity plays out. But, hey, at least Sarah has her eyes again.

Vacation Vixen: Gina Torres

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Thursday dance break with Gina. Get down, girl, go ‘head get down.

Vacation Vixen: Zoie Palmer

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“Lost Girl” took a one-week break, so I knew you’d miss her. You’re welcome. Happy weekend, all.

Vacation Vixen: Emma & Julie

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Emma is all, “Can we snog now? Can we? Can we?” And Julie is all, “Supercalifragil-never in public, darling.”

Vacation Vixen: Brittney Griner

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Tank top, tattoos and a snake? I’m on vacation, what do I care?

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