Reviews

I had been looking forward to this film ever since I first heard about Carrie Fisher's script. Unfortunately, the TV movie didn't live up to my expectations. It was great to see these legendary ladies working together, but the results were not as I had hoped. I don't know if it was the script or the directing, but most of the jokes fell flat. I know that Carrie Fisher had as hard a time getting the film made as the characters had in getting their reunion special aired. Studios wouldn't put up the money because they didn't think that it would be worth it. If the film was given the right director it could have been as witty and wicked as the 1939 classic "The Women" (Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Rosalind Russell, Joan Fontaine, Mary Boland).

I believe that the Joan Collins role was originally intended for Lauren Bacall. When Bacall passed the role was offered to Julie Andrews, who also turned it down. I think that Tony Curtis was supposed to play the gangster lover and June Allyson was supposed to play the mother of the Joan Collins character. I can't help to wonder if all of these bail-outs had anything to do with the poor quality that was ultimately produced?

It wasn't all bad, though. There were some really funny moments. I enjoyed the camp factor of Debbie and Joan's performance in the gay club. These bigger-than-life legendary stars are practically drag queens, anyway. The gay subplot was pointless, however, without having been developed properly. Carrie Fisher did toss in some great zingers and one-liners.

I'd definitely watch this movie again some day, but I'll always be haunted by the thoughts of "what might have been"...

"Medusa: Dare to be Truthful" is an outrageously funny parody that is a fine companion to the original, "Madonna: Truth or Dare". Julie Brown's brilliant creation skewers Madonna's highly entertaining documentary (although it wasn't exactly daring, insightful, candid, or truthful) with a faithfulness to detail, right down to the packaging. I highly recommend this for Madonna fans, Julie Brown fans, or anyone who enjoys sharp and clever parody.

"Strangers With Candy" is by far the most original program on television at this time. From the first episode it instantly became my all-time favorite show. I've watched a lot of television over the years, so that's saying a lot!

High school can be such a hideous experience and SWC just slightly distorts and then magnifies this ugliness. Jerri tells it like it is. When she does speak her mind it doesn't appear that the other denizens of Flatpoint are very shocked or surprised. Everyone (in Flatpoint, but in real life as well) seems to have their own quirks and foibles.

I've recorded the episodes and watch them over and over, laughing just as hard (or harder) each time. Hopefully Comedy Central will bring the show back for Jerri's next shot at passing from freshman to sophomore. She doesn't stand a chance of graduating before she turns 50!!! Let's hope we have the opportunity to see it.