The "You Bet" Edition
Dear all,
Remember how I wasn’t going get cocky and think that I had escaped jet lag? Well I didn’t get cocky and I didn’t escape jet lag. So I’m tangry. Like hangry. But t(ired)angry. Tangry because I usually handle it well— I know this was Asia and I was away for nearly three weeks but still, I’m annoyed. And also tangry because I’m just plain tired!
Also I’m a little just plain old angry. I get in a bad mood during awards season because movies like Oppenheimer win. But also because the casual clueless non-thinking, at best, and misogynistic bias, at worst drives me insane. Take for example this esteemed New York Times critic who wrote his “What Will Be Nominated for Oscars Next Week, and What Won’t?” piece last week.
On the subject of Best Actress he graciously (and so he doesn’t get canceled, maybe?) allows that “There are simply too many formidable candidates to have to whittle these women down to five, and on nomination morning, the snubs here will no doubt be the most painful.” Thank you! But even though he gives a grudging “likely” to Margot Robbie for Barbie, who “has the edge since her film is such a strong contender across the board,” his discerning insight into the Academy voters allows that “effervescent comedy is the sort of thing voters often take for granted, and Robbie made her tricky role look as easy as breathing.” Okay, so he thinks she was really good but Academy voters reward weightier roles. But not for men, I guess.
Over in the Supporting Actor category, guess what? ““Oppenheimer” foe Robert Downey Jr. and the “Barbie” beau Ryan Gosling will probably go head-to-head for the gold.” Because they each played such consequential roles in such serious films? Was it a Shakesperian version of Ken that Ryan was all “Alas, poor Rollerblades” in the back seat of while Margot was “effervescently” acting like a…Barbie doll )who had just come to life and was questioning her existential role)?
Sorry but I can’t get over the fact that millions of people read shit like this—Downey and Gosling are gonna go “head to head” (this slays me) but the Academy voters gloss over Margot’s role? But like, does this reporter see what he’s doing? I just don’t know. Kyle Buchanan aka “The Projectionist,” give me a ping and we can get into it.
Guess what else? I would be super-peeved even if I were as rested as can be. I’m so peeved I can’t even re-read this for typos or to check, like I usually have to, that it even makes any sense.
Whoo-ee anyway the noms come out on Tuesday morning so let’s just see.
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Thank you and see you next week — it’s nice to be back but I’m also cangry! C(old)angry! Hope it’s toastier— wherever you are.
LZ
The Pic(k) of the Week:
Israeli Women Fight On Front Line In Gaza, A First via The New York Times
BUSINESS:
Cowboy Ventures’ Aileen Lee Coined The Term ‘Unicorn.’ Here’s What She Thinks About Billion-Dollar Start-Ups, 10 Years Later via Fortune
HEALTH & WELLNESS:
An Open Letter To Women’s Magazine Editors: It’s Time To Save Reproductive Rights via Ms.
The Abortion Provider Who Became The Most Hated Woman In New York via The New Yorker
The Unseen Barriers Around Bathroom Breaks In The Field via Undark
THE ARTS, SPORTS & POP CULTURE:
Miss America 2024 Is Active Duty Air Force Officer, Harvard Student: Meet Madison Marsh via USA Today
I Miss My Hair via The Atlantic
The Women Who Walked Away via New York Magazine
Why Women Are Drawn To Solo Travel and How The Tourism Industry Is Responding via PBS
In Japan, Naomi Osaka Is An Object Of Adorationand Fascination. But It’s Complicated via Slate
BOOK NOOK:
Trials Of The Witchy Women via The New Yorker
No More Bunny Business: The Last Wife Of Hugh Hefner via The New York Times
OBITUARIES:
Maureen Flavin Sweeney Dies At 100; Her Weather Report Delayed D-Day via The New York Times