- Legendary Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley (here with Grace Jones) died this week, which made me sad. I used to love seeing him in the Conde Nast cafeteria and at fashion shows back in the day—he lived for that world, and was an important moving piece in it, and was for sure the last of a breed. I also liked this deleted scene with him from the great doc The September Issue, and maybe you will too. Also, I highly recommend his memoir, The Chiffon Trenches, for his fearless evisceration of Anna W. alone. (NY Times, YouTube)
- This takedown of Joss Whedon—who created one of my favorite shows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and went on to be a big Hollywood director—is one for the ages. (New York)
- Who is your perfect pandemic partner? This amused me. (New Yorker)
- If you haven’t listened to this week’s episode of Everything is Fine, now is the time! We’ve got editor Marie Lodi on, and we’re talking beauty products, and it’s lots of fun. (Apple Podcasts)
- And this is a delight: Bill Murray gives an impromptu performance in Washington Square Park. (Vulture)
- A pretty hilarious Twitter thread about a perfectly crazy house.
- A smart piece about the then-and-now casting of Yellowjackets, the most terrifying and brilliant show of the new year. (The Ringer)
- I really want to see this exhibit—about the music scene in NYC in the 80s—at the Museum of the City of New York. (MCNY)
- Sundance is virtual and accessible this year, which isn’t uncool—here’s a rundown of all the films with the best buzz. (Town & Country)
- I enjoyed this: “The Overlooked Art (and Drama) of Courtroom Sketching.” (Messy Nessy Chic)
- 35 amazing quotes from reality show history. (Primetimer via Go Fug Yourself)
Whoa. These links are going to keep me busy – I see lots of breaks in my “work”day!! The Chiffon Trenches has been buried on my list for a long time and (sadly) just got bumped to the top. The MCNY exhibit sounds right up my alley and MIGHT get me to cross the river in the cold, and I am jealous of anyone just beginning the Yellowjackets fest. I started after it was mentioned during a recent Kim/Jen EIF and was hooked. Helped get me through mild but exhausting Covid. Can’t wait for Season 2….
I finished Andre’s book about a month ago and felt like I knew him! What a great read and what a loss for the world.
The most baffling thing about the Joss Whedon Takedown is … he did it all by himself. The reporter didn’t have to do anything. This is a guy who told stories and strung together flowery words for a living and he dug himself a hole he’ll never get out of. The most narcisstic defense I’ve ever seen – I don’t see it like this, I’m just a human being, I couldn’t help myself, I remember it differently, I’m such a nice guy. Amazing. He only had to own up and apologize.
The first two articles I clicked on said I’d “reached my limit.” argh. Joss Whedon also wrote and directed the film, Serenity, which blew my socks sideways when it was first released and I am not a big sci-fi person. I watched something recently that I can’t stop thinking about so will mention it here for anyone who is looking for something to binge…I have to preface this by saying I am NOT a fan of Ricky Gervais––I find his humor is often crass and mean––having said that, I think his Netflix show, After Life, is pretty darn brilliant. Three seasons, six half hour episodes in each season––so an easy binge watch––the first season is dark, but stick with it if you can––so worth it in the end. Stay safe everyone! Have a great weekend!
That hilarious twitter thread was written by none other than the author of The Great Believers, a beautiful and devastating book that sticks with you – it has my highest recommendation. And if you guys are looking for something to watch at Sundance, there are a few tickets available for the doc I worked on, We Need to Talk About Cosby, premiering tomorrow (Sorry for the plug – we’re excited!).
I just watched the trailer, Jen. It looks fantastic!
I adored The Great Believers! And she’s a great follow on Twitter, just recently discovered that. Congrats on your documentary!
Seconding The Great Believers — parts of which are absolutely transcendent. One of best novels I’ve ever read. Rebecca Makkai is also hilarious on Twitter.
So telling that the Andre Leon Talley character in The Devil Wears Prada movie was played by Stanley Tucci. F’d over at Conde Nast AND by Hollywood! I wish he could have played himself. I love his quote, “My eyes are starved for beauty.” RIP to a great man.
Replying to my own comment because another obit pointed me to Hilton Als’s infamous New Yorker article about ALT from 1994: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1994/11/07/andre-leon-talley-vogue-the-only-one
Of course this was before Wintour dumped him, but it hints at his outsider status, even as he was “accepted” by white fashion leaders. Really heartbreaking. They used him up and threw him out.
Has anyone watched the Music Box doc on SHO? It showcased videos and rap scene in the 80’s. Very nostalgic for me.
OMG – Ralph McDaniels! I would come home after school and put it on – a wonky local access channel that was static-like. I learned about Big Daddy Kane, Salt N Pepper, LL Cool J, Eric B and Rakim – I remember being mesmerized by KRS 1’s style and clear diction when he rapped and spoke. I was a little white chubby Jewish kid from the outer-boroughs but it definitely shaped my musical taste. There is another great doc on Showtime about WLIR – about them importing British new wave music which exploded in America in the 80’s – you’d probably love that one too. I am definitely going to check out the exhibit at MCNY – but makes me sad that our lives are now historical exhibits. Will my kids be checking out Panic at the Disco and Flume at a museum exhibition in 2040?
Not sure if I saw the WLIR one. I listened when the station was WDRE. The Ricky Powell doc is also good.
I once saw ALT on the street. He looked truly imposing and quite grand. Was too intimidated to say “Hello”.
Need to read “Chiffon Trenches” now.
Need to schedule some time to go down each and every one of these rabbit holes. Just finished Yellowjackets and want season 2 to come out tomorrow. LOVED The Chiffon Trenches and everything ALT. Will definitely get to that 80’s music exhibit (and take one or more of my kids so they can think that maybe their mom had a moment of “cool”). And finally, we did virtual Sundance last year as a pandemic treat. You have to work a little hard to get into some of the hot films (even virtually?!?!) but it was a bright spot for us during the scary pre-vaxx months. Thanks for giving me fun things to read about as I avert my eyes from the numerous train wrecks!
Thank you for the link to the ALT clip from cutting room floor of The September Issue. His larger than life persona radiates joy (something In short supply at Vogue). Need to read Chiffon Trenches.
Thank you for that ALT scene! I’d gone to see The September Issue when it came out… the deleted scene is divine. @Kim — I’d love to hear your take on this NYT article that came out after news of the attempted eviction of ALT from the White Plains mansion. Love the insight into the fashion industry and its approach to compensation: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/24/style/andre-leon-talley-house-lawsuit.html
“a cozy comfort to the Patinkin-curious.”
ALT was simply in a class by himself. Only a 6’7 Black man could wear that Blackamoor brooch and enter a store likes he owns it! Will miss his love of life.