Two quick things this fine Tuesday morning: One. Texas State is offering a Harry Styles and the Cult of Celebrity class…to which I beg: please don’t pathologize my comforts. I do it enough and really don’t want to understand the far reaching implications of Styles impressing Bukowski on a group of gals that—let’s face it—don’t not have daddy issues (or at least a little bit of a starving artist complex). I love Murikami as much as the next broody twenty-something, but have NO DESIRE to know how it affects his work and thus my own perception of self. (jk I’m sure this class will be very interesting and I love over analyzing)
Number Two: A quick throwback podcast recommendation for the end times—Iconography with Ayo Edebiri and Olivia Craighead
You might recognize Ayo Edebiri from recent The Bear acclaim (as Sydney, sous chef), from her work as the voice of Missy Foreman-Greenwald on Big Mouth, or from her role as Hattie on Dickinson. If you are a general enjoy-er of alt-comedy podcasts you also might recognize Olivia Craighead (#CraigheadNation), Gawker’s resident Fallon-hater and chronicler of all things Ellen. Did ‘ya know these two had a podcast? Did you know it was how I comforted myself as I spent my 23rd year at home with my parents? Did ‘ya also know it’s one of TWO podcasts from which I contracted a borderline debilitating NYU complex (as in I didn’t go and wish I did)?! Well now you do. And I think everyone would benefit from a quick binge listen (Elvis AND Where the Crawdads Sing = time for a cultural recalibration).
Theme Song: Timeless celebritiiesssssss, or washed-up wannabeeees
Who’s your nomineeee, for Iconographhhhhhhe-he-he-heyyyy?!?!?
The Gist: Can a celebrity endure the test of time? (A guest comes on to defend or dwell on the status of their favorite celebrity: Is ____ an Icon?? )
The Bits: What to expect in an episode (loosely)
Icon of the Week (a la Ayo and Olivia): Each host crowns the person, place, thing, or concept that has been their icon during the past week.
Iconographic Debate: Either, Is ____ an Icon? or, I’m interested in / I love ____. But, are they an Icon?
When did you realize ____ was an Icon?
**Discussion of [icon]’s canon/volume of work.**
Bang, bang—The People’s Court: Olivia hacks a NJ middle school’s EBSCO to search People Magazine’s archives for slice of life pieces about icon. (Also includes the downfall of ‘People’ commentary)
Fuck, Marry, Kill (~CONCEPTUAL~): three elements or major moments of said icon’s life (i.e. their wardrobe, eras, specific work, talent, charm)
Example: FMK, Keanu Reeves Edition: Action Keanu, Meme Keanu, Early 90s soft-boi Canadian Keanu
Whitmer Thomas’ answer: Fuck Action Keanu, Kill Meme Keanu, Marry soft-boi Keanu
Ayo and Olivia’s answer: Fuck soft-boi Keanu, Marry Action Keanu, Kill Meme Keanu
Closing Arguments
Verdict: Will [icon] endure the test of time?
Vroom Vroom: Ayo and Olivia craft an Oscar vehicle for [icon/random celebrity] in under sixty seconds.
If you listen, you will be fully up to date with the 2019-2020 cultural zeitgeist (high brow, low brow, and everything in between). Also, if you haven’t already, watch The Bear.
Thank you, chef.
