Sometimes there are things you may “think,” but you would never
put into words. You may even admire the one who seems to have
listened to that impudent ‘voice in your head.’ You may, on the other
hand, cringe and think, “Oh no! That is way too blunt!”
Comedy is often built around those ‘cringe-worthy’ moments. I
laugh at movies, which if someone were to actually DO the things
which are depicted in the movies, I may actually display a face
full of horror. I may be outwardly ‘aghast’ but I also might be
laughing on the inside, too.
In Shakespeare’s time, his plays often added humor sometimes
displaying a bit of ‘sauciness.’ While taking a high school English
‘mini-course,’ we studied Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales.” The school
administration encouraged our teacher, Mr. Billman, to send home
parents’ permission slips before we read and discussed this rather
controversial book. It makes me smile a little to think we needed
permission to read this bawdy collection of tales. They are considered
‘classics.’ This book has been on some lists for ‘book-burning,’ too.
When the history of ‘drag queens’ is studied, you learn that the
ones who were “dressed as girls” became called, “drags.” While
those who were wearing men’s (otherwise known as ‘boys’)
clothing were named, “drabs.”
Women dressed as men, sometimes in the most interesting
situations. In the movie, “The Year of Living Dangerously,”
Kevin Costner’s character has a ‘male’ friend, a photographer.
Linda Hunt won Best Supporting Actress in her male role.
In the movie, “Yentl” Barbara Streisand portrayed a young man
in this Jewish story. It was unusual in that it was considered to be
a “romantic musical drama comedy” movie released in 1983.
In the more recent 2012 movie, Glenn Close depicted the main
character and title role in, “Albert Nobbs.” She was nominated for
Best Actress in this movie, along with Golden Globe and SAG’s
but did not win in her fascinating portrayal of a man.
Women were not often ‘allowed’ in stage productions, due to the
impropriety. So, the original ‘drag’ performers were considered
‘normal,’ while performing in traditional plays. Their wardrobe
choice would fit the role they were playing. This made men wearing
women’s clothes, considered ‘appropriately attired.’
In the making of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s life, in the movie,
“Amadeus,” there are several scenes where the fine, classical and
renowned musician is carrying on with people of questionable
sexual orientation.
Funny. how when the black and white movie, with Tony Curtis,
Jack Lemmon and the gorgeous, Marilyn Monroe cane out in 1959,
no one made a big deal about men hiding in women’s clothing,
from the Mob. The same theme came into play, in the television
series, “Bosom Buddies.” This resulted in giving us the famous,
funny and talented actor, Tom Hanks.
There are many other examples of men dressing up like women
which makes the audience laugh.
Why does it bother some people then, to go and see a Drag Queen
or a comedy performance with men dressed as women? I guess
this is up to each person’s level of Comfort Zone.
There may be some of Mary Nolan’s humorous comments listed
in this post which you may not like. You may even consider them
‘distasteful.’ I hope you will laugh instead. But, at least I gave you
‘fair warning’ of the content in the remainder of this post.
I edited out a few of this transgender Columbus native’s raunchy
descriptions of famous people and left the more ‘palatable’ ones
here.
There is something to be said about bluntness and edginess. I am
one who doesn’t believe in censorship. What I hear in a comedy
sketch or stand up routine performed in a local tavern, bar, film or
comedy club is usually off-color but comical, one way or another.
I have to admit, I may like ‘shocking’ or ‘bawdy’ content. Now, be
honest: Have you ever laughed at “Bridesmaids,” “American Pie”
or “There’s Something about Mary?”
This is not “R-rated”nor even “PG 13,” so hope you find something
to laugh out loud about. But if not, this is fine. Humor is like food
and other ‘tastes:’ To each his own!
Each of these comments were published in the January, 2015,
“Outlook” magazine. These are taken from Mary Nolan’s column,
“Reading is Fundamental.” The main readership of this monthly
publication comes from the culture of Ohio’s LGBT and Ally
community. You can find this in the lobby of our Delaware County
District Library and other central Ohio locations. It is free to all.
1. About John Boehner-
“Hey John, skin cancer called and it doesn’t want you either!”
2. About Taylor Swift- (appearing with the Victoria Secret models
in her own white outfit, circlet of white feathers on her head and
angel wings):
“It’s like the cast of “Glee” gang-banged a bag of sugar-coated
rainbows and the offspring was the most nauseating collection
of happy teen angst.”
3. About Kim Kardashian-
“I’m all for big (“a- – – -“) behinds, but this girl makes Ohio
bottoms look slightly less hungry.”
4. About Nick Jonas- (appearing in a photo without a shirt on):
“Nope, not gonna try to read this one except to say that he was
talentless in the group, Hanson.”
5. About Johnny Manziel-
“Nice work in that first start. Helen Keller did a better job of
finding the mark.”
6. About Mike DeWine- (on the subject of legalizing same sex
marriage):
“Fiscal responsibility apparently stops when it comes to a couple
of queens getting hitched.”
7. About Sherri Dribblelipz-
“I’m all for French broads and their hairy bodies, but for Christ’s
sake, would it kill you to take a weed whacker to them pasty white
airplane pillows? It’s like this: whatever happened to Baby Jane?
I don’t care!”
8. About Rosie O’Donnell-
“She’ll huff, she’ll puff and she’ll blow all of your interest in her
out the window.”
9. About Suze Ormon- (financial advisor)
“I’d rather get stock advice from the guy who sells drugs in a gay
bar bathroom stall.”
10. About Jesse Tyler Ferguson-
(From “Modern Family,” where he is the thinner man in the gay
couple and has red hair):
“For the love of everything unholy, flesh colored beards have never
been and never will be attractive!”
11. About Bianca Del Rio-
“Bianca calls her bit the “Rolodex of Hate.” It’s more like the
“Rolodex of Repeat.” She’s had the same material for her entire
40-year career! Speaking of which, Bianca, what were the 70’s
like?”
I used to listen to RuPaul, a famous Drag Queen, actress and
author. She made the rounds on talk shows and often appeared
in comedy skits. You can see him in such family movies as,
“The Brady Bunch Movie” and “Brady Bunch Sequel.”
His two books were published and had good sales.
RuPaul’s two books are called,
“Letting It All Hang Out” (an autobiography)
and “Workin’ It.”
Here are three RuPaul quotes for you to read:
~”When you become the image of your imagination,
it’s the most powerful thing you could ever do.”
~”If you don’t love yourself, how the H- – – you gonna
love someone else?”
~”We all come into this world naked. The rest is all drag.”
Viva le difference!
witlessdatingafterfifty 