8th grade.  Pink hot pants.  A paisley tie-front top with bell sleeves. And a wad of gum.  The character was “Weather Girl” in a Catholic Grade School sketch.  Talk about dichotomy.  

As a big-haired, gum chewing meteorologist, I shared the temperature highs and lows while I painted my nails.  And when I ultimately pointed to the cold front coming from the northwest, my nails stuck to the map.  Comic genius.  And probably a total rip-off from Carol Burnett whose show was appointment television on Saturday nights.

“Weather Girl” stands out in my memory because I received an audible reaction from my classmates — they laughed at me.  And that was my intention. 

I think of that sketch as the the start of something. 

There was one earlier portrayal playing “Boy With Turkey” in the third grade production of A Christmas Carol.  Scrooge yells to me to deliver the turkey I’m holding to Bob Cratchit’s house.  In response to Scrooge’s request, I yell back, “Yes, sir.  Thank you, sir.”  

I’ve always thought of that as one line, but in fact it was two. Oh, and the prop turkey was made out of a large pair of men’s briefs stuffed with newspaper.  

Awards Season

Awards season is nearly over, culminating in the Oscars in just under two weeks.  Perhaps you’re like me and, like Carol Burnett’s show, it’s been appointment viewing since you were a kid.  I know there is plenty of criticism of the show:  “It’s too long.”  “It’s just a bunch of rich people patting themselves on the back.”  “It’s a popularity contest.”  “It needs better representation of POC and women.”  

And yes, I do understand all of that.  But what I’m watching for is that one speech that will inspire me.  That one speech that I won’t remember forever, and maybe won’t even remember the following week, but it’s the speech that will make me teary, remind me of why I am an actor/writer/hyphenate and will ground me in the idea that anything can happen.

A Good Rabbit Hole

The YouTube rabbit hole of Oscar acceptance speeches brings up:

Matthew McConaughey (2014) and the three things he needs each day:  1. Something to look up to (God), 2. Something to look forward to (family); and 3. Someone to chase (his hero — Matthew in ten years, ad infinitum).  

Denzel Washington (2002) winning on the same night that Sidney Poitier received his Honorary Oscar. “God is good.  God is great … Forty years I’ve been chasing Sidney, they finally give it to me, they give it to him the same night. I will always be following in your footsteps, Sir.  There’s nothing I would rather do.”

Cate Blanchett (2014) “To the audiences who went to see [the film], and perhaps those of us in the industry who are foolishly clinging to the idea that female films with women at the center are niche experiences. They are not. Audiences want to see them and in fact they earn money.  The world is round, people!”

And so many other memorable speeches.  It’s why I called it a rabbit hole.

One of my favorite authors is Henri Nouwen who wrote:

“At first sight, joy seems to be connected with being different. When you receive a compliment or win an award, you experience the joy of not being the same as others. You are faster, smarter, more beautiful, and it is that difference that brings you joy. But such joy is very temporary.” 

He goes on to say,

“True joy is hidden where we are the same as other people: fragile and mortal. It is the joy of belonging to the human race. It is the joy of being with others as a friend, a companion, a fellow traveler.”  

Nouwen believes THIS is the joy of Emmanuel: God-with-us.

The Oscars are about those who followed their dreams — perhaps from a small town on a small stage.  Sure, most of us aren’t going to win one.  But maybe we can hold on to the joy that Nouwen describes, wearing hot pants or holding a prop turkey. 

I’m going to curl up on our red couch (the red is not lost on me) on March 10, maybe with a glass of champagne.  And I’m going to toast the artists that have made this year’s honored films.  And I’m going to LISTEN for that speech.  

“And the Oscar goes to …”