Tina Fey’s hotness: A double-edged sword

“Mean Girls” is the first teen flick I’ve wanted to see in a long while, and this only because it was written by the fantastically talented Tina Fey and based on the book “Queen Bees and Wannabes.”

I think a lot of folks out there feel the same way. And I’m glad she’s finally getting some real mainstream recognition right now, ‘cause she totally deserves it.

And yeah, it’s cool that most “hipster-esque” guys these days say she’s the hottest thing walking, because it’s a relief to see some people value brains over breasts and individuality and intelligence over porn-star-predictable good looks.

But I’m getting kind of sick of people sexing her up [a la WaPo]. I know she’s attractive, and I know her brain is what does it for a lot of these guys, and I know it’s nice that she’s breaking the old “guys don’t make passes at girls who wear glasses” adage.

But come on, she’s got so much going on, let’s leave her sexiness out of it for a second.

I consider Jon Stewart to be the male Tina Fey, and he’s hunky as all get-out [for the same reasons Tina is hot], but people don’t keep dwelling on his sex appeal as much as they do his comedy and political insight. They don’t say in article leads: “Jon Stewart is glancing coyly over his cup of coffee, offering a heart-fluttering grin as he gives his ‘news report.’ His blue suit clings to his broad shoulders, giving a hint of the rippling muscles underneath.”

No, of course not. They don’t fetishize his blue tie, or whatever. They talk about his smarts and his attitude and his comedy.

That’s the kind of respect we should give Tina. Let’s not forget that behind those geek glasses and sassy smirk there’s an incredible talent and a truckload of smarts to go with. To do otherwise does her a disservice, and the rest of us girls, too, by yet again reducing an awesome woman to her sex appeal.

*cough* I LOVE YOU TINA *cough, cough*

Ahem. OK. Just had to get that out.

April 30, 2004 | Filed Under blather

Comments

One Response to “Tina Fey’s hotness: A double-edged sword”

dabrettman on April 30th, 2004 10:28 am

Hate to say this, but Tina Fey used to be quite heavy and was getting nowhere as a staff writer at SNL. She lost a ton of weight and got hot, became head writer that included a gig on-air, and saw her star skyrocket. Unfortunately, there is a correlation, like it or not.

Tina Fey was as brainy when she was ugly as she is now, but she had to sex herself up in order to get where she is. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong. I’m just saying that’s how it is, so she is somewhat culpable in the image of her that’s being bandied about.

She could have stayed overweight and tried to make it on talent alone. Sadly, she probably wouldn’t have had the success she’s having now, but she made the choice she did.

And for the record, she doesn’t do much for me, but I admit to being in the minority on that one.