Last week on Mad Men, Peggy had a moment that hit me like "Whoa. I have so done that!" So, naturally, I decided to collect other such moments and post them. This proved to be damn near impossible, so instead, here are the top 5 characters that are so like me at times, it freaks me out:
The aforementioned Peggy Olsen from Mad Men - As much as I love and wish I were like Joan, I really relate most often to Peggy (she had that amazing line in the Season 2 finale that still kills me). While not as career driven as Pegs, her single gal, imitating Ann-Margaret in the mirror and kickin' it with the boys act is totally my scene. Plus, I, too, would probably fall for Pete Campbell because I am just that retarded when it comes to men.
Norah from Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist -Norah (played by Kat Dennings...love!) is goofy and awkward and a dreamer and responsible and cool and dorky and, again, willing to settle for crappy guys who simply take notice. I like to think I "was" Norah in high school, but I'm pretty much still like her today...except I don't punch people in the throat (though not from lack of desire, mind you).
Liz Lemon from 30 Rock - Liz said to me recently "We decided last night that you are Liz Lemon, except not that pathetic parts." I had to disagree, as I think I am MOST like Lemon in her pathetic parts, but it was one of the best compliments I'd ever received. If anyone needs me, I'll be in my slanket working as hard as I play.
Charlotte from Lost In Translation - I know a lot of people find this movie incredibly dull and pointless, but it's one of my all time faves. I like the loneliness. Also, it reminds me of when I was married (yes, I was married...there's some "mixing in more about ourselves" business you are all clamoring for), making fun of stupid people and my spouse thinking I was a jerk for doing so. Stupid know-nothing spouses.
Angela Chase from My So-Called Life - I never had a hot boyfriend like Jordan Catalano or a nerdy neighbor like Brian Krakow or parents like Graham and Patty. I did have friends like Rayanne Graff and Sharon Cherski, but, in hindsight, I my life wasn't much like Angela's at all. That didn't stop me from identifying with it like hell. However, rewatching the series now, I see more clearly the follies of youth (kinda like when I re-read Catcher in the Rye in college and realized Holden Caufield was immature and not the all knowing truth proclaimer I'd thought him to be in high school). I guess this, as the shitty band says, is growing up.
Your characters who hit close to home in the comments, por favor...
I'm Peggy Olsen and I want to smoke marijuana
11 comments:
While I find it hard to relate to chracters in movies, this is one of my all-time favorite quotes for a movie, which is, of course, one of my all-time favorite movies, The Incredibles (yes, it's a cartoon--get over it):
"They keep creating new ways to celebrate mediocrity!"
Now THAT I relate to!
Cool list m'lady. And I LOVE "Lost in Translation" - it's one of my faves too. It's understatedly funny and poignant and evocative (and Scarlett's bum looked gorgeous in those pink panties).
I am most like Garry Shandling's Larry Sanders. I've been rewatching the Larry Sanders show lately and noticing this. The way someone pisses him off and he goes to confront them and they're nice as pie to him or apologetic and suddenly he can't do it and so he says the opposite of what he wanted to say. That's totally ME.
Linsday Weir from "Freaks and Geeks." To an almost uncomfortable degree.
Most like me: Ryan Gosling's Lars (Lars and the Real Girl). That's me.
And how dare you? - "realized Holden Caufield was immature and not the all knowing truth proclaimer"
I came up with three...
William Miller, from Almost Famous
He's #1 by far. A decent, normal, responsible, precocious dorky kid who hates being all those things and just wants to be cool. Also has his fair share of difficulties with the ladies, but wouldn't if he woke up.
Cyrano de Bergerac, from the play and many movies.
He's got game, but can't channel it. Always better behind the scenes when nobody's looking, but you can catch a glimpse of him if you pay attention.
Verbal Kint, The Usual Suspects
Most of the time he blends into the wallpaper and you don't even know he's there. Until the very end when he's all "Gotcha!" and owns you.
I'm going to say Tim from Spaced, despite the fact that it's not true. Or that guy from The Office who just looks at the camera with a kind of puppy-dog "I don't know what I'm doing here" look when the others do stupid stuff.
I told a guy recently that I relate to Liz Lemon and he sort of scoffed and said, "Yeah, you and every other woman on the planet." I suppose that's true. There's a little Liz inside us all.
And I'd like to be insi...no, I just can't.
I think lots of women DO identify with Liz Lemon. But I also think most of them are right. She just seems to tap that insecure side of many women. I think it's based on that more than on any particular character traits she has.
You were married before? Very interesting. It wasn't one of those metaphorical things, like you were "married to the sea" or something, was it?
Yep. Married to a human.
Jim Rockford (The Rockford Files) is a character I probably relate to the most. One of my favorite lines from him is when he says that "he doesn't like to hassle anybody and he doesn't like to get hassled". That is my motto in life.
I also relate to characters who are just a little different than the rest of their family (Adam Cartwright on "Bonanza", Gary Ewing on "Dallas", and Jan Brady).
Another character I relate to is Dr. Peter Benton on ER. Although many people thought he was a jerk, I think I understood what made Peter tick.
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