Questions and Topics for Discussion
So I recently read Tina Fey's "Bossypants" and it's probably one of the best - and only - autobiographies I've willfully read. I thought for a fun activity (mostly due to the fact that I'm sick and haven't done anything all weekend) I'd do the Questions and Topics for Discussion in the back of her book. So let's go on this adventure, shall we! And for the record, if you haven't already, I would read "Bossypants" if I were you. Especially if you're into comedy, feminist issues, and half-closeted gays.
1. What do you think it means to be a Bossypants? Do you know anyone personally that you would describe as a Bossypants and did the society you live in ever try to drown her?
Personally, I believe someone who is a Bossypants is manipulative and straight-up bossy (my wide-range of vocabulary is obviously being displayed here). I say this because anyone I've ever called a "bossypants" - meaning my mother and a girl named Stephanie who thought it was cute to stalk me and tell me what to do (kindergarten was rough and gingers weren't being discriminated against yet) - was genuinely manipulative and bossy. I'd also consider Abigail from "The Crucible" a Bossypants if we're going by the description I've given. None of the people I've mentioned have ever been drowned, but Abigail did come pretty close to being hanged after she wrongfully accused half the town of being witches.
2. The lessons Tina has learned from her work as a writer, a boss, a performer, and a producer are lessons that can be carried across a wide array of disciplines. (For instance, from her instructions about improv: Always speak in statements.) Which moments resonated the most for you?
Definitely the moments about breast feeding resonated the most with me. I feel like it'll be most applicable to my life in the future.
But in all seriousness I think her tips for improv (and her time at Chicago and Second City) resonated the most with me. Mainly because after (or during depending on whether or not I go to Northwestern) college I plan on going to Chicago to study improv! With Tina's tips I know now to not let that Donna working at the YMCA to get in the way of my promotion! Here I come, bitch!
3. In chapter 4, Tina realizes that she has been guilty of holding her gay friends to a double standard - enjoying their company but still expecting them to stay in a "half-closet." Have you ever had a moment like this? In a related question, do you think young pop stars today experience too much pressure to pretend to be a lesbian with Madonna?
I most certainly have been in a situation like that, but at the risk of me being over-dramatic and "elaborating" on the details which may one day be published in an autobiography, I'll stick to the easy answer which is, "never." And for the record, yes I do. But let's be real here, these young pop stars are always going to be looking for a good lesbian smoocher so they can be compared to the weird, twink-looking-arms of Madonna - which we all know are inevitably famous. Because of this, we should just embrace it and teach young boy band members to pretend to be gay and find a Ryan Reynolds to kiss. Seriously. I would love to see someone turn Ryan Reynolds gay even if it's pretend.
4. While working at the YMCA in Chicago, Tina experienced some personal low points. But it also propelled her into pursuing her improv career. Have you ever experienced a similarly transformative period? During your transformation, did you ever spin around and pretend to be Wonder Woman?
If we're going to be completely honest I had my final revelation when I watched to Lady Gaga's "Marry the Night" music video about a month ago. No, seriously! It was from that point on I FULLY realized how much I loved the arts and that I wanted to pursue a career in it. So thanks Lady Gaga, because without that bedazzled jean jacket you wore, I would still be settling to become an English/Bio teacher at my hell-hole of a high school!
5. What are some of your favorite SNL sketches or "30 Rock" episodes? Should we just act them out?
SNL Sketches: ...it's hard to pick out specific sketches because there's so many that I love. I do LOVE Stefon (but who doesn't? Really, because if someone doesn't then they need to be sued.). I also like Kristen Wiig a lot. If you REALLY need a sketch to get you through those restless nights, then one of my favorites is probably Rachel Dratch's first "Debbie Downer" when they're at Walt Disney World. I always love it when the cast member's break (although c'mon Lindsey Lohan. At least try to conceal the laughter. Jesus.).
6. Which other celebrities, besides Kim Kardashian, do you think may have been engineered by Russian scientists to sabotage our athletes?
I don't know about Russian Scientists, but I'm pretty sure Tim Tebow was crafted by a secret cult of Puritans looking to have another "Salem Witch Trials" sort-of-thing but with black bears and tattoo artists.
7. Are there more specifics you would ad to "The Mother's Prayer for Its Daughter"?
I'll come back to you when my vagina's come in completely.
8. Tina write s a love letter to Amy Poehler. Do you have friends who inspire you in the same way that Amy inspires Tina?
Sure! But at the risk of them getting all cocky because I admitted that they inspire me, I'll keep that a secret. Always keep everyone humble is my motto for the hour!
(I do have to say though that my friend Emma inspires me a lot. She's hilarious and without her promoting the book like a stripper promotes Maybelline's Flavored Lip Gloss, I probably wouldn't have read Tina's book. It's not that I don't typically pick up autobiographies, it's just that my image of autobiographies is a George W. Bush's "Decision Points" kind of autobiography. Boring and filled with the type of politics I don't give a damn about. Also my friend Emily who's one of the few people who supported me when I decided my dream was to move to Chicago and study improv - regardless of the fact of how many tables I would have to... "work.")
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