We watch a lot of TV and movies! And we listen to a lot of music, podcasts, audiobooks…so yeah, we’re fangirling over a lot of things! So, each week we come together to highlight all the feels they give us throughout the week. On these Fangirlish Feels of the Week, there are five categories and many thoughts! Ready?
Here we go!
What You’re Fangirling Over This Week
Shana: Sarah Rafferty in My Life with the Walter Boys, just being…mother. The very strange thing about it is, even as playing a very, very different character than Donna Paulsen, she still manages to have something of a Donna energy about her at times. (Probably because Donna, you know, basically had to play mommy to several grown-ass men at the firm with the ever-changing name…) Particularly loved her mama bear energy in the Thanksgiving episode, but I mean…overall…yes. Just yes.
Rachel: We FINALLY have a release date for Polin’s season of Bridgerton!!! Season 3 is still so far away but at least we have an official date (or dates) to look forward to! And we know that at least the acting will be worth the wait.
Ashley W.: During his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, Zac Efron said “Go Wildcats!” and mentioned that he still sings High School Musical songs in the shower, and it makes my HSM-loving heart so happy, especially because he’s distanced himself from the franchise and doesn’t talk much about it. Not to mention Kenny Ortega was there as well!
Ashley T.: I’m fangirling super hard over an upcoming Star Trek telethon coming up on January 13, 2024 called TREKtalks 3. Last year’s telethon was amazing with numerous Star Trek interviews and discussion panels, and it’s shaping up to be another great telethon this year. Best of all, it’s in support of The Hollywood Food Coalition, which is an organization that works to end food insecurity in southern California. Learn more about TREKtalks 3 at TrekTalks.net.
WTF Moment of the Week
Rachel: The Bridgerton season 3 release date announcement was a whole mess. Someone accidentally changed the Twitter header for the official Bridgerton account to the one listing the dates before any official announcement.
They quickly changed that to a blank header in the new color scheme. The announcement came the next day. Netflix is also continuing their dumb 2-part releases with this show and WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MAY AND JUNE TO SEE PENELOPE AND COLIN’S HAPPY ENDING??!?
Raquel: Everything Rachel said. Like, not a comma is out of place. The announcement of Bridgerton season 3 was a total mess and a two-part season doesn’t satisfy anyone.
Ashley T.: The passing of André Braugher this week. I can’t believe he’s gone. His delivery made me laugh harder than just about anything on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He was such a gifted actor, and we are the worse for his passing.
What We’re Listening to This Week
Shana: This week featured an impromptu Madonna dance party in my office, with perhaps multiple replays of “Into The Groove.” If you don’t dance to this song, specifically, when you hear it…I’m not sure if I can trust you.
Weirdly, my need for a Madonna shuffle came just one day before I found out Desperately Seeking Susan was going in the National Film Registry. The power of Madonna was clearly giving me a sign of what was to come.
Rachel: Of course, I had to listen to the emergency episode of the “What A Barb!” Polin podcast to hear their thoughts on the Bridgerton season 3 release date announcement.
Ashley T.: I’ve liked Haim for a while, but their music really hit me hard this past week. I’ve been listening to their full discography on repeat all week. Women in Music Part III is a desert island record for me.
If you’re into indie pop/rock infused with some 70s/80s vibes, then Haim is not a band to miss. As a musician, I’ve really enjoyed listening to these ladies. Their bass/drum lines in particular set off all the happy parts of my brain. Music that makes me want to play music myself is the best music.
What We Rewatched This Week
Raquel: I just finished The Good Place and I don’t understand why I didn’t watch this wonder before!
Ashley W.: Knowing I’m a fan of the film, one of my friends told me that they watched Gifted. So, naturally, I ended up watching the movie, which is one of my favorites and my favorite non-Marvel Chris Evans movie.
It’s such a heartfelt, emotional story that is so well done, and it never fails to make me cry. I adore the relationship between child genius Mary and her Uncle Frank, and it’s a testament to how well McKenna Grace and Chris Evans worked together.
Albeit an overall emotional drama of a movie, there are great, well-placed moments of humor between them that are tremendously executed. They’re great enough that I’ll even reference them in my everyday life.
If you haven’t seen Gifted, you absolutely should—even though it might make you want to be in denial of the fact that McKenna Grace isn’t that small anymore and has grown into a (still very talented) young woman.
Ashley T.: It’s the Christmas season, so I’m rewatching all my favorites. This week it’s Die Hard (in the theater in Dolby, no less!), A Christmas Story, Home Alone, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Christmas Vacation, and I was able to find a few YouTube compilations of older Christmas TV and specials. Lots of fun stuff to be found if you know where to look.
Badass Character of the Week
Shana: Going to take a slight detour from my usual Danielle Poole worship (but, yes, we still stan) here: Aleida Rosales, For All Mankind. I can not fathom the strength it took to remain standing when she saw Margo again for the first time, much less how difficult it had to be to deal with the warring relief that she’s alive and anger about…everything.
I love her, love them, and am not lying when I say I spent my first watch-through of this episode just barely able to pay attention to anything because my mind was just on a constant loop of “please, please, please let them see each other” again.
Rachel: This week, I’m giving this accolade to Larry Russell on The Gilded Age for publicly drawing attention to Emily Roebling’s contributions to the design and building of the Brooklyn Bridge in this week’s episode. We stan a feminist man!
Ashley T.: As I’ve been doing some seasonal retail work this year, I’ve got to hand it to anyone working retail this time of year. It’s not for the faint of heart. If you find yourself working retail this season, just know that you are in fact, a bad ass. Don’t let anyone tell you different.