2011/12/29
The end of the year seems to be a time of hopeful list making on whatever new personalized stationary was thrust upon us during the Christmas season. Lists of resolutions we already know we won’t keep past that inevitably shameful bar crawl on St. Patrick’s Day.
If you are of the intellectual sort you probably care more about Time’s “Person of the Year” than Barbara Walters and her belief that the Kardashian Clan deserves to be crowned among the ten most fascinating people of 2011.
(Side Note: I actively seek to know nothing about the Kardashians. I have never watched a single episode of any of their various reality shows—and yet, I still feel like I know their woes and triumphs better than some of my own relatives. I’m not positive that that makes them actually fascinating, but it should at least instill a healthy fear in all of us.).
*Yes, this is an actual cover Ann Richards did for Texas Monthly. Awesome.
With the opening of the new one-woman show, Ann, at DC’s Kennedy Center, I started thinking about how rare it still is for women who aren’t covered in glitter or the Kardashians to be recognized and named “Person of the Year.” In Ann, actress Holland Taylor (best known as the grandmother in Two and a Half Men) portrays the late Texas Governor, Ann Richards, as she reflects on her life and political career. Growing up in Texas in the late ‘80’s and early ‘90s, I remember well when Richards was still in office. She was a feisty Democrat that was widely respected across party lines. Despite her fame though, she was certainly never named a “Person of the Year” by any major publication. While, the title may reek of political correctness (and a bias towards pterodactyls and wildebeests) the honor is still deemed too big for a woman.
So in honor of all the other Broads of the Beltway (see what I did there?), Natalie and I are offering two free tickets to Ann, for whoever leaves in this post’s comments the most creative nomination AND explanation for their own Broad of the Year. Nominations will be considered until Ryan Seacrest breaks down crying and muttering “Happy New Year” from Times Square (aka 12:00 am on January 1st).
Ann is currently playing at the Kennedy Center until January 15th.
- A “Yes, I already heard Khloe Kardashian is moving to Dallas”, Lindsay
Rosi Grace is my nominee for Broad of the Year (2011). Despite having no noticeable skill set she has catapulted herself onto the world stage as the best hype (wo)man there has ever been. While her monetary compensation has not reached the Flava Flav level, her fame and name recognition are certainly comparable. From Youtube to nationally syndicated television shows, Rosi has proven that you don’t need talent to become famous. All you need is an annoying loudmouth older cousin who can memorize Nikki Minaj songs.
When I think of the polar opposite of the Kardashians, I think of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Not sure if that’s creative, but after the year she had (along with her family and staff), how do the Kardashians even compare?
My “Broad of the Beltway” nominee is Elizabeth Taylor. Her death in 2011 marked the end of American theatrical glamour. She was a talented figure who’s artistic accomplishments were only rivaled by her larger than life lifestyle. Elizabeth Taylor will always be remembered and missed.