Window Dressing

Fiona Apple's participation in and commentary on her role as an object of desire hit me like lightning when I first saw her video for Criminal. She further informed my conception of what it is to be a woman with her 1999 video for Limp. In this ending episode of my MTV Summer Series, I investigate the double-edged sword of female sexuality.

In the third episode of my MTV Summer Series, I discuss Alicia Silverstone and her role in Aerosmith’s 1993 music Video for Cryin', and their 1994 video for Crazy. She was 16 and ripe to become the exploitable sex pot of a new generation. But, she became a female icon for a generation of young women and girls instead.

As part of Window Dressing’s MTV Summer Series, famed musician and friend David Pajo and I chat about Guns N’ Roses. My audio is not great, so apologies in advance. This is a conversation NOT an interview. Special thanks to David for doing this with me.

This week’s episode is about Guns N' Roses and the woman who inspired a trilogy of music videos from the band's 1990 double album Use Your Illusion. Erin Everly was Axl’s girlfriend, muse, and eventual wife, then ex-wife. She is half forgotten, or at least conflated with the woman who played her in these videos, Stephanie Seymour. But Erin is a goddess in her own right, and her magic lit up my ima...

Shelly Johnson's episode, Played By Madchen Amick, marks my last episode in Window Dressing's Twin Peak's mini-season: Women Of The Woods. I began this series with Norma Jennings, played by Peggy Lipton. It seems apt that I end with the woman she has worked hard to support in an act of care that she did not receive from her mother.

This week on Window Dressing's Twin Peaks mini season: The Women of the Woods, I talk about Sherilyn Fenn’s character Audrey Horne. Audrey’s transformation from high schooler in red hot high heels to fully formed adult in a powder pink sweater isn't just the trajectory of Audrey, it also defines the trajectory of the show.

I would like to recommend a new podcast by critic and podcaster Frank Calvillo. What Ever Happened to Bette and Joan looks at the later careers of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford following the success of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, exploring the variety of projects they took on and the committed performances the two legends gave. From Strait-Jacket to The Nanny, Trog to Wicked Stepmother, join...

This installment of Women In The Woods: Window Dressing's Twin Peaks mini season is all about Laura...and her identical twin cousin Madeline.

Norma Jennings is the first portrait in Window Dressing's Twin Peaks mini-season: Women Of The Woods. Played by the ultimate 1960s blonde beauty, Peggy Lipton. Norma is the heart of Twin Peaks and the victim of one of the most heartbreaking and ill-fated love affairs in TV history. But it's her relationship with Shelly Johnson that defines her deep capacity for love and underlines her stre...

I am pleased to announce season 4 of Window Dressing—A Twin Peaks Mini Season: Women of The Woods. David Lynch’s death affected me deeply, and I think it's time I explored the influential pop culture that was Twin Peaks. My approach will be slightly different from others, but it will be right on brand for me. I plan to devote individual episodes to the women of Twin Peaks who touched me. I beg...

Rapper Iggy Azalea helped define the culture of the 2010s with her decadent figure, blonde hair, and Alicia Silverstone-inspired version of the American Dream.  This week, I get into the joy of her pop culture reference-heavy music videos and the controversies and sex positivity that canonized her in the popular imagination. As promised, here is the Instagram account I referenced in the episode fo...

This week I bring you a casual chat with my friend Ani Danielian about our mutual love of Anora. This episode is dedicated to Ani and the Oscar hopefully going to Madison. Thank you @ani.danielian (on Instagram)

This week, I bring you yet another bonus Lynch episode, this one dedicated to lovers on the run. Wild At Heart opens like Casino and ends like True Romance, carrying the pixie dust of Tinkerbell throughout. This 1990 masterpiece is a hero’s journey if the journey was paved by the promise of the American dream—lovers' edition.

Join me and my special guest Frank Calvillo Film critique and fellow Fletcher enthusiast to discuss the 1973 film Night Watch starring Elizabeth Taylor. The film was written by famed writer Lucille Fletcher. Fletcher brought us the 1943 radio play Sorry, Wrong Number and the subsequent 1948 film of the same title starring Barbara Stanwyck as Leona. Leona died at her husband's hand. It took nea...

In tribute to David Lynch and Los Angeles, California, my home, I bring you a bonus episode about his 2001 film Mulholland Dr .  In light of the devastating fires here in LA and Lynch’s recent death just shy of his 79th birthday, I thought now would be a good time to devote an episode to him.  The reverence David Lynch had for the city of Los Angeles, the dream of Hollywood, and the magic of the m...

This week I discuss Megan Fox, her status as a man-eating icon, and her very relatable experiences with abusive men. Stay safe LA LA fire resources to donate to: Red Cross: Donate to help families affected by wildfires by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767), or texting CAWILDFIRES to 90999  California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund: Donate to help the most vu...

Spoiler alert! In this bonus episode about the recent Mikey Madison film Anora, I go through the whole film scene by scene. Anora takes cues from some of my favorite crime comedies from the 1930s but performs modernity the way only a neon sign at a strip club can. I wrote this episode the day before the Los Angeles fires and evacuations. I held the release for several days but am releasing it now...

In my second and final Britney Spears episode I get into her divorce from Kevin Federline, custody battle, 5150, and conservatorship. I am releasing this episode on the anniversary of her January 4th, 2007 5150. I am doing this with love and respect as it falls near my own traumatic anniversary. It is so important to own our own stories because as Britney's conservatorship shows us, the world want...

Britney Spears represents the 2000s better than any other star. She was publicly degraded, shamed, and ultimately reduced to being a workhorse for her daddy. The tragedy of Britney's fame reminds us of the insidious yet clearly visible hatred of women that seems to trump even the most powerful women's will. In this first part I focus on her early career and the joy that she brought, and continues...

Window Dressing’s Quickie Film Review Corner: Short film reviews of particularly special new movies. I’m starting with two in one: The Last Showgirl and Anora. Time Stamps: The Last Showgirl Anora

In the final episode of my Aubrey O'Day, Making The Band and Diddy series I discuss Danity Kane's video Bad Girl and the break up of the group. I examine Diddy's public firing of Aubrey and the slander he threw at her as an excuse for his actions.

This is the second part of my three-part Aubrey O’Day, Making The Band, & Diddy episode. Aubrey has been vocal about who Diddy is and how he treated her and others for decades. She was demonized, dismissed, and straight up slut shamed as a result of her honesty and unwillingness to bow down to him. Now is the time to give her the credit she deserves.

This "Diddy Addendum" episode addresses the new accusations against Jennifer Lopez in connection with Diddy's alleged crimes.

Window Dressing’s third season, Sirens and Gossip Rag Goddesses of the New Millennium starts with a deep dive into Aubrey O’Day, the MTV reality show Making The Band -that she rose to fame on, The girl group Danity Kane-that came out of the show, and Puff Daddy aka Diddy who was behind the show and the horrendous power dynamics on it. Aubrey has been vocal about who Diddy is and how he treated her...

Window Dressing's season 3 topic will be Sirens and Gossip Rag Goddesses of The New Millenium.