Yes, the above picture is of my partner and me watching our favorite web drama, Anyone But Me.  The below photo is more representative of how I felt when the production team announced that the next episode would be the last and final installment of the award-winning drama.

It seems like only yesterday that a friend I was interviewing for breast cancer awareness month, suggested that I watch a coming of age web series about a post-911, New York City teenager, who takes the bullshit of societal norms by the horns, and with the help of friends and family, rides it out the best she can.  It’s no great secret that I watched the entire first season late one night curled up with my laptop and a bottomless cup of coffee.  Fully intending to watch an episode or two and come back later, I found myself clicking through one episode after another lamenting the timer as it approached that damnable, web-budget-determined, ten minute mark.  It is also no great secret what I think of the series, as frequent readers know I advocate for what I like.  For those who have not seen Anyone But Me, here are a few of my assessments, and I encourage you to check out all previous seasons (1 through 3) on their website.

Season One and Two of the drama were a gift from the production team, provided free of charge for our viewing pleasure, each a baited hook for just one more anxious bite.  However, without some kind of corporate sponsorship, or unless you are the Koch brothers, personally funding a social movement for an extended period of time is impossible.  It soon became evident that the fans would have to fish or cut bait to catch a Season 3.   And as a result, Season 3 of Anyone But Me was funded by fan donation, not subscription, and consisted of 5 episodes.  Season 4 will be a fan-financed as well, a single episode, Series Finale.

As I said above, I believe ABM is a gift, the whole package.   The box, or the foundation, is the writing, it holds the shape and contains the well-defined parameters of this character drama.  The wrapping?   That’s easy; it’s the actors.  They bring vivid color and eye-catching attention to the package.  Speaking in terms of the main characters, Rachael Hip-Flores is brilliant as Vivian.  She pulls at my heart strings, and she makes me want to be Vivian’s champion.  Conversely, she plays the character flaws with believability, so much so, that I want to scold her sometimes.  I believe that is the definition of depth.  In Aster, I see quite a bit of me at that age, and it probably explains why I’m so hard on that character at times.  Nicole Pacent plays her with an appropriate amount of white-hot, sexuality, but with an obvious and believable insecurity.  Tying all this up in a tight package, is the direction.  How these characters interact, when they interact, and where they interact is vital.  It ads to the credibility.  Combine all these elements of the whole package, and there is the gift.

Now, normally, I would consider re-gifting to be tacky and just a little bit common, but in the case of ABM and its finale, I am going to make a rare exception to my rule.   In fact, I sent my re-gifted donation toward ABM’s season finale last week.  I don’t know, maybe it was all those October Christmas trees in Home Depot that put me in the spirit, but  whatever the reason, I felt compelled to do my part to tie up the package that was Season 3, and I encourage you to do the same.  If we don’t support those who so proudly and eloquently support the community, who will?  In an age where all too often networks and corporations dance the box-step around lesbian content all the while pandering to lesbian viewers, it’s refreshing to have our experiences reflected in the loud and proud, yet subtle works of Tina Cesa Ward and Susan Miller, the creators of Anyone But Me.

At the risk of sounding a little Ecclesiastical, for everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.  For Anyone But Me, the season is four, and the time is now.  Please donate here what you can, and re-gift the gift of art.

Friends and frequent readers of this blog know that I have relatively eclectic tastes, especially in art, music, fashion…and women.  There is little wonder, then, that my diversified palate is satiated with the broad character selection that is Bestsellers, the web series.

The award-wining creative partners behind the series, Anyone But Me, Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward, have teamed up the wonder twin powers once again in the form of brilliant.  Sponsored by the SFN Group, Bestsellers, penned by Miller and directed by Ward, chronicles the life trials and convictions of five multi-generational women who put aside the chaos of their professional lives to meet at a weekly book discussion.  Now, if you have ever been part of women’s book club as I have, you know that very little of the book is actually discussed.  It’s no different here, thank god, as personal fact-finding takes precedence over fiction.  It is here where I, the viewer, am allowed to dog-ear the moment and immerse myself in each character:

Taylor (Natalie Kuhn): She is in the genesis of her professional life.  Like so many of us, she graduated from college wondering what the hell do I do now? Taylor bummed around for a while and found that she was pretty good at it, so she created her own travel business.  Some say there is a big personal reveal in the finale, but if you pay attention, you will see it comes much earlier in the series.  On a personal note, let me say thank you, Susan Miller, for creating a 20-something character astute enough to aptly apply the political reference to “Deep Throat” instead of the pornographic one.

Nina (Mandy Bruno): She is the over achieving, multi-multi-talking, guilt-ridden, understandably neurotic, new-mommy…blogger.  Nina is trying desperately to balance the demands of being a real housewife of Murray Hill, a new mom, and her new-found professional passion without completely losing herself.  Can it be done?  And does the 3-second rule apply to dropping an old career for a new one?

Jules (Dena Tyler): She is the pulled-up-by-her-bootstraps career coach that blows the whistle on life’s un-easy truth.  When reality after divorce was relegating her to the back of the bus, she decided to take the wheel and drive the bus instead.  Jules believes women can do it all, and she’s right.  But in doing it all with a citizen soldier client, will she compromise her professional ethics for personal satisfaction?

Abby (Catherine Curtin): She is the character that I love more and more with each episode.  It could have something to do with the fact I have lived with, and loved, this woman for years.  A driven CPA in a man’s profession breeds self-preservation in the form of a sharp, sarcastic, wit and an opinionated point of view as black and white as numbers on a page.  Don’t ask for her opinion unless you really want to hear it.

Zoe (Alice Barden): In a down-sized workplace and a corporate ideal that newer is better, women of experience are often perceived more by the grey matter ON their heads than the grey matter IN their heads.  As a result, more and more women of a certain age are forced to consider a nip, a tuck, Botox, or liposuct.  I believe it was Mark Twain that said, “Age is an issue of mind over matter.  If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”  Well, Zoe minds, damnit!  Not so much personally, but by the fact her age is getting in the way of her “next big entrepreneurial THING”.  I like Zoe, and not because she has this theater diva persona, or the fact she has great taste in shoes, it’s because she is one of those women of maturity that have moved on from the guilt, the anger, the denial, and the regret of living a full life.  Ask her about motherhood and career; she will tell you to make enough money to pay for your kids’ therapy.  You do the best you can with the tools you have, and if you screw ‘em up, well, pay to fix it.  This is the woman I want to be.

The first season of Bestsellers has (unfortunately) wrapped, but I encourage you to view the comedic drama in its entirety.  Ward’s subtle, artistic control allows the viewer a glimpse into the importance of the female support (and humbling) relationship no matter your generational moniker.  Coupled with the ageless words of Miller, the portrayal is intelligent, humorous, and honest.

I’m sold on Bestsellers, and I can’t wait for the next chapter in the saga of these five women’s lives.

Curtain Up supposedly finalizes Season 2 of the web series, Anyone But Me, but I perceive the main title as a Miller-ism, an aptly, writer-applied, stage name signaling the real show is about to begin…for the actors and the audience.  And here it comes.  The observations in this last episode are not definitively declarative statements, but open-ended assertions punctuated by a question mark.

Foreshadowed from the season’s premiere episode, relationships begin to rock and unravel either through happenstance or misinterpretation.  Archibald (Joshua Holland), undercover school narc, has to decide if he can live without Elizabeth (Alexis Slade) and her perceived drug habit.  A habit had he been better at his principal-induced profession, would have revealed a monthly trip to Walgreen’s and a happy-pill prescription from Elizabeth’s therapist.  (Hopefully, the shrink is Dr. Glass (Liza Weil), and Season 3 will provide an ABM diva volume discount.)  Could this incident provide some insight as to why Arch would become a rat in the first place?  Paternal feelings for the principal?  Painful pill popping past?  Curtain Up on Archibald’s family, and let’s discover the hidden genes that help configure those designer jeans.

Can Sterns (Garett Ross) be the queer kryptonite for the Sapphic half of the high school comic-writing super team?  Even though Vivian made it graphically clear her sexual preference in dynamic duo, the poor boy vows to continue his quest.  Curtain Up on the Jonathan (Mitchell Adams)/Sterns bromance.  Is there a lez-beau in their future, or will that broke-back blanket on Aunt Jodie’s (Barbara Pitts) couch get more coverage?

Earlier on, in the fantasy/fear episode, Aster (Nicole Pacent) pronounces to perceived romantic rival, Sophie (Jessy Hodges), that she doesn’t like to share, thus raising more than a realistic, non-Botoxed, eyebrow or two.  At that point I saw the writing on the bathroom wall, the infamous pink triangle.  One part bi-curious childhood friend, one part confused-feelings lesbian, and one part relationship-cynical, impetuous lover in therapy.  (By the way, anyone who didn’t know that Dr. Glass was a lesbian, considering her knowledge and use of the Mag flashlight, should have their card carrying, Home Depot sidewalk sale privileges revoked.)  From the date night reveal of the androgynous other woman (Amy Jackson Lewis) to the impetus behind Vivian’s coming out to Aunt Jodie, Sophie has been angling in between the somewhat obtuse Vivian (Rachael Hip-Flores) and the acutely aware Aster.

There were subtle and delicate little hints that something big was coming…like “the shit is hitting the fan”, “when I saw the last scene, my jaw just dropped”, and “mind-blowing ending”.   Hmm.  Being an avid follower of recent lesbian storylines, there was only one outcome I could deduce…one of them is pregnant.  Oh, wait, that was another one.  No, BIG DRAMA IS COMING.  I have to admit, in my late-night, post ABM Tuesday Skype sessions with friends, my imaginatively dramatic journey eased on down a more carnal road, but the end result is the same.  I have praised director, Tina Cesa Ward on her subtlety, but not this time.  Not that I’m not giving praise; this time it is not subtle.  Each moment of Vivian and Sophie’s dressed rehearsal of unrequited exploration is telegraphed and constructed.  From the star-crossed recruitment for stand-in theatrical lovers, to the peer-laden audience taunting their reluctant stage direction, this passion play is set.  Curtain Up on the Viv/Soph post-kiss emotional fallout second only to the pithos of Pandora.

I have read comments that state there is no way that Aster would sit there and play along with this theatrical farce.  I have to admit, had it been me, I would have overturned the table, vaulted the stage, and launched a verbal attack that would have straightened Sophie’s hair.  But alas, Aster is NOT me, and had it been, the series would have ended right there, and would have been entitled Curtain Call.  Aster sits there, denying her insecurities, wanting to deem this as make-believe before her, until the play within the play hits it’s climax.   Remember, relationships never last.

It doesn’t require Dr. Glass’ high beam to see that Aster’s psychological struggle between the conflicting demands of love, honor, and commitment, is not going to take her down the cathartic high road.  She impulsively ditches her hurt on the fly and the androgynous arms of convenience while Vivian watches, injured and suffering.

Et tu, Aster.  Then fall, Vivster!

Curtain Up on the face of betrayal and season three of Anyone But Me.

I had just gotten home from the airport last night when a friend of mine called to inform me that the long anticipated Episode 4 “ABM Tuesday” was fortunately an unanticipated day-early live link.  I was anxiously awaiting this episode because as luck would have it, my ABM experience began earlier in the morning as series co-writer and co-Executive Producer, Susan Miller, could have been having breakfast with anyone but me…but she wasn’t.

I will write more later about the best part of waking up with Susan Miller, but for now, I want to focus on the latest episode of the series, Anyone But Me, this particular one written by Susan and directed and edited by Tina Cesa Ward.

As I watched the episode unfold, I smiled and shook my head in recognition.  Just as I had experienced earlier that morning, Susan has a comforting and humorous way of bringing out the personal in a conversation, so too, does she have a similar way with these characters.  Utilizing the voice of an appropriately sarcastic therapist (guest star, Liza Weil), the dialogue begins to scratch at the surface of the complex and uncharted Aster (Nicole Pacent).  By all observations, Aster is a star…white-hot and radiant.  Don’t get too close, you might spontaneously combust.  Taking this into consideration, Tina allows the viewer to hover just above the periphery while the therapist cleverly explores Aster’s sexually charged and cynical solar flares.

Therapist: “So tell me about the first time?”  Aster: “That I had sex?”  Therapist: “I meant therapy, but I’m interested in hearing about that too.”

I like this facetious female Freud.  I could have used a therapist like her, not some miracle-cured, flaming former-gay, Southern Baptist that smelled eerily like Aqua Velva and fried chicken, but I digress.  I can’t wait to see where this goes.   Will we get a glimpse into Aster’s core, or will she burn out before we get the chance?  And what is that obvious thing, other than Aster, definitely orbiting around Vivian (Rachael Hip-Flores) and Sophie (Jessy Hodges)?  Soph’s superficial and sophomoric curiosity, or something meteor?

I know, I know…but this is frustrating.  So many questions, yet so little time.  Waiting has never been my forte, and don’t think I haven’t tried to entice the answers out of my morning coffee mate.  Susan is not talking.  The only crumbs I got came from the croissant.   Tina, give me direction!  Damn it.

Well, I guess it’s speculation for another week, but isn’t that what good entertainment is all about? A look, an angle, a word, a phrase can mean so many things to so many people.  I have a few favorable ideas and who knows better the journey these girls must take than someone who has traveled a like highway?  Can’t be anyone but me…right?

The ‘Schmootz on Susan Miller

A few days ago, a friend sent me a link to the web series, Anyone But Me.  I have to say, I am enjoying it thoroughly.  It’s the second best way I can think of to spend a sub-zero night in bed with my partner.  The visual of the two of us curled up to the warmth of a down comforter and the heat emission of a MacBook is my modern-day interpretation of Norman Rockwell.

Anyone But Me is the creative culmination of writer, Susan Miller (The L Word, thirtysomething), and director/writer, Tina Cesa Ward, chronicling the coming of age journey of 16-year-old newly displaced New Yorker, Vivian (Rachael Hip-Flores), and her struggles with identity, love, life, and family.  Vivian is forced to leave the city and the girl she loves to follow her ill father, a 9/11 NYC firefighter, to Westchester county for better air and better care.  The result of which is a transition that pressures old relationships and tests the new ones.  When asked what a woman of my “maturity” gets out of a teenage drama, I can only respond that Anyone But Me is not simply a teenage telling, but an allegorical anecdote that nostalgically extracts from me a sense of what was…and of what could have been.  My womanhood is merely that same teenage angst all grown up with the metamorphic battle scars to prove it.

My motive here is not to cast a critical or microscopic eye on this web series just yet.  The cast is young, yet hungry.  At this point, I want to objectively provide another vehicle for which the promotion of this story of young life’s expedition can hitch.  I enjoyed the first season, and I encourage my readers who haven’t logged on to peruse the episodes.  I look forward to your thoughts and your discussions on yet another alternative programming choice to the ad nauseum of network reality.

Season Two premieres December 15th.  Catch all episodes and show extras here.