Who are the 2 stand out TV icons of the 80′s, 90′s and early part of this decade?  Who else but the amazing Joan Collins and Kim Catrall.  They’re both  revolutionary bellweathers for the changes that women worldwide were experiencing in these decades.

Their stories are remarkably similiar too: both were born in the UK but went on to Hollywood where they landed movie deals with the big studio’s.  Joan arrived in Hollywood during the Golden Age of the movies where she dated Warren Beatty, stole roles from Marilyn Monroe and was driven around by James Dean.  Kim’s story is a little less glamorous -- she was one of the last of the contract system the studio’s had where they signed stars to multi-picture deals in the late seventies.

Both had some early successes but Joan dropped out eventually to raise her children and deal with her colourful personal life.  Kim starred in a few memorable roles in the eighties but her career wasn’t exactly stellar.  What made it for both of them was starring in TV roles, namely Dynasty and Sex and the City.

Once Joan joined Dynasty as the coniving Alexis Carrington the show’s ratings went through the roof.  As a chid I remember watching TV with my parents and being mesmerised by this ballsy woman who played dirty.  She was the SuperBitch of the eighties.  Big hair, shoulder pads, fur coats, red lips and a withering stare with punchy one-liners.  Let’s not forget the cat fights she had with Linda Evans which were always entertaining.  Dynasty ran for years and Joan Collins was the main attraction.  Everyone loved to hate her!

Kim joined the cast of Sex and the City in the late nineties and it was an instant smash.  The character of Samatha Jones is so memorable for her voracious man-eater tendencies, frank language and outrageous fashion.  Each week people tuned in to be outraged by Samantha’s antics.  Women world wide were in awe of this woman who broke all the rules and all the taboos.  14 years later the series has stopped but there’s talk of SATC 3 being filmed soon.

What’s most remarkable about their stories is that both Joan and Kim landed these roles in their forties which is a very difficult time traditionally for women in Hollywood.  Not only did they create such memorable characters, they fundametally changed the face of popular culture.

The world is a different place because of these two women and the characters they played.  Both of them were strong-willed, independent with just the right amount of sass and bitchiness.  Alexis taught women they can be in charge of the boardroom and the bedroom.  Samantha taught women they don’t need to have a man to make them happy.

Below are some clips of them in memorable roles and a few interviews.

Alexis takes control of Denver Carrington

Alexis and Krystle catfight

Kim Catrall in Mannequin

Samantha Jones best quotes from Sex and the city

Joan Collins interview on Piers Morgan

Kim Catrall interview on Graham Norton

Joan Collins on Graham Norton

Kim Catrall interview about Sex and the City

Agent Delicious x

Shock horror!  An article on the BBC website this morning has another typo.  Can someone tell me what a ‘gastic band’ is?

I’ve noticed more and more that the BBC spell checker is not working, that or the BBC standards are dropping badly.  It’s really annoying as I love the BBC generally and this kind of sloppy admin really irks me.  Almost makes me want to pay for a subscription to a newspaper which gets things like this right.

Unfortunately, I think this is a trend rather than an anomoly.  I shall be exposing these typo’s on my blog going forward because I’m a bit sad really but mainly because it’s not cool… so there BBC!

UPDATE – 18:00 27/08/2010

Seems someone’s on the ball at the BBC and look… they even threw in a free video to say sorry!

Agent Delicious x

Dannii Minogue… How many times have I defended you when everyone else slagged you off and preferred Cheryl Cole?  How often have I told anyone who will care to listen that you are actually sexier and cooler than big sis Kylie?  Maybe it’s my inclination to side with the underdog and be a bit subversive at any given time that prompted this behaviour?

Well after last night’s performance on the X Factor I have been forced to re-assess my opinion of you.  It’s a shame really as I honestly believed that this year was going to be a vintage one for you (what with Cheryl having stolen your crown and the competition last year).  You were looking so fresh and stylish in the auditions, boot camp and judges house’s stages.  Dropping the botox has definitely worked wonders for loosening your facial expressions although unfortunately it also seems to have had the same effect on your tongue – to disastrous consequences I fear!

Rarely has live TV seen a massive faux pas as that bitchy torpedoed comment you made about Danyl Johnson’s sexuality last night.  My friend Jon and I were gobsmacked when you dropped that comment.  What was the aim of it?  We’re still trying to figure out where you were coming from with it.  Was it intended innocently albeit somewhat provocatively because previous contestants had had their press mentioned too?  Were you simply mentioning it because he had changed the lyrics to the song (You’re gonna love me) which seemed a bit incongruous as he himself had sold his story to the press about being bisexual?  Or, and I fear the truth lies in this brackish pit of shame, was it because after that performance of his you realised the competition is all but over and Danyl is light years superior to the rest of the competition?

Please don’t get me wrong, he also annoyed me like he did the rest of the country in boot camp when he became over-confident to the point that it threatened to eclipse his stunning audition and become what Simon Cowell referred to as ‘cheesy’ or ‘corny’.  It was with low expectations that I anticipated his performace but all was forgiven by his wonderfully restrained but powerful version of that hit Jennifer Hudson song.  His performance literally bought the house down and all the 3 judges could do was criticise his supposed over-confidence.

The worst part of all is that you and your sister have done a lot to support gay people (and let’s not forget your bisexual encounter with a stripper a few years back) and the comment in itself was not intended to malign gays/bi-sexuals.  The reason you did it was to create a schism amongst possible female supporters for him and make it clear that he probably would never be interested in them thus starving him of votes.  It was calculated and pre-meditated and it’s left me feeling cold.  I haven’t written you off completely and I am sure there is room to redeem yourself.  Unfortunately, this will probably be your last year on X Factor if Simon’s reaction is anything to go by!

I’m sure most of the country will be watching very intently this evening to see how you deal with this.

Agent Delicious x

There aren’t many things in this world that irritate me more than people who sneeze without covering their mouths.   Sure, people who go up and down escalators with their hands on the escalator belt – that’s pretty gross and unhygienic too but not as bad as Sneeze Terrorists.   

Every office has one; they’re usually the first person to get the sniffles in the Autumn which steadily progresses to an annoying pink-nostrilled, post-nasal drip within days.  And then it happens; like the first peel of thunder cracking out across the Serrengetti after months of drought – the atomic bomb of a sneeze that causes all colleagues in the office to jarr violently from their work in a dazed state of disbelief and mild shock.  The offending party obviously has no qualms and continues sniffling away, not bothering to blow their nose or wipe their computer screen which by now is the breeding ground for next generation, antibiotic-resistant, mutant germs.

Where were these people raised?  By tick-picking primates in a damp cave?  The lack of basic manners not to mention social ettiquette in the work place is astounding.   I’m sure some of them do it on purpose; especially with those sound effects! 

Today this dude in the office sneezed so loud I almost fell off my chair.  It was a sound which can only be described as a sharp piercing mouth fart.  I said in the most sarcastic voice I could muster, ‘Bless you’, and he just snuffled a response and continued bashing away at his keyboard.  Charming.  

At least he remembered to wipe his nose even if it was with his arm sleeve.

Agent Delicious x

You know how you get those people who are always happy and always smiling? I used to really dis-trust and avoid those types.

We have a girl like that in our office.  She is always happy and always smiling.  Recently, I’ve started chatting to her in the coffee area and each time I see her now I am in awe of how confident and happy she is.  Some days she’s a little down but a smile is never far from her face.  Most people in my office always seem down and depressed; shuffling from one disappointment to another.  These people you just phase out.  When this girl is down it makes me try to think of something nice and complimentary to say to her. 

Today I told her how seeing her always makes me smile and she was really touched! She then e-mailed me this short essay which she says she tried to live life by.  I read through it and the great thing is that I resonated with so much that the author says.  If this is what she lives her life by and it makes her so radiant then I hope it has the same effect on me.

Here is the essay:

 Wake to Life

There comes a time in your life when you finally get it… When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out – ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes you begin to look at the world from a new perspective. This is your awakening.

You realize that it is time to stop hoping and waiting for something, or someone, to change or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that there aren’t always fairytale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of “happily ever after” must begin with you. Then a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

So you begin making your way through the “reality of today” rather than holding out for the “promise of tomorrow.” You realize that much of who you are, and the way you navigate through life is, in great part, a result of all the social conditioning you’ve received over the course of a lifetime. And you begin to sift through all the nonsense you were taught about:

• how you should look and how much you should weigh
• what you should wear and where you should shop
• where you should live or what type of car your should drive
• who you should sleep with and how you should behave
• who you should marry and why you should stay
• the importance of having children or what you owe your family

Slowly you begin to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really believe in. And you begin to discard the doctrines you have outgrown, or should never have practiced to begin with.

You accept the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are… and that’s OK… they are entitled to their own views and opinions. And, you come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a “perfect 10” Or a perfect human being for that matter. So you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head or agonizing over how you compare. And you take a long look at yourself in the mirror and you make a promise to give yourself the same unconditional love and support you give so freely to others. Then a sense of confidence is born of self-approval.

And, you stop maneuvering through life merely as a “consumer” hungry for your next fix, a new dress, another pair of shoes or looks of approval and admiration from family, friends or even strangers who pass by. Then you discover that “it is truly in giving that we receive and that the joy and abundance you seek grows out of the giving. And you recognize the importance of “creating” & “contributing” rather than “obtaining” & “accumulating.”

And you give thanks for the simple things you’ve been blessed with; things that millions of people upon the face of the earth can only dream about a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed and the freedom to pursue your own dreams.

And then you begin to love and to care for yourself. You stop engaging in self-destructive behaviors including participating in dysfunctional relationships. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and exercising. And because you’ve learned that fatigue drains the spirit and creates doubt and fear, you give yourself permission to rest. And just as food is fuel for the body, laughter is fuel for the spirit and so you make it a point to create time for play.

Then you learn about love and relationships, how to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. And you allow only the hands of a lover who truly loves and respects you to glorify you with his touch. You learn that people don’t always say what they mean or mean what they say, intentionally or unintentionally and that not everyone will always come through and interestingly enough, it’s not always about you. So, you stop lashing out and pointing fingers or looking to place blame for the things that were done to you or weren’t done for you. And you learn to keep your Ego in check and to acknowledge and redirect the destructive emotions it spawns; anger, jealousy and resentment.

You learn how to say I was wrong and to forgive people for their own human frailties. You learn to build bridges instead of walls and about the healing power of love as it is expressed through a kind word, a warm smile or a friendly gesture. And, at the same time, you eliminate any relationships that are hurtful or fail to uplift and edify you. You stop working so hard at smoothing things over and setting your needs aside. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK and that it is your right to want or expect certain things. And you learn the importance of communicating your needs with confidence and grace. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that eventually martyrs are burned at the stake. Then you learn to distinguish between guilt, and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn that you don’t know all the answers, it’s not your job to save the world and that sometimes you just need to Let Go.

Moreover, you learn to look at people as they really are and not as you would want them to be, and you are careful not to project your neediness or insecurities onto a relationship. You learn that you will not be, more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name. You learn that just as people grow and change, so it is with love and relationships and that that not everyone can always love you the way you would want them to. So you stop appraising your worth by the measure of love you are given. And suddenly you realize that it’s wrong to demand that someone live their life or sacrifice their dreams just to serve your needs, ease your insecurities, or meet “your” standards and expectations. You learn that the only love worth giving and receiving is the love that is given freely without conditions or limitations. And you learn what it means to love. So you stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. You learn that “alone” does not mean “lonely” and you begin to discover the joy of spending time “with yourself” and “on yourself.” Then you discover the greatest and most fulfilling love you will ever know. Self Love. And so, it comes to pass that through understanding your heart heals; and now all new things are possible.

Moving along, you begin to avoid Toxic people and conversations. And you stop wasting time and energy rehashing your situation with family and friends. You learn that talk doesn’t change things and that unrequited wishes can only serve to keep you trapped in the past. So, you stop lamenting over what could or should have been and you make a decision to leave the past behind. Then you begin to invest your time and energy to affect positive change. You take a personal inventory of all your strengths and weaknesses and the areas you need to improve in order to move ahead. You set your goals and map out a plan of action to see things through.

You learn that life isn’t always fair and you don’t always get what you think you deserve and you stop personalizing every loss or disappointment. You learn to accept that sometimes bad things happen to good people and that these things are not an act of God… but merely a random act of fate.

And you stop looking for guarantees because you’ve learned that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected and that whatever happens, you’ll learn to deal with it. And you learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time FEAR itself. So you learn to step right into and through your fears because to give into fear is to give away the right to live life on your terms. You learn that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophesy and you learn to go after what you want and not to squander your life living under a cloud of indecision or feelings of impending doom.

Then, YOU LEARN ABOUT MONEY… the personal power and independence it brings and the options it creates. And you recognize the necessity to create your own personal wealth. Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever settle for less than your heart’s desire. Then a sense of power is born of self-reliance. And you live with honor and integrity because you know that these principles are not the outdated ideals of a by-gone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build your life. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting and to stay open to every wonderful opportunity and exciting possibility. Then you hang a wind chime outside your window to remind yourself what beauty there is in Simplicity.

Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side you take a stand, you FAKE a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

A word about the Power of Prayer: In some of my darkest, most painful and frightening hours, I have prayed not for the answers to my prayers or for material things but for my “God” to help me find the strength, confidence and courage to persevere; to face each day and to do what I must do.

Remember this: “You are an expression of the almighty. The spirit of God resides within you and moves through you. Open your heart, speak to that spirit and it will heal and empower you.” My “God” has never failed me.

© Sonny Carroll, 1999. All Rights Reserved.

Agent Delicious x