|| ||
1 2 3 NEXT  Page 1 of 3

To Lesbians Everywhere

XOXO, Michelle Paradise


“if you’ve seen alias, you basically know what’s going to happen in [our show],” jokes Michelle Paradise, the writer, executive producer, and star of the new lesbian “dramedy” Exes & Ohs, premiering on Logo in October.

Paradise’s goofy-pretty charm may begin to explain how, without an agent and with just one short film under her belt, she came to be auteur and leading lady of the first (and long overdue) lesbian comedy on TV. Logo president Brian Graden says the pilot hinges on Michelle’s character and “how endearing and relatable she is in such a universal, everywoman way.”

Paradise plays the hapless Jennifer, a documentarian in the middle of such a long post-breakup dry spell that she’s practically reverted to a virgin. Jennifer is coaxed into “getting out there” by her close circle of Seattle friends: bossy ex-girlfriend and best friend Sam (Marnie Alton), pet accessory store–owning life partners Chris (Megan Cavanaugh) and Kris (Angela Featherstone), and wannabe musician “Crutch,” played by Heather Matarazzo.

Once you get over the fact that Matarazzo, as the baby dyke next door, does not resemble your neighborhood boi but rather a grown-up version of her character Weiner Dog from Welcome to the Dollhouse, her mix of gooberishness and “edge” is hilarious. Similarly, Cavanaugh (A League of Their Own) brings her dopey comic persona to the wouldn’t-hurt-a-fly Chris. The lesson here seems to be that lovable-misfit actors have been gay all along (if we hadn’t learned that already from Lily Tomlin), so they are raring to play openly gay characters.

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. 1 2 3 NEXT  Page 1 of 3



More Online Only
  • Commentary What Marriage in Maine Meant for Me

    Dana Hernandez is a straight white married mother of two young children. But in campaigning for No on 1 and reporting Election Night outcomes for Advocate.com, defeat hit her like a ton of bricks.

  • Marriage Equality Video Content Flag Terri White Stages Her Leather Encore

    Last year, acclaimed stage performer Terri White was homeless and living in a public park. On Sunday, she and her partner held a leather-themed commitment ceremony onstage following her triumphant Broadway turn in Finian’s Rainbow. 

  • Music Ghost Story

    Out singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile discusses working with her childhood mentor, coming out publicly, and joining next year's Lilith Fair.

  • News View From Washington: GOP Upheaval

    Now that the only pro-marriage equality candidate in New York's 23rd Congressional district, Republican Dede Scozzafava, has dropped out of the race, Tuesday's election holds any number of political lessons for both the GOP and the LGBT community.

  • Books Hot Sheet: Ditto Knocking 'Em Dead

    This week might not bring anything to the screen other than a Boondock Saints sequel, but there are plenty of reasons to sit at home on the couch or head to your local concert venue.

  • News Features Sailor Speaks Out

    Sailor Joseph Rocha endured years of hazing until he spoke out — then he was discharged for revealing his homosexuality. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old is itching to suit back up.

  • Music Rainbow High

    Busy Broadway heartthrob, gay rights activist, and former Advocate coverboy Cheyenne Jackson chats about his Finian’s Rainbow revival, his politically charged cabaret CD, and laying around in his underpants (pic on page five).

  • Television Another Tough Broad

    After being outed by a Nazi and locking lips with a hook-up three times in one episode, Christine Woods's tough-talking FBI agent Janis Hawk on ABC's FlashForward might just be prime time's best gay offering — who isn't in Glee club, that is.

  • Books Video Content Flag In Sickness and in Health

    Mary Cappello’s memoir Called Back takes readers on a white-knuckle journey through the experience of cancer treatment in America — especially disorienting to navigate as a woman and a lesbian.

  • Books An American Crime

    Best-selling novelist Patricia Cornwell made headlines last week when she filed suit against a New York investment firm for losing $40 million of her money. But she'd much rather talk about her new book, hate-crimes legislation, and Angelina Jolie.

  • Comedy Gilded Lily

    After conquering Broadway, movies, and television, out funny lady Lily Tomlin prepares for the final frontier — Las Vegas.

  • Entertainment News Ricky Martin, No Shirt and a Baby

    Ricky Martin knows how to get the camera's attention. Take a look at the many pictures of Ricky uploaded to his Twitter account in the past three months, always shirtless, frequently carrying one (or both) of his babies.

  • Television Fresh Blood

    With True Blood a bona-fide cultural phenomenon, producer Alan Ball offers tantalizing hints about what to expect on season 3.

Most Popular Stories