Drumroll please... Melissa McCarthy, aka Sookie St. James, is re-joining the Gilmore Girls reboot! THIS NOT A DRILL!

For months, we’ve heard that McCarthy wasn’t coming back to Stars Hollow because she wasn’t asked and/or was too busy. Rumors of bad blood between McCarthy and Gilmore creator Amy Sherman-Palladino were denied by both parties; Sherman-Palladino reported that she really wanted McCarthy’s return, but thought that McCarthy was too busy. “We’d say, ‘Look, we know you didn’t hear a Melissa McCarthy arc in here because we are not naïve enough to think we’re going to be able to grab her for 60 days of shooting,’” Sherman-Palladino told Entertainment Weekly. “Netflix was like, ‘We’d really like Melissa.’ I said, ‘We’d really like Melissa too!’”

We'd really like Melissa too!! And finally, the stars have aligned. McCarthy went on the Ellen DeGeneres show to announce that, finally, they’d worked out the scheduling kinks. “Literally about an hour and a half ago we figured out that I am gonna go back and do it, and I am so excited,” McCarthy announced. “Amy Sherman-Palladino’s going to squeeze me in to do it, and I am so excited to go back to Stars Hollow.” 

Top image via Warner Bros.

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Baghch-e Simsim, Afghanistan’s version of Sesame Street, welcomed a new member to the cast and she’s already making waves!

Zari is a precocious young girl who, according to PBS, will empower girls in a country where the female literacy rate is 24%, one of the lowest in the world, and 85% of women have no formal education at all. The hope is that Zari's drive for learning will encourage girls to dream big for themselves, awww!

Zari wears several different outfits, each one influenced by the many different cultural groups in Afghanistan, so many girls seeing the programme will identify with Zari!  She also wears a cream-colored hijab with her school uniform, which is required of all female students in Afghanistan.

Zari in her hijab with First Lady of Afghanistan Rula Ghani (image via Facebook)

I'm getting all emotional just thinking of the girls in Afghanistan meeting Zari for the first time on I'm not gonna lie, actual tears sprang to my eyes watching the video below. Grab some tissues and click to see Zari come to life, from initial concept, to practicing with her puppeteers, to meeting Elmo:

Zari's main puppeteer is 23-year-old Mansoora Sherzad, an arts and music major at Kabul University. She lends her voice to Zari when she is speaking in Pashto, another actress voices Zari in Dari, another official language of Afghanistan. Sherzad herself is pretty inspiring, considering it is still pretty dangerous to be a woman and a public figure in the conservative country. “It’s hard to live with people who don’t believe in what I’m doing and have closed minds, what with the Taliban...” she trailed off. “But I have to be brave for my future and for my life.”

How exciting is it for the young girls — and everyone! — of Afghanistan that they have Zari (and Mansoora Sherzad) as role models? I hope everyone tuning in to Baghch-e Simsim is inspired by Zari and her message of female empowerment!

images via Sesame Street and Sesame Workshop on Twitter

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“I’m sorry I don’t know more about you!” Ellie Kemper says, baring her perfect teeth in a broad smile as we wrap up our lunch at Little Dom’s, an Italian place near her part-time home in Los Angeles. “That’ll be next time.” But after talking for nearly two hours over bread, salad, and piping hot arancini, she does know about me, because she asked—about where I live, my family, my dog, how I got into writing, how I started at BUST, even what TV shows I like. Listening to the recording of our chat, I’m hard-pressed at first to tell who’s interviewing whom. Which, in the world of celebrity interviews, is an anomaly. In the world of Ellie Kemper, however, it’s a totally normal thing to do. Over the course of our lunch, she banters with the server about the hipness of kale, makes eyes at an adorable baby sitting at the table behind us, and graciously says goodbye to a woman she mistakenly introduced herself to when she arrived at Little Dom’s, thinking the woman was me. By the time we step outside, Kemper’s charmed at least half the restaurant. 

“I went as Tina’s guest. I wasn’t presenting and I wasn’t nominated, so that was even a little bit weirder just because it was like, What am I doing here? "

In real life, the 34-year-old actress doesn’t seem too far removed from the roles she’s best known for. Kemper has made her name playing wide-eyed optimists to hilarious effect, like the affably goofy receptionist Erin Hannon on The Office. (In 2009, she parlayed what was originally a four-episode arc into a recurring character.) Or the sweet and perky Becca in 2011’s Bridesmaids, who, during the movie’s infamous trip to Vegas scene, asks the flight attendant for “a glass of alcohol.” But while Kemper may share their sunniness, it’s clear she’s got a lot more going on in the intelligence department—she did study at both Princeton and Oxford, after all, though her savvy goes beyond book smarts. Her questions are quick and our conversation is peppered with silly asides, evidence of a wit honed by years of improv. She tells me she’s an anxious person, but you’d never know. And underlying it all is a steady sense of drive, a tenacity that took her from begging the editor of The Onion to let her write for the paper and being an unpaid intern on Late Night with Conan O’Brien to climbing the ranks at the Upright Citizens Brigade and finally landing a role on The Office after years of commercial work. And it’s all paying off. Or at least it’s about to.

When we meet, Kemper looks like an effortlessly casual Madewellmodel in skinny jeans, boots, and a striped long-sleeve top. But just days before, walking the red carpet at the Golden Globes, she was the epitome of glamour. It was Kemper’s first time at the famously intimate awards show where guests get drunk and, for the past three years, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey have slayed as hosts, leaving no uncomfortable pop culturism untouched. Despite swearing that she doesn’t know how to pose (“I try [practicing in the mirror], but that is so discouraging,” she says), Kemper stunned on the red carpet, wearing a silvery, backless Naeem Khan gown. “I felt so, like, Hollywood,” she says. But feeling Hollywood isn’t the same as being Hollywood. “Those things are just weird,” she continues. “I went as Tina’s guest. I wasn’t presenting and I wasn’t nominated, so that was even a little bit weirder just because it was like, What am I doing here? But also, none of the photographers knew my name. They kept calling me Anna!” 

“At first I wasn’t sure if they were joking or not, ‘cause that doesn’t sound like the premise of a comedy.”

Photographers might not have known her name then, but they probably do now. And she better get used to red carpets, too, because Kemper was more than just Tina Fey’s guest at the Golden Globes. She’s the star of Fey’s new show (one that was created specifically for Kemper by Fey and her 30 Rock co-creator, Robert Carlock), something Kemper, with characteristic humility, calls “a miraculous turn of events that is one of the luckiest things to ever happen to me in my life.” In Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (which debuted on Netflix March 6), Kemper plays the titular character, a woman who, after spending 15 years underground in an Indiana doomsday cult, is learning to live a “normal” life in New York City. “At first I wasn’t sure if they were joking or not, ‘cause that doesn’t sound like the premise of a comedy,” Kemper says. “And then I was like, I guess they wouldn’t prank me.” 

Of course, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is about as “normal” as 30 Rock was. Its storylines have more than a hint of absurdity, and it’s got a cast of eccentric characters—Tituss Burgess plays Kimmy’s musical theater–loving roommate, Carol Kane is her nosy landlord, and 30 Rock alum Jane Krakowski plays Jacqueline Voorhees, the Upper East Side mom who hires Kimmy as a nanny. But the show rests squarely on Kemper’s shoulders. Kimmy’s got Kemper’s bright-eyed buoyancy, and a fierce independent streak balances out her naiveté. (When a construction worker catcalls her with the line, “Hey Red, you’re making me wish I was those jeans,” she perkily responds, “Well, I wish I was your yellow hat!”) Kemper has the ability to ground a character that in the wrong hands could lean toward caricature, and the show takes full advantage of her talent for physical comedy. (When, in the pilot, someone yanks a backpack she’s holding down with her foot, causing her to faceplant in front of a dude she’s flirting with, the result is pure comic gold.)

"I’m always amazed at what women will do because they’re afraid of being rude.”

But perhaps what is most appealing about Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is that it has that underlying current of feminism that Tina Fey is known for. There’s a scene in the first episode of Unbreakable in which Kimmy and her fellow rescued cult sisters, known as the “mole women,” are being interviewed by Matt Lauer on The Today Show. When one woman says she followed the cult leader underground after serving him at her restaurant job, simply because he asked her to, Matt Lauer says pointedly, “I’m always amazed at what women will do because they’re afraid of being rude.” As the camera lingers on Kimmy’s face, it’s like watching a feminist awakening in the span of seconds. 

 “It’s all about women who are strong as hell. I guess it’s tricky because if you hit people over the head with the issue, then it becomes tiresome. But I think that it is just so obvious in the writing and the action of the show.”

With 30 Rock off the air since 2013, you can’t help but feel that Fey is passing a baton to Kemper, one Kemper seems more than willing to take up. “Oh absolutely, 100 percent,” Kemper says, a forkful of kale in her hand, when I ask if Kimmy Schmidt feels like a feminist show. “It’s all about women who are strong as hell. I guess it’s tricky because if you hit people over the head with the issue, then it becomes tiresome. But I think that it is just so obvious in the writing and the action of the show.” It is obvious. And Unbreakable is the latest addition to the new world order of television that Fey and Amy Poehler, with her executive producer role on Broad City, are helping to drive.

Kemper has a knack for starring in some of Hollywood’s most pro-female projects. As a bridesmaid in Bridesmaids, she was part of the film industry’s most notable gender shift of the past decade. When word of the Judd Apatow–produced, Kristen Wiig–penned, all-female ensemble comedy got out in 2011, male critics collectively lost their minds, and condescending headlines—“Can Bridesmaids Save the Chick Flick?”—abounded. But for the bridesmaids themselves, it was business as usual. And now that it’s been a few years, Kemper can look back with a little distance. “It was so weird preparing for it because to the cast, it didn’t seem like it was going to be game-changing,” Kemper says, tucking her hair behind her ear. “Basically, Bridesmaids showed studios that a movie that stars all women can make a lot of money.” ($288 million, to be exact.) “I mean, it’s not as heroic as we would like to sound,” she continues, “but that’s what it boils down to. I think in its wake, a lot more comedies have been financed with strong female leads. But I don’t think Kristen and Annie Mumolo wrote it with that in mind. Like, ‘We’re gonna set fire to [the industry]!’ It was more like, ‘This is a story we want to tell and it’s a story about women, ‘cause we’re women.’ But it’s so great that it did have that effect.” 

It’s an effect that still has a long way to go, though. “In television, the landscape has been filled with shows like New Girl and The Mindy Project and 30 Rock and Parks and Rec. They are all driven by funny female leads and there have always been television shows with funny female leads,” Kemper says. “But in movies, I’ll read scripts a lot of the time where, unfortunately, the lady parts are—the lady parts!” She yelps, interrupting her thought with uncontrollable laughter and slapping her hand on the table. “The roles for women,” she continues after composing herself, “feel like props. And it’s bad, but not all of the time. I just read a script yesterday that has two funny men and two funny women—even Steven. Or...what’s a female name? Even…Stephanie. But I still get plenty of scripts where women are boring people who keep the guys from having their fun.”

“With Bridesmaids, some guys would be like, ‘Hey! That was funny!’ And it is a little jarring cause you’re like, Uhhh, DUH.” 

The most annoying outcome of the hubbub around Bridesmaids was the resurfacing of that old, withering, asinine question: Can women be funny? It’s a notion Kemper is loathe to validate with a response, but she felt it acutely during the movie’s run. “With Bridesmaids, some guys would be like, ‘Hey! That was funny!’ And it is a little jarring cause you’re like, Uhhh, DUH.” It’s a subject she even gave a TEDx talk on in her hometown of St. Louis, but it wasn’t a decision she made lightly (“the importance of sports” was the other topic the former field hockey player was considering). “I actually felt worried once I had chosen the topic of women in comedy,” she says, “because I sometimes worry that if you do talk about it, that makes it sound like an issue that’s up for debate.” 

Kemper’s brand of funny isn’t up for debate though. Her jokes can sneak up on you. (When I ask if she got interested in cults while prepping for Kimmy Schmidt, she leans in conspiratorially and asks, “Have you ever done SoulCycle?”) And she draws from a grab bag of droll voices—from an old-school Brooklyn dude to an extra-sassy version of herself—throughout our chat. But being funny wasn’t something she necessarily set out to achieve. “I envy those kids who absolutely know what they want to do from a young age, because then you can go after it and have that goal defined,” she says. “I didn’t have that.” 

"Basically, Bridesmaids showed studios that a movie that stars all women can make a lot of money."

She did have a love of performing, however. “We didn’t grow up watching a lot of comedy,” she says. “It was more, without sounding too Brady Bunch or something, we just put on a lot of plays and stuff. We would make a lot of home videos.” Kemper’s life does sound kind of Brady Bunch,though. She and her three siblings (one of whom, Carrie, is now a writer on Silicon Valley after working with Ellie on The Office) were raised Catholic; her mom was a homemaker and her dad was a bank CEO. In high school, Kemper played field hockey in the fall and ran track in the spring. Though she says she wasn’t a drama nerd, she always performed in the school’s winter play. And, to the delight of pop culture trivia geeks everywhere, her ninth grade drama teacher was none other than Jon Hamm. “He was very serious about teaching, I remember that,” she says. “And also, it wasn’t like Don Draper was teaching you, because Don Draper didn’t exist yet. So it was easy to pay attention to what he was saying.”

It was the future Don Draper who gave Kemper her first taste of improv, which she later fell hard and fast for as an undergrad at Princeton. “Every improv group is named something totally embarrassing. Ours was Quipfire,” she says with an affectionate eye roll. For Kemper, it was love at first, well, quip. “I felt like I was good at [improv]. I understood it,” she says. “You can’t really mess up because there’s nothing memorized or prepared. I find that more relaxing. But also, it’s because all you have to do is make sure that the scene goes forward. So it’s just like having a conversation; you just want to make everything keep moving.”

“Especially with acting. It’s so easy to just sit and wait. It’s that realization of, ‘Oh, no one’s thinking of us.’ You have to think of you.” 

After she graduated from Princeton, Kemper spent a year studying English at Oxford then moved to New York City, where she continued to work in the trenches of improv and indie comedy. Though she attributes her pretty stellar track record to “a lot of luck” and “being at the right place at the right time,” it’s clear Kemper worked her ass off, performing at Upright Citizens Brigade, interning at Late Night with Conan O’Brien (where she met comedy writer Michael Koman, whom she married in 2012), and bugging The Onion’s editor for a year until he finally accepted one of her pitches (“Dog in Purse Stares Longingly at Dog in Yard” was the headline that convinced him). 

Before landing her role on The Office, Kemper did commercials to pay the bills, for DSW (she still shops at the one in N.Y.C.’s Union Square), Kmart, Tostitos, and Wendy’s. An episode of Unbreakable even pays homage to her commercial past when Jacqueline Voorhees’ housekeeper compares her to the Wendy’s old-fashioned hamburger girl, “which is maybe true,” Kemper says with a self-deprecating laugh. It might have taken awhile for Hollywood to discover her talents, but it’s not like she was twiddling her thumbs, listening for the phone to ring. She was out there making it happen. “I started writing sketch shows because it was like, ‘Well, I want to be on stage and there’s no one putting me on stage,’ so that’s a way to take it into your own hands,” she says. “Especially with acting. It’s so easy to just sit and wait. It’s that realization of, ‘Oh, no one’s thinking of us.’ You have to think of you.” She even auditioned for Saturday Night Live, doing a Renée Zellweger impression for Lorne Michaels. “Just because my face…well, my face used to look like hers,” she says. “I obviously didn’t get it.” Which is just as well, since she’s clearly doing fine without that notch on her comedy belt.

"I’ve had a couple of meetings where they’ll talk about a girl role when they’re really talking about a grown woman."

In a few weeks, she’ll return to New York to film the second season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, which Netflix has already committed to. In the meantime, she’s binge-watching David Letterman, hanging out at Tina Fey’s place (“Oh, that definitely sounded like I was namedropping,” Kemper says after telling me about the night they spent watching Peter Pan Live and eating donuts), and auditioning for movies. Movies whose executives better get their acts together if they want to keep Kemper’s interest. “I don’t normally get upset when someone uses the word girl,or like, refers to you as a girl. But since I’ve been back here, I’ve had a couple of meetings where they’ll talk about a girl role when they’re really talking about a grown woman. Don’t you think that’s weird?” she asks as the server clears our plates. “I don’t know. It struck me more than it ever has. I’m a grown-ass woman.”  

This story originally appeared in the April/May 2015 print edition of BUST Magazine. 
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By Lisa Butterworth
Photographed by Amber Mahoney
Styling by Priscilla Polley
Hair by Christopher Naselli 
Makeup by Tina Turnbow
Manicure by Fleury Rose
Props by Josie Keefe

1. Top and Skirt: Beckley
2. Jacket and Pants: Joseph; Shirt: Valentino Red 
3. Sweater: d.ra; Necklace: Thea Grant. 
4. Shirt: Orla Keily; Skirt: Nina Ricci; Bracelet: Dinny Hall
5. Sweater: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Pants: Joseph
6. Top and Skirt: Beckley; Shoes: Zara; Felt pigeons by Tina Pina Trachtenburg a.k.a. Motherpigeon
7. Sweater: D.RA; Shorts: Charlotte Ronson; Shoes: Zara

It feels like we have been waiting our whole lives for season 4 of Inside Amy Schumer, but on April 21 all of our wettest sorry, wildest dreams will finally come true.

This new teaser for season 4 has got us hyped beyond belief. And in case you were worried, there will be no shortage of vagina jokes and sexy (?) dancing, gynecological visits and literal gun shows.

Appearances by Amber Tamblyn, Rachel Dratch, and a bunch of your other fave female fames really puts the icing on this awkwardly erotic cake.

But this show isn’t just a sexually fueled satirical tirade. It is also an informative program, in the likes of National Geographic or PBS. Let Amy teach you about the *new* yogurt that makes your “pussy taste like nothing,” or why a woman can’t be President (spoiler: it’s because of her period). She also isn't afraid to ask the tough questions like, "Which movie do you think describes your vagina?" (I'm going with Eat, Pray, Love).

Most important of all, make sure you tune into Comedy Central on April 21 at 10pm and get all up Inside Amy Schumer. 

Video and Image via Youtube

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Happy 4/20 BUSTies! Even if you don’t celebrate the holidaze, comedy is universal. The Time Traveling Bong, a three-part mini-series premiering tonight on Comedy Central, stars Broad City’s Ilana Glazer and Paul Downs as Sharee and Jeff. As you can imagine, the story is built around a bong that has super metaphysical properties that make time travel possible after blazing.

So basically they both get really stoned and are transported through the space-time continuum. Conflict arises as the bong shatters, warping the ability to travel effectively back to the present. On top of all of this, they're getting really stoned, so imagine intensity ontop of intensity. I wouldn’t write this one off as a bong-riddled stoner comedy though, because if we know Glazer, there is intentionality and genius behind the chaos that ensues.

Watch the trailer and catch it tonight, tomorrow, and Friday at 10:30pm EST.

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Finally! The fourth season of Inside Amy Schumer starts tonight. The last nine months of Inside Amy Schumer-less programming on TV have left a gaping hole in my heart. All I can say is thank god for YouTube, because I've devoted much of my time to rewatching old favorite sketches from the show. I've spent hours laughing out loud from reliving some of the best moments of the past three seasons. We have still a few more hours of waiting, so sit back and enjoy our top picks for the best Inside Amy Schumer sketches. 

Important note: It was beyond difficult to narrow down a manageable list of favorites because let's face it, everything A-Schu does is hilarious. These sketches appear in no particular order.

"Sex Tips"

Season 1

How many of us have read through the Cosmo sex tips with our gal pals and laughed uncontrollably at how absurd they are? Guilty. Sometimes you wonder if they're actively trying to sound ridiculous or if they're actually taking it all seriously. Schumer and her gang do a hilarious parody of these insane sex tips in this awesome sketch. 

Favorite Line: "So you dress like a Boy Scout but only from the bottom down and then you sit on his knee and queef."

"Last Fuckable Day"

Season 3

This sketch is amazing not only because of it's a hilarious take on the entertainment industry's silly exclusion of "older" women. It also guest stars three fucking queens: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Patricia Arquette, and Tina Fey. Amazingness overload.

Favorite line: "Believe me, no one was more surprised than me that they let me stay fuckable throughout my 40s AND the fact that it continued into my 50s. It was just like thanks, but I thought US Weekly had made some sort of clerical error or something."

"Bridal Shower"

Season 1

If you've ever sat through an excruciating bridal shower, you'll appreciate the constant one-upmanship of Amy and her friends in this hilarious skit. I also love their nod to all the insane things that vibrators do these days, from synching to your Facebook to acting as a hotspot.

Favorite line: "You know mine also functions as a mezuzah for when you and Adam get a place."

"Mom Computer Therapy"

Season 2

I love comedy that makes you think, "Holy shit this is just too fucking real." This sketch definitely induces those thoughts as Amy gets coached by her therapist while she helps her mom with her computer. Being raised by a mother who forgets how to turn on her computer and who is also a very successful and gift therapist, I feel like I can doubly appreciate this one.

Favorite line: "Obviously that triggered you, but it's because you allowed it. And you will not allow it."

"Football Town Nights"

Season 3

As someone who never understood the obsession with Friday Night Lights because sports dramas are disgusto barfo, I love this parody so much. Plus Josh Charles (aka Will from The Good Wife) as a guest star is yummy yummy. 

Favorite line: "No raping? But Coach, we play football!"

"One Night Stand"

Season 1

This sketch gives us a side-by-side look at how Amy and her man experience the aftermath of a one night stand very differently. Let's be honest, we've all been on both sides.

Favorite line: "Here's the craziest thing about last night: Like his body just...it felt like home."

"Finger Blasters"

Season 2

There are a lot of hilarious parts in this commercial parody, but I think my favorite thing about it is Amy's hair. What can I say; I dig the dorky mom look. 

Favorite line: "Finger blasting is the perfect thing to hold them over until they're ready for something more serious...Like dinner."

Image via Comedy Central

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Whether it's bringing other characters back down to reality with her biting wit on Grace and Frankie, or throwing in her two cents when questioning how your favorite bad movies made it to the big screen on the podcast How Did This Get Made, June Diane Raphael often has the last word. With the second season of Grace and Frankie under way and her new role in Maria Bamford's Lady Dynamite, BUST was lucky enough to catch a few minutes with June. We talked to June about her Lady Dynamite role as one of many Karen Grishams, what's in store for her character Brianna on Grace and Frankie, and what it means to be a part of a sitcom that celebrates women in ways we haven't seen before. 

On Grace and Frankie, you smoke weed with Lily Tomlin, call dogs assholes, and Sam Waterston is afraid of you. That's everything I want to be. But first things first, what is it like to play Jane Fonda's daughter? 

Everything I want and more! It's everything you might think it is. It's a total dream come true. I stare at her. I watch her creepily. I watch her every move. She is a total joy to work with and to be around and to play her daughter is so awesome. I can't believe I'm in a show where I pretend I share genetics with her. 

What does it mean to you to be a part of this show that celebrates not only women as main characters, but women over the age of 70 who are still allowed to be sexy?

It's amazing. I just am really proud to be a part of it. I feel there is so much subversive stuff from the show from the older women and how they're perceived. Men can pretty much become grey and distinguished and sexier, and women become a punchline and have their sexuality stripped from them. They become less intelligent, less appealing as they get older, and the show is really kind of flipping the script on that. I'm so proud to be a part of it. And I think it's true, women age and we get better. We get more in touch with our sexuality. We come into our own as we get older, and our society has historically really only valued us when we are in our childbearing years. I think this show puts such a beautiful emphasis on our value as we age. And that's the thing I am truthfully so proud to be a part of. 

What does season 2 have in store for your character? 

I have a storyline with Frankie that has to do with her lubricant from the first season. Brianna, my character, takes the product on and we really go into business together. That is all I can say about that. It's challenging, and I think there is a lot of comedy in what she wants out of the business because she is a hardcore business woman. You also get to see more of my character's work environment and see how I'm trying to manage and deal with Frankie as we go through this process together.

You have so many projects in the work. Can you tell us about them? 

Casey Wilson and I are working on another feature together. We are kind of in the throes of that, and we are working on a TV idea together, which will be for us to star in once it's done and ready. But the Maria Bamford show Lady Dynamite is so insane and brilliant and so different from Grace and Frankie, it’s sort of surreal and bizarre. I just think Maria Bamford is such a... I know people say this all the time, that she's got a really singular voice and she's really unique. No, no, no! No one else is unique. Marie Bamford is unique. That is someone who is actually very special and serious. To me, I love weird alternative comedy that is actually funny and not so alternative that its no longer comedy, and I think she is just so damn funny. She makes me laugh so hard. And her show, that I did a bunch of episodes of, is really special. I can't wait for people to see it. 

Who do you play in Lady Dynamite?

Well, so much of the show takes place in Maria's mind. There is a character called Karen Grisham that a bunch of us play. I play Karen Grisham the real estate agent, Jenny Slate plays Karen Grisham the life coach, and I believe Ana Gasteyer’s Karen Grisham is her agent. We are all the same person, the three of us play different parts of her life. It's insane and amazing and there is one episode where the three of us come together, but it's just bizarroland in the best way, it’s so funny. I just play the worst person you've ever met, the most despicable human. I'm trying to constantly get her to buy things that she can't afford, and she is terrified of me.  

That sounds hilarious. Is it fun to play despicable people more than nice people? 

You know what, I think I'm pretty bored by.... I just would never want someone to describe me as nice. I think that would mean I have no personality. And that would be really sad, even though I do think I'm a very nice person, and I'm a good person. I just would never want that to be the descriptor. So this particular character, Karen Grisham, is a heightened character in a heightened world, but that's sort of different. But overall, the characters I’m drawn to I would never describe as nice. That would be so more boring. All people are really nice at the end of the day, of course, but if that's what you're leading with... I mean, look, I think that we are all nice, and we are all not nice.  I can also be a bitch about things that I really care about, and I'm really passionate about, and that's okay too. I just feel, especially for women, that word really scared me. I would rather be called a bitch. 

That's great because, as you know, this is for BUST magazine and we usually end on the question, "Are you a feminist?" 

I think I've answered that. Yes, of course, and I love the word. Yes, 100%. And to do a show with feminist icons is pretty unbelievable. I am very proud to be a feminist and don't shy away from the word. 

But like, a bitchy feminist, and not a nice feminist? 

Yeah! That would be the best thing you could call me. 

Speaking of feminist icons, is there any chance we would be seeing a 9 to 5 reunion?                                                  

Not in the second season. Major spoiler alert. I think Netflix would get shut down. 

Season 2 of Grace and Frankie is out now and Lady Dynamite premieres on Netflix May 20th. You can also catch June on the brilliant podcast How Did This Get Made? 

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Last October, we talked about how awesome it was that Laverne Cox had joined the cast of Fox’s remake of the beloved yet strange Rocky Horror Picture Show. Yesterday, the network dropped the first commercial—and damn it, it’s basically perfect. Without further ado, we present the top 14 reasons why we’re excited for this film.


14. The original script from the 1975 cult classic is being used.

13. Kenny Ortega, the director, also directed the High School Musical trilogy and Hocus Pocus.

12. The film is slated for a Halloween release (making it extra spooky).

11. Ryan McCartan, the actor who plays Brad, played lovable psychotic J.D. in Broadway’s Heathers: The Musical.

10. Reeve Carney, the actor who plays Riff Raff, was in one of Taylor Swift’s music videos.

9. Annaleigh Ashford, the actress who plays Columbia, played Glinda the Good Witch on Broadway.

8. Two of the actors have won Tony awards: Ashford and Ben Vereen (Dr. Everett Scott)

7. Adam Lambert!!!!

6. Staz Nair, who plays Rocky, is just gorgeous.

5. OG Frank-N-Furter Tim Curry is playing the narrator.

4. Reeve Carney leans on the adorable side of creepy.

3. Victoria Justice is as doe-eyed as Janet.

2. The hair and makeup reminds us of David Bowie in Labyrinth.

1. Laverne Cox. IS. EVERYTHING.

Watch the trailer:

photos of Staz Nair and Ryan McCartan courtesy of Nair's and McCartan's official Facebook pages 

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I didn’t miss the significance when Buffy the Vampire Slayer went off the air the same week I graduated high school. My favorite show, the show that ushered me through my adolescence, was ready to move on at the same time I was. After seven years, we had both put in our time and were ready to walk away from our own version of the hellmouth. I no longer relied on Buffy to navigate me through my teen years, but I would never forget the way it helped me.

Buffy’s pilot episode began just when I needed it. I was in the middle of sixth grade and on the cusp of my teen years, and like most middle schoolers, I was awkward and weird. These particular years weren’t kind to me. Girls were mean just because they didn’t like the kind of pants I wore. In class, I sat quietly and kept to myself, drawing pictures and wondering where or how I would fit into this world. I’m sure every girl with the slightest bit of eccentricity has her own version of this experience.

But then Buffy came into my life, and she gave me a teenage role model that no other female protagonist could. I had already outgrown Punky Brewster, yet wasn’t old enough to relate to Phoebe Buffay. I was in the market for a new role model. I could relate to Buffy in some, but not all, ways. Unlike me, Buffy was a beautiful teenager who had a hot – albeit undead -- boyfriend. But like me, Buffy was independent, witty, tenacious, resilient and 100 percent true to herself, no matter the circumstance. And because of that, she was never popular. Her struggle with being herself was something I could understand.

As much as I wanted to be a Buffy, however, I was Willow to the core. Thirteen years later, I embrace being a Willow because there are few characters that have grown and evolved the way Willow did throughout the show. She started out as a meek, nerdy, unpopular teenager and ended up surpassing Buffy to be the most powerful character in the series. What Willow taught me was that no matter how weird or unpopular my interests and talents were, there would be a chance for me to use them. Through Willow, I learned that no matter what happens in middle school or high school, it won’t always be that way. It wouldn’t always majorly suck. And as Willow promised, I did make a nice place for myself in my adult life. Even though I was a Willow, I still needed both her and Buffy to make sense of my teenage world. Through the two of them, I learned that by being my true self, things eventually fall into place. And when they did, and I found my strengths, I couldn’t be stopped.

When Buffy ended on May 20, 2003, it was time for both of us to move on. I was heading to college in the fall, ready for my life to really begin. I didn’t need Buffy anymore. Instead of relying on the show, I started to appreciate the impact it had made on my life. Thirteen years later, it’s still my favorite show. There’s probably some aspect of nostalgia behind my favoritism, but mostly, it’s because Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a really great show.

The reason why Buffy is so relatable is there is no way the viewer could miss its metaphors. They were one step below walking out of the TV and punching you in the face, that’s how obvious they were. But that’s also what made the show so fantastic. What teenager doesn’t compare high school to hell? In Sunnydale, high school was a literal hell. The Sunnydale High library was situated right on top of the Hellmouth, a portal of supernatural energy that is a hotbed for evil – just like high school. Boyfriends turned into monsters and magic had its own addictive qualities. With Buffy, fantasy has never been so realistic. The show provided a way to take the typical teenage struggles, turn them into monsters and watch those monsters be obliterated by a highly capable, witty, empathetic, kick-ass woman.

It’s weird to think that 20 years ago, Buffy premiered on The WB, but that’s how space and time works – there’s no slowing it. Twenty years have gone by since I was in search of a role model and 13 years have passed since I no longer needed my Buffy crutch. Could I have lived without it? Absolutely. But what Buffy taught me was the importance to be true to myself no matter what. And today, on the anniversary of the final season’s end, I’m thankful that this show came into my life at just the right time.

Lindsay Patton-Carson is a freelance writer and the public relations director for 834 Design & Marketing, a Grand Rapids-based integrated communications firm. Her favorite topics to write about are pop culture, feminism and animal rights. Her biggest accomplishments include modeling for The Onion, covering music festivals and going on national television because she shit her pants during a marathon. Oh! And one time Ricky Gervais shared a story she wrote. That was a big deal for her. She loves her idiot dogs, David Bowie, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," fitness and trying to be Gwen Stefani. Follow her on Twitter @LindsayPatton.



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Like many female standup comics, Maria Bamford has a joke about wanting to get married. But her take on it is, well, different. “I do wanna get married. It just sounds great,” she begins in her naturally high, girlish voice. “You get to go grocery shopping together, and rent videos, and the kissing and the hugging underneath the cozy covers. Mmmm!” And here her voice gets a little deeper and slower: “But sometimes I worry that I don’t wanna get married as much as I’d like to be dipped in a vat of warm, rising bread dough.” As with that joke, all of this 37-year-old’s comedy centers on anecdotes that reveal an avant-garde point of view and a surprisingly sharp bit of commentary underneath, whether she’s delivering a fake lipstick ad (“By the time I notice the wide discrepancy between my salary and that of my male peers, I’d have to reapply!”) or sharing her experiences with mental illness (“I’ve never really thought of myself as depressed so much as paralyzed by hope”).

Bamford’s audience has been steadily growing for years, and it surged in 2008. Her second Comedy Central special premiered in February, and soon after, she wrapped up her two-season Internet sitcom on SuperDeluxe.com, a one-woman show based on the premise that Bamford has a mental breakdown and moves in with her parents in Duluth, MN. “The show idea is that it’s my worst fear and my greatest wish,” she says, “that I could just sit in my parents’ home and fall apart.” This fall, you can hear her voice the character Miracle Grohe in Sit Down, Shut Up, the new animated sitcom from Arrested Development’s Mitch Hurwitz.

“I think people pay more attention when my voice is not my high, squeaky, baby voice. And it’s fun. I started impersonating my mother, and that went well. Then I started thinking, what else can I do?”

Bamford started doing standup in college and quickly discovered that voices were her thing. “I think people pay more attention when my voice is not my high, squeaky, baby voice. And it’s fun. I started impersonating my mother, and that went well. Then I started thinking, what else can I do?” The list these days includes her father, her agent (“Maria, when I first met you, I was concerned I was going to be annoyed by you. Because you have a high, grating, childlike voice. And you need to know that about yourself”), and an African woman (in a hilarious bit in which Extreme Makeover goes to sub-Saharan Africa). “I’m working on my political cadence,” she says, slipping into the tone, “where you project! And talk with a smile about the future!”

For fans, it’s often puzzling why Bamford hasn’t yet made it huge. But maybe she’s too much of an iconoclast for Hollywood sensibilities. “I did a couple of bit parts on sitcoms,” she says, “and I had to put on a giant padded bra. That’s why I haven’t liked some things about TV. I don’t like anything that’s fear based.” And anyway, she’s not sweating it. “All my dreams have come true,” she says. “I’m living in a gravy boat full of gravy.”




---
Interview by Priya Jain
Photo by Aliya Naumoff 

This article originally appeared in the Aug/Sept 2008 print edition of BUST Magazine. Subscribe today! 



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Spoiler Alert!

Marvel’s Agent Carter was one of the several shows that got the axe from ABC last week. Thanks to the wonderful, loyal Agent Carter fans, a petition to get the show to return through Netflix was created almost immediately, and already has over 100,000 signatures, and #SaveAgentCarter is trending on Twitter. We are not ready to let go of one of Marvel’s few and most amazing heroines! Here are 7 reasons why Netflix really, absolutely, 100% needs to pick up Agent Carter.

1.     There are barely any women in the cinematic Marvel universe as it is, let alone a female protagonist. We really cannot afford to lose Peggy Carter.

2.     We saw Peggy Carter as the deeply intelligent and brave woman she is, not just Captain America’s previous love interest. There’s nothing wrong with a little romance, but there are enough female characters in television and film that we only know as a romantic counterpart.

3.     We haven’t seen Peggy beyond the 1940’s in Agent Carter. In the comic books, Peggy Carter’s character is greatly expanded upon and her story becomes more complex and intriguing. It’s just too soon to end!

4.     Captain America has officially gone passed the timeline of Peggy’s lifespan, so we probably won’t be seeing much of her outside of potential flashback cameo appearances, like in Antman. 

5.     Agent Carter bridged the gap of Marvel history, providing context to the pre-Iron Man world. There is still a lot that has not been covered.

6.     Peggy seemed to be knocked down after every accomplishment. She brushed it off her shoulder and kept on going every time, with a level of admirable, unphased-coolness. Her position in a male-dominated work environment is relatable, besides the whole being surrounded by beings with super powers thing, and she stands as a hardworking and humble female role model television needs.

7.     And finally, that cliffhanger ending…  Who killed Chad Michael Murray!?  I mean, Thompson!? Is he even dead?? I need answers!!!

Sign the petition here to get Agent Carter on Netflix here. Do it. Now. Go!

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In the latest episode of Inside Amy Schumer, the show’s host and Jake Gyllenhaal team up for a hilarious paradoy of the hit MTV show, Catfish. Under the name “Katfish,” the spoof show’s two-man crew, including Paul Downs of Broad City, join Amy to bust Jake for “catfishing” her on a ferret fanatics chat room.

Amy explains to the hosts of “Katfish,” that “Jake” introduced himself as the actor, Jake Gyllenhaal, and immediately told her she is “the most beautiful woman” he has ever seen. Fake-Nev Schulman looks intently at her and confirms that the compliment is a “major red flag.” Angry and determined to get her own MTV spin-off, Amy storms up to the “catfisher’s” building with the TV crew, only to find the real Jake Gyllenhaal himself elated to meet her, ferret in hand.

The plot thickens as Amy becomes enraged at the actor for ruining her chances for stardom on MTV, and Jake reveals a secret to unravel their potential chat room-borne love. Check out the full clip below:

Image via Comedy Central.

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Samantha Bee nails it again with her latest video on the gun control debate and the ridiculousness that is the GOP. A 15-hour filibuster was hosted by the Senate Democrats on Monday, which let to a vote on four gun control measures. None of these measures passed, by the way, and Bee had something to say about it. 

On Full Frontal Monday night, Samantha Bee explained why these measures were voted down, despite the fact that the vast majority of responders in a CNN poll want expanded background checks, and a ban for those on the terrorist watch list and felons from purchasing guns. The reason is the NRA.

In Samantha Bee fashion, she peppers her facts about GOP member support of the NRA (Mitch McConnell saw hundreds of thousands of dollars from the NRA in his reelection bid) with some insult gems towards our favorite members of the GOP, like calling Trump a “screaming carrot demon” and Ted Cruz a “rodent-faced soup sponge.”

She then explains that the GOP hasn’t always been a puppet of the NRA, considering George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan openly spoke out for gun control. But Bee is right: “There’s nothing like getting shot to put you on the side of gun control.”

Screenshot from Full Frontal With Samantha Bee

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Here at BUST we know a thing or two about running our own business. And though it's rewarding being in charge, every hardworking 'trep deserves an occasional break from the real-world grind. Whenever we need to recharge, we like to gain inspiration from these leading ladies:

1. Leslie Knope, Parks and Recreation

Leslie Knope is the quintessential overachiever. Whether running for city council or throwing a funeral for a miniature horse, Leslie is 110% dedicated to every project. Her intense tenacity is tempered by a sincere love for her community and a genuine desire to do what’s right. Like most perfectionists, Leslie struggles to accept failures and defeats gracefully. She sometimes needs a gentle reminder to sit back and reflect on everything she’s already accomplished — an important tip for all boss babes!

2. Ilana Wexler, Broad City

Ilana represents a specific breed of boss babe with untapped potential. Maybe you have a millennial friend like Ilana (if you do, introduce us!) who exhibits bursts of initiative and insight while owning her status as a hot mess (a term we think Ilana would lovingly use for herself). These seemingly directionless souls are often just visionaries waiting for the right inspiration. Ilana’s intentional lack of career goals doesn’t preclude her from being a boss babe; far from it. Because Ilana is her own boss. She aggressively touts her causes and beliefs, trusts her own instincts above anyone else’s and never apologizes for putting herself first. Plus, she totally rocks that white “power suit,” stained or not. Yas, queen!

3. Rosa Diaz, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Rosa doesn’t take crap from anyone — ever. As a detective for the NYPD, her favorite sport is intimidation. Rosa may pretend not to understand what the word “feelings” means, but she definitely has some soft spots: She’s loyal to her friends, true to her word and has even been known to apologize (once). Rosa is one woman we’d never want to cross, but there’s no one we’d rather have on our team.

4. Cookie Lyon, Empire

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned (or cheated out of half of a record company). Cookie has a chip on her shoulder, a bone to pick and any other metaphor you can think of for being pissed off at the world. Her swagger knows no bounds. She can bargain or bully her way through any obstacle in her path. And even though Cookie’s success has questionable origins (ahem, drug money), we respect the heck out of her determination to reclaim what’s rightfully hers.

5. Claire Fraser, Outlander

A boss babe even by 1940s standards, Claire doesn’t buy the idea that women should be seen and not heard. She returns from her stint as a WWII field nurse, hoping to never see blood again, only to be transported to 18th century Scotland, where “antibiotic” is a foreign word. While trying to find her way home, Claire goes toe-to-toe with Scottish lairds, Red Coat soldiers, a priest who accuses her of witchcraft and even her own husband. It’s hard to believe she could be any more of a boss in the next season of Outlander, but we have a feeling Claire will try to change history — literally.

6. Samar Navabi, The Blacklist

Can you get more badass than being a covert agent for Mossad? How about being a double agent who works with a top secret division of the FBI at the behest of a notorious criminal? (Don’t worry — he’s a good guy…sort of.) The events of Samar’s past have made her wary of most people, but she’d give her life for a worthy few. Samar is the kind of boss babe who makes and plays by her own rules. Her personal agenda is often a mystery, but we always know she’s up to something big.

7. Sophia Burset, Orange is the New Black

As the unofficial prison hairdresser, Sophia comes up with some seriously fierce convict coiffures. But her true greatness hinges on her personal triumphs and inner strength. On top of the usual difficulties one would expect in prison, Sophia’s status as a transgender woman exposes her to suspicion and intolerance from every direction. Despite challenges from guards and fellow inmates, her young son who comes to visit and even the state prison system (those hormone pills aren’t standard commissary items!), Sophia owns her identity and always stays true to herself.

8. Liz Lemon, 30 Rock

Liz Lemon is our soulmate. She expresses every insecure thought we’ve ever had, and somehow seems more self-assured for it. She’s also hysterically funny. Liz’s candor, humility and self-awareness make her a fabulous friend and boss. She advocates for herself and for her employees, sticks up for others when they’re treated unfairly and never takes herself too seriously. We love Liz for proving that you can have your cake and binge eat it, too.

There are countless boss babes we haven’t covered here: Olivia Pope, Peggy Carter, Mindy Lahiri and Daenerys Targaryen, to name just a few. Who’s your favorite TV boss babe, and why? Let us know in the comments section! 

Guest post brought to us by Maren Jepsen and Material, a new free ecommerce site (built by and for entrepreneurs.)

Top photo: Orange Is The New Black

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After the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, many Americans think it isn’t so far-fetched that Trump could win. But “Full Frontal” host Samantha Bee explained why the outcome of Brexit—a campaign many believe was driven largely by racism and xenophobia—doesn’t mean Trump will win November’s presidential election.

Bee said that the parallels between the UK and the U.S. aren’t as strong as they might seem. She noted that since the UK hasn’t dealt with large-scale immigration for most of its existence, it’s less diverse than the U.S. This lack of diversity contributes to the xenophobia that drove the Brexit vote.

She said that while American voters could fall for the same trap Brexit voters did and elect Trump, American diversity will make it harder.

"Trump’s brand of right-wing, racist, anti-immigrant demagoguery isn’t American," Bee said. "It’s a European import. And if we’re smart, we’ll stop it at the border and send it back where it came from."

Plus, Bee says, America has something the UK lacks: evangelical Christians who will embrace refugees.

“Thank God! Yeah, you heard that right!” Bee said.

See the full video below:

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It's true: Jessica Williams, the youngest and one of the most successful Daily Show correspondents, is headed out for her own project on the same network, Comedy Central. After four years of four-nights-a-week appearances under Jon Stewart and now Trevor Noah, Williams has said she "feels like she's growing up and graduating." Rising up from L.A.'s Upright Citizens Brigade to Daily Show entertainer at age 22, we'd say she grew up pretty quick!

Her leaving may be a big loss to the Daily Show as the first correspondent to step down since Noah took over, but it seems like for fans, her absence from the tube won't be long. Williams signed a deal back in March with Comedy Central for her own show, which she is to be writing, producing, and starring in alongside co-producer Naomi Ekperigin, writer from Broad City. With this team, the to-be-titled show is sure to be a hit.

Throwback! Jessica William preps for her BUST shoot.

But what are we going to do without Jessica on the Daily Show? We don't really know yet, but we've got high hopes for this fab BUST cover girl. Needless to say, wherever she goes, we will probably follow. In the meantime, make sure to get your fix with Williams' hit podcast, 2 Dope Queens, co-hosted by the equally as awesome Phoebe Robinson. 

Jessica and Phoebe getting ready to record 2 Dope Queens.

Check out the Daily Show's tribute to Williams' work as a correspondent below:

Images via Facebook, Comedy Central.

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Sophia, Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose have the incredible ability to tell it exactly how it is. They are blunt, they don't sugarcoat, and frankly don't often give a fuck what other people think. Their level of no-fucks-given is something we have all felt at one time or another. Here are a few times my favorite seniors have been completely relatable:

When Someone Is Really, Really Creepy

Sophia: There's just something I don't like about him. I can't put my finger on it, but if I did, I'd have to wash it.

When You're Playing Innocent

Dorothy: You know what your trouble is?
Blanche: Of course not.

When You Need A Really Good Distraction

Sophia: When I feel bad, I have to take my mind off it. There's only one thing that does that to me.
Dorothy: Cooking a big meal...
Sophia: No, making love in a closet.

When You Need A Little More To A Story

Rose: Tell me, is it possible to love two men at the same time?
Blanche: Set the scene, have we been drinking?

When You Try To Give Up Something You Love

Blanche: I tried giving up sex.
Dorothy: I guess you fell off the wagon.
Sophia: And on to a naval base!

When You're Calling Someone's Bullshit

Sophia [who is in a grocery store at the fruit counter]: Haven't you got any decent nectarines?
Clerk: You're crazy! This nectarine is beautiful! I've never seen a more perfect piece of fruit!
Sophia: Oh yeah? Then try kissing my behind — it's a real peach!

When Someone Talks To You Before Coffee

Rose: Hi, Blanche!
Blanche: Must you always be so cheerful, you empty-headed Mary Poppins knockoff?

When Adulting Is Really Hard

Blanche: Dorothy, they're adults, adults can do whatever they want to.
Rose: Not necessarily, adults are not allowed to ride the little horsey in front of the A&P.

When You Just Can't Seem To Find Your Chill

Dorothy: Rose, what are you listening to?
Rose: A relaxation tape. The rain is supposed to relax me.
Dorothy: Is it working?
Rose: Not really. I keep worrying that I left my car windows down.

When You're On A Crappy Date

Stan: Hello, mama bear. Papa bear's back in the cave.
Dorothy: I could vomit just looking at you.

When You're Not Quick On Your Toes

Rose: You... you... you rude person!
Dorothy: Go easy on him, Rose.

When You Just Want A Little Flattery

Blanche: How do I look, girls?
Rose: Great!
Blanche: How about sexy?
Rose: Oh yes!
Blanche: And sensual?
Dorothy: Let me handle this, Rose... Blanche, no woman has ever 
looked better than you do right now and no one ever will!
Blanche [smiling]: Why thank you, Dorothy!... My goodness, Rose, I swear sometimes it's like pulling teeth to get a little compliment out of you.

When You Never Want To Move Ever

[A plumber delivered a toilet and  put it near the front door]
Sophia: Dorothy, you're a genius!
Dorothy: What do you mean, Ma?
Sophia: I walk into the living room and there is a toilet right in front of
the television set... It's an old ladies' dream!

When Your Friends Try To Set You Up With Someone

Blanche: Dorothy Zbornak, have I got the man for you!
Dorothy: No thanks. Had one.

When Someone Says “No Offense” After Saying Something Clearly Offensive

Sophia: No offense, pussycat.
Dorothy: None TAKEN, you cankerous little prune!

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It’s been nearly two weeks since Netflix’s hit comedy-drama series Orange is the New Black returned for its highly-anticipated fourth season; and, unless you live under a rock, you’ve most likely heard by now that this season is unprecedentedly wild, action-packed, and as emotionally-draining as television can be. As a huge fan of OITNB, I’m proud to say that I didn’t totally veg out and watch all 13 episodes in one exhaustingly long binge session (for those of you who did — no shame — it happens to the best of us).

I still have a few episodes to go, so I don’t yet know what all is to come in this season, but I recently had the opportunity to chat with Jessica Pimentel, who plays badass Litchfield inmate Maria Ruiz — and who has a major arc in Season 4. Without revealing any explicit spoilers, I gained some insight Season 4, as well as what it’s like to be a part of the cast and the incredible project as a whole. Check out the interview below, take advantage of your ex’s Netflix password, and be prepared to go on an emotional rollercoaster (think PMS but amplified) as you marathon Season 4 of Orange (if you haven’t already).

So, I’ve only had time to watch the first few episodes of Season 4 so far, and it’s crazy intense. Like, I downed two pints of ice cream during the first episode, it was so intense. Is it fair to assume that the rest of this season will be just as action-packed?

That’s an understatement… The last 4 episodes of the season are probably the most intense writing, directing, acting, that’s ever happened on our show before. It’s an emotional rollercoaster in every possible way. They’re very, very heavy. I knew what was going to happen as I was watching and was still crying, laughing, and yelling back at my TV.

Oh…God… So is this going to f*ck me up?

Absolutely! Good luck.

What can fans look forward to this season? 

They can look forward to getting their hearts broken. This season is, like I said, very intense and heavy. The acting is superb from all of my castmates; what they brought to the table, as well as the writers, was next-level this season. The actors made all of these words come to life in a way that I couldn’t expect when I read the script. There will be a lot of mixed emotions, but definitely heartbreak. And, the line between who is a good and bad guy is definitely blurred this season. It's hard to tell who you should be rooting for. So, look forward to that.

How about your character, Maria Ruiz? Over the course of the past three seasons, she seems to be playing an increasingly important role in the plot. What can we expect to see from her this season? I've already noticed that she has a lot of screen time. 

The first three seasons were all about Maria holding on to her daughter — she was never getting involved in trouble, she was laying low, giving a moral comment here and there, always trying to help people around her. But at the top of Season 3, the child is taken away from her; so, how will she react? This is where we see her role begin to change. She’s been clinging onto this child as her hope of getting out [of prison], but she realizes her daughter will be just fine without her, and she needs to shift the focus onto herself. Ultimately, perhaps, she may be agreeing that, by keeping distance between her life and her daughter’s, she is doing the right thing.

So, by Season 4, she has accepted the facts as facts, and it’s pretty much a take-it -from-there situation. Her number one hope in life was taken away. She accepts that. And, as a result, she is absolutely a pivotal character in this season. I can’t say much more without giving away too much, but, this season gives a look into her backstory, so we learn more about her as a person. She also embraces her Dominican heritage for the first time in a long time, which is something we haven’t really seen from her.

What made you decide to play Maria? Did you identify with her?

I couldn’t identify with anyone on the show because, beforehand, we didn’t really know anything about the characters — all I knew was that her name was Maria — I’m not even sure she had a last name yet, I just knew she was pregnant.

But, I knew who was casting, and I knew the director, Jenji Kohan — both women whom I respect and admire — and I knew some of the actresses who were going in for parts, so I had a good idea that it was going to be something worthwhile. Though, it was originally pitched as a web series. We didn’t know that "web series" meant "Netflix"…we had no idea it was going to be as complex and intricate as it was, or that it would become such a big deal.

I think it's fair to say that a lot of the show's success comes from the fact that it doesn't shy away from controversial, politicized issues.

Definitely.

Are there any particular political issues that this season addresses more heavily than others? 

The privatization of prisons and mass incarceration are the root of many causes of all the misfortune that happens in this season. You see the overcrowding creating more tension and a lack of humanity, etc. Plus, because of the privatization, people who are not necessarily police officers, like military veterans, are working as security guards; and they come at things from a more aggressive, combative angle. There is an abuse of authoritative power. 

Another key point in this season is the Black Lives Matter movement. One of the main characters experiences something firsthand (I can’t say what that is without giving things away) which reflects racial tension and violence that happens in the streets all of the time. 

It also touches on families who are separated, mothers who can’t be with their children, how being in prison results in devastating consequences even once they’re out, and how it’s difficult to turn things around after the fact.

How do you think the expression of these political standpoints effect the opinions of viewers? Do you think that Jenji Kohan makes this show in hopes to influence politics in some way?

They wouldn’t make the show if that wasn’t the point! We want to affect the viewer and the audience, whether that be emotionally — through personal stories about relationships — or whether we take a political issue and put a face and a story to it to help people to better understand and view it as a humanitarian issue. That’s what it takes sometimes, for people to understand things that don’t apply to them personally, is a face, someone they can relate to or empathize with.

I've heard that the cast is pretty tight-knit — is this true?

We’re all very good friends — we all get along very well — even if we aren’t hanging out every day, we never have any drama or divas on set; it's really quite boring if you’re looking for gossip [laughs]. Everyone is quite chill, but when there are parties we know how to let loose with each other and we have a lot of fun. We all support each other for projects outside of OINTB, too. We all really root for one another.

What’s your favorite thing about taking part in this project?

Agh, this is such a hard question — this is the hardest question. The coolest thing, I think, is seeing the social impact that this show has had. Not just bringing to the forefront very important issues of our time, but also changing the way people see actors and actresses and who is available out there. OINTB changes the way people see cultures and ages and body types in Hollywood. There hasn’t really been a show that has as diverse of a cast as this one.

Seasons 1-4 of Orange is the New Black are now streaming on Netflix.

Images via Netflix

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When Jon Stewart announced his departure from The Daily Show last year, we were all surprised that Samantha Bee, a correspondent on the show for nearly 12 years, was never approached to replace him. Now it seems that it was in her best interest, though, because her new show, Full Frontal, seems to be killing it, while The Daily Show struggles to keep up.

Bee’s show — the only late-night satire program currently hosted by a woman — premiered on TBS last February and has been going full force since. The network increased the show from 13 episodes to 39 through the end of the year, and it seems to be a force to reckon with — Full Frontal averaged 1.2 million viewers in the second quarter, while the Trevor Noah-hosted-The Daily Show averaged 1.3. And does Jessica Williams’ recent announcement of her departure from The Daily Show point to other problems at the show?

Either way, we’re glad we have Bee’s sarcasm to count on on Monday nights. Check out some of our favorite Full Frontal clips below:

Photo from Samantha Bee's Facebook page

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I was impatiently waiting for the train home last night when I heard the news. I literally, and I mean literally, yelled in the silent station, “GODDESS BLESS!” The lone man near me on the platform raised his eyebrows, shook his head. I beamed. You would think I had just been asked to go on tour with Sleater-Kinney or maybe won a Pulitzer Prize for a work of fiction I haven’t even published yet. Nope. I had just read a headline on Twitter — “Aubrey Plaza Comes Out as Bisexual.” Yes, fellow queers — your prayers have been answered.  Sarcastic, dry-humored and monotone Babe of the Universe is now openly bisexual. Meaning, commoners like you and I have a slightly higher chance of dating her.

In an interview with The Advocate, the 32 year old actor, well-known for her role as the hilariously snarky and cynical April Ludgate in NBC’s Parks and Recreation, was asked what it was like to portray a lesbian character in Addicted to Fresno, to which she responded, “It was less about pretending to be a lesbian and more about portraying a human being with a massive crush on Natasha Lyonne’s character.” She then followed up by saying that she has a “major crush” on Natasha Lyonne IRL (but don’t we all?).

The real kicker, though, was when the interviewer asked Plaza if women often “come onto her," and she responded with this casual quote that she probably didn’t know would send gay hearts like mine soaring to the heavens. “Oh, yeah. I don’t mind,” she said, “I know I have an androgynous thing going on, and there’s something masculine about my energy. Girls are into me — that’s no secret. Hey, I’m into them too. I fall in love with girls and guys. I can’t help it.”

This sliver of good news in the midst of so much bad news has my hopes unreasonably high. I’m sweating. Godspeed, friends…Godspeed. 

Images via NBC 

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