Tina Fey has the likability of a happy sloth raised to the power of ten babies getting tickled. Basically, we all like her and she’s awesome. When 30 Rock ended, we were in a serious state of mourning here at BUST HQ. Luckily, after anger and denial came acceptance, and a palpable excitement for whatever Fey will do next. According to a TIME profile released today, Fey has a bunch of upcoming projects that are sure to excite comedy nerds, improv freaks, and working gals alike.
But before we get to all of that, can we take a second to discuss why Tina Fey is so cool? First of all, she was writing realistic characters that women could relate to while Lena Dunham was still taking Creative Writing workshops. Instead of playing any stereotypical Hollywood women, Fey writes her own, flaws and all. Liz Lemon, with her social awkwardness and night cheese, was an inspiration to real women everywhere. In the words of Time’s writer Belinda Luscombe, “Frumpy, frazzled, and free of romantic finesse, Lemon offered many working women a mirror without the flattering lighting.” Similarly, as head writer at SNL, Fey was able to create meaty characters for women, instead of resigning them to supporting roles as wives, mistresses, or mothers. But Tina (casually pretending we’re on a first name basis) isn’t just a lady icon: she’s also really freaking hilarious. In the profile, Fey describes adjusting to sartorial life without Liz Lemon’s wardrobe: “I don’t actually know what I like to wear in real life…It’s going to be a period of terribly awkward experimentation. Like middle school all over again. Perhaps I’m a person who wears a blouse with an ascot? Dark green nails? I think it’s going to be a series of caftans.” As always, Fey’s humor stems from her ability to merge the practical and the absurd; as a comedian and as a celebrity she’s insecure, flawed, and hyper-relatable. Basically, she’s just like us—if we all had two kids, a best-selling book, multiple movies and a critically acclaimed TV show under our belts.
And did I mention that Fey’s just getting started? She’s already announced plans for a Broadway musical adaptation of Mean Girls (!), and is seriously considering writing another book. And if all that isn’t enough, she’s contractually obligated to create a new show for NBC at some point in the (hopefully near) future. A hilarious woman working way too hard and attempting to balance her personal life? Liz Lemon would be so proud.
Source: TIME
Images: Paola Kudacki via TIME
