Ally McBeal, Meredith Grey et Moi

I don't watch much tv, despite teaching about it every day. I haven't owned one in years, not since I left my ex-husband, who believed tv-ness was next to godliness. Or something. I never could figure him out.

Anyway, two series in the last decade have particularly resonated with me. Really a lot. So much, in fact, that I and a few friends have wondered if Body Snatchers or neurolinguistic programmers or some dude in a black and yellow one-piece polyester jumper straight outta Star Trek pilfered my very thoughts for their lead characters. I wrote a Christmas letter years ago that alluded to that Ally McBeal was a little too close for comfort; now Meredith Grey really has me worried.

Let's examine the similarities, shall we?
(Keep in mind all descriptors are more or less interchangeable...)

Ally McBeal. Attorney. Graduated BU or BC... one of those New England colleges. Dated Billy, as we've all heard. He married Courtney Thorne-Smith's character, but thinks Ally's "amazing." Ugh. She's reportedly "neurotic." Can laugh at herself and cry publicly. In fact, lots of things best done only in the privacy of one's own home got done on this show while we all watched. She has a theme song. Don't knock it til you've tried it.


Meredith Grey. Medical doctor. surgical intern. Went to Dartmouth, another fine New England institution, but she's not a geek. Likes to go out; loves to dance; has a catching, hearty laugh; she's good with one liners. Doesn't handle her liquor well -- don't give her tequila. Reportedly "dark and twisty." Likes men, but chooses badly and doesn't quite know what to do with 'em once she's got 'em. Sometimes doesn't even choose, but acts and then thinks. Don't even snicker. Soundtrack rocks; check both volumes out as Christmas gifts.

These two are both funny, smart, fun, attractive... what makes them just a little... hmmm... tragic?

Then there's yours truly. Professor. See, there's not a dummy in this bunch. Graduated Hampshire College, yet another fine, if more alternative, New England institution. All the above holds pretty true. Reportedly inspirational and entertaining, if in a drama queen sort of way. Can do it all on her own, but deep down wants to be taken care of, or at least lent a helping hand. Good travel companion. Likes to plan big adventures, or go on spontaneous ones. Will sing at top of lungs pretty much anywhere with or without alcohol. Loves deeply and often. Some might say blindly...

And one more thing.


We're all in love.


Seriously.



Larry. McSteamy. And the one who won the Dating Game, aka "The Chosen One." Wonderful guys all -- cute, charming, funny, loving; they all have more or less the same smile... except, let's be honest, Mr. Dempsey over there, who does something with his face when he really smiles... and when he does that it's like nothing else on the planet. Time might as well cease; other men don't exist; it's all over, as we say down south, but the shoutin'. (What does that mean?)

Anyway, as I was saying... we all have these seriously fabulous men in our lives.

Seriously.

Betcha can't guess what they all have in common...?