SBG 89: Mean Girls with Mary Holland
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This week’s episode is like so fetch! Leigh (@lshfoster) and Ellie (@elliebrigida) hang out with writer and actor Mary Holland (@maryhollandaise) to talk about Mean Girls, an iconic film that an entire generation can still quote verbatim.
Mean Girls was the defining movie of the early 2000s and although way too many of the jokes truly did not age well (hello casual homophobia, racism, and ableism), it still is unmatched when it comes to showcasing the intricacies of female bullying and American High School dynamics. While the movie canonically gives us one “too gay to function” main character in Damian, we argue that every single character in Mean Girls can be interpreted as and should have been gay. Although the most obvious choice might be Janice, we would be remiss not to recognize the gay magnetism in action when Cady first arrives at the school. Cady is literally skipping class with the gays and wearing a flannel to school by day 2. When we meet the Plastics, Regina is in slow motion and Cady is instantly enthralled with her. The Plastics themselves are 100% definitely all sleeping together.
The movie tries to throw in a boy as a plot device, but it is extremely obvious that is all he is, because neither Regina nor Cady have an ounce of chemistry with him. Plus in real life, the main male cast members are all actually gay, so that probably plays into their interactions at least under the surface. The main plot of the movie is essentially caused by a horrible (and extremely gay) friend breakup between Janice and Regina that sets off a chain of events where Cady and Regina end up accidentally falling for one another. We argue that both Janice and Cady and Regina and Cady are the main ships propelling the story, but background ships like Regina and Gretchen have a very large influence on what happens in the end as well. Everything from Ms. Norbury’s rainbow-fueled vest to Regina choosing to wear lingerie anytime she’s on the phone with Cady adds to the incredibly gay masterpiece that is Mean Girls. The film literally ends with Regina’s best version of her life being getting buried under a pile of girls on the athletic field- we know what you are, Regina and we are so thrilled for you.
We know one thing for sure, Mean Girls Should’ve Been Gay. Follow along on Twitter: Lez Hang Out (@lezhangoutpod) and answer our Q & Gay at the end of every episode. Leigh Holmes Foster (@lshfoster) and Ellie Brigida (@elliebrigida). You can also join us on Facebook.com/lezhangoutpod and follow along on Instagram (@lezhangoutpod).
