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The best female buddies on film and TVIt seems like every couple of years or so, someone will release another one of those lists: You know, the ones that talk about the greatest on-screen partnerships and duos. There will be a top ten: Hepburn and Tracy will be mentioned, as will Bogart and Bacall. In the realm of (allegedly) non-romantic pairings, there will be Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and maybe Laurel and Hardy, or the guys from Lethal Weapon. What there reliably never will be is any female-female buddy relationships. Well, I think that’s nonsense — so without any further ado, here is a list of my favorite (allegedly) non-romantic female partnerships on film and television: Dorothy (Jane Russell) and Lorelei (Marilyn Monroe), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
The '50s showgirls of this classic film travel together, trade banter, stick up for each other in the face of outsiders, and even walk up the aisle together at the end in matching wedding dresses. Sadly, they weren't actually marrying each other — even though the picture does make it look like it. Kate/Offred (Natasha Richardson) and Moira (Elizabeth McGovern), The Handmaid’s Tale (1990)
Trapped in the dystopian future imagined by Margaret Atwood's novel, in this film adaptation Kate gets strength, courage, and some much-needed humor from her rebellious lesbian friend Moira. Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon), Thelma and Louise (1991)
In this iconic reworking of the traditional road movie, the waitress-and-housewife-turned-stickup-artists became so close that by the end, as Sarandon has said, "they were finishing each others' sentences." Patsy (Joanna Lumley) and Edina (Jennifer Saunders), Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2005)
The Bolly-drinking, pill-popping, square-daughter-enraging socialites from the cult British sitcom were apparently unable to function without each other. Admittedly, they were sometimes just plain unable to function. Cybill (Cybill Shepherd) and Maryann (Christine Baranski), Cybill (1995–98)
No divorced fortysomethings ever had as much fun as Cybill and Maryann did in Shepherd's semi-autobiographical LA-based sitcom. Whether pondering life's important questions ("Who would you rather sleep with? Ross Perot or one of those devil monkeys from The Wizard of Oz?"), climbing up on an advertising billboard to paint curves on a young, emaciated model, or making travel plans ("Cybill, let's go to Mexico and get our butts tattooed!"), these were the two women who made you believe that, together, they really could do anything. The Women of Sex and the City (1998–2004)
Mr. Big said it best when he told Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte: "You're the loves of [Carrie]'s life, and a guy would be lucky to come in fourth." The rock-solid friendship of the quartet was the foundation on which this show was built. Missy (Eliza Dushku) and Torrance (Kirsten Dunst), Bring It On (2000)
This popular teen film got much of its spark from the chemistry between perky blonde cheerleader Torrance and sarcastic, Goth, ambiguously gay Missy. Whether battling homophobic teammates, stolen routines, or dangerously insane dance teachers, the two stuck together and fought it out. Lana (Bridget Neval) and Sky (Stephanie McIntosh), Neighbours (2004–05)
The first gay character on the long-running Australian soap, teenage newcomer Lana discovered a soulmate in straight series regular Sky. Their friendship survived Lana's early crush, Sky's sexual confusion, and homophobic pressures from outsiders, and they emerged as platonic BFFs who took each other to the prom. Who are your favorite on-screen female buddies? Let me know in the comments. Submitted by on March 20, 2008 - 3:52pm. |
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Cagney & Lacey
Willow and Buffy
It's a definite. Oh and although they were mother and daughter, Lorelai and Rory Gilmore make awesome buddies.
"I don't kiss girls who wear doilies"
not even a contest
Buffy and Willow
'Nuff said. :D
You must be the change you want to see in the world.
-- Mahatma Gandhi
Ash and Scribbs...
Jenny and Shane.
Romy and Michelle!
Definitely.
---------------
3waytv.tv Go now, go often.
I second that...
totally
forgot about them. Put me down for a vote.
"I don't kiss girls who wear doilies"
Willow & Buffy
I'd say Willow and Buffy too :D
I also like Inara & Kaylee from Firefly and Brennan & Angela from Bones
Lucy and Ethel...
Now that's a classic pair.
"I'd rather regret the things I did do, than the things I did not." -- Lucille Ball
I totally agree with Absolutely Fabulous
But my fav has to be Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Great together on SNL's Weekend Update, and they are doing a buddy comedy movie!! Baby Mama and I can't wait.
And from the movie Juno it has to be Ellen Page as Juno and Olivia Thirlby as her best friend Leah, who was actually supportive of her. Nice change of pace.
Never met a pearl quite like you that could shimmer and rot at the same time through
Xena and Gabrielle
It doesn't get any better than that. There was subtle romance, genuine friendship, and so much loyalty that they were willing to die for one another multiple times. (Let's just pretend the Gab drag didn't happen)
Love Lucy and Ethel though. Also, the four friends from Set It Off: Stony, Frankie, Cleo, TT.
Classic.
Too many to pick from!
Buffy & Willow - for sure!
I <3 Bones & Angela from Bones, Karen & Grace from Will and Grace, Christina & Meredith from Grey's Anatomy, Shane & Alice from L Word, Max & Original Cindy from Dark Angel, all three of the girls from Friends, Inara & Kaylee from Firefly/Serenity... I could really go on for days.
I'm not so sure about films... I'm sure there's something obvious staring me in the face, but I can't think of anything. hm.
Interviewer: "Why do you write these strong female characters?"
Joss Whedon: "Because you're still asking me that question." - Equality Now speech
Thelma and Louise are
Thelma and Louise are definitely my favorite buddies ever. Xena and Gabrielle don't really count as "buddies" to me. That word has too much of a "just friends" implication to it.
Let's not forget the classic TV buddy pairs Laverne & Shirley and Kate and Allie.
Elphaba and Glinda
Agreed
Holy shit
What about Xena and Gabby??
yeah!
I have to say i would find it hard to think of anyone better than Xena and Gabrielle for this. They're the consummate partnership...whatever else was suggested to be going on with those two. I was expecting it to be up there, it's definetly my no.1 :)
Daria and Jane!
heck yes
i almost forgot about them.
emily
:)
"I don't kiss girls who wear doilies"
Not to sound like a broken record, but...
Not to sound like a broken record, but... what list of onscreen female buddies would be complete without my requisite pairing of Brooke and Peyton from One Tree Hill? (yes, I'm semi-obsessed with this duo).
I also think that Veronica and Mac (Veronica Mars), Joan and Grace (Joan of Arcadia) and probably Angela and Rayanne (My So Called Life) deserve mentions.
I also love all the previous mentioned pairings by the other posters on this board!
Oh, and I'd be remiss in not adding Ellen and Paige from the show Ellen.
"Think Sideways"
Amen
Absolutely with you! I opened this blog just to see if B/P had made it. They are my favorite friendship on TV by far!
(and Mac and Veronica too? *love them* :)
Where's the Buffster and her Will?
Wow! I was surprised to see Sky and Lana on this list! But happy surprised, they had/have an awesome friendship (yes they have both left the show but I like to believe the friendship continues!)
As for who's missing, I gotta go with everyone else, where are Buffy and Willow?!?! And Xena and Gabby? Also, Marissa and Summer, and Blair and Serena?
Female Buddies on Film
I had more difficulty coming up with any female buddies on the big screen, other than the few previously mentioned ones. It would appear that after giving it some thought other than CC and Hillary (Beaches) and Marianne and Darly (Leaving Normal) and Beth and Jody (Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain) most of the films that came to mind are more multiple female buddies.
A few of these would be the characters in: A League of Their Own, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Mystic Pizza, Satisfaction, Foxfire, Nine to Five, Now and Then etc. etc. I guess the people in charge of greenlighting female buddy flicks feel that two women onscreen by themselves can give the audience to much to read into, so if TPTB make female buddy films, it seems like there are always more than just two women in the movie!
"Think Sideways"
Yay!
imthey! You've seen Leaving Normal? I love that film!! Every time I mention it most have not seen it (Meg Tilly and Christine Lahti). Let's not forget the girls of the Whistlestop cafe, Idgie and Ruth, from Fried Green Tomatoes. Tv not mentioned yet, I don't think...Jo and Blaire The Facts of Life. Flo and Alice from Alice, and the girls from Designing Women. Oh, and Kristy McNichol and Tatum O'Neil in Little Darlings on the big screen.
My favorites....
Romy and Michele!!!
Seriously, the best movie ever!!
And what about Janeane Garofalo and Winona in Reality Bites?
Or Kylie and Inara in Firefly?
Or Michelle Williams and Anna Friel in Me Without You?
Or Jill Bennett and Karman on WGN?
Dawn: It's on. All right? It's f---in' ON.
the two julies from bad girls!!!
how can we forget the two julies from bad girls???
one went back to prison for the other!!!
dis =]
YES!
In no particular order
Lucy and Ethel
Buffy and Willow
Thelma and Louise
Marianne and Elinor
Patsy and Edina
Xena and Gabrielle~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sometimes keeping it real goes wrong, Bitches
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My faves are Patsy and
My faves are Patsy and Edina, and Romy and Michelle
Not personal faves, but worth a mention:
Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe
CC and Hillary (from Beaches)
The women from Steel Magnolias
hmm
Winona and Angelina in Girl, Interupted. Oh and the Vicar and Alice from the Vicar of Dibley :D
Buy the ticket, take the ride.
The Truth About Cats and Dogs
Janeane Garofalo and Uma Thurman in The Truth About Cats and Dogs
Jane Curtin and Susan St James in Kate and Allie
The trio in The Witches of Eastwick
A few more
most have already been said:
Jo and Blair [facts of life]
Willow & Buffy [buffy]
Daria & Jane [daria]
Romy & Michelle [romy & michelle's high school reunion]
Karman & Jill [wgn]
Shane & Alice [the l word]
Idgie & Ruth [fried green tomatoes]
Spencer & Ashley [son]
Alex & Paige??? [degrassi]
Susana & Lisa [Girl Interrupted]
oh and the three girls from lost and delirious
and i agree with janeane garofalo (i love her!) and uma thurman in the truth about cats & dogs
Las Vegas
The women of the Montecito: Mary, Sam, Nessa, Delinda.
It just shows that hotties can work together without competition and cat fighting - what a girl team - they watch each other's back (maybe more). I haven't kept up with the eps, has Sam tried switching teams yet? I have to see that.
Brooke/Peyton! Come on!
TV:
Totally Brooke and Peyton from OTH! Why weren't they mentioned?! They have both gone through so much, and somehow they remain best friends 6 years later, even though their lives are vastly different. I demand an edit of this blog post!
Movies:
The bond formed by Rachel Griffith's and Toni Collette's characters in "Muriel's Wedding" was everything a friendship could be. In the end, they both make it out of Porpoise Spit together.
All in all, if i had to choose, i would love to have either of these types of friendships in real life.
Brooke/Peyton! Come on!
Oops. Heh. Double post.
Grey's Anatomy
Meredith and Christina. Come on! They were each others person!
"If I murdered someone, she is the person I would call to help me drag the body across the living room floor."
Can't get better than that. (I live in Seattle and I do love the show)
Scio me nihil scire