It’s St. Patrick’s Day! I’m never quite sure what to make of this particular holiday, since it immediately brings to mind losers wearing green hats and guzzling green beer – or worse, parades that won’t let the gays in. But in an attempt to accentuate the positive, here are seven (that’s lucky!) delightful Irish people and things:
1. Carly Smithson I’m still not entirely sure she can live up to all the hype, but American Idol contestant Smithson was great last week. I hope she’ll continue to rock out, though I really don’t think the Ann Wilson comparisons are right. There can be only one Ann Wilson. But kudos to Smithson for bringing Heart to the masses.
2. Roisin Connor (Siobhan McCarthy) If you stopped watching Bad Girls after Helen and Nikki left the show, tune back in to see Roisin and Cassie, another star-crossed couple. Sometimes they wear very nice soooots.
Donoghue’s novel Hood, about a lesbian whose partner has died unexpectedly, is funny, heartbreaking and unforgettable. I really enjoyed Stir-Fry and Slammerkin too. And those are just a few books in a growing body of work. Read our interview with Donoghue here.
This 1998 film based on the Brian Friel play has its flaws, but it also has Meryl Streep, which is good enough for me. Here’s the trailer, if you want to dance with it:
5. Rosie O’Donnell Yeah, she’s loud, she’s polarizing, she’s too much – but I miss her. Every time she and Chastity Bono show up at the end of The Big Gay Sketch Show, I think, “Rosie, come back to TV!”
6. Sinéad O’Connor
I’ve loved her since The Lion and the Cobra, and even though I’ve occasionally questioned her sanity, I’ve never questioned the brilliance of her voice. Or the beauty of her face – if I had that face, I’d have a buzz cut too. The video for “Nothing Compares 2 U” showcases both voice and face to very fine effect:
7. Guinness Well, that goes without saying.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
