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Allison Janney and Lily Tomlin compare VioletsI’ve never been certain whether 9 to 5 was a great movie or I just loved its three stars so much that I didn’t care.
The movie, released in 1980, follows three working women — Judy (Jane Fonda), Violet (Lily Tomlin) and Doralee (Dolly Parton) — who take drastic measures when they get fed up with their sexist boss. For its time, the film was quite a feminist statement, using an outrageous plot to make a point about equal opportunity for women in the workplace. And the movie trailer is classic. Lily Tomlin’s Violet became something of a symbol for every female middle manager fed up with doing their boss’ work while he takes the credit. What working woman didn’t cheer during Violet’s daydream of a cheery Snow White sweetly annihilating her wicked boss?
But behind the humor was a message that Tomlin strongly believed in. “At the time all of us felt that things like flex time, equal pay and women being promoted were way behind the curve,” she said. “I think ‘9 to 5’ helped show the way that women in the office found strength from one another, the way they battled against stereotypes, the way they started taking action to be treated fairly.” Equality in the workplace is better than it was in 1980, but sex discrimination and pay inequity is alive and well in 2009. So the message of 9 to 5: The Musical, now open on Broadway, still rings true.
Allison Janney plays the role of Violet and, according to one review, “brings all the majesty of her West Wing C.J. to the part and commands the Broadway stage just as she did the White House.”
Still, Janney initially was uncertain about making the role her own. “I was incredibly intimidated at first, thinking I had to follow in Lily’s shoes,” Janney said. “I focused on giving Violet a big heart and on her personal and professional longings, and that made me feel confident.”
When the two Violets got together recently to compare notes, the mutual admiration between Tomlin and Janney was evident. The New York Times has the story, which is as charming as you would expect from two of our favorite people. But the best part of the article for me is this:
Isn’t that the perfect way to start the weekend? How much do you love Lily Tomlin and Allison Janney? Really, I want to know. Submitted by on May 1, 2009 - 10:00am. |
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Janney and Tomlin are both hilarious and gifted actors! And I will always love (haha) anything that Dolly is a part of!
The Movie was classic... but now this? I can't wait to see it...
Best picture of the week...
I swoon..
I love 9 to 5!
To be quite honest, I'm a
love them both!
i have to say that allison janney is an amazing violet! my friend and i went to new york for 1 day just to see the show! (we live in ohio) it was better than i imagined and a week later i'm still on cloud 9, walking around humming 9 to 5! i'm ready to go back and see it again!
we went to the preview show April 25 and it appeared to be sold out. the crowd was great. laughing, clapping and cheering from start to finish! i couldn't stop smiling it was so so good!
we were lucky enough to get all of the leads autographs afterwards at the stage door. just one note, if you know were allison janney went to college look for a "shout out" to it in the musical! when she signed my playbill i let her know i noticed and she smiled said "it was her own distinct touch that she added to her character."
the entire cast was fabulous. stephanie j. block and megan hilty nailed it! their voices are just amazing!
This is the main reason I
Love them!
There isn't an amount large enough to quantify my combined love for these two! Intelligent, talented, witty, and beautiful? Be still my heart.
My favorite Janney performance is in Drop Dead Gorgeous. I love that she can go from a very believable White House Press Secratary in West Wing to a very believable and hilarious white trash alcoholic. Her delivary and comic timing is fantastic. I quote her "Most smartest" line far too often.
Both are absolutely fabulous!
The show is so fun
Do you really wanna know?
Ok, so if you truly want to know how much I love Lily Tomlin and Allison Janney I can refer you to my essays on the topic. (seriously, my universtiy career has been fairly troubled, but the essays do exist). Both of these women are in my top five role models of all time. And Allison Janney is just SUPER adorable (plus totally hot in that white tux outfit).
I heard about this musical a while ago, and while I've been a broadway baby pretty much all my life (my first cd was a cast recording of Joseph and my first record was an original cast recording of My Fair Lady), and I have never had the opportunity to go, and I have weathered this with a fairly good nature, UP UNTIL THIS POINT! I have never been so mad to be poor in my life seriously, if there is a rich benefactor out there somewhere on the boards I will do whatever you like ;) cuz I need to see this musical!! Seriously....just....Gawd.... dying *THUD*
Perfect!
I would kill to go see 9 to 5 on Broadwary, if only i had the money....I love the story, the music and Allison Janney is my personal hero (with sweet Megan Hilty and Stephanie J Block as an added kicker).
Love Lily Tomlin just as much, they were both fantastic on TWW :D
And that picture makes me smiiiiiiiiiiile!
9 to 5
I loved that movie
and Lily Tomlin is made of awesome
What's so tragic is that the movie message is *still* radical
As you say, while we've made some progress, we still haven't achieved equal pay, or flex-work arrangments, etc.
And I'm so glad I didn't see that trailer before I saw the movie - I get that it's supposed to be funny, but it isn't (for me) and the movie is.
I loooved the Snow White scene - it was perfect.
And so is Alison Janney! Perfect perfect casting! I'm feeling pretty positive about this remake now.