AE: Moving on, what
was it that happened to your sister?
EZ: Amy was on the show, on Season 3,
the episode on the Olivia cruise. Among the writers, we decided that we wanted
a woman of size to be in a scene, a sex scene. I told the other writers, "My
sister's a woman of size, she's a feminist and she embraces who she is; I think
she'll do it."
It took a lot for her to appear in that scene — a lot of
guts. She's not skinny, she's not what you see on TV, she's not what you see on
The L Word. But she understood that
we live in a culture that hates us and hates our bodies, so it was important
for her to represent a whole lot of people who are underrepresented on
television, in film — and in life.
But what people wrote about her was unforgivable. On one
hand, you can't believe how many women thanked her for doing it. She was like a
folk hero. On the other, some women denigrated her. When
I read it, I burst into tears. I thought, "Oh my God, say whatever you
want about me. But don't touch my f---ing family. It was very, very hurtful."
AE: My God — I'm so
sorry.
EZ: You know what was the worst part
of that? Is that it came from other women, other lesbians. I've been part of
this community since I started playing music as a 21-year-old. I've always been
out as a lesbian. I have never been in the closet; it never even occurred to
me. BETTY played for gay rights marches and AIDS benefits before it was
fashionable. I mean, I'm not saying aren't we so great. I'm saying we have always played for people that we
loved. So this hatred, especially among each other, I just don't believe in it.
Left to right: Alyson Palmer, Amy Ziff and Elizabeth Ziff of BETTY
Photo credit: Sabrina Usher
AE: I hear you. So,
tell me how you went from doing The L
Word's music to being a producer?
EZ: I started as the show's
composer, and Ilene wanted me to use the music to represent the community. To
show the musical diversity of our community, to let women use our voices on the
show. So right from the start, working with the music supervisor, I tried to
use a lot of lesbian musicians. Like Toshi Reagon.
She's an old friend, and I wanted her to do a song, "How Long," that
her mother wrote. That's historic. And the Ditty Bops;
I've known Amanda since she was 11 years old. The Cliks;
I used them as an end song.
I also tried to reintroduce iconic musicians to a whole new
audience. It's cool: Even when people have no idea what they're listening to — from
Nona Hendryx singing a song written by lesbian icon Carole Pope of Rough Trade,
to Sweet Honey doing a Ferron song to Joan Armatrading — they dig it.
I also oversaw the mixes of the shows, which is what a
producer does, and I can write, so they made me a producer.
AE: I was surprised
to see your writing credit on that hot show last season when Bette and Tina got
back together at the club.
EZ: I mean I've always written. I
wrote, we wrote, BETTY RULES.
AE: Your
rockumentary. I saw that.
EZ: I know the craft. Think about
it: Songwriting is storytelling. A good song has a beginning, middle and an
end. So yeah, I'm a writer. I'm happy that my writing on the show has been
really well-received, even by people who don't like my music.
AE: Did you write the
[episode about the] "Pink Ride," last season's episode about breast
cancer? It was very moving.
EZ: Angela Robinson actually wrote and directed that episode, but at the time, I was dealing with
breast cancer. You knew that, right?
AE: Yeah.
EZ: In 2007, I came home after the fourth
season, and I was really tired after touring with BETTY and doing The L Word. I'm like a rock star, so I
travel and stay up late and drink and party and stuff, but I was even more
tired than usual. I went to the doctor and had a full physical and everything
was fine. But I also needed a mammogram.
AE: What happened
next?
EZ: It was weird. I found out right
around my birthday last year that I had breast cancer. So it was like my cancer
birthday. We tried to have a birthday party, and I'm cutting the cake thinking,
"cancer birthday." I look over at my sister, and she's so drunk
because she's freaked out and scared. Both of our parents died of cancer, so it
was really deep.
AE: And now?
EZ: I just got checked a few months
ago, and I'm totally clean. My case was mild; I was really lucky. I had great care,
and my sister was by my side the whole time I went through this.
AE: I'm glad. The L Word's winding down. What are you
going to do?
EZ: What I've always done. I've
never stopped doing BETTY, and we have a new album coming out, probably late
September, early October. We think it's going to be called Betty Bright and Dark, probably a double CD. We've been performing
the new single, "Did You Tell Her." We're really excited about that.
AE: And your writing?
EZ: I hope to sell a movie I wrote
called The Bomb Squad. It's about a
group of girls in the late '70s, two weeks before graduation from high school.
It's about their friendship with a twist. It's got humor and pathos; that's
what I like.
AE: Anything else?
EZ: Yeah, the Gloria Project. It's
an oral history, a collaboration with Gloria Steinem, who's a good friend. I'm
always surprised when we play at colleges and mention her and young women don't
know who she is. She's a feminist figurehead, but unsung. No, not really
unsung; she just needs to be fully sung. So we're putting together her speeches
and lectures and also having her comment on the state of feminism and humanism.
We want it to be available to libraries and as a free iTunes download in March
next year, for Gloria's 75th birthday.
AE: That's exciting.
One last question. Can you give us an itty bitty hint of what's going to happen
on The L Word next season?
EZ: No.
AE: Geez, Elizabeth —
come on! Please, just a crumb?
EZ: Hey girl, I'm sorry, but I
really can't say anything. I signed a confidentiality paper. I can't even talk
about it to people who are on the show!
For more on Elizabeth
Ziff, visit her MySpace page. For more on
writer Linda Villarosa, go to lindavillarosa.com.
by 
L Word Theme song...controversial?
Is "controversial" code for "it makes viewers everywhere want to stab themselves in the ears?"
___________________________
"There is homophobia in every corner and pocket of this world, but at the core ... you just love someone and want to make mixtapes for them" -Sara Quin
i LOL'd
BWAHAHAHAHA!
i'm thinkin yes.
~i’m just a little bossy, i like it how i like it, when i like it...and that’s how it is~ :P
No f*ing Sh*t
wow!
this girl is sooo full of herself, she is giving herself more credit than she deserves. honestly i think the only reason why she is on the l word is not because of her talent but becasue of her connections. take my words as hate if you must, but i just really dont think her music or television writting is anything special for her to have such a big ego.
linda... you are a great writer and interviewer, you asked all the right questions.
Until You Walk A Mile In Her Shoes
Have you ever met Elizabeth or any of the BETTY band members? Have you written for a television series? Have you written and recorded songs and toured with your band for the past 20 years?
Your comments are hateful, and naive. Most of us get started in our careers or find opportunities because of our "connections." That's how it works in the real world. It's what we do with the opportunities we're given that matters, and the BETTY girls have always given back to the lesbian community in a big way.
While you have every right to pass up tickets to a BETTY concert or turn the channel when The L Word is on, you really need to walk a mile in someone else's shoes before declaring her as having no talent and "such a big ego."
Really? Seriously? Talent,
I'd suggest you read a few more interviews of EZ...
What irked me the most about EZ/Betty was the way that Betty seemed to hijack Season 2 of the L-Word. They made more gratuitous guest appearances than everyone else combined. And their music was overwhelmingly pervasive -- to the point that it did not serve the show, but rather detracted from it. I mean, did the L-word theme sound really need to be spliced in to the Carmen/Shane love scene??? IMHO, the over use of Betty in the storylines (was it necessary for Betty to be at Melvin's funeral??) and in the soundtrack was completely ego driven as it did not serve the plot in a positive way. A truly talented music director would have put the show first and chosen a more diverse/appropriate soundtrack.
I don't like the way EZ comes off in both interviews and in images. In about 50% of her public pictures she is giving the camera the finger (not just one finger I might add, but dual-birds). I'm not sure how impersonating the drunk front man of an 80's hair band is good for feminism or the queer movement. I think such behavior is arrogant and repulsive when men adopt it, and even more so when women do so under the guise of "liberation." Obnoxious behavior is obnoxious behavior. Am I supposed to respect someone who greets the world with a giant "FUCK YOU." Thanks but no thanks. In an interview on YouTube she even brags about the number of people she's "fucked." Don't get me wrong -- I am by no means a prude. I just don't see how bragging about your conquests in terms of sheer numbers (like a 16-year old boy in a locker room) is sex-positive. I just find it incredibly off putting.
The pretensions of 'tude.
Exactly.
A lot of queer women seem to think that, by adopting the tacky behavior of men, that they're somehow liberating it or claiming it for themselves or repurposing it, but ... come on, let's face it, kissing and telling that way? Is always gonna be fucking tacky as hell, regardless of who's doing it. I'm a southerner and there are just some things ya don't do and that's one of 'em.
I mean, seriously, how gross! And I'm not even talking from a moral or religious perspective here or anything - I'm an atheist and I'm very sex positive, myself, I think - but just from a perspective of manners and decorum, it's just a gross thing to do. Assholeish behavior from men is just as assholeish when women do it. Yeah, really.
Not to mention the fact that you're basically shooting yourself in the foot -- 'cause hi, STDs... you might not have any but coming out and saying shit like that will make most women cross the street to avoid you, because they will think you have something.
Plus, this is EZ and ... to be honest, I don't want to think of her having sex with anyone. Ever.
Looking at EZ, I've always gotten this sense of 'tude with nothing to back it up. All hat and no cattle. When I think of real 'tude, I always think of Henry Rollins. He's intelligent, he's strong, he's honest and he's got some bonafide intestinal fortitude on him. Off-stage, the guy is a nerdy, pedantic pussy cat and on-stage he will rip your head off and spit down your spinal column. It might scare some people or put them off, but guys like Henry are hard to come by these days - an honest-to-god poet warrior. When I think of 'tude? That's who I think of.
For me, EZGirl is aping all the worst behavior of the obnoxious cock rockers, thinking that it makes her look badass, and she just doesn't have all that many of the good qualities to back up the pretensions of 'tude. Bragging about how much pussy you get while simultaneously drawing attention to just how much you DO for this community... just... yuck. No, thank you.
you are right i have never
you are right i have never walked a mile in her shoes, but i know that if writting was what i did for a living and people were telling me that i was not that good, i would at least tone my attitude down a nocth. i tried not to make my comments hateful, but i didnt know what other way to say that her writting skills (both in television and music) are not worthy of all her ego. she makes it seem like the success of the l word is due to her. the l word is a big deal for us lesbians and she needs to take a step down and let the real pros like angela robinson and jamie babbit take the lead.
I like the theme song!
really?
Ziff and Ilene Chaiken? really? ever..? A rumour was that? never heard of that...really? Oh...Ilene..actually that could explain some ...things.
And I never knew the bad comments about Biff's sister in that episode on the Olivia...and I always thought overweight women wearing bathing suits at the beach were brave, high selfsteem....and that's what I thought when I saw that episode...that woman was brave, I was impressed and thought that it was great that she could do those scenes. now the actual writting of those scenes, I was in conflict, but still, great for her that she could do them.
I guess no matter who or what we are, we will always get someone that will make harsh, rude comments, and complain no matter what we do, bad or good.
loved
this interview.
i really don't think elizabeth ziff or betty deserves the things that are said about them. there's only a few comments up, and already there's really harsh personal attacks. if you hate the theme song, fine. personally, it never bothered me that much. if you don't like the music, criticize the music. don't criticize the people behind the music.
and about that L Word episode, i think amy was really brave for doing that. kudos.
agree!!
i completely agree with you. i dont really like their song, but that episode with amy musta taken a lot of guts. so yabes for you, amy!
personal attacks are dumb. if you dont like their music, then just listen to a different song, but dont criticize the people.
Personal Attacks?
So far there aren't any personal attacks on here against EZ. Before I go on I am happy for her that she survived her cancer. My mother had a breast tumor and as far as my family knows there's a chance my two other sisters or I might have them too. Moving on...
Based on this interview she comes off as arrogant, egotistical and very defensive. This isn't based on her music, this is based on her interviews and whatnot. Also her music recieves the harsh critism because frankly it sucks. Take the L Word theme: the beat is wack, the singing is off key and the lyrics are horrid. I won't even get into some other songs I heard by Betty.
None of these critisms are personal attacks. Just opinions. :)
Did you read the same comments
"This girl is so full of herself" is not a personal attack?
I don't see the arrogance, either, just the usual kind of ego of someone in the entertainment industry. I'm certainly not a fan, but I don't get the level of ire she elicits. So her music isn't to your (and my) taste? Fine. But let's not diss her for personal qualities if you haven't even met the woman. (I'd understand if she came out and said "everyone here is a bunch of bitches and I hate you all" - but that hasn't happened)
Sorry but...
Before reading any of the comments after reading this interview I thought to myself "WOW! This lady sounds full of herself".
I do see arrogance in this interview. I agree with Mudd Piez. I too got the feeling from this interview that she came off as arrogant, egotistical and very defensive. Sorry but that's just what I got out of it. And based on other comments I'm not the only one. When you put out an interview then expect people to express their opinions. Both good and bad. Look I don't know what the lady is like in real life. I'm not sayin' she's a bad person or even a good person because I just don't know. However, I do think that she came off as...well...full of herself.
--
http://www.drunkduck.com/Empathy/
exactly.
exactly.
while i was reading this interview i was thinking, "someone's a little full of herself." and for all of the reasons everyone else has already said. i don't know the woman, and it's entirely possible that she is a lovely humble person in real life and just a terrible interviewer. it's possible. but it's not likely.
attacks
Hate to disagree - but
Saying this woman is conceeded isnt really a personal attack.Its not a normal 'entertainment industry' answer. You dont see people proclaiming there an "Artist" or " a Writer" -
Does Bob Dylan call him self a Poet?
Does Ellen start every show with " Well im a comedian ..so as you know...."
there are like..maybe....10 words per answer given that are not in direct association with
"I am an artist..."
"i am a writer..."
"I am a decendent of the all powerful Oz...."
Not a personal attack- but having a distaste for thoes who refuse to be humble-and consistantly stroke thier own ego . I think thats what we're seeing here .
I loathe the theme song. I'm not a huge fan of EZ either after this-
Amy however i have loads of respect for- honestly thats the only part of the interview that didnt seem like nails on a chalkboard to me.
Controversial?
It's great to learn a little bit more about the woman behind Betty.
It doesn't make me enjoy the theme song any more though...
- - - - - - - - - -
-Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.
I blog, therefore, I am
i kinda like the theme
i kinda like the theme song. i always hum along when i hear it.
onto the shit about her sister, and her appearance on the l word. what was that all about?
never heard anything of it, although i don't read anything about the l word, apart from on here.
tbh, she's not even 'big'. there are bigger women out there. you'd think that because lesbians are prejudiced against, by some, they'd not be prejudiced themselves, but it proves that no matter who you are, big/fat/whatever you want to call them, people are always hated on.
people are so ignorant. everyone thinks people are fat because they over eat, but take it from me, there are fat people out there that are fat because they have something going on medically.
but hey, no one can change their way of thinking.
What's with Ilene and her???
Hm
I personally don't like the theme song, but I don't like any of Betty's recordings. I have heard them once live - 10 years ago - and they were good. Some artists don't record that well (at least for me).
However, EZ does a GREAT job as the music director (compiler? editor?) on the show. All those cool sounds that everyone loves in the show are put together by her, and I love the mix that she creates. Who doesn't remember the Don't Look Back track from telepopmusik during Helena and Dylan's big love scene at the beach house? So, thank you, EZ, for turning me onto some good sounds.
As for criticisms of Amy Ziff, the only ones I caught were those on her acting - and I don't think it was that bad for a non-professional. It's a shame if people chose to put her down because of her body.
L WORD
Some of the Betty songs are catchy; "Some Kind Of Wonderful" and "It Girl" are right on. The L Word introduced me to the music of Toshi Reagon, The Be Good Tanyas, Goldfrapp, Sleater Kinney, Tegan & Sara, among others so if EZ is responsible for that then kudos to her.
Linda Villarosa did a good job with this interview. I mostly pay attention to the questions being asked in place of the answers.... Uhm I also might have a slight crush on LV :-P
EZ
Nice job, Linda. I'm glad to see "contributing writer" behind your name.
As far as Ms. Ziff: The L-Word episoded writen by her were actually amazing. I would like to see her more so in that project than performing on the show. At times in season 2 and 3 it felt like Betty was being pushed upon the viewers.
oh, and I saw Elizabeth and Alyson at V 1({}) in New Orleans. I sorta screamed "Betty" but I don't think they heard me.
more EZ
in this interview im pretty
Whoa
What's up with all the hate? So what if you don't like the theme song, get over it. Opinions differ, so to each their own.
Personally, when i first heard the theme song I liked it. If anything it was better than what season 1 had.
When I was reading the interview... and it got to the topic of the song, and Elizabeth and Ilene.. I was thinking "oh shits about to hit the fan" but it wasn't as dramalicious as I thought it would be.. anyways great interview! Heh.
I can't believe people were
I can't believe people were so nasty towards her sister. I liked the episode she was in - and was impressed by her music (can't remember the instrument...it was a string one). People can be so narrow minded. I
like the bassline in the theme tune - on the season 2 DVD they have it over the title screen and it sounds pretty cool. The song has grown on me with time.
Personally I think good on her for being proud of her work and who she is.
And the road stretched on like an angry woman...
Theme song
I like to sing the theme song at the top of my lungs, and throw in random verbs just for the hell of it...LOL...its actually pretty fun...
Having said that, I've heard better theme songs (like Cheers and Good Times). But that's just me...
The L Word Theme.
I liked the theme song the first time I heard it, but after that I kind of felt like I was going to have a seizure every time I heard it.
Having been somewhat overweight most of my life I can only imagine how much courage that took for Amy to do that scene. I wouldn't be caught dead in a sex scene on tv. Good for her.
Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth.
Fairness, justice, and freedom are more than words; they are perspectives.
Amy was Sexy!
I loved the cellist scene on the boat! Amy totally rocked it.
I'm sad to hear that people were so mean about it, but I'm not suprised considering the amount of personal attacks here. I don't love Betty, and Elizabeth comes off a bit rough, but hey, it's possible to disagree without being a jerk about it.
She really was sexy.
When I first saw the cellist scenes I was very impressed. They were some of my highlights from season two. Amy was brave to put herself out there, and she exuded confidence in all her appearances. I've never had a killer body, but she made me feel like I didn't need one.
And THAT is sexy.
The 'theme song' is not
The 'theme song' is not controversial because it talks about fucking.
It's controversial because it SUCKS ALL ASS EVERYWHERE THAT EVER GODDAMN EXISTED.
If that makes me 'hateful', I really don't care, because the way Betty infected the show like SYHPHILLIS merits this kind of loathing. Because people tend to resent sub-standard 'art' and its obnoxious, self-absorbed creators being forced down their throats.
I am shocked
by how many women enjoy tearing down other women. Not that I think everything should be all "yay sisterhood" and warm and fuzzy, but as women -- especially as queer women, --don't we deal with enough shit from everyone else in society? Shouldn't we focus more on being supportive of one another? I love this site and most of the women that comment on here are intelligent and usually have great stuff to say. But sometimes I read things that are just so straight-up cruel or judgmental. Is it really necessary?
That said, I personally don't like the theme song. I just don't. But I'm not going to hate on Elizabeth Ziff or Betty just because I don't like their song.
I think it's the worst kind
I think it's the worst kind of bullshit to expect everyone in the queer community to automatically support EZ. I refuse to blindly endorse or support someone just strictly on the basis that they have a vagina like I do, which is basically what you're saying - or, at least, that's what it sounds like from here. And to put it frankly, I think that concept is just ridiculous. It's akin to a coach giving every kid on the baseball team a trophy just for participation, so nobody feels bad or left out.
Sorry, but my standards are far higher than that. If you're going to be an artist and put yourself out there, then you'd damn well better work it and not act like an immodest, obnoxious ass, otherwise you're not going to get a good response from me. You don't get a free ride or my money just because you and I both happen to like pussy.
Yeah, we don't have a lot of role models and we aren't that widely represented, but I'll tell you something: I'd much rather support genuine talent coming from someone who's modest than a chick like this who seemingly does everything she can to stick her fingers in everybody else's pies, whether they belong there or not. EZ strikes me as an attention whore and always has. I think it takes away from the good-deed-doing you do if you spend most of your time pointing it out to people. I mean, seriously, how fucking tacky.
Give me Tegan and Sara and Uh Huh Her anyday.
Agreed. And if EZ
Agreed. And if EZ supports the queer community so much, why did she write such god-awfully bad and biphobic episodes of The L Word? Queer encompasses a diverse range of people.
What rankled me the most about this interview (and I had so much to choose from!) is that EZ sees herself as someone responsible for introducing a "new generation" to iconic performers and iconic feminists who she claims we are ignorant of. Young women absolutely know who Gloria Steinem is! And Carole Pope as well... take a look at the "High School Confidential" reimagining by Lesbians on Ecstasy, "The Pleasure Principal". I'm not interested in EZ's attempts to patronize and insult me and my generation.
Agreed. And if EZ
Agreed. And if EZ supports the queer community so much, why did she write such god-awfully bad and biphobic episodes of The L Word? Queer encompasses a diverse range of people.
Took the words right out of my mouth. The biphobic undertones of The L Word in general annoy the crap out of me, whether it be Alice, Jenny or Tina.
Wow
that's not what I was saying at all. I just think that women can be really fucking mean to one another and are often even more judgmental than men are. I was thinking more in reference to the supposed cruel comments that were made about Amy Ziff. Although I don't think that someone deserves to be personally attacked just because someone else doesn't like their music. I'm not saying that we should blindly support all women. Obviously that's not what I'm saying. I just think people should be judged fairly and that we as women should recognize when we are buying into the paradigm of women being competitive with one another. I have no problem with criticism when it is due. Maybe Elizabeth Ziff deserves it. I don't know. I don't know her or much of anything about her. I just hate comments that are like "That song sucks. I hate her." Really? You really hate her because you don't like her song? That's a little harsh.
I'm just a positive energy person. I think we waste too much time being negative about others when we should just be out supporting those that are really talented and awesome -- like T&S or Uh Huh Her. Even negative attention is attention, which often indirectly supports that person anyway. We should use our strong feelings and energy on things we believe in -- on being supportive of those that we like. That's all I was trying to say. Why be mean and critical to Person A when we could just ignore them all together and spend that time being supportive and celebratory about Person B? Is it because as a society we enjoy spotting others weaknesses and tearing them down? Just something to think about ...
Why be mean and critical to
Why be mean and critical to Person A when we could just ignore them all together and spend that time being supportive and celebratory about Person B? Is it because as a society we enjoy spotting others weaknesses and tearing them down? Just something to think about ...
Like one of my favorite slam poets says: "I have this policy about honesty and kicking ass: if you ask for it, then I have to let you have it."
And that's exactly how I feel about EZGirl. I don't get personal because I have no need to - I can excoriate you strictly on the basis of your art and make you feel like every last branch of your family tree has been spit on. However, I don't have a go at people because of the way they look. I never have. If you knew me, then you'd understand why. I don't have issue with the way Betty look. Though, admittedly, I have had a crush on Alison for years and actually thought EZ and Amy were also rather nice looking as well.
That aside, though. It's not the outsides that I'm concerning myself with, here. It's the insides that inform behavior that I focus on.
Why be critical of EZ? Because she was the one to put herself out there and is acting like an ass. Anybody who's an artist knows it: when you put yourself out there, you have to expect the full spectrum of opinion and criticism, good, bad, indifferent, hostile, confused, whatever. I'm not criticizing her on a personal basis, here, I'm criticizing her on the basis of her public behavior - none of which has done anything positive for the lesbian community, that I can see, and never will.
As an artist, I think there is a certain level of civic/community responsibility and EZ is blowing it, big time. If she wants to wave her flag and run her mouth about how much she does for us, then she'd damn well better start acting like a civilized human and make it worth our while to say 'yes, she's someone who represents me'.
As it stands right now, I don't want EZGirl representing me - not as a woman, not as an artist, not as a lesbian.
I think it's more than a little problematic to say 'ohh, well, don't critcize this person! just be supportive of these people instead!'. Because the fact is, no matter how much I support T&S and UHH, EZGirl is still out there, saying obnoxious shit and making lesbian artists look bad. And that's what it comes down to, as blunt as it may sound: EZGirl makes us look bad. As long as she's out there, shooting off her mouth and acting like an asshole, that's more work for genuinely talented artists who are sincerely trying to make it in the business - they have to fight that negative reception from people who still have the bad EZgirl taste in their mouths. They have to work and prove that not all lesbian artists are mouthy, obnoxious skags and it's hard enough on them already without giving them more to do on top of being lesbian artists.
If you're going to be in the public eye and hopping about and shouting for attention and kudos, then you have to take some of the criticism that will undoubtedly be accompanying the kudos. Or at least do something that merits the kudos in the first place.
Personal attacks?
Have you seen a single comment on here that says "That song sucks. I hate her"? No one is saying anything of the kind. The comments have either been about the indisputably poor quality of the theme song, or the indisputably poor attitude of Elizabeth Ziff.
You say "people should be judged fairly", and I think everyone here agrees; that is all we are doing. People are basing their assessments of EZ's attitude on the way she presents herself to the world. How is that in any way unfair?
the problem with the
the problem with the argument that we should just be "rewarding" artists we enjoy by paying more attention to them rather than "punishing" those we don't like with criticism, is that it assumes that there are options. there are plenty of fabulous talented lesbian artists out there that we can choose to support, but there's only one television show about lesbians, and it only has one musical producer.
and the problem with the argument that we should support betty or elizabeth ziff merely because she's a lesbian artist is insulting to talented lesbian artists. i'm all about supporting talented lesbian artists. and you'll never convince me that elizabeth ziff was the most talented lesbian they could find for that job.
Amen sister!!!
Equally shocked.
The theme song is neither here nor there to me. I don't consider it "blind endorsement" to encourage and support women working together. I think it's admirable to see out artists contributing to our entertainment and even to lesbian visibility.
And if their art isn't up to some personal standard? So what. Go out and do better yourself.
No.
silly!
EZ has guts
I think Elizabeth has guts. She is who she is and doesn't change so people will like her.
It's been my experience that when I don't like something in another person, whether it be a quality or a behavior, and feel the urge to make them wrong or judge them, it's usually because they are reflecting something in myself that I don't like or have not embraced yet.
When I was in my early 30's I was saying how I didn't like so and so because she was so negative and angry all the time. My friend asked how so and so was just like me. I recall stating that if she was like me then... then... and I got out of the car and stomped off. About 10 steps of stomping and I realized that I, in this angry state, was being just like her! lol
power
"As an artist, I think
"As an artist, I think it's important to push the boundaries."
I'm sorry, but writing a bad song and showing up in many gratuitous cameos on The L Word isn't being "controversial" or "pushing boundries", it's just being mediocre and (I apologise for being vulgar, but I can't think of a better term) fame-whoring. As for the (justified) criticism. part of being an artist and putting your stuff out there is dealing with what people have to say about it, good and bad. If you're mediocre...well, there's not really a "good effort" award in music.
Personally, I had a problem with her sister appearing on the show, not because of her weight (I definitely appreciate the Ruben-esque ladies, trust me), but simply because I don't like having Betty members appear on the show.
Thanks Linda for the interview
after reading the interview, I must say EZ does come off sounding compeletly full of herself. Really come on now, the lyrics for L word were that hard to come up with. The song sucks, and the only reason people know the words to the song is cause we watch the show, otherwise, we wouldnt. Props to her sister for doing the cruise ship scene and for EZ winning the battle agaisnt cancer