Sure, we might not write in-depth cultural critiques of everything that makes a splash on pop culture’s radar every week, but that doesn’t mean we’re not talking about it around the Vv Magazine office watercooler. That’s why, every Friday, Vv Magazine’s editors roundup the stuff we loved, hated, debated, and obsessed over during the week that was with Vv’s Over-rated/Under-rated. We’re not ashamed to admit that we do more than just keep up with the Kardashians — we have office polls on what everyone from Bruce Jenner and Kate Middleton to Marc Jacobs and Justin Trudeau will do next…
Under-rated: Last f*ckable day
Amy Schumer — with the help of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tina Fey, and Patricia Arquette — is our hero of the week. The timing of this sketch, which shines a light on Hollywood and the media’s disinterest in women’s sexuality once they’re deemed too old to be f*ckable, came at an interesting time. See below…
Over-rated: Sandra Bullock is People Magazine’s World’s Most Beautiful
There’s no doubt she’s always been a looker, but the media’s excitement over the fact that a 50-year-old woman could still earn this title — especially when we all know the cover of this issue is not actually won by a democratic international vote and is more of a behind-the-scenes publicist throwdown — is shocking. When naming the “Sexiest Men Alive,” the media’s never been in a tizzy about George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, or Johnny Depp getting props for their good looks over age 50… or the fact that they’re still called “sexy” and not the less-focus-on-the-purely-physical “beautiful,” which can be interpreted more flexibly (read: less about f*ckability).
Under-rated: The influence of the media on our ideas of beauty
Consider this: in the 25-year history of the Most Beautiful issue of People Magazine, men have been the featured cover star only three times (Mel Gibson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise) because the magazine clearly sees being “beautiful” as a female virtue whereas men can be sexy (read: People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” issue). Of the 53 celebrity images featured on the cover for the World’s Most Beautiful issue over the years, the stats breakdown is shocking: 22 white women, 17 white men, 10 women of color, and four (that’s f-o-u-r, 4) men of color.
Related Link: The Rant: Jaden Smith is Wearing Dresses… So What?
Under-rated: W Magazine’s interview and photo shoot with Charlize Theron
This is everything People Magazine’s “World’s Most Beautiful” issue should have been. In the interview for the magazine, 39-year-old Theron honestly addresses the topic of aging and feeling beautiful as a woman: “I think, like many women, I was judgmental toward women as they aged. Women, in our society, are compartmentalized so that we start to feel like we’re cut flowers and after a while we will wilt. I realise now that’s not the case – we can celebrate every age…. That’s my encouragement to 20 year olds who are terrified of getting older: ‘Don’t have a nervous breakdown and don’t hit the Chardonnay too hard. Getting older is not that bad.'”
Related Link: Why We All Get The Face We Deserve At 50
Under-rated: Bruce Jenner’s Diane Sawyer exclusive tonight
In all seriousness, we think Bruce Jenner’s story could potentially be an incredibly important turning point in destigmatizing the transgender community. We’ll be watching.
Over-rated: EL James’ husband writing Fifty Shades of Grey film sequel
Just when you thought Fifty Shades of Grey couldn’t get more out of touch with reality, it turns out EL James’ husband Niall Leonard, a little-known screen writer, has come out of the shadows of his wife’s Twihard fan fiction to pen the film’s sequel. We can’t wait to see how they get S&M wrong this time.
Related Link: 50 Shades of Vancouver
Under-rated: Orange Is the New Black’s new cast member
In real life, her name is Ruby Rose, she’s an Australian VJ and model, and she’s engaged to Roald Dahl’s granddaughter, Phoebe Dahl. In OITNB, she’ll apparently be playing Alex and Piper’s new love interest. Prison is the new Fifty Shades of Grey.
Over-rated: McDreamy is getting killed off Grey’s Anatomy
Wait, didn’t he get killed off eight years ago when everyone stopped watching the show?
Under-rated: The upcoming Netflix reunion of Full House
As kids, we couldn’t get enough of this show about two billionaires pretending to be the same baby named Michelle Tanner. We can’t to see if the Olsen twins show up to shoot Fuller House with the rest of the 80s cast or if they have something better to do, like remake How The West Was Fun.
Neutral: Chinese app MyIdol
For when wasting time at work and self-obsession harmoniously combine in one perfect app.
Related Link (for wasting time on your Mom): The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide
What are your thoughts on Vv Magazine’s “Overrated/Underrated: Amy Schumer, Bruce Jenner, Fifty Shades Sequel“? Who do you think should take over Jian’s position? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us your thoughts @ViewTheVibe.
