The good folks at EW.com recently released a list of the "50 Actors We'd Watch in Anything" in two parts. As usual for this type of thing, the list was dominated by men — there were only 18 women listed. But I do have to give them kudos for selecting stellar actors.

Kate Winslet, Rosario Dawson, Joan Cusack and Allison Janney

I actually agreed with the majority of the list. And — wait for it — they even included an out lesbian in Cherry Jones!

Jones with partner Sarah Paulson

Admittedly, I don't get to the movies as often as I'd like. I think I have only actually gotten to the theaters once in the past month. So it might be a stretch to say I'd watch these ladies in "anything." I like to think I have standards in some area of my life. I would prefer to call the list "50 Actors That Would Allow Us to Not Hate Ourselves for Paying $9 to See This Crappy Movie." … continue reading

Tonight at 8:00, tune in to Fox for the 39th NAACP Image Awards telecast. This year, the theme is "Stand Up and Be Counted." According to the press release,

During this crucial election year, the NAACP encourages everyone to be socially conscious and take a stand on critical human and civil rights issues.

Wouldn't it be nice if every awards show encouraged such things? Susan Sarandon always gets played off when she tries to be political on the Oscars, and Kanye West was barely allowed to remember his mom on the Grammys this year.

Here are some of the nominees:

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
CCH Pounder (The Shield)
Jennifer Beals (The L Word)
Nicki Micheaux (Lincoln Heights)
Regina Taylor (The Unit)
Wendy Davis (Army Wives)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
America Ferrera (Ugly Betty)
Golden Brooks (Girlfriends)
Tia Mowry (The Game)
Tichina Arnold (Everybody Hates Chris)
Tracee Ellis Ross (Girlfriends)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Audra McDonald (Private Practice)
Chandra Wilson (Grey's Anatomy)
Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Without a Trace)
Pam Grier (The L Word)
S. Epatha Merkerson (Law & Order)

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As roc reminded us earlier this week, our favorite shows are running out of new episodes. That includes Grey's Anatomy, which is my personal choice for 2007's Best Comeback From a Lukewarm Season.

To make us feel better, ABC has released some midseason (which could be end-of-season) promotional stills of the cast. And not sharing the best ones with you would just be wrong. So here's a little eye candy for your weekend viewing pleasure.

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Most AfterEllen.com readers and indeed most observant consumers of pop culture are aware of how rare quality film and television roles for black actresses tend to be. Just yesterday, Sarah blogged about the women of Soul Food, who have gone from lead roles in a compelling drama to primarily supporting roles, and earlier this week the LA Times spoke up with an article about Hollywood's love for "black best friends."

While the article doesn't necessarily break entirely new ground (Spike Lee has been talking about the related "magical negro" phenomenon for years), this unfortunate "BBF" trend — the casting of a black woman as the "the wise, loyal and often sassy sidekick" to a leading white woman — deserves all the press attention it can get, in the hopes that it will change. Just think about it:

I love Wanda Sykes in anything she does, thought Stacey Dash as Dionne was Clueless Cher's better half, and am becoming a fan of My Boys best friend Kellee Stewart (now that her character's story line has moved slightly beyond finding a man to fly to Italy with her). I also think that sidekicks are often more interesting and appealing than lead characters (hello, Willow).

But I'd be even more thrilled to see these women in lead roles, and when I try to think of instances in the reverse — black women with white best friends — all that comes to mind is Peter, Rudy's pal on The Cosby Show, and I don't think that counts, no matter how cute they are. … continue reading

This past Sunday, the New York Times said there's something wrong with Grey's Anatomy and its upcoming spinoff. And it's something kind of serious: According to the author of the article, Alessandra Stanley, these shows are bad for women.

Stanely notes that "career girls" on TV started off "competent-but-flaky" (see Mary Tyler Moore and Marlo Thomas), but have devolved into "basket case[s]" — and it's all thanks to Ally McBeal.

Unfortunately, says Stanley, the Kate Walsh spinoff seems even worse in this regard: … continue reading