It seems like every couple of years or so, someone will release another one of those lists: You know, the ones that talk about the greatest on-screen partnerships and duos. There will be a top ten: Hepburn and Tracy will be mentioned, as will Bogart and Bacall. In the realm of (allegedly) non-romantic pairings, there will be Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and maybe Laurel and Hardy, or the guys from Lethal Weapon. What there reliably never will be is any female-female buddy relationships.

Well, I think that’s nonsense — so without any further ado, here is a list of my favorite (allegedly) non-romantic female partnerships on film and television:

Dorothy (Jane Russell) and Lorelei (Marilyn Monroe), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

The '50s showgirls of this classic film travel together, trade banter, stick up for each other in the face of outsiders, and even walk up the aisle together at the end in matching wedding dresses. Sadly, they weren't actually marrying each other — even though the picture does make it look like it.

Kate/Offred (Natasha Richardson) and Moira (Elizabeth McGovern), The Handmaid’s Tale (1990)

Trapped in the dystopian future imagined by Margaret Atwood's novel, in this film adaptation Kate gets strength, courage, and some much-needed humor from her rebellious lesbian friend Moira.

Thelma (Geena Davis) and Louise (Susan Sarandon), Thelma and Louise (1991)

In this iconic reworking of the traditional road movie, the waitress-and-housewife-turned-stickup-artists became so close that by the end, as Sarandon has said, "they were finishing each others' sentences." … continue reading

This month, Australia's own version of So You Think You Can Dance announced its host, Natalie Bassingthwaighte. Australian and British audiences know Bassingthwaighte as Izzy from Neighbours and as the lead singer of the Rogue Traders, but here's a visual for everyone else:

Bassingthwaighte has done well for herself with the new role, beating out other stars such as Natalie Imbruglia for the position. There doesn't appear to be word yet on the dance prize for the Australian winner, but Bassingthwaighte is excited about the prospects of the show, which is currently auditioning dancers and set to air in 2008.

This month also saw the launch of the new Rogue Traders new album Better in the Dark. If you're not familiar with the electro-pop style of the group, here's a look at their video for “Voodoo Child,” which, incidentally, was featured on a Doctor Who episode this year. … continue reading