Wednesday 30 April 2014

A decade later, 'Mean Girls' is still 'fetch'






It's hard to believe it has been a decade since "Mean Girls" was released. The teen flick with a cast that included Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried, Rachel McAdams and Lacey Chabert is a quotable cult classic. Let's catch up with where they are now:It's hard to believe it has been a decade since "Mean Girls" was released. The teen flick with a cast that included Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried, Rachel McAdams and Lacey Chabert is a quotable cult classic. Let's catch up with where they are now:

Daniel Franzese (seen here with Lindsay Lohan and Lizzy Caplan) plays the witty sidekick Damian who was "too gay to function." Caplan plays Janis Ian, who is determined to take down the Plastics, aka the most popular girls in their high school. Daniel Franzese (seen here with Lindsay Lohan and Lizzy Caplan) plays the witty sidekick Damian who was "too gay to function." Caplan plays Janis Ian, who is determined to take down the Plastics, aka the most popular girls in their high school.

In 2014, Franzese revealed he is also gay in real life. His professional career since the film has included roles in "Party Down' and "Burn Notice" as well as the 2010 film "I Spit On Your Grave."In 2014, Franzese revealed he is also gay in real life. His professional career since the film has included roles in "Party Down' and "Burn Notice" as well as the 2010 film "I Spit On Your Grave."

Caplan later starred in another cult classic, "Hot Tub Time Machine," and as of 2013 had a critically acclaimed role in the Showtime original series "Masters of Sex." Caplan later starred in another cult classic, "Hot Tub Time Machine," and as of 2013 had a critically acclaimed role in the Showtime original series "Masters of Sex."

Lacey Chabert plays Gretchen Wieners and Rachel McAdams plays the leader of the Plastics, Regina George. Lacey Chabert plays Gretchen Wieners and Rachel McAdams plays the leader of the Plastics, Regina George.

McAdams has gone on to find fame in films like "The Notebook" and "Wedding Crashers." She has also made headlines for her romances, including with "Notebook" co-star Ryan Gosling. McAdams has gone on to find fame in films like "The Notebook" and "Wedding Crashers." She has also made headlines for her romances, including with "Notebook" co-star Ryan Gosling.

Chabert was already pretty famous for her role as Claudia Salinger on the hit 1990s TV drama "Party of Five." Since "Mean Girls," she has stayed busy in Hollywood with voice work on animated shows like "The Spectacular Spider-Man," "The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes," and "Transformers: Rescue Bots."Chabert was already pretty famous for her role as Claudia Salinger on the hit 1990s TV drama "Party of Five." Since "Mean Girls," she has stayed busy in Hollywood with voice work on animated shows like "The Spectacular Spider-Man," "The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes," and "Transformers: Rescue Bots."

Jonathan Bennett plays the hunky Aaron Samuels, who finds a love connection with Lindsay Lohan's character, Cady.Jonathan Bennett plays the hunky Aaron Samuels, who finds a love connection with Lindsay Lohan's character, Cady.

Bennett used his role in "Mean Girls" as a career stepping stone and went on to star in the 2009 film "Van Wilder: Freshman Year," and a part in the 2013 TV series "The Glades."Bennett used his role in "Mean Girls" as a career stepping stone and went on to star in the 2009 film "Van Wilder: Freshman Year," and a part in the 2013 TV series "The Glades."

Tina Fey not only stars as Cady's teacher Ms. Norbury, but she is also the film's screenwriter. Tina Fey not only stars as Cady's teacher Ms. Norbury, but she is also the film's screenwriter.

Of everyone, Fey arguably has the biggest career. From her time on "Saturday Night Live" to her creation of and starring role in NBC's "30 Rock," she is one of Hollywood's most successful funny women. So much so that she and BFF Amy Poehler pretty much set the standard for hosting awards shows after co-hosting the 2013 Golden Globes.Of everyone, Fey arguably has the biggest career. From her time on "Saturday Night Live" to her creation of and starring role in NBC's "30 Rock," she is one of Hollywood's most successful funny women. So much so that she and BFF Amy Poehler pretty much set the standard for hosting awards shows after co-hosting the 2013 Golden Globes.

 Lindsay Lohan plays Cady Heron, the new girl in school who is quickly initiated into the Plastics. Lindsay Lohan plays Cady Heron, the new girl in school who is quickly initiated into the Plastics.

In the 10 years since "Mean Girls" was released, Lohan has become as well known for her appearances in the courtroom as in films. In 2014 she embarked on a comeback attempt that included a docu-series on OWN and appearances like this one on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." In the 10 years since "Mean Girls" was released, Lohan has become as well known for her appearances in the courtroom as in films. In 2014 she embarked on a comeback attempt that included a docu-series on OWN and appearances like this one on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."

Amy Poehler plays everyone's favorite hot mess mom, Mrs. George, in "Mean Girls."Amy Poehler plays everyone's favorite hot mess mom, Mrs. George, in "Mean Girls."

Poehler took home a best TV actress award at the 2014 Golden Globes for her starring role in "Parks and Recreation." It didn't hurt that she was also co-hosting the ceremony that year with Fey.Poehler took home a best TV actress award at the 2014 Golden Globes for her starring role in "Parks and Recreation." It didn't hurt that she was also co-hosting the ceremony that year with Fey.

Neil Flynn and Ana Gasteyer play Cady's zoologist parents. Neil Flynn and Ana Gasteyer play Cady's zoologist parents.

Flynn is a regular on the small screen and fans know him as "The Janitor" from "Scrubs" and Mike Heck on "The Middle." Flynn is a regular on the small screen and fans know him as "The Janitor" from "Scrubs" and Mike Heck on "The Middle."

Gasteyer enjoyed a six-year stint on "SNL" and most recently portrayed Sheila Shay on the television series "Suburgatory."Gasteyer enjoyed a six-year stint on "SNL" and most recently portrayed Sheila Shay on the television series "Suburgatory."

Tim Meadows has a bad case of carpal tunnel and the hots for Ms. Norbury as principal Mr. Duvall. Tim Meadows has a bad case of carpal tunnel and the hots for Ms. Norbury as principal Mr. Duvall.

Since the film, "SNL" alum Meadows has worked steadily, with appearances on shows like "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "The Goldbergs" and "Suburgatory."Since the film, "SNL" alum Meadows has worked steadily, with appearances on shows like "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "The Goldbergs" and "Suburgatory."

Amanda Seyfried plays Karen Smith, the ditziest member of the Plastics.Amanda Seyfried plays Karen Smith, the ditziest member of the Plastics.

Seyfried went on to star in the HBO series "Big Love" and in several high profile films including "Gone" in 2012 and "Les Misérables" in 2013. Seyfried went on to star in the HBO series "Big Love" and in several high profile films including "Gone" in 2012 and "Les Misérables" in 2013.








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  • "Mean Girls" was released 10 years ago

  • Tina Fey says she drew on personal experiences

  • Amanda Seyfried has called it her "best work"




(CNN) -- How many of you have felt victimized by a Regina George?


If you raised your hand, you can attest that even a decade later "Mean Girls" still holds up.


Whether it's because Tina Fey's script so authentically captures the high school experience or because of the multiple quote-worthy lines (admit it, you are glad "fetch" happened), the film about a group of teen girls who rule the school and the girl they sort of take under their wing is as popular now as it ever was.


"For the high-school genre, Fey's hilarious script was unusually astute and provocative," the Guardian said of the film in 2013. "Replicating teen doublespeak with brilliant authenticity, the dialogue was full of zingers, accounting for its continued life online."


April 30 marks the 10-year anniversary of the now cult classic. Not only can the 2004 movie be seen in heavy rotation on cable stations, but thanks to Netflix anyone can enjoy the adventures of "the Plastics." Social media has also fully embraced it with Tumblrs and trending hashtags devoted to the characters and their snappy dialogue.


Before gay rights were even being fully embraced, the movie offered up the loveable character of Damian, who was "too gay to function" and partial to singing Christina Aguilera's songs in the school talent show. And for those who have witnessed the train wreck that has become the life and career of "Mean Girls" star Lindsay Lohan, it also serves as a bittersweet time capsule of the days when she was billed as one of the most promising young actresses of her generation.


Based on the 2002 nonfiction book "Queen Bees and Wannabes" by Rosalind Wiseman, actress and screenwriter Fey was able to find the funny in what is often the victimization of young women in school.


In the film, Cady Heron is a 16-year-old daughter of zoologist parents who moves from Africa to the United States and is enrolled in public school after having been home schooled. She quickly catches the attention of the Plastics, a clique of girls who indoctrinate her into their ways, including rules about what days to wear pink and the fact that "ex-boyfriends are off-limits to friends. That's just, like, the rules of feminism."


What follows is a war of manipulation, lies and revenge. Fey told The New York Times that it was all quite familiar.


"I revisited high school behaviors of my own — futile, poisonous, bitter behaviors that served no purpose," Fey said. "That thing of someone saying 'You're really pretty' and then, when the other person thanks them, saying, 'Oh, so you agree? You think you're pretty?' That happened in my school. That was a bear trap."


In fact, "Mean Girls" has become a sort of cultural shorthand for Machiavellian-type machinations -- as well as a favored pop culture reference. During the 2013 government shutdown, the "Mean Girls of Capitol Hill" Tumblr blog grew in popularity, and when Jennifer Lawrence won a 2013 People's Choice Award, she said "I wish this was like 'Mean Girls' and I could just break this (award) up and throw it at all of you because you're all responsible."


The movie grossed just over $129,000 worldwide and helped cement the career of Lohan and launch others, including Amanda Seyfried, who told the Los Angeles Times it was her "best work."


"I look back and I'm like, 'Really, I thought I was doing a terrible job," Seyfried said. "But it was written so well and so wonderfully directed. (Director) Mark Waters made me look good; he made me funny. And Tina Fey wrote the coolest script of all time. I'm so grateful for every experience."


The film is still so popular that news that a musical is in the works has been greeted with panting anticipation from diehard fans. In October 2013 (and no, not on October 3, the date that has significant meaning to Cady in the film), Fey's husband, composer Jeff Richmond -- who is scoring the musical -- told Vulture that progress was being made in developing it.


So, while you wait, and in honor of "Mean Girls," grab your Burn Book or whatever you use to trash people (around here we call it "the comments section"), sit back and maybe revisit the movie. Do it for Glen Coco.



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