When I heard about the movie Quiz Lady, a comedy featuring both Awkwafina and Sandra Oh, I did what any self-respecting fan would do.
I signed up for my 17th one-month free trial of Hulu so I could watch it immediately.
My cat assumed his favorite position by placing both paws on my jugular, and my partner and I made a Saturday night of it.
Overall, the movie was delightful. Sandra Oh plays a silly character named Jenny who tosses her hair extensions on the floor and “is focusing all her energy on manifesting her best life right now.” Awkwafina plays the serious and unassuming Anne who sets an alarm for her evening quiz show and fills her cupboard with orderly bags of a single snack (white cheddar popcorn).
On my second watch, I noticed the molded plastic owl slowly swiveling its creepy head on the neighbor’s side of duplex’s porch. I wondered if it was motion sensor-activated, and if so, whether its red eyes shone bright enough in the dark to startle the neighbors out walking their dachshunds.
Either way, I even enjoyed the background details in Quiz Lady.
But by the time I was preparing our intermission snack of ice cream sundaes topped with frozen raspberries and Nutella, I was upset.
For years, I’ve noticed a particular pop culture shorthand for referring to someone as a loser.
At one point, Jenny (Sandra Oh) refers to Anna’s (Awkwafina) minimalist dating history:
Jenny: I remember everyone you’ve ever dated, since it was just that one weird kid who was so pale he was practically see-through.”
…
Anna: “It wasn’t his fault he was allergic to the sun.”
Haha, another kid with an autoimmune disorder!
But, okay. News alert: Chronic illness is a type of disability.
And autoimmune disorders are not all that rare, actually. Writers, do you really want to be punching down on people who could risk their lives going to a noon-time picnic? You don’t think those people are marginalized enough?
Try replacing “allergic to the sun” with “in a wheelchair.” In 2023, most people would say that does not sound good.
From a craft perspective, it’s bit tedious too: “Allergy kid” jokes are everywhere. For example, even the opening episode of another one of my recent favorites—the series Never Have I Ever—made a crack about how, if Devi didn’t increase her social status, she’d have to hang out with “that kid who was allergic to the sun.”
I say it’s time for this quip to drown in a bucket of sunscreen.
You know how, when you watch decades-old movies, there’s usually at least one sexist/racist/homophobic/transphobic/fatphobic joke that’s kinda jarring? One that would never get written today?
Writers, please do your job and think up some new character details, ones that do not substitute an innate physical characteristic for an actual personality.
Making fun of chronic illness is another cliché that will not age well.
POP QUIZ: I’m considering future lives for this Substack. Do you want to hear more casual pop culture critiques like this from me? Reply to this email, or let me know in the comments.
P.S. If you’re local to the Oregon Coast, come see me this Saturday, December 9th for Warrenton Public Library’s Library After Dark series! 4-6pm. There will be snacks.
Floppy News:
Read a lovely, thoughtful review of Floppy by Lara Lillibridge in River Teeth.
Also, Floppy is on Library Journal’s list of Best Memoir & Biography of 2023!
*I know nothing about this movie. I'm just speaking generally on the topic from just another chronically ill person and writer (who does her best to write with intent).
I see this in two ways:
I see these two women being ableists on accident and that being okay. Why? Because some people are. And while that's not okay, I think the fact that they judged someone speaks to the character of the character created.
I also see this being a trope we should move away from more often. It would be nice to have something else focused on. I can think of plenty of bad dates where the reason I wouldn't date them again is much more interesting than "allergic to the sun". A lot funnier, too.
So I guess it's just a question of: did the writers want to come off as judgmental women? Unlikeable characters shouldn't go away. Some people need that to process or rage with/at/for/towards during their moments of escape.
In my opinion, it comes down to the intent of the comment and the expectations built up for the audience at the end of the day. If you're settling in for a romcom, and they're out here being shitty, you don't want them to have a happily ever after. If it's a comedy, mixed feelings seem more acceptable. Horror? Well, I'm cool to not have a Final Girl, so don't mind me.
I enjoy the pop culture commentary! I'm someone who is mildly "allergic to the sun" due to medication that helps me be less allergic to everything else. Also pale and freckly, so there ya go. And I'm kinda okay with an ableist joke that is either original, happens once, and is critiqued by a sympathetic character, or is solitary, stale, and pointed out for being solitary and stale. Watching characters grow is fun, and hating the baddie is fun sometimes, too.
What I'd rather have are disabled folks in the writers' room/Zoom to write better, more relatable jokes. And folks with a more interesting bad-dating history! Hey Hollywood, call me if you need references :)