Latest news with #Mid-CenturyModern
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hulu's 'Mid-Century Modern' Furthers Gay Representation in Both Big and Small Ways
Hulu's 'Mid-Century Modern' Furthers Gay Representation in Both Big and Small Ways originally appeared on L.A. Mag. When Mid-Century Modern —starring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer and Nathan Lee Graham, and developed and created by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan of Will & Grace fame — premiered March 28 on Hulu, the gay pedigree had already been signed, sealed and delivered. The sitcom, which includes Ryan Murphy among its executive producers, was touted as the heir apparent to the (still) wildly popular NBC show The Golden Girls (1985-92). Yet that sobriquet felt unfair — partly because the two generations of programming are most dissimilar. Forty years ago, when The Golden Girls premiered, Blanche, Dorothy and Rose — three heterosexual women — were dealing with gay storylines in a very different way. They responded with utter shock upon finding out a longtime friend was a lesbian, or a brother was gay, or to the very difficult and very real AIDS crisis that was affecting its core audience in real time. But the show was seen then as groundbreaking television and the representation mattered. Almost a half-century later, it still does. So, specifically, what do the two sitcoms have in common? Not a lot, actually, unless you consider an inhumanely hot location as the setting. Miami was the home of The Golden Girls, while Palm Springs is the backdrop for Mid-Century Modern — complete with a seemingly endless supply of fabulous robes worn by both Lane's character Bunny and the always fab Arthur, played by Graham. When the cost of those robes is brought up at my recent sit-down with the three actors, Bomer — who plays Jerry, often seen in short-shorts and tank tops — quips, 'What they save on Jerry's wardrobe, they put into the robe budget.'It's clear the three actors have developed an easy chemistry off-camera as well as on, with Lane — who has a wealth of experience playing famously gay characters on both stage and screen — effortlessly taking the role of den mother, much like Bunny on the show. When asked what drew him to the project, he cites the cast as well as the subject matter. 'I get to work with these people,' he says. 'It's just about trying to do good work, and with a story and characters that I don't think you've seen that much of: gay men who are getting older; men in their 40s, 50s and 60s trying to navigate life. I think that's what makes it new and refreshing. And if we're entertaining folks and making them laugh, it's the best way to get your message across.' Lane feels viewers can relate to the same fear of aging with which his character grapples. 'I'm just like you: I don't like getting old,' he says. 'How do I deal with it? Am I still viable in the marketplace? Can I still get a date? You see why [Bunny] wants to live with these two men who have been his closest friends all these years. It's interesting how they've all come together. I sort of force the issue impulsively and say, 'Move in with me, and I'll pay for everything.' Which is kind of crazy, but they do it. We're not making some grand statement — but I think subtly we are. Even people who might not agree with us politically, [I hope] that they enjoy who these characters are and laugh. And that is a statement in itself.' For Graham, ubiquity is key to furthering gay representation. 'Some of us do parades, some of us write op-eds, some of us do podcasts,' he says. 'My thing is, if someone sees me doing something positive, then that's my activism, to always show up, to be that glamorous cockroach that never dies. [I love that I] always, always, always hear, 'There's that bitch again! There she is again.' You can't get rid of me.'Graham gets pride in helping others in similar situations navigate life. 'If you feel seen in any way, or if you feel good after watching our show, the mission is accomplished. If you're going through it that day [and] you put on an episode of our show, and you get through the next three hours because of it, well then, we've done our job. That is why it's so important to have a show like this on right now.'Bomer, who was coming off the melodramatic, decades-spanning Showtime miniseries Fellow Travelers, which follows closeted political staffers from the McCarthy era through the AIDS crisis, sees Mid-Century Modern as a welcome shift in tone. 'I'm just so grateful that we were able to put this show out and to try and bring some joy to the world and bring some visibility as well,' Bomer says. 'These are real people in real conversations in a fun way.' He says he feels the show's occasionally zany sugar coating is a plus. 'Sometimes, for me as an audience member, if I can laugh when I'm hearing any type of messaging or identifying with another person, it sinks a little bit deeper than if it's too earnest or on the nose,' he says. 'So that's one of the things that really appealed to me about being a part of something like this.'Bomer explains he's tired of hearing questions about the obstacles LGBTQ entertainers face. 'People always want to talk about the 'problem' [of] what it's like to be a gay actor, but I'm so much more interested in the solution,' he says. 'And I think it's [in giving] our voices to something like this — that people can identify [with] or feel seen or get a release of some kind from watching it. That's meaningful to me and makes it worthwhile.'When the conversation turns to the tragic loss of beloved actress Linda Lavin during production, the guys disclose that the cast and crew were tasked with the unimaginable feat of producing an episode that dealt head-on with an unexpected death. Lavin portrayed Lane's character's mother, Sybil, and Lane has to play the scene from a raw place that's both personal and immediate. The episode mixes the very real, sad emotions with the humor that's often needed in diffcult times.'You could hear a pin drop when we got to that section of the show,' Lane recalls. 'It was emotional, but it felt very satisfying and gratifying, because I felt they had paid tribute not only to the character, but to Linda, the great actress.'For Bomer, the depth of the loss struck backstage. 'I remember when it really hit me that Linda was gone,' he says. 'We would always be together behind the curtain when they'd introduce us before the show. And one of my favorite things about this whole experience is being with these actors: Linda Lavin, who's a legend; Nathan [Lane]; and Nathan Lee — all theater icons. And we're all still just as nervous to go on stage before the show starts, and that's something that I'll hold so near and dear to my heart. Then, not having Linda there that day really drove it home to me.' In contemplating a possible Season 2, all three men grow animated when describing how they'd like to see their characters evolve. 'I'd love to meet Jerry's ex-wife, his mom [and] the congressman he slept with!' Bomer exclaims. Graham has some guest stars in mind. 'We got to get these black ladies lined up,' he says: 'Jenifer Lewis, I think she's the auntie. Maybe Phylicia Rashad is the mother.' Lane feels more time is needed to fully uncover the show's ties to past sitcom glory. 'I'm the real Golden Girl,' he says of Bunny. 'I'm the one who spent his whole life in [the] business and never had that major relationship. So that may not happen. I mean, it possibly could, but … we need to explore all of those things.' Lane believes a second season of Mid-Century Modern would allow the series to continue to deepen its characters and their connection to the audience. 'I think with the unfortunate passing of Linda, and how we treated that happening, [it's] indicative of how the show can and will move forward — with serious subject matter that happens in real life,' he says. 'And [it'll explore] why this chosen family is now even more important.'At the end of our time together, one thing is abundantly clear: These three actors have helped diffuse the stigma of the label 'openly gay actor' for members of the generation that follows. The show has also proven that the sitcom may actually be alive and well. The format still has new stories to tell, new families to visit, new life experiences to share … with a few 'F-bombs' and 'C-words' thrown in for good measure, all while 'filmed in front of a live studio audience' — just like The Golden Girls. Photographed by Irvin RiveraPhoto Assistant: Avery Cefre @dinoschmoodio; Nathan Lee Graham: Groomer: Steve Schepis (@steve_schepis); Styling: Clint Spires; Nathan Lane: Groomer: Angella Valentine (@angvalentine); Styling Team: Sam Spector @samspector Styling; Assistants: Katie Vaughan @kvaughan1 & Esther Pak @pakesther; Matt Bomer; Groomer: Jessi Butterfield @jessibutterfield; FASHION: 1ST LOOK, Nathan Lane: teal suit, white shirt: Suitshop; tie: Seaward and Stearn of London, pocket square: Tie Bar, shoes: Greats; 2nd Look: Vince Jacket, Vince pants, Brooks Brothers shirt, Marc Fisher shoes This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘The biggest mistake of my life': 6 actors on typecasting, comedy idols and more
Hailing from some of today's funniest TV series, six actors gathered recently for an uninhibited conversation about what it takes to make people laugh at The Envelope's Emmy Roundtable for comedy actors. In Netflix's 'Running Point,' Kate Hudson plays Isla, a woman who becomes pro basketball's first girl boss when she takes over the family franchise. In ABC's 'Abbott Elementary,' Lisa Ann Walter portrays Melissa Schemmenti, a tough grade school teacher in Philly's underfunded public education system. With Hulu's 'Mid-Century Modern,' Nathan Lane takes on the role of Bunny, an aging gay man who brings together a chosen family when he invites two friends to reside in his Palm Springs home. 'Hacks' co-creator Paul W. Downs does double duty as Jimmy, the manager to legendary comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) in the Max series. Bridget Everett, creator of HBO's 'Somebody Somewhere,' plays Sam, a cabaret singer who moves back to her family's sleepy Kansas town to take care of her dying sister. And David Alan Grier stars as Dr. Ron, a devoted physician and cranky veteran who's seen it all in the overrun ER of a small-town hospital in NBC's 'St. Denis Medical.' The talented group spoke with The Times about their respective shows, typecasting and the risks one takes to make great comedy. Read on for excerpts from our discussion — and watch video of the roundtable below. The best comedy pushes boundaries, which means it can also skirt the edge of offensive. How do you know if you've gone too far, or haven't pushed it enough? Downs: In the 'Hacks' pilot, Jean Smart's character, Deborah Vance, says there is no line. I think there's nothing off limits, because it's really about execution and thoughtfulness. The thing that makes edgy comedy not funny is when it causes harm, when it's something that's punching down, when it's not something that can bring people together. That, to me, isn't worth it. But there's nothing that's too taboo, because that's what comedy is for. It's to examine things, explore things, get close to the edge. Everett: I think that comedy is about making people feel good. I want to make people feel joy. So as long as I'm not hurting anybody's feelings, I think everything's on the table. Grier: I don't think you know the edge and that's why it's dangerous. I've done things where I thought, 'This is too much,' and things where I thought, 'We didn't go far enough.' So you have to play that game. My intention is never to anger and offend, but you do have to put yourself in that position and take a chance, especially with comedy. You can prescreen it, but who are you prescreening it to? Sixty-year-old white women? High school kids? You have to take a chance. Hudson: I'm not a stand-up [comedian], so it's fun to watch people walk that line. It's exciting. What are they going to say? Is it going to be offensive? Is it not? Is it going to be brilliant? That's part of what's fun about being an audience of adult comedy. But I don't like mean comedy. It's really hard for me to see. I've been asked to do roasts a million times, and I just can't do it. It just doesn't move me in any way. Lane: I was asked. This was the biggest mistake of my life. ... A Friars [Club] Roast that was going to happen. [Jerry Lewis] was going to be roasted. And Richard Belzer said to me, 'Oh, Nathan, would you be a part of it? Would you do it? It would mean a lot to Jerry.' And I'm like, 'Oh, yeah, sure. I'll do the roast.' And then I'm suddenly there and I'm sitting next to Paul Shaffer and Jeff Ross, who apologized in advance for what he might say. And I realized then that, 'Oh, you're not getting up and just roasting this person. You're attacked. You're on the dais.' So I thought, 'Oh, what have I gotten into?' And I had asked them, 'Please let me go first.' And I had worked out jokes. I had a couple of writers help me, and there was an initial joke, which was, 'The only reason I agreed to do this was because I thought by the time it happened, Jerry would be dead.' Walter: I'm on a show that's got a lot of kids, and families can watch it together, which was [creator] Quinta Brunson's intention. But there are things that the kids won't get and that adults get. Melissa Schemmenti gets bleeped out regularly because she curses. She's South Philly! As a comic, I only am interested in edge, that's where I want to live … It's easier to make a point and get ears when you're making people laugh. And we do that on the show quite frequently. They'll do a storyline about the school-to-prison pipeline, but it's not ham-fisted, it's not preachy. It's edgy and it's all within jokes. Anytime you're making people laugh, I think you can say whatever you want. What's the strangest or most difficult skill you've had to learn for a role? Hudson: In 'Almost Famous,' [director] Cameron [Crowe] wanted me to learn how to roll cigarettes fast with one hand. And so I was learning how to roll, and I got really good at it really fast. And then when we were doing camera tests, I was doing it and I was smoking. And he was like, 'No.' And I was like, 'What? I just spent months trying to learn how to do that!' Then I started rolling my own cigarettes and got into a really bad habit and then spent years trying to quit. Downs: On 'Broad City,' I had to learn and do parkour. It's high skill level and high risk. You know, when you jump off buildings and roll around ... [leap] off chairs and over fire hydrants. I did it, but not a lot of it ended up onscreen. Just the most comedic moments. I jumped between buildings and they didn't even put it in! Lane: When I did 'Only Murders in the Building,' they said, 'So you have a deaf son and you're going to have scenes with him in ASL [American Sign Language].' It was challenging. I had a coach and I would work with him. And the wonderful young actor, James Caverly, who is Deaf ... he was very supportive. If I had to become fluent, it would've taken six months to a year to do it well. But I had an advantage; they said, 'Oh, your character is embarrassed by having a deaf son, so he didn't learn it until later in life. So he's not that good at it.' But it was a great thing to learn. I loved it. Grier: I did an episode of a sitcom in which it was assumed, unbeknownst to me, that I was very proficient playing an upright bass. This is not true. I played cello as a child. I had to play this upright bass and as a jazz musician. It was horrible. Your fingers swell and blister and bleed. Of course, I went along with it because that's what we're all supposed to do. But by Day 4, my fingers were in great pain. I never mastered it. But I did want to ask them, 'Who told you I could play?' Everett: I did a little trapeze work, but since the knee thing, I can't anymore … [Laughs] Lane: This was the independent film about the Wallendas, right? Everett: The truth is I've never had to do anything. Really. I had to rollerblade once in a Moby video, but that doesn't seem like it's going to stack up against all this, so maybe we should just move on to the next person. I would do trapeze, though. I'll do anything. Well, not anything. Can we just edit this part out in post? Hudson: I'm in love with you. Walter: In a movie I did where I started out as the nosy neighbor, I found out that I was going to be a cougar assassin and I had to stunt drive a Mustang and shoot a Glock. It was a surprise. Literally. When I got to set, I saw my wardrobe and went, 'I think I'm playing a different character than what I auditioned for.' ... They put the car on a chain and I got T-boned. I was terrified, but then I was like, 'Let's go again!' That was the most dangerous thing until I had to do a South Philly accent as Melissa, and do it good enough so that South Philly wouldn't kill me. That was probably more dangerous. Let's talk about typecasting. What are the types of roles that frequently come to you, where you're like 'Oh, my God, not again!' Lane: Oh, not another mysterious drifter. Hudson: Rom-coms. If I can't get a job doing anything else, I can get a job doing a romantic comedy. When you have major success in something, you realize the business is just so excited [that] they want you in them all the time. It really has nothing to do with anything other than that. It's something that I'm very grateful for, but you're constantly having to fight to do different things. I'd be bored if I was constantly doing the same thing over and over again. But it's just how the business works. Once you're in that machine, they just want to keep going until they go to somebody else. Walter: I can't tell you how bored I am with being the gorgeous object of men's desire. I named my first production company Fat Funny Friend … But as a mother of four in Los Angeles, I didn't really have the luxury of saying, 'I want to branch out.' But I did say, 'Can I play someone smart?' My father was a NASA physicist. My mother was brilliant. I was over doing things I could do in my sleep, always getting the part of the woman who sticks her head out of the trailer door and goes, 'I didn't kill him, but I ain't sorry he's dead!' ... It's like, 'Can I play someone who has a college education?' And I did, finally, but it took Quinta to do it. Grier: I've found that the older I've gotten, the roles I'm offered have broadened. And I've played a variety of really challenging great roles because I'm old now. That's been a real joy because I didn't really expect that. I just thought I'd be retired. I did. So it's been awesome. Lane: There was an article written about me, it was sort of a career-assessment article. It was a very nice piece, but it referred to me as the greatest stage entertainer of the last decade. And as flattering as it was, I can find a dark cloud in any silver lining. I felt, 'Oh, that's how they see me?' As an 'entertainer' because of musicals and things [I did] like 'The Birdcage' or 'The Lion King.' I'd been an actor for 35 years and I thought, 'I have more to offer.' So I wound up doing 'The Iceman Cometh' in Chicago ... and that would change everything. It was the beginning of a process where I lucked out and got some serious roles in television, and that led to other things. But it was a concerted effort over a period of 10, 15 years, and difficult because everybody wants to put you in a box. Is it difficult in the industry to make the move between drama and comedy? Walter: It's a lifelong consternation to me that there is an idea that if you are known comedically, that's what you do. We are quite capable of playing all of the things. Grier: I remember seeing Jackie Gleason in 'The Hustler.' I loved it. He was so great. Robin Williams also did serious. I think it's actually harder when you see serious actors try to be comedians. Downs: One of the things about making 'Hacks' is we wanted to do something that was mixed tone, that it was funny and comedic but also let actors like myself, like Jean, all of these people, have moments. Because to us, the most funny things are right next to the most tragic things. Hudson: And usually the most classic. When you think about the movies that people know generation after generation, they're usually the ones that walk the line. And they're the ones that you just want to go back and watch over and over and over again. Everett: I haven't had a lot of experience with being typecast because I've been in the clubs for a long time doing cabaret. But on my show, Tim Bagley, who plays Brad … he's been doing the same characters for I don't know for how long. So we wrote this part for him, and one of the most rewarding things for me on this show was sitting behind the monitor and watching him get to have the moment he deserved ... It's one of the greatest gifts to me as a creator to have been part of that. It's a whole thing in my show. We're all getting this break together. We've all struggled to pay our rent well into our 40s. I waited tables into my 40s, but you don't give up because you love doing it. I'm sure many of you are recognized in public, but what about being mistaken for somebody else who's famous? Grier: I went to a performance of a David Mamet show on Broadway. I went backstage, and this particular day, it was when Broadway was raising money to benefit AIDS. There was a Midwestern couple there with their young son and they saw me, and the house manager said, 'This couple, they're going to give us an extra $1,000 if you take a picture with them. Would you mind?' I'm like, 'Yeah, cool.' So I'm posing and the dad goes, 'It is our honor to take a picture with you, Mr. LeVar Burton.' Now in that moment, I thought if I say no, people will die. So I looked at them and I went, 'You liked me in 'Roots?'' He said, 'We loved you.' Click, we took the picture. I'm not going to be like, 'How dare you?!' Walter: Peg Bundy I got a couple of times. But as soon as I open my mouth, they know who I am. I can hide my hair, but as soon as I talk, I'm made. Hudson: I've had a lot of Drew Barrymore. And then every other Kate. Kate Winslet, Katie Holmes ... I've gotten all of them. Walter: Do you correct them? Hudson: Never. I just say yes and sign it 'Cate Blanchett.' I'd love to know who everybody's comedic inspiration was growing up. Walter: My dad used to let me stay up and watch 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour' and 'Laugh-In.' I got to see Ruth Buzzi, rest in peace, and Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin. Jo Anne Worley. All these funny women. That's what made me think, 'You can get a job doing this, the thing that I get in trouble for at school?!' Grier: My comedy hero was Richard Pryor. I was this Black little boy in Detroit, and George Jessel would come on 'The Mike Douglas Show' and he might as well have been speaking Russian. I'm like, 'How can this be comedy?' Then I saw Richard Pryor, and he was the first comic who I just went, 'Well, this guy's hilarious.' Downs: I remember one of the first comedies that my dad showed me was 'Young Frankenstein.' I remember Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman and Madeline Kahn. All of these women. I was always like, 'They're the funniest ones.' Hudson: My era growing up was Steve Martin, Martin Short, Albert Brooks, Mel Brooks. But women were, for me, the classics. Lucille Ball. Walter: There was a time when I was growing up where women really dominated comedy. They were your mom [nods at Hudson, Hawn's daughter], Whoopi [Goldberg], Bette Midler. The biggest stars of the biggest comedies were women, and then that all went away for a really long time. I think it found its way back with Judd Apatow and then he made 'Bridesmaids.' Hudson: I tried really hard to make edgy comedy and studios wouldn't do it. They wouldn't. It took Judd to convince the studio system that women are ready. That we can handle rated-R. In the '70s and '80s, there was a ton of rated-R comedy with women. But for some reason, it just all of a sudden became like, 'Oh, there's only 1½ demographics for women in comedy.' I always felt like it was an uphill battle trying to get them made. Then I remember when Jenji [Kohan] came in with 'Orange Is the New Black.' That was really awesome. Lane: Above all, it was always Jackie Gleason for me. He was such an influence. He was hilarious, and of course, very broadly funny, but then there was something so sad. It was such pathos with him. ... He was this wonderful, serious actor, as well as being Ralph Kramden. Everett: There's nobody that taught me more about how to be funny than my mom. She just had this way of being that I have used in my live shows. It's led to where I am now. She used to wet her pants [laughing] so she had to put towels down on all the chairs in the house. She just didn't care. That shows you to not care, to go out there. I live in fear, but not when I feel like she's with me. Grier: That's the edge. You're either going to weep or you're going to [laugh] until you urinate.
Buzz Feed
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Which Mid-Century Modern Character Are You?
Palm Springs realness, chosen family feels, and martinis at 5. In Hulu's hilarious new sitcom Mid-Century Modern, five unforgettable personalities come together under one roof—and chaos (and comedy) ensues. Are you the no-nonsense Bunny, the sensitive soul Jerry, the stylish icon Arthur, the overbearing-yet-fabulous Sybil, or the unpredictable whirlwind Mindy? Take this quiz to find out which character from this gay Golden Girls fantasy matches your vibe.
Buzz Feed
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
38 Products That'll Add A Bit Of ~Ooo La La~ To Your Home
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Shopping · Your friends are gonna think your home has jumped off of the cover of a magazine. 1. An absorbent floral dish drying mat to protect your precious counter from any pesky stains in the cutest way possible. Not only is it super adorable, but it'll soak up those milk splatters that the wayward frother left behind in its wake. The top layer is made of absorbent PU leather, so you can simply rinse or wipe it clean! It also has an anti-skid rubber backing to prevent sliding. Promising reviews:"I like that I can wipe this mat with a wet cloth. It's water resistant, durable, and pretty!" — Miss Dee "I was a little concerned about how things would dry on this mat since it isn't fabric, but everything seems to dry really well – and it is just so pretty a thing to have on my counter! Can't beat the price either." — Nana M. Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in three sizes and six colors/styles). 2. Itty-bitty, collapsible storage crates you can slip into drawers or stack inside your pantry to hold your collection of Taco Bell hot sauce packets. These pastel colors are soooo much cuter than any other plain old grey or white organizational bins you currently have. Promising review: "These are so cute and very easy to set up. I have my hairclips and scrunchies in them. I love that they are stackable, so they don't take up too much space. They're about the same size as my hand, so they're relatively small. They're good for storing little things like mini hand lotions and hand sanitizer. If you're thinking about getting them, I highly recommend them!" — Dog_Mom Get a pack of six from Amazon for $9.99 (also available in two other sizes and six colors). 3. A miniature mid-century LED fireplace for anyone who wants to add a bit of ~personality~ to their home, but in an affordable way. You may have always longed for a real Malm one, but this one is A) in your price range and B) small enough to actually fit in your home. 3DSpaceGarden is a small business that sells Mid-Century Modern miniatures. Promising review:"This is such a beautiful piece! Love how the logs diffuse the light from the flickering candle. For the price, it's amazing!" — Julia K. Get it from 3DSpaceGarden on Etsy for $24 (originally $30, available in eight colors). 4. A set of toilet bolt caps you can screw onto your toilet to add a bit of ~whimsy~ to your porcelain throne. Yeah, even your toilet will be cute. Promising review: "Absolutely love these. My daughter's toilet was missing the original caps, so I thought I would give these a try. They are so nice looking!! She loves them. Great quality and fits perfectly over the screw. Going to buy some for my bathroom now! Buy it, you won't regret it." — Valentine Girl Get a pair from Amazon for $15.65 (available in nine styles). 5. A floral shower curtain so you never need to decorate your bathroom ever again — this one defining piece will be all you need. You can now enter your latrine in absolute happiness as you stare at the work of art — uh, I mean your bath curtain. Anthropologie Promising review:"The fabric is of excellent quality, and the colors are vibrant and so pretty!" — Linseyannb Get it from Anthropologie for $78. 6. A charming waterproof shelf liner because you're tired of having to reach and scrub out those creamer spills and mystery stains from your fridge every other week. Now, you can simply lay down these adorable liners and just take them out when they need to be wiped down. As our friend Elle Woods likes to say, "What? Like it's hard?" Amazon Promising review: "Very good quality liner. I love the daisy print and it is a good thickness. Super easy to cut (I used a box cutter). Definitely recommend!" — Karen Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 10 sizes and 11 patterns). 7. And a roll of scented liners so your nostrils can be greeted by a stream of florals every time you open your drawers. Plus, it'll leave your bestie so impressed when they stay for an overnight visit and reach into your drawer to borrow a comfy T-shirt. Merriton is a small business that sells rolls of scented liners for dressers and linen closets. Promising reviews:"I am very pleased with these scented drawer liners! They are perfect for my bedroom chest of drawers. The paper is heavy, and the scent is wonderful. I love it! I may buy them as gifts." — Ela "This is a traditional scented drawer liner paper — the kind people used for decades before modern adhesive (plastic) papers — and it's beautiful. I purchased the royal bloom scent, and it smells like fresh pears. The paper comes in a tight roll, and I suggest reverse rolling or laying it flat and weighing it down for a night before installing it. I very much prefer non-adhesive paper like this because it is easy to install and replace, but also because it is old-school elegance." — Trillium Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in three patterns). 8. A pretty tea cup set because your perfectly crafted latte deserves to rest prettily on a cloud. This is so dreamy that you're gonna end up buying one in every color. Reviewers are split on the size — the opening measures 3.2 inches wide, and it can hold drinks up to 6.5 ounces. Promising review: "I bought this completely on a whim, and it was totally worth it. Adorable cup, a lot bigger than I expected it to be! I haven't put anything in it yet, so I can't say whether or not it stains, but it's still very cute regardless." — AEL Get it from Amazon for $19.98 (available in five colors and in packs of four). 9. A set of ceramic apple knobs so you can swap out your boring, plain ol' knobs for something a bit more ~sweet~. This might be the easiest way to add a bit off 🥂 à la mode🥂 to your kitchen. Amazon Speaking of fruit-themed kitchens, check out this strawberry kettle. Promising review: "I LOVE everything about these cute little cabinet knobs, and they're soooo easy to install — everything was right inside. 😀" — Sheryl E. Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $14.99. 10. And very, VERY cute bow-shaped brass knobs if you're firmly in your "I'm just a girl 💅" era. Frankly, these are almost too pretty. Get a closer look at them in this TikTok! Promising review: "These brass bow knobs are so beautiful and work perfectly with the dresser that I bought for my baby girl's nursery! I was worried that they would be too small or that the quality would be lacking, so I paid three times the price for a set of backup knobs from Crate & Kids that I will now be returning. I'm just a dummy and ordered only six knobs when I actually needed 12. Good thing the seller offers free one-day shipping! Once all the knobs are changed out, the dresser will truly look Pinterest-worthy! :)" — WAR Get the set of six from Amazon for $29.99 (available in two colors and also a set of eight). 11. A velvet ottoman so you can keep all of your fave blankets on hand for those movie nights but out of sight so your mother doesn't start trying to pick up after you when she comes to visit. Promising review: "Omg! I love this ottoman; it is beautiful. It's the perfect match for my sofa and chair. I've been looking for months to try to find something to match, so I took a chance on this one. PERFECT!!!! I couldn't be happier." — Susan Get it from Amazon for $81.40+ (available in 16 styles). 12. A ribbon bookmark because your favorite novel deserves to have an accessory almost as cute as the story within. Buying a bunch of these to match your favorite books is sure to add some 🎀 ooh la la 🎀 to your bookshelf. The Bestie Booksleeve is a small business that sells cute book accessories. Promising review: "WOW!!! This bow bookmark is a charming addition to any book lover's collection. The delicate satin ribbon gives it a soft, romantic look, making it perfect for those who appreciate a touch of sophistication in their reading accessories. It securely holds your place without damaging pages and doesn't add bulk to your book.10/10 highly recommend! 🤍✨" — Bailee Get it from The Bestie Booksleeve on Etsy for $8 (available in 16 colors). 13. A flower-shaped dish brush so adorable you'll basically feel like a Disney princess as you clean the kitchen. You'll happily whistle and sing while you scrub, scrub, scrub-a-dub-dub away. Yeah, it even comes with the vase-shaped holder! Check out a TikTok of the flower scrubber in action. Promising review: "Love having this on my kitchen sink. I t's happy and cute and makes me happy. One leaf did twist off after a few weeks of use, but it's still cute, and I could've been more careful holding it. It's not a super stiff brush, but it works well for most hand washing and quick rinses. Brush rinses well, and food doesn't get caught in it. I was happy to find it has a hidden scraper edge on top of the brush. Will def buy again when this one gets gross since it brings so much tiny joy into my kitchen." — Hannah Jo Wilson Get it from Amazon for $13.99. 14. A decorative tray because even your discount jewelry deserves to be displayed on a tray worthy of royalty. Fancy, meet downright adorable. Reviewers say to pay attention to the measurements, because it's smaller than they assumed! Promising review: "Charming and elegant. This looks so expensive. I gave it to my mother for her birthday, and she was quite impressed. She uses it as a place to put her rings when she is doing things in the kitchen. It's the perfect size, and she was very impressed. I didn't want to tell her how inexpensive it was, but isn't that what you want in a gift? A big bang for your buck?" — NMW Get it from Amazon for $9.69+ (available in five colors). 15. A foldable sleeper chair perfect for maximizing your space and making your room as cozy as could possibly be. Since you can't sleep on an actual cloud, you may as well lounge on the next best thing. ☁️ Promising review: "This is such a comfortable chair or bed! I was very happy with my purchase. You won't go wrong if you are looking for comfort or if you need to save space. I highly recommend this." — danny Get it from Amazon for $119.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors). 16. A set of purrrr -fect chair socks to protect your furniture legs and wooden floors from scratches (ironic, I know). Just slip 'em onto the legs, and you'll basically fall in love with how paw-istively cute they are. Plus, when they get dirty, you can simply toss them into the wash! Amazon These are big enough for tables and chairs with a foot circumference of 7–17 cm. Promising review: "I love these so much, I bought a second set. They're so easy to put on, and they actually STAY. They look like little paws!!" — sam Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $16.59. 17. A darling strawberry vase that is sure to sweeten your decor as you fill it with anything from plants to pens. Amazon Promising review: "Smaller than expected, but I love it for making cute, bright, happy arrangements. Looks great with daisies of all sorts." — dayna haley Get it from Amazon for $26.95. 18. A fruit tart bed because the only thing more delicious than this bed is the kitty that'll snuggle into it! Is it a cat bed or decor??? Honestly, why not both? Mallory Mower / BuzzFeed Take it from BuzzFeed Shopping writer Mallory Mower:"Not only does my cat sleep in this every day, but she also loves playing fetch with the lightweight fruit. I often find her rolling the blueberries around the apartment. I dig having a pet bed that doubles as daily entertainment." Promising review: "The cats love it! They birdwatch in it until they fall asleep. They also play with the stuffed fruit, which I didn't think they would. Both seem to enjoy it, and they fight over it at times. I bought the large. Very happy with this purchase! My cats are picky, and most things I buy turn out to be a waste, not this one!" — A Hutch Get it from Amazon for $31.99 (also available in banana or toast shapes). 19. A mini ceramic bathtub to organize your bathroom countertops in the cutest way possible — use it as a soup display (and yes, it drains!) a Q-tip holder, or even as a planter! Promising review:"I ordered two of these. One I used as a regular soap dish in my tub. It has holes for drainage, which is a plus. I also used it as a cute plant decanter. I placed some succulents in it, and voila... the cutest planter for my bathroom." — Diane Sheehan Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in six colors). 20. A paw-shaped chair cushion purrrrfect for anyone who's ever wanted to snuggle within a kitty's paw. Can you even imagine anything comfier than that? Amazon, Promising review:"I freaking LOVE this paw cushion! This paw cushion absolutely saves my butt. It's not super thick or as filled as you might hope. But I read reviews and was prepared for that. A little extra padding would be great, but even without it, this cushion is soft and comfy! It's still worth every dime. It's perfect if you have one of those hanging indoor/outdoor rope chairs, too! This cushion is soft, cute, and comfortable. Buy yourself this thing. You deserve it." — mandarabbit Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in two sizes and six colors). 21. A decorative seashell pillow that gives total "cutesy Florida beach house" vibes. You may not have an ocean-view bedroom, but these pillows will certainly make you feel like you do. 🌊 Amazon Promising review:" This thing is so soft and so pretty, and the color is so rich! I thought I'd be throwing it off the bed like, well, a throw pillow (I just got why they're called that), but I end up essentially snuggling it like a stuffed animal because it's so comfortable. It adds the right amount of '60s/'70s campy hotel kitsch to my room." — Ashley Diamond Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in two sizes and nine colors). 22. A cherry toilet brush for anyone who wants to add a bit of ~whimsy~ to their bathroom decor. Most people add a maraschino cherry to their cocktail — you, however? You will use it to add a tropical flair to the latrine. Check out a TikTok of the cherry toilet brush in action. Promising review: "This toilet brush makes me want to clean my toilet. It is so cute, exactly what I wanted, and works perfectly!! Fits nicely into my bathroom decor. It was delivered in perfect condition and I've used it three times now. If you're thinking about buying it!" — Michelle Maroon Get it from Amazon for $18.99. 23. A color-coded Cuisinart knife set because wiping down your blade every time you switch tasks to avoid cross-contamination is a hassle too strenuous for your dinner routine. Why settle for silver-colored knives that are totally plain and boring when you can have a rainbow of blades zhuzhing up your kitchen aesthetic?! It includes a chef's knife, paring knife, bread knife, slicing knife, utility knife, and santoku knife. Psst — the knives don't come with this holder, but you can snag an easy-to-install magnetic bar for knives on Amazon if you want to display them, as this reviewer did! Promising review:"This is my best buy of the month and best knife buy of the year. Yeah, I've had sharper, better-quality knives in the past, but for hundreds of dollars more. For basic kitchen use, this is the set to buy. I like that they're colorful because I've already been able to familiarize myself with which knife is which color and what I need to use them for. The blade cases they come with are extremely handy. I like that I don't have to use a knife block. These fit nicely in my drawer. At this price, they are worth every penny. I wouldn't have a problem spending $40–$50 for these knives." — GWP Get a set of six knives with covers from Amazon for $20.32. 24. A vibrant duvet cover set to bring some ooh la la to your bedding and give your room an instant facelift. Why spend $150+ on a Pottery Barn set when reviewers claim this one is even better??? Amazon Promising review:"I usually buy bedding from Pottery Barn because of the excellent quality. I did, however, fall in love with this pattern and decided to take a chance for the value, especially since the inside of the duvet cover comes with loops to attach to the comforter. The duvet set arrived in one day and was nicely packaged. The quality is excellent, and the pattern is beyond my expectations. This is better than Pottery Barn!" — LA Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in five sizes and 43 patterns). 25. Or a gingham or pom-pom duvet set that will bring a bit of pastel prettiness to your bedroom. Hellooooo, spring!!!! 🌸🌷🌼 Amazon The set comes with a cover and two pillowcases. Grab an affordable comforter here. Promising review: "I chose this duvet cover for my daughter's room because she wanted a lighter color comforter, but our dogs sleep in her bed, so I wanted to be able to wash it easily. The pom-poms are small but a cute addition. The duvet cover is on the thinner side and soft. It has a zipper and four corner ties. Happy with this purchase and the price." — Kim Get it from Amazon for $34.99 (available sizes twin–king and eight styles). 26. A set of rainbow wineglasses to ~spring~ some merriment to your sit-back-and-sip-rosé nights. They're so cute; they're basically a piece of decor when you're not actually using them. Your book club members are gonna start hounding you for the link to these. Amazon The Wine Savant is a New York-based small business established in 2017 that specializes in unique, quality drinkware and accessories. Promising review: "Love these! Wasn't ready to splurge on Estelle stemmed glasses so I got these instead. I've run them through the dishwasher once so far, and they held up fine. Glass is thin near the top, which I love in a wineglass. I would recommend!" — Tricia Get a set of six from Amazon for $49.95. 27. Cottagecore linen curtains you can hang on your open cabinets, above your kitchen sink, small windows, or just about anywhere else that'll make you feel like Snow White baking a scrumptious apple pie. 🥧 Promising review: "These pleated short curtains are the perfect touch for my kitchen! They add just the right amount of charm and elegance while letting in natural light. The pleats give them a polished, tailored look, and the quality of the fabric is fantastic — lightweight yet durable." — Liza Get two panels from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in eight sizes and 10 colors). 28. A Lego cherry blossom kit to get that "I'm totally in Japan" feel right from the comfort of your dining room table. With 430 pieces, you can customize your own cherry blossoms to your specifications and aesthetics and have fun coming up with different creations. Who doesn't love a self-sufficient plant you don't have to worry about watering? Promising review: "Great afternoon activity. All of the flower Lego sets are great for a break and getting your mind off things. We have several different flower ones in a vase, and they all seem to fit nicely together." — Jeremy Moeller Get it from Amazon for $10.19. 29. And because you need somewhere to put your Lego creation: a vase shaped like a stack of dice you'll absolutely fall in love with the moment it ~rolls~ onto your coffee table. Amazon, Promising review: "Super cute iridescent dice vase! it was smaller than I expected, but it holds these two Lego flower stems. It's good quality for the price and super fun!" — Sarah Coleman Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in five other styles). 30. A fanciful mushroom kitchen timer to add a bit of ~whimsy~ to your baking routine. This is much cuter than using your phone to keep track of time when plopping things in the oven. This winds up and times up to 60 minutes, ending in a loud buzzer. Reviewers also use it to help time themselves with work tasks and studying. Promising review: "This is whimsical and fun; my kids love it. I tell them their dinner comes from a fairy mushroom forest. 😋 Works great, keeps my little monsters in line — 'Dad, the mushroom went off.' Love it." — Vik V Get it from Amazon for $8.55 (available in four colors). 31. A gorgeous linen-scented reed diffuser because those plug-in-the-wall scent diffusers ruin your whole home aesthetic — so why not get something pretty and amazingly scented? Plus, it comes with real preserved baby's breath (so freakin' gorgeous) and eight pure cotton sticks so you can adjust precisely how much aroma is released. Promising review: "I love the aesthetic of it and the smell is amazing! I bought two more as soon as I saw how nice this was. The quality feels so expensive and luxurious that it just had me in a chokehold, and I definitely love the look." — Isabell Thao Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four styles and 26 scents). 32. An ultra-soft faux-fur rug that Frasier himself would wish he had to transform his father's, say, "rugged" couch into a throne worth sitting upon. The greatest part of it all is that it doesn't shed, so you don't need to worry about white fuzz getting everywhere. Promising review:"My parents went to Europe and sat outside on furs like these, and now they do the same at home. They live in the mountains in Utah. They put these on their metal patio chairs and then cover themselves with a blanket outside in the winter. The faux furs keep your backside insulated, and then, topped with the blanket, they are able to have cocktail hour(s) on the deck all year long! It's honestly pretty sweet, and the dog gets her own to lie on when she's outside, too." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in six sizes and 11 colors). 33. Peel-and-stick vinyl subway tile because have you seen the prices of professional-grade backsplashes lately?!?!?! You're gonna wanna avoid those contractor fees by getting this super easy, customized backsplash you can simply stick onto the wall yourself for a quick kitchen facelift. These renter-friendly beauties are fully removable, btw! You'll just need to heat with a hair dryer to unstick the adhesive. For the full install, reviewers recommend: a level, sanding block and sandpaper, measuring tape, ruler, screwdriver to remove outlets, and utility knife or scissors. Promising review: " These are great and easy to install. You have to cut the first section. I did put them on a textured wall and have no issues with them peeling off. I made a mistake and had to pull some of them off and they came off with no problem. They are sticky, so I did have to pull a little bit; no damage to the paint or the wall, though. You will need a VERY sharp knife and a pair of scissors. I used a metal carpenter's square as a straight edge, and it worked nicely. Nice upgrade to my little kitchen. I needed about 30 tiles, and I had to buy 40 for cuts and mistakes. You can't reuse the sheet if you pull it off. I found that if you have to cut the tiles, make sure you have the 'grout' on the cut; it makes it easier to align and hides small mistakes." — Tricia Hendrickson Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in four colors, and in dozens more designs and colors on their store page). 34. A set of cute velvet shams that feel so soft you'll want to burrow yourself in them all throughout your cozy night at home. They're also super easy to swap out when you inevitably get the itch to redecorate your room (for the seventh time this year). Amazon Also, if you can't find an exact measurement match for your throw pillows, you can go down a couple of inches. The pillows will look overstuffed, like you spent a couple of hundos on them. Promising review:"It's easy to see why these affordable yet high-quality throw pillow covers are a best seller. They are incredibly soft and comfortable, and they seem durable and well-made. What a simple and inexpensive way to change up your decor!" — Erika V. Get the two-pack from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in 41 colors and nine sizes). 35. Or a set of cozy faux-fur throw pillow covers so freakin' fluffy, you'll be convinced you're cuddling up with a cloud of marshmallows. Fancy and under $20?? You'll be adding them to cart ASAP. Amazon These are pillow covers — not inserts. If you need an insert, you can get 'em from Amazon starting at $9.49. Promising review: "I bought these to put on my bed, and I absolutely love, love, love them! One side has a super fluffy and soft side, and the back is surprisingly soft; it's almost like a suede feel. Be sure you have fully stuffed pillows!" — Rah Rah Get a set of two from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in six sizes and 18 colors). 36. A Baroque mirror your friends won't believe you didn't spend plenty of $$$$ on at some high-end antique store. And is it just me, or does it pretty much look exactly like the $500+ Anthropologie Primrose mirror?! 👀 Promising review:"This mirror is gorgeous and very well-made. It feels heavier than I expected, so I used a 3M Claw to hang it, and it's definitely secure. Looks exactly like the picture. I wanted the Anthropologie Primrose mirror but couldn't stomach the price tag, even with deep discounts from their home outlet pop-up. This is an excellent [alternative], so definitely worth it." — Jillian Coneys "I was looking for an inexpensive [version] of *the* Anthropologie mirror for my mantle. Did lots of searching and review reading, and this seemed like the best bang for your buck. It's so nice! It's heavy and sturdy (not chintzy) and looks great in my living room. The flourish on top is tasteful, and the antique gold color really does make it look vintage." — Eliza Get it from Amazon for $85.99+ (available in 10 sizes and five finishes). 37. A ceramic essential-oil diffuser so pretty, you'll seriously think it's the expensive Vitruvi one. It's sleek, elegant, and perfect for releasing that jasmine oil you absolutely adore. Amazon According to Johns Hopkins, you may want to avoid diffusing oils around larger groups and young children because of the side effects of different oils. You may also want to avoid using an oil diffuser around pets with breathing problems, according to the ASPCA. Promising reviews:"I was looking at getting the Vitruvi diffuser but stumbled across this. I'm so happy I did! This is incredible quality for half the price!" — Amazon Customer "I like everything about this diffuser. It is pretty to look at, has a ceramic top, works well (I can actually see the vapor across the room), and you can smell the oil even in a large room. I am happy I found this diffuser." — jenny r Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in four colors). 38. A made-in-Italy diamond-cut decanter so you can feel like you belong in a fancy private library as you sip that $8 bottle of whiskey (don't worry, your drink will look much more expensive than it really is). Amazon This glassware is made in Italy! Promising review:"I purchased this for my brother as a Christmas gift last year. The package arrived in perfect condition, with its contents safely intact. After pouring our first glass of whiskey from this decanter, we immediately felt more sophisticated and used words like 'indubitably,' 'transcendent,' and 'ergo.' Indeed, drinking from this decanter will make even Canadian LTD taste piquant." — Justin Pickens Get it from Amazon for $17.10 (available in five styles). Reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Matt Bomer Slams 'Victim Narrative' That He Lost ‘Superman' Role Over Sexuality
Although longtime Matt Bomer fans will likely always have a Superman-shaped hole in their heart, he's moved on. As the Golden Globe winner promotes his new Hulu gay sitcom Mid-Century Modern, he recently criticized an outlet that referred to his public outing as a 'painful turn of events' that 'lost him the title role' as the Kryptonian DC superhero. More from Deadline 'Mid-Century Modern' Star Nathan Lane: A Gay Sitcom "More Important Than Ever" While "All Our Rights Are Under Threat" - Contenders TV Gayle King Faces Backlash For Letting Gay Slur Slip On 'CBS Mornings' 'A Nice Indian Boy's Jonathan Groff & Karan Soni On Why Bollywood "Feels So Gay" & The "Really F-ing Special" Behind-The-Scenes Love Story 'This conversation had nothing to do with Superman, so please stop painting me into a victim narrative for your own clickbait,' he wrote in part in a since-deleted post on X. 'I love my career and wouldn't change a thing about it. The conversation we had was about a lack of journalistic integrity, and now you've done the same thing. Please do better. I wish you the best always, Matt.' Bomer, who publicly came out in 2012, previously recounted auditioning for the aborted J.J. Abrams script Superman: Flyby, claiming that he even signed a three-picture contract with the studio at one point. 'I went in on a cattle call for Superman, and then it turned into a one-month audition experience where I was auditioning again and again and again,' he told THR in June 2024. 'It looked like I was the director's choice for the role.' When asked if his sexuality was a factor in the studio's reluctance to hire him, Bomer said, 'Yeah, that's my understanding. That was a time in the industry when something like that could still really be weaponized against you. How, and why, and who, I don't know, but yeah, that's my understanding.' Last weekend, Bomer discussed his role as gay, ex-Mormon flight attendant Jerry Frank in Mid-Century Modern at Deadline's Contenders TV, raving, 'I cannot tell you how liberating it is to play a character without shame.' Best of Deadline Which Colleen Hoover Books Are Becoming Movies? 'Verity,' 'Reminders Of Him' & 'Regretting You' Will Join 'It Ends With Us' 'The Last Of Us' Season 2: Everything We Know So Far Book-To-Movie Adaptations Coming Out In 2025
