“I hate spunk” — Part 2
So I am coming up on one month at my new job. While I would like to say that things have gotten significantly less awkward, they haven’t. However, I’ve become a lot more OK with the fact that they might not . Ever. Which, I guess, is progress.
A big plus is that I like my bosses. (Not necessarily as people –although they seem like very nice people- but as bosses…supervising entities that exist solely at my place of work, and turn into pumpkins upon punching out. I find that when I invite my managers into my life, they tend to remain as authoritative in the personal realm as they are in the professional. I think it’s simply impossible for someone to be able to push you around for 8 hours a day, and see you as an equal…really. So I keep it strictly business with the Big Cheeses.)
Now because I contextualize pretty much everything in terms of TV, this new job has me thinking about my favorite boob-tube bosses. Check out my top five below.
5. Mr. Grant, The Mary Tyler Moore Show
A lovable little pug, Mr. Grant was all bark but no bite. He told Mary in the first episode that he hated her “spunk”, but wound up teary eyed when she left the newsroom for good seven years later. Initially dismissive of her, he became Mary Richards’ mentor and father figure. Through out the course of the series we got to delve beneath Grant’s icy demeanor and learn, along with Mary, that he – and the world- wasn’t such a bad place after all.
4. Kelly Cutrone, The Hills/The City/Kell on Earth
I like her, OK? I think it’s great that she works in fashion, but consistently looks a mess. If she’s not actually working unbelievably hard, she at least throws the audience a bone by making us believe she does. Also, she will fire a bitch if you don’t perform, which I love. It does get tiresome repeatedly hearing about her halcyon days in 1980’s New York City, but if I was on the VIP list at the Palladium, I’d brag too.
3. Harriet Winslow, Perfect Strangers
‘Member?…Family Matters was actually a spin-off of this show, where Harriet was Director of Security at the fictitious Chicago Chronicle. I don’t think she was Larry Appleton’s hierarchical supervisor, but I do remember her bossing him around a lot. She was really mean in the beginning, but eventually took care of him like he was one of her own. Honestly, though…her various sassy faces alone earn her this spot on my list.
2. Mr. Sproket, The Jetsons
I got nothin’ but Apple Jacks-flavored milk nostalgia for this one. But just look at him! He’s adorable! Probably the first “boss” I remember on TV…
1. Lt. Anita Van Buren, Law and Order
Don’t you sometimes call the character S. Epatha Merkerson, even though you know it’s the actor’s name? I don’t think there’s ever been more inspired casting on television than this. Basically, this bitch don’t take no mess (and you get the feeling S. Epatha don’t either.) Not just a hard-ass, Lt. Van Buren endeares herself to her subordinates with an even handed fairness and a willingness to go to bat for them when necessary.
Lt. Van Buren can always be found in a smart blazer and crisp slacks, partnered with a comfortable flat just this side of a sassy Easy Spirit design. Having been raised in precints and courthouses (my mom works for the NYPD), I can tell you this wardrobe choice is right on. Not to mention her always freshly pressed bob which, while not quite “wash and go”, is low maintenance enough to believe that a real pro-fessional PD mom would wear it. Realism always wins with me, and God is in the details, so that’s why S. Ep…I mean, Lt. Van Buren, is number one.
