On-Theme Gen X Holiday Recs + ‘90s Hair Is Back
Hey WNVM-ers,
Happy holidays! Some housekeeping here: We’ll be taking a break for the festive season for the next few weeks, but will be back on January 9 with stories for the new year.
In the meantime, we’re sharing a variety of recommendations — a holiday cookie tray, if you will. Below, enjoy plenty of things to watch, listen to, shop, help burn off some holiday energy (or angst), with some element of warm and fuzzy ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia (plus skin care). Please share your recs in the comments, too, and enjoy some end-of-year You Oughta Know news.
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Listen to celebrity memoir audio books: I love podcasts and listen to a lot of them, but only if they’re the narrative kind or teach me something/tell me a story every episode. I don’t like two people just yapping at each other. When I run out of pods, I upload a celebrity memoir. I prefer to read fiction books rather than listen to them, but memoir is a perfect genre for audio, especially because so many celebrity “authors” narrate their own books. (Connie Chung’s is queued up in my app now.) Here are a few ‘80s/’90s faves that I really loved:
Sinéad O’Connor’s Rememberings: I didn’t listen to this until after she died, and it’s just incredibly poignant to hear her beautiful voice posthumously.
Patrick Swayze’s The Time of My Life: I must be a glutton for punishment, because this is another one I listened to after he had died. I BAWLED through chunks of it, because he already had cancer at the time of writing and sounded so hopeful. I haven’t written about Swayze here yet, but I will soon because I just love him and his shoulder-to-hip ratio. #crazyforswayze
Jennifer Grey’s Out of the Corner. Yes, yes of course Dirty Dancing is one of my favorite movies. Unoriginal, I know. But this memoir was very smart and dishy. There’s lots of interesting stuff about her dad, Joel Grey, and she did not pull punches writing about her ex, Matthew Broderick. Juicy!
Demi Moore’s Inside Out: I had no idea her life was so batshit. I could not put it down.
In the interest of saving you money and time, here are the ones to avoid: Andrew McCarthy (delusional), Rob Lowe (narcissist), Liz Phair (it pains me, but it was so boring), Dave Grohl (smarmy/inauthentic). -CW
Catch up on the Oscar contenders: Gen X makes a strong showing in critically-acclaimed award season movies — also prestige fare to big yourself up, and annoy your in-laws, at family dinner. (And no, Brats is not on any lists, but The World According to Allee Willis should be.)
In Babygirl, the latest hot X-er lady steaming it up with a hunky younger man installment, high-powered CEO Romy (Nicole Kidman) releases sexy aspects of herself she’s long suppressed, through an affair with intern Samuel (Harris Dickinson). Director Halina Reijn — who also lensed the most Gen Z movie, Bodies, Bodies, Bodies — subverts the male gaze of ‘90s erotic thrillers, like Basic Instinct and 9 1/2 Weeks, with a steamy, suspenseful, and sometimes sweet and funny narrative from Romy’s perspective. Plus, Antonio Banderas, who plays Romy’s dreamy theater director husband, Jacob, can still get it and the soundtrack features the best use of George Michael’s “Father Figure” I’ve seen since, erm, Barry Keoghan danced to “Murder on the Dancefloor” at the end of Saltburn.
Julianne Nicholson and Zoe Ziegler in Janet Planet. (Photo: Courtesy A24) If you can’t tell, I have Oscars on the brain — ‘tis the season! — but don’t sleep on Janet Planet even if the awards overlords are. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker’s first feature follows 11-year-old Lacy (Zoe Ziegler) spending the summer of 1991 in rural Western Massachusetts with her single mother, Janet (Julianne Nicholson). It's this quiet, almost-meditative coming-of-age film, and a nuanced study of a mother-daughter relationship, that makes you feel like you’re in the memories of Baker, who grew up in the area at that time. The very specific time capsule soundtrack also features two songs by Firehouse, which I’m pretty sure opened for every hair metal band in the early ‘90s. (I must have seen them at least three times and never bought a t-shirt, doh!)
Sing Sing premiered in select theaters in July, and I’m waiting for it to stream on Apple TV+ (come on, A24!) I’m embarrassed to say I only just saw a screening of the beautiful, moving film following the wrongfully-convicted John “Divine G” Whitfield (Colman Domingo), a founder of the maximum security prison’s Rehabilitation Theater Arts (RTA) troupe. Together with his fellow incarcerated members, including a skeptical newcomer played by real RTA alum Clarence Maclin, Divine G embraces brotherhood, hope, purpose, and joy through the creative arts. There is a Gen X-y reason I put my favorite movie of the season on this list. After the screening, Bradley Cooper did a Q&A with Domingo, who explained he jumped right into Sing Sing, immediately after wrapping The Color Purple and Rustin — which earned him an Oscar nomination. He shared that — pardon my paraphrasing — at age 55, he feels his most confident ever, especially to take on such a transformative, pivotal role after two extremely intense performances. I can’t wait to see what he does next! -FSH
Read some historic ‘90s smut: If you’re waiting anxiously for the eighth and final season of “Outlander,” might I suggest finding a copy of the original book and giving it a read? Or even if you have no idea what it is, read it anyway. Diana Gabaldon published the first book in the ridiculous, time traveling, sexy historical romance series in 1991. I read it as a newbie nurse working my first job on the night shift pre-cell phones, and let me tell you — hanging with Scottish Jamie Fraser after Claire fell through that magic rock was a fantastic way to pass the time when all the patients were sleeping and stable. (Sam Heughan is perfectly cast in the TV series. Fawnia interviewed him twice in person. Her conclusion? “He’s hot.”) I recently picked it up again as a comfort read, and, wow, I did not regret it. Also, tartan is a festive pattern! -CW
Rock out to new, but throwback-sounding holiday music: Cheryl will always have George Michael’s “Last Christmas,” but I need a new festive banger that also pays homage to happy holidays past. But wait, I actually have an entire album, by “Las Culturistas” co-podcaster, No Good Deed actor, and Prince of Christmas Matt Rogers, featuring some nostalgia-conjuring beats.
After a musical-comedy Showtime special in 2022, he released his official “Have You Heard of Christmas” album last year. So I can play his catchy holiday earworms and hilariously horny lyrics on repeat. The synthy club bop “Also It's Christmas” reminds me of my ‘90s euro-techno nights, pounding lemon drops; the showtune-y “God’s Up to His Tricks” recalls a Rent ensemble power number; and “Rum Pum Pum” and “Rockafellacenta” conjure Y2K boy band fare — complete with the rap interludes. (The latter also features my East Coast winter tagline: “I’m dressed up, not nice, but warm!”) My friend Aldo thinks “Hottest Who in Whoville” (lol, you must listen) is a döppelganger for Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together,” while I think “I Don’t Need It To Be Christmas At All” is definitely a cousin of her 1994 classic, “All I Want For Christmas is You.” This year, Rogers released a new single, “Santa Boy,” which brings late-‘80s Kylie Minogue to mind, with frenetic Stock, Aitken, Waterman-esque drum beats backing his holiday cookie double entendres. Bonus: There's nothing to be offended about, unless you’re bothered by Rogers’ overarching vision of a slutty, philandering Santa. -FSH
Watch the yacht rock dock: If you have not watched “Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary,” on HBO/Max, what are you waiting for? (Music writer/editor and WNVM fave Danyel Smith is a consulting producer on it.) I really can’t stop thinking about it, plus I’ve been involved in several delightful discussions about who was hotter in the ‘70s, Michael McDonald or Kenny Loggins. (TEAM KENNY) -CW
Work out, and jam out: Here are a few Peloton fave workouts with ‘80s and ‘90s music themes — no better way to work off some holiday family drama! And, I swear this isn’t a thirsty attempt at a Peloton sponsorship. (But it is! Sponsor us, Peloton!!)
80s v. ‘90s Yoga with Chelsea Jackson Roberts (30 min): Why choose when you can flow and strike a warrior pose to Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” and Bruce Hornsby’s “The Way It Is” (throwback!), plus practice mindfulness to Chelsea’s calming, positive energy.
‘90s Pilates with Rebecca Kennedy (20 min): Do your cat/cows, hundreds, and leg circles to hits like En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go” and Ginuwine’s “Pony.”
‘90s Walk with Kristen Ferguson (60 min): Enjoy a full hour of solitude and memories with energizing hits from the likes of All-4-One, TLC, Jennifer Lopez, Robyn, and the super team-up of Whitney Houston, Faith Evans, and Kelly Price.
‘80s Rock Total Strength with Andy Speer (60 min): Confession: Andy may be my ‘80s music soulmate, sorry Rebecca! (I’m kidding — I’m very invested in this Peloton relationship ♥️) But his playlist reminds me of my old mix tapes: REO Speedwagon, Poison, Mötley Crüe, Guns ‘n Roses …
R&B Ride with Tunde Oyeneyin (20 min): I admit, I don’t have the bike. But I love Tunde’s strength classes, and she has impeccable taste in music that would make me consider getting one. (Jade and Tevin Campbell!) -FSH
Keep your skin moisturized: If you’re over 40, as I suspect many reading this might be, it’s time to get serious about moisturizer. I used to recommend a lot of, in hindsight, unnecessary stuff in my days as a beauty editor. Let me try to correct that now. In my 50s, I’ve simplified a lot, and that means fewer toners, serums, and potions and more moisturizer and oil. As skin gets older, it craves moisture, and that’s what will keep it looking plump and dewy. First, get a giant tub of CeraVe Cream ($15). You can use it on both face and body. I’ve tried almost every expensive moisturizer, and this drugstore pick is better than almost all of them. Then I mix it in my palm with some oil. I used to be really militant about the proper “order” to apply things, but it makes no difference if I apply the oil after or mixed in, and I prefer the texture mixed.
Various oils. (Photo: Cheryl) For my face during the day I use Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil ($74), which gives me a skin care active plus oil, combined. At night, I use (I know this is not cheap! I’m sorry!) Vintner’s Daughter ($195). For body, I love Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil ($28). Besides adding an extra emollient boost, they all smell delicious. The CeraVe is unscented, and I think it adds to the pleasure of the ritual if things smell nice. If the oil is a step too far, the cream alone is still great. (I get zero dollars for recommending this stuff, and I bought it all with my own money. My days of PR swag are long over.) -CW
We are two Gen X journalists who analyze all the '80s and '90s nostalgia in current pop culture, fashion, and beauty. Read more stories like this one here!
You Oughta Know
Keanews!: Keanu Reeves is just like us normies for the holidays, and shares the most Ted “Theodore” Logan existential wisdom, “Christmas is fun when Christmas is good." [WNVM inbox/E! Online]
Sad that “Cobra Kai” is almost done? The Karate Kid cinematic universe continues to spawn new content. A trailer for Karate Kid: Legends dropped this week. It stars Ralph Macchio (so happy for him), Jackie Chan, and Ben Wang, from “American Born Chinese,” as the bullied martial arts mentee. This new chapter, featuring a kung fu/karate mash-up, is set in…New York City? [YouTube]
Speaking of New York City, it’s the end of an era for the circa-1980s orange and yellow seats in the city’s subway system. 1700 trains from the Reagan era will be retired starting next year. [NY Post]
Allegedly some ‘90s hairstyles are back, but do we believe it? “Tendrils” (also seen in Cheryl’s 1997 wedding photos) are allegedly having a moment, as are “‘90s big blowouts.” A resurgence of The Rachel, WHEN?! [WhoWhatWear; Cosmopolitan]
The contemporary category of the Costume Designers Guild Awards celebrates two types of Gen X wardrobe magic: Demi Moore’s now-iconic yellow trench in The Substance, and the ‘80s TV Easter egg-filled outfits in The Fall Guy. Congrats to all the costume designers nominated, including The Fall Guy’s Sarah Evelyn, who Fawnia interviewed for our launch. [WNVM]
A documentary on Pee-wee Herman, aka Paul Reubens, will debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. [Deadline]
Since you made it this far, here is your reward: Did you know that sometime in the late 2000s Tommy Tutone made a holiday song that is an unholy mixture of “867-5309/Jenny” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town”? (h/t Amanda’s Schustack). It is horrible and we love it. [YouTube]
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Listened to Demi’s audio memoir and wow, what a crazy childhood and batshit parents. I have new respect for her. Great listen. Kind of want to read it now.
Always a delight! Happy Holidays! xx