Friday, April 05, 2013

No One Gets Along With Lena Dunham

Lena Dunham might have a hit show in Girls, but her personality leaves a lot to be desired. I think I had a blind, or maybe it was a story about how lots of the cast hate her and now, Christopher Abbott walked off the show and won't be back. Christopher had nothing lined up that was better. He just could not stand working with Lena and was not going to take it for another day. Considering that his character is a decently sized part, this just shows you how much Lena is disliked. Here is the thing about being liked and disliked. Eventually all shows end. They just do. Then you go out and you find some new job or new show. Yes, if you had a hit, it is easier, but, you also need to not have burned every bridge possible because there are lots of other people also out there in this business and it could very well be that in five years Lena will be looking for work and no one will give her any.

Posted by ent lawyer at 6:30 AM

120 comments:

  1. FSP6:31 AM

    Not a very flattering pic of Lena.

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  2. hunter6:33 AM

    Lol @FSP, very funny. Well she is only 25 (26?) and she should know better. I work with an asshole 26-y/o and he seems to think it's okay to treat people like shit too.

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  3. Lucas6:33 AM

    @FSP - why you gotta hate on my girlfriend like that?

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    Replies
    1. FSP6:36 AM

      @Lucas- your gf needs to shave.

      Delete
    2. Lucas6:40 AM

      @FSP - I'd never insist my lover bow down to the grooming conventions of the patriarchy. I like my wittle fuzzy beah just like she is.

      Delete
    3. All about Eve6:45 AM

      @Lucas, I love you! My hubby teases me about my stubbly legs when I don't shave

      Delete
    4. Sherry11:38 AM

      We need a CDAN convention because I can only imagine how much laughing there would be.

      Delete
    5. Lucas12:22 PM

      @Sherry - oh man, a CDAN convention would be a riot.

      Delete
  4. a non a miss6:34 AM

    Oooh I think everyone thought it was a female cast member.

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  5. greenmountaingal6:35 AM

    Lena Dunham is 25?! No way.

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  6. PugsterMom6:36 AM

    What awful things does she do? Just curious.

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  7. VIPblonde6:36 AM

    I remember reading about this yesterday. This sucks! I liked where his storyline was going. Now they're going to have some creative (and not believable) writing to explain his sudden absence

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  8. Unknown6:37 AM

    Cue the Leah hate in 3..2..1..

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    Replies
    1. Lucas6:44 AM

      @Cara - I know what you mean. I like her show and think she's talented (and cute) and I don't much care if she's an ass. If her character on Girls is as autobiographical as it appears then she is dealing with some heavy stuff. Plus, aren't all 26 year-olds assholes? One of my best guy friends is that age and my gf can't stand him. Comes with the territory I guess.

      Delete
    2. a non a miss6:46 AM

      Hey now Lucas- I'm 26 and I'm not an asshole, not anymore at least.

      Delete
    3. Lucas6:48 AM

      @RCB - present company excluded of course. My apologies.

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    4. di butler6:50 AM

      No. Most 26 yr olds aren't navel gazing, self-righteous assholes, but she most definitely happens to be. F her, can't wait until she's a footnote.

      Delete
    5. All about Eve6:51 AM

      @Cara, I like her too. Her show is good and I think she's just trying to be herself and deal with sudden fame while keeping her show fresh and honest.

      Delete
    6. a non a miss6:52 AM

      Oh Lucas- I didn't take any offense. Since you're an Ani fan, you get a life time pass from me!

      Delete
    7. Pip6:58 AM

      Another 26 year old here who isn't an entitled ass! Dammit!

      Delete
    8. Lucas6:59 AM

      @RCB - Yay!

      Delete
    9. Izzie7:10 AM

      @di - YES!!

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    10. di butler8:13 AM

      I loathed her from the min I accidentally watched Tiny Furniture. Still have a few friends in the business, though they are Hollywood based, they all know all the stories. She is pretty blanket disliked. I feel vindicated.

      Delete
  9. libby6:38 AM

    Haha FSP---Lena should name her first child 'Surgi-Cream'....Won't SOMEONE please think of the endorsements?!

    Or even 'Nair' is a pretty good name.

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  10. Unknown6:40 AM

    I don't know. Sounds like a whiny boy actor to me. Besides, as long as Dunham has Apatow on her side, she's gold.

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  11. Chris6:42 AM

    She has a talked about show, but after seeing its ratings, I'm not sure I'd call it a hit. The show is pretty much propped up solely by the media always writing about it.

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  12. Henriette6:42 AM

    Haha! Lena Durham is the new Brett Butler, except Durham is not as talented as Butler. I see a melt down in Durham's future.

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    1. City Councilman Doug3:27 PM

      Extremely astute observation. Butler is a whack job.

      Delete
    2. City Councilman Doug3:32 PM

      Extremely astute observation. Butler is a whack job.

      Delete
  13. All about Eve6:44 AM

    @VIP, I felt the opposite about Charlie, I thought he was too nice to be in the show, kind of bland I guess. I was starting to like him at the end of last season until he got back with Marnie who's such a user IMHO.

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    1. Lucas6:47 AM

      @All About Eve - right? Marnie may be even more screwed up than Hannah, just in a different way. It is kind of interesting that they show her struggling, since on the outside you'd think she would have it easy. She's beautiful, educated, and crazy. She can't stand that people around her are going places and she's stuck in neutral. Even Hannah has a book deal, but Marnie is hostessing. It's gotta sting a little.

      Delete
    2. VIPblonde6:52 AM

      @All About Eve and @Lucas That's exactly why I was excited for his role next season! They finally fleshed out his character a bit near the end of the second season, and even though it's annoying that he took Marnie back, their relationship is different now. This time, Charlie has the power, not Marnie. Would have been interesting to see how she dealt with that. Instead, we're going to have to have another season of Marnie trying to "find herself," which was probably my least favorite storyline from this season

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    3. Lucas6:57 AM

      @VIP - I know! Le sigh, can't win them all I guess. I am excited they are going to explore Hannah's OCD and in a real way. I get sick of neat freaks claiming OCD when the disease is so much worse than that. My ex-wife struggles with it and when she had a bad episode (before seeing a therapist and getting on meds) it was horrible. She couldn't leave the house. When I moved last year I found her wallet from that time with everything still in it because she couldn't bring herself to touch it after an incident (I'll spare you the details).

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    4. All about Eve7:18 AM

      @Lucas @VIP, I enjoyed Marnie being lost last season, the first season when she had everything she just seemed too pleased with herself, I was happy to see her struggle for a bit even if at the same time she was more whinny. I'm not sure Charlie would ever have the upper hand with Marnie, she's too manipulative and she knows how to deal with him and get her way.

      About the OCD, yes! It was good to see the honesty she brought to that! It's not cute! That bit about the Q tip was really something.

      Delete
    5. Seahorse8:44 AM

      @Lucas it annoys me as well when people just laugh and say "oh I am just OCD" when they have no idea of the real ramifications people face from this poorly understood disease I had a friend who had it and he gladly drove to Canada twice yearly to obtain meds not yet a available in the US at the time. He would spend hours lining up his shoes checking to see if he had run over someone with his car and other repetitive behaviors. I saw him a few years ago when he was in town to visit and he was SO much better and had even married I am so happy he has gotten some relief!

      Delete
  14. Now!6:45 AM

    @Henriette, I remember Brett Butler! In her day, she was the new Roseanne Barr.

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  15. Henriette6:47 AM

    @Nutty_Flavor
    Yep and she was the hottest thing going at the time. She couldn't keep any cast members because of how nutty and drug addled she was.

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    Replies
    1. Sherry11:49 AM

      Henrietta, Nutty flavor: I recently read a story in The New York Times about Brett Butler. She says that Charlie Sheen is giving her a second chance. She fully admitted to all the mistakes she made and her faults and she's very contricious for her actions now. She just wants to work. Every hot newcomer to H'wd should read her story as a cautionary tale. Remember to be nice to those you meet on the way up because you're sure to meet them on the way down.

      Delete
  16. crila166:52 AM

    Lena is perfect for the show Girls...but she's going to be pigeon holed into that character. She should really be nice to people. She's too young and hasn't been in the business long enough to have earned a "Diva" status. She's young and stupid apparently.

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  17. Mama June6:54 AM

    He's a cutie! @rcb-he could be related to Jon Snow? ;)

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    Replies
    1. a non a miss6:58 AM

      @curly- that was gonna be my next comment! What I'd do to be in the middle of that sandwich!!

      Delete
    2. Crystal9:39 AM

      I'm so
      Glad someone else noticed that!! Haha

      Delete
  18. Henriette6:55 AM

    Durham must of pissed somebody off because she's been getting a lot bad press lately. I bet it's Brian Williams progeny.

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  19. Ms Cool6:57 AM

    I don't get along with Lena, either.

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  20. carolinec7:01 AM

    i have never liked her personality.

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  21. Anonymous7:02 AM

    Isn't she the frumpy one? From some wealthy family in new york that was shit talking Apatow? She needs to learn how and when to stfu. Stupid of her to burn bridges. She will be looking for work at some point, and will have to rely on her reputation better to be gracious and well liked, then caustic and rude. Seems obvious to me, but ???

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    1. Anonymous7:12 AM

      She was the one rocking the trashy tattoo at the golden globes who could not walk her shoes. Yes I have several tattoos but I also know about tattoo size placement and how t o dress where if my tattoos look cute and sexy when people see when and not like I just picked out walll art for my new job on the pole. Tattoos done right are very sexxy..wrong trashy

      Delete
  22. Jeneral7:05 AM

    I'm curious to see how the writers deal with this. Maybe they'll bring in someone else to play Charlie.

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  23. Anonymous7:05 AM

    I'm 26 and I'm a navel gazing, self-righteous asshole. My birthday is in a few weeks and I booked it off so I could stay home and observe the mourning traditions of my people, my people being the navel gazing, self-righteous assholes of the world.

    But Lena is awful, I'll never get over the "voice of my generation" crap. Every sentence out of my mouth starts with "I" or "Me" and even I'm not that arrogant.


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  24. KaySea7:06 AM

    I think the popular guess for the BI was Zosia Mamet.

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  25. Unknown7:11 AM

    I don't know, I agree with whomever posted that this seems more like a bratty self-entitled, childish actor to me. He probably feels like he should have more creative control over his character and he probably was acting way too big for his britches.

    Whether you like Lena or not, she is the creator, producer and head writer of the show. She is the boss. I hate it when people get on a woman's case about being an actual boss and not being everybody's friend so that they keep boundaries in place but yet nobody bats an eye at a man being bossy.

    I highly recommend this article, Lena Dunham held to a sexist double standard. It mentions how Matthew Weiner runs a very strict set and does not allow the actors to have any creative control over their characters but nobody gets on his case about it. This is just how shows are run. If you try to mess with the creator and head writer of the show, there will be problems. That is how it is an any show.

    Also, Lena's other cast mates who were at the Emmys with her seemed genuinely happy for her wins and looked very friendly with her. There was not one ounce of tension between any of them.

    Womenz get to be the boss too, sometimes. And you can't always be nice when you are the boss. The end.

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    Replies
    1. Lil P7:54 AM

      Amen sister! My first thought when I heard this is he wants more money since he's a main character & if he just " disappears" how would that work? Leave Marnie a post it?

      Delete
    2. Lucas8:03 AM

      @Annie Hall - right on!

      Delete
  26. OKay7:12 AM

    I tried to watch Girls once - got through about 10 minutes of it. I was able to sit through 15 minutes of Jersey Shore, FFS! 10 minutes was my tolerance for Twilight when I caught it on TV! (In my defense, I kept waiting for it to get better.) I can't even begin to comprehend why people like Girls or think that Lena is all that (sorry, Lucas!), but I do agree that she won't be around for long.

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  27. The Real Dragon7:12 AM

    This mofo is dumb. That Yo paycheck right there

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  28. nightowl7:13 AM

    aliciabutterfly said...But Lena is awful, I'll never get over the "voice of my generation" crap. Every sentence out of my mouth starts with "I" or "Me" and even I'm not that arrogant.

    ^^This. Someone on a show that can't even get 1 million viewers and we waste time talking about her?

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  29. Lucas7:14 AM

    Okay, sorry about the sweeping generalizations regarding people in their mid-to-late 20's. I was an ass then, and I know a few writers in that age group who are so, so much like Lena Dunham's character. So, apologies. We cool now?

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  30. Izzie7:19 AM

    @Henriette & Nutty, I remember Brett, she was so sweet & funny - sad storry!

    I don't hate on Lena, but find her very pretentious and annoying, and she hasn't figured out how to pull off her brand of casual racism.

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  31. MalibuBarbie7:23 AM

    @Libby, 'Nair' is genius...HA!

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  32. DewieTheBear7:24 AM

    Totally agree, Annie Hall. I don't particularly like Girls but I just can't with her getting naked all the time; however, I do think she's deserving of the same respect - and owed the same authority - as a Matthew Weiner (who, uh, is not exactly a looker himself, though how often do you hear his attractiveness compared with another man's or, for that matter, at all?).

    This guy sounds like he got a major case of inflated head and good on Lena for putting her foot down. She's not the first creative who had to chose the show before an actor (television history is riddled with the corpses of shows where actor and creator clashed), and she won't be the last; but it's ridiculous to conclude, based on this one person's departure, that it means Lena is doomed and headed for obscurity. She's already got a book deal, and Apatow is her creative patron, so she's not going anywhere soon. Drawing such a conclusion from this one chance is ridonkulous. As in, right up there with that totally bogus R.J./Walken caught banging headline of yesterday. Give me a fucking break.

    Now, having said all that, did the show basically write Jessa out at the end of this season?

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  33. Agent**It7:26 AM

    Lena's father's "art" is beyond pretentious.

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  34. Pip7:27 AM

    He's no Jon Snow! I find this guy quite fug.

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  35. jimmyPx7:29 AM

    It is hilarious that this woman is so arrogant and a "diva".
    What exactly has she done in her very short career ??
    This show (which isn't that good) and some Indy stuff. She's a moron and after she burns all her bridges in 5 years she'll be a waitress.

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  36. Baskingshark7:36 AM

    @FSP - what are you talking about? Lena looks much better in this pic than she has in any other I've ever seen of her!

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  37. TuesdayAdams7:49 AM

    Can't say I feel sorry for her. After her asinine remarks about diversity on her show I don't see how people can support her. But I can see why people dislike her.

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  38. Jolene Jolene8:27 AM

    I do like Girls, so I guess I'm biased. Whether or not you hate Lena Dunham, Girls is HER show. She created it, writes most of it, directs a lot of it. This guy is an actor. While actors sometimes "collaborate" with the writers and director about their characters, it's really not up to them. They're ACTORS. They play the part and leave. It's out of they're control. Getting up and leaving because you don't have creative control over your character is shit Shia LeBeouf does, but at least Shia LeBeouf is a fairly established actor and probably wouldn't have trouble getting other parts if he abruptly left a project. But who is this guy? This is the best part he's ever had. But sure. Go ahead and leave a successful show because you're butting heads with the person who is essentially your boss with nothing else lined up. I don't know, I think he shot himself in the foot here.

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  39. Robert 8:29 AM

    @di: I watched that movie and felt like I was suffocating the whole time.

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  40. Jolene Jolene8:30 AM

    Aaaand I pretty much just repeated what Annie Hall said. Didn't read all the comments first. She said it better!

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  41. Jolene Jolene8:31 AM

    And for the record--The voice of a generation shit is what her CHARACTER said. Hannah is SUPPOSED to be a self-involved, broken little snot. Lena Dunham did not say that about herself. FFS.

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  42. Charley8:32 AM

    LOL @FSP

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  43. auntliddy8:37 AM

    I think dhe is one of those creative people who arent happy unless they are embroiled in misery. I dont get it either.

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  44. Unknown8:39 AM

    I keep trying to like Girls (with a big G) but can't. The endless, neurotic self-reflection is annoying, and the whole "voice of my generation" thing was nauseogenic. If the four main characters weren't all the progeny of famous folk, the show never would have been made.

    And for GOD'S SAKE, I do not need to see Lena Dunham naked every episode. I don't care whether you're 200 pounds or 100 pounds, no one plays pingpong naked with someone they just shagged for the first time. I get that it's her show and her creative direction, etc....but just because she can doesn't mean she should.

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  45. Star and Flurry9:15 AM

    Dewie the Bear: Jessa was written out temporarily because she was pregnant with her second child in real life. She'll be back in Season 3.

    Still love Lena Dunham. The fact that so many confuse her character, Hannah, with Lena herself is a testament to the strength of that character. The fact that anything "Girls" related on here always creates a lively discussion just amplifies my belief that this woman has tapped into something. Good on her.

    Personally, I think Christopher Abbot just blew it... and may come to realize that in short order. I am not convinced he has completely left the show.

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  46. Lucas9:38 AM

    @Ruby - my girlfriend thinks he blew it when he grew his hair back. She much preferred him closely shorn. And I agree.

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  47. 851349439:48 AM

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  48. 851349439:53 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  49. annabella10:06 AM

    while I think that sexism is behind alot of the lena hate, its not just that. she's also extremely entitled. I watched tiny furniture and it made me uncomfortable because her character was such an entitled brat in that movie. she could afford to quit her restaurant job because it paid crap and didn't have another job lined up. who can afford to do that? only entitled people, that's who.

    I think that she is super talented. but, also not very experienced with life because of her upper middle (maybe) class entitlement. on the show she works at a coffee shop making crap money, yet can afford a decent apartment and health insurance. that just doesn't happen. her manager on the show is so broke he lives with his girlfriend for free, yet we are supposed to believe that she supports herself w/an apt and health ins. on just being a barista? those things just don't add up.

    tina fey and amy poehler were/are the creative forces behind their shows and they haven't attracted any public woman-hate as far as I can tell.

    I liked alot of the girls episodes. but I am very tired of seeing her naked. seriously. it doesn't matter what she looks like, enough already w/the nakedness.

    and honestly, I can't see that her ex boyfriend on girls would choose her over his really hot new girlfriend.

    and the ocd thing I don't buy. she's just trying to be deep.

    also, lena got a pretty major nose job. her nose is much bigger in tiny furniture.

    another reason she is more of a lightening rod for criticism than matthew weiner is because he didn't cast himself in the best role of the show. or in any role. he chose mr. hotness jon hamm as his alter ego.

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  50. All about Eve10:28 AM

    @Annabella, I think she can afford those things because her dad has been subsidizing her as well as getting an advance for an e book she was supposed to write. As for Adam choosing her, who knows why but why would that be so unbelievable? He had zero chemistry with the other girl and the scene where they had sex was the most awkward sex scene I've seen in a while.

    About Amy and Tina, they have been around for a long time, slowly getting more successful while on the other hand Lena became suddenly very famous and a lot of people recent that and some recent it because she's not "traditionally" beautiful. It really annoys them that this chubby girl, with strange tattoos is famous.

    About Matthew Weiner, I don't think he's an actor so why would he give himself the role? Lena has acted before and I think she does a good job portraying Hannah so I see no problem there.

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  51. Star and Flurry10:41 AM

    annabella: In Tiny Furniture, Aura (Lena's character) was living at home. Of course she could "afford" to quit her job. She's living at home! That doesn't make her entitled. Also, making you uncomfortable is a good thing. It makes you examine your own shit. By either questioning, clarifying or bolstering, it makes no difference. Re Health insurance, I believe she is 24 on "Girls" and likely still on her parents health insurance. Re affordability, she got quite an advance on her writing, I believe she would be living on that. Re Decent Apartment. Have you really looked at that apartment? Nothing reads decent to me. Re Naked Hannah, breaking old stereotypes is good. If she were a hot babe I am 99% most would be begging for more. Re Adam, do you watch the show?, because that is just a poorly made observation due to ignoring all characters their story lines. Re OCD, Lena struggles with it in her own life and probably writes honestly about her experience. Re Lena's nose job, seriously? Why is this even an issue for you? Re Weiner... Ah, now I get it, it is all about the looks and the hotness for you... now the basis' of your opinions are much clearer to me. Carry on then.

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  52. Unknown10:43 AM

    The Girls/Lena Dunham popularity(strike that) phenomena is driven by an emperors clothes like effect. The show isn't really popular- low viewership- but everyone has heard of it. She has connections, politically correct and timely topic- female empowerment-, Apatow 'discovers' her and if you don't get on board you are an idiot. Happens a lot in the art world. Sounds like people are starting to see what is going on and she will eventually drop into obscurity- probably after HBO realizes ratings are continuing to drop and they lose patience with arthouse project.

    OK Haters - let's hear it:)

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  53. Unknown10:59 AM

    LOL Chris does look like Jon Snow in that pic. But really, what the fuck else was he supposed to do? If you don't like your character and development and you aren't the boss you can either suck it up or GTFO. Hate on Lena all you want but she obviously got some part of the formula right, her name is always in everyone's mouth and she is everywhere you look. I like her so I don't mind it. It is not hard for me to differentiate between someone's fictional character and who they really are and also keep in mind that the media skews things to fit their purpose.

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  54. hollywood dime11:07 AM

    Can we kill the word "hater" in 2013? because people don't like or disagree doesn't make them a "hater". That being said, the dislike in the industry of Lena isn't about her youth. it isn't about her being a woman in power. She's an asshole. A rude, disingenuous asshole. This isn't an instance of just this one actor having a problem with her. THE WHOLE SET,CREW AND CAST INCLUDED have issues with her. Her crew doesn't even want to be there. Yeah, she created and is the brainchild behind GIRLS, and the attention has gone to her head.I told you guys that the show was imploding when this blind came out a few months back. It's not Lena "the boss"that is hated. its Lena the person. She runs her ship like an entitled jerk.

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    1. Lucas11:52 AM

      @Hollywood Dime - As someone pointed out above plenty of male showrunners are hated and complete assholes. I think the example was the guy behind Mad Men. Yet there is no public bashing of that guy. Lena Dunham is in the middle of learning a lot, like how not to handle stuff. Time will tell if it sticks or if she continues to be a tyrant. Asshole or not she is making good television and bringing a lot of freshness to it. And driving a conversation that needs to happen in society regarding gender and body stereotypes and how we react differently based on our preconceived notions of what is "proper".

      Delete
  55. nancer11:17 AM

    i love lena dunham and i love 'girls.' i even loved charlie but if this guy didn't like working on the show, then buh bye.

    we'll see how well HIS career does. i think lena will be just fine.

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  56. Star and Flurry11:19 AM

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  57. Star and Flurry11:21 AM

    HD: Sorry. But if she were a guy she would be referred to as a brilliantly quirky man with a strong vision and s"he" would be looked up to and praised as a visionary. Frankly, I don't give a shit that she is considered a bitch and a jerk. What astounds me is how may women, who really don't know her personally, dislike her with such venom. She has made a crack in that ugly glass ceiling that has existed for all of time in this industry and I will root her on with abandon... until I start hearing casting couch or rape stories about her... then I will consider revisiting my opinion.

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  58. hollywood dime11:35 AM

    @ ruby bee
    I think you missed my point. It's not her art that people have a problem with, its HER. the same way people hate working with Ben Stiller, because his an asshole, they hate working with her because she's an asshole. Being a jerk is not gender specific. This is not "lets hate the strong woman"---Its more of a "my boss is an asshole AND she happens to be a woman.
    Tina Fey, Shonda Rhimes all run ridiculously tight ship ships. Shonda helms 3-now 2 shows her people are there 18 hours a day. Her casts and crew love her. And she is difficult. Funny you don't hear shit being talked about her the way you do Lena. Because Lena is the problem.

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  59. hollywood dime11:36 AM

    So she has to rape somebody or be part of the casting couch system in order for her to be out of line?! Oh give me a break!

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  60. Star and Flurry11:56 AM

    I think she is young and brilliant and that pisses people off. It's her vision. If she has to be c**t to get it right then so be it. As cast and crew shakes out, she will find her tribe of those who appreciate that sometimes her art isn't pretty or preceded by "please" and followed by thank you". Call her all the names you want but until I actually meet her in person and decide she should fuck off and die, I will appreciate her art no matter how she gets it out there. And please HD, you missed the point so entirely I don't even know how to explain it to you.

    I am off to work now but I want to say THANKS for the debate everyone. It's fun, even when it is uncomfortable!

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  61. Star and Flurry11:57 AM

    Lucas: Well said!

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  62. hollywood dime12:11 PM

    No Ruby, I got your point. But you have decided to hear only your voice in this conversation. I have stated before that I have worked in entertainment for 15 years, I'm not even 40 and I am a woman. If I gave you my name you can google and IMDB me. I'm on lists, I have writer and producer credits of shows you probably watch, so i know the challenge of being a woman in Hollywood better than you can imagine. I have had the honor of working with and for some of the brightest best women in entertainment. I have also had the "pleasure" of meeting Miss Dunham, who is so completely full of herself that she is going to have a hard fall when her show isn't renewed after season 4. She is unkind, insincere, rude and boorish. If she were a man I'd say the exact same shit. If you want to be a show runner, such as she is, you still have to listen to the ideas of others, her vision as it may be, is still never her own. In television you are subjected to network notes, studio notes, producer notes on every script you write. The original pilot script for Girls was HORRIBLE! What was shot was very different then what Lena wrote. I actually LIKE the show, what is problematic is all of the hype surrounding her. She is being solely credited for this juggernaut show and that isn't the actuality of the situation. When your crew doesn't want to work with you and quit that huge. Crew people don't quit shit.But no one gets paid enough to be treated like shit.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Mango12:14 PM

    @ Lucas - did your ex-wife's wallet fall in the toilet? I wouldn't touch my wallet either after that.

    Maybe this guy leaving is all about money. The show is hot, he threatened to leave unless he got an increase and Lena called his bluff.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lucas12:37 PM

      @Mango - no. She had a serious phobia about blood going way back to childhood. One day she was picking up dinner for us at a deli and the person working had cut her finger and bled a little on the outside of the bag. My ex only noticed it after she had already touched the bag herself. She had something of a breakdown (like couldn't leave the house for two weeks - this was before she was seeing a therapist or taking meds). Our son was very young at the time and she was afraid he or I would catch some illness and it would be all her fault because she didn't see the blood before she touched the bag - I know it seems irrational but that is how actual OCD works. In a normal person that thought (I might give my family a disease) is a flash that is then followed up with the logical reason why that WON'T happen. In someone with OCD that thought gets hung up like a skipping record and the person suffering from it is consumed with it. Often the only way they are able to process and work through it is by engaging in a series of repetitive actions (If I touch the door 8 times no one will break in) that resets the intrusive thought temporarily. That is why OCD people have all these quirks, because that is the only way they are able to function. The problem is that over time they can become less effective, leading to an increase in the coping techniques which then take up so much of a person's time they aren't able to function normally. It's a vicious fucking disease, and not something to joke about. My ex is much better now, but still has to always set her pen down a certain way. Some people's OCD manifests itself as being overly clean, but not everyone. My ex is in no way a neat freak.

      If you think you have OCD, real OCD, see someone about it. Talk therapy and exposure therapy combined with meds can do wonders.

      Delete
  64. Bleu12:16 PM

    Lena Dunham's book deal is almost a deliberate set-up for her to fail spectacularly. She's getting close to $4 million in advance for it. And there won't be the market for it (as many people have said, Girls just doesn't have that huge a viewership in itself).

    There's been fighting between Lena and Zosia Mamet (the Shoshanna character). Zosia has a real career ahead of her -- she also is a recurring character on Mad Men, she plays the lesbian who works at Life Magazine. She's so good you'd never guess in a million years the same person who plays that Mad Men character plays Shoshanna on Girls.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Melpomene2512:22 PM

    @ dime. Just wanted to say that I always enjoy reading the insight you provide us with! Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  66. hollywood dime12:33 PM

    @ melpomene ;)

    ReplyDelete
  67. Pip12:44 PM

    Dunham's a douche.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Pip12:48 PM

    If this were a 26 year old, self entitled man, I would feel the same. It doesn't matter if you have a vagina or a penis. An asshole is an asshole. Dunham is an asshole.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Aoife12:55 PM

    @dime Thanks for confirming that what is being said about Dunham isn't just woman bashing.

    Both of her parents are in the business one way or another and I'm sure a lot of favors were asked for and received.

    I'm not sure she'll ever actually "fail". Someone will be there to help out because of her parents.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Little Miss Smoke and Mirrors1:24 PM

    I'm thinking Lena Dunham is this decade's Diablo Cody. Remember her? She was the hot cool edgy voice of a generation last decade who did some good work and then disappeared into thin air. Don't know why, but she has vanished.

    As much as Girls is difficult to watch because the characters are so unlikeable, I thought it was a good show until the last few episodes of the season that just ended when it went off the rails.

    I'm someone who advocates for strong female voices and talent, but I prefer the Fey/Poehler variety to the Dunham variety... More clever/more earned/less smug. Lena's speech at the Golden Globes (maybe Emmys) was a turnoff. Girlfriend needs to learn that humility is an asset.

    ReplyDelete
  71. feraltart1:30 PM

    Annie Hall, thank you for your post. I think there is a lot of jealousy surrounding Lena & that women can be the absolute worst when it comes to tearing other women down. People who are comfortable in their own skins, don't kiss arse & don't apologise for being themselves are often subject to attacks. I love Girls & am pleased Lena is being a boss. I am sick of people getting away with crap at work because managers & owners want to be liked & succumb to arse kissing. People in positions of power are paid more to be impartial, it used to be that there wouldn't be fraternising between management & staff so there would be impartiality. Good on her for being the boss & not the friend.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Henriette1:43 PM

    @Sherry
    That was my point. Brett Butler's tale is one every "it" person should memorize.

    ReplyDelete
  73. poovey-tunt2:12 PM

    Ugh, the "haters are just jealous" line of defense.

    I suppose the only time you (and this is directed at Dunham defenders who actually think this, not to anyone specifically - I see it all over the internet and not just about Dunham) ever criticize a showrunner/actor/musician whatever, it's because you're jealous of them.

    Assuming that you do in fact criticize things at least sometimes when you're actually not jealous of anyone at all, I don't see why you assume that that isn't the case for other people as well.

    There's bitter criticism of Lena Dunham, some of it well-founded and some of it not. (The same goes for the glowing praise she receives, btw. Some of it's grounded in solid reasoning and some is blind stanning.) Dismissing all criticism of her as jealousy is bullshit.

    As is the belief that women are any more vicious tearing people down than men are. Men are every bit as cruel, there's just the lovely double standard where women are supposed to be nice and gentle and mild-mannered and when they're not they get judged twice as harshly for it.

    I don't like Lena Dunham's show. I suspect I wouldn't like her, but I manage to work around that for shows that I enjoy, so that's not really a dealbreaker for me. I think that if she actually realizes that her shit does stink and that she does have some stuff to learn about her chosen career, she could produce some pretty amazing things in five, ten years.

    Otherwise, I do think she'll end up going the Brett/Diablo route.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Brian3:25 PM

    I think that Dunham writes scenes that make the characters look horrible as punishment to the actors.

    I think Abbott's departure is a sign of this. I'm sure he was disappointed that his character got back together with his brain dead, gold-digging ex instead of getting his own worthwhile character arc.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Star and Flurry3:47 PM

    Diablo Cody has not been sitting on her laurels, contrary to what several are posting here.
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/30/diablo-cody-athena-film-festival-women_n_2569811.html

    Also, while inside knowledge in the "biz" per HD and others is all fine and good, it doesn't make your opinion any more worthwhile then anyone else's. So yes, when giving my opinion it is the only voice I hear. When you give yours, yours is the only voice you hear. Your "credentials" are impressive but they don't change my mind. And frankly, the fact that you had to rattle them off to bolster your argument... well, it doesn't really matter. We disagree, that is clear. But don't invalidate anyone's opinion here who disagrees with you because you think you know more. We all bring our history and knowledge to the table here. Let's hope we all take away something as well.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Little Miss Smoke and Mirrors6:00 PM

    Ruby Bee - Thanks for the update on Cody. I really liked US of Tara, glad she is still working. She is definitely much lower profile now.

    ReplyDelete
  77. zeldafitzgerald6:35 PM

    I just finished the second season and i liked it - you guys seem to equate Hannah with Lena, you do get she's playing a character, right?

    And for the snide getting naked all the time comment, my boyfriend walked in (he hates the show) just as she stripped off to her her undies and walked into a bedroom, and he exclaimed, Who's that with that excellent ass?

    I like seeing her naked on the telly. She looks like me. Can't all be anorexic bobble heads. some of us are fat.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Bridget6:40 PM

    I struggle with Girls. The first season was actually pretty funny (but you have to realize that it's a joke, and that we're not supposed to take these awful characters seriously). And the venom leveled at Dunham IS ridiculously sexist - we have to acknowledge that.

    But seriously, the second season was BAD. Like, unwatchably bad. I finally gave up because it was so non-sensical and the single-character focus per episode doesn't work for the show and boring. And the characters just became grating - the commentary and satire seems to have been thrown out the window, as though Ms. Dunham has fallen into the trap of believing her own hype. She's done an excellent job at tapping into the zeitgeist, but at some point people will realize that the emperor has no clothes.

    ReplyDelete
  79. allthesun7:32 PM

    HD, I remember reading a fair amount of shit about Shonda Rhimes when Grey's Anatomy came out...,

    ReplyDelete
  80. hollywood dime8:12 PM

    @ruby I rattled off my resume not because it makes my opinion more valid than yours, it certainly doesn't, but it does base my opinion in a reality that you don't share. My insight is different because I hear 90% of these stories on gossip blogs before they hit the internet. Usually because, I or someone I know are friends with, work with, for , or are the people being written about. So when I give my input (when I give it) I'm not talking out of my ass. So I'm sorry if I offended you. But don't say you're open to dialogue and then are upset when an opinion different then yours is given. I rarely say anything on this site, and when I do its only to be helpful or have fun in a blind item, but people have been so nasty on here lately that it's difficult to even have fun.
    Back into the woodwork I go.

    ReplyDelete
  81. Mango11:52 PM

    @ Lucas - thank you for your explanation


    ReplyDelete
  82. Henriette1:06 AM

    @Amy
    Did you see how Dunham sicced her lawyers on Gawker for leaking the details of her advance? I wasn't a fan of hers before, but after that I thought she was a twit without a sense of humor. I hope her book bombs royally.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Agent**It6:01 AM

    Her father's art..

    http://www.refinery29.com/2013/01/41847/carroll-dunham-paintings-exhibit-gladstone-gallery/slideshow#slide-1

    ReplyDelete
  84. Izzie7:20 AM

    @poovey - I like the way you do business!

    @Agent. o_O

    ReplyDelete
  85. Star and Flurry10:09 AM

    HD, you did not offend me but my opinion is based in reality as well, so let's be clear about that. I don't think you're talking out of your ass. But, you know, some people like the people other people hate. So just because you and your friends have established an opinion about somebody does not always make that opinion fact. It makes it an opinion. And truly, if you are calling me nasty (I'm not sure that you were) I apologize. I am very passionate about "Girls" the program. We differ in opinion on its creator but I feel like you're trashing the show because you dislike her and that style of argument makes me mad. I actually like debating with you. It's fun, as debate should be. No one is going to die from it, unlike what most politicians and their followers would have you believe, but that's for another day. Anyways, don't disappear too far into the woodwork as your opinion, while I disagree with it in this case, is refreshing, and for that reason, I, and many others I imagine, appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete
  86. aradia8:36 PM

    Dammit he was one of the characters I actually liked! :(

    ReplyDelete
  87. Elisha9:28 PM

    I'm so late to this party. I really don't like the show, although I can't explain why I sat through both seasons and will probably watch the 3rd.

    I can't stand that people compare this to SATC. These girls are so annoying and pretty much everything wrong with girls. Maybe that is the point.

    However, I like that Lena gets naked all the time. It bothered me for a bit, but she does have a good ass and it seems like a big fu to all the people who have probably told her that no one wants to see her naked. Or maybe even a big fu to her mental loop of negative self talk.

    Her character is exactly like an ex friend, except less crazy.

    I think I watched the show because it really is a train wreck and a little because I think I like the actors if not their characters.

    ReplyDelete

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