Saturday, June 21, 2008

Good Morning Ladies

Author(s): Alex S. / Chris Perkins
Location: Washington State / IL

"Good Morning, Ladies"



Directed by Sofia Coppola
Written by Nora Ephron

Main Cast

Blythe Danner (Samantha Thomas)
Megan Mullally (Sally Young)
Sigourney Weaver (Vera McGee)
Kristin Chenoweth (Lily Anderson)
Vanessa Williams (Denise White)
Bette Midler (Carol Perry)
Meg Ryan (Susan Clark)
Queen Latifah (Felicia Smith)

Tagline: "Daytime television is about to get a whole lot chattier"

Synopsis: "Good Morning, Ladies" is a morning talk show for women, consisting of five panelists. Samantha Thomas, the show’s creator, is a TV legend and one of the nation’s most credible news anchors right up there with Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, and Tom Brokaw. Vera McGee is one of New York’s best lawyers and game show host. When things get out of hand on the show, Vera is usually the one to moderate and restore order. Lily Anderson, known by most audiences as one of the contestants of "Wilderness Survival" and that ditzy republican gal that married some football quarterback, is the latest edition to the panel. Denise White, another New York lawyer, is most known for her countless weight loss surgeries (or as she would correct you, "diet and exercise") and her larger than life ego. The last member of the panel is Carol Perry, a loud-mouthed liberal comedienne who is convinced that the republicans are trying to take over the world. The purpose of the show is to discuss the modern woman, what happens to her, and how politics and other issues shape her life. Everything was going smoothly on the set of "Good Morning, Ladies" until one fateful day…

Susan Clark, co-host of another morning show (and "Good Morning, Ladies" toughest competitor), announced to the world that she would be going back to her roots and returning to actual journalism as the new anchor of the ABS Evening News. It was announced that Vera McGee would replace her at the end of the season and the search for a new "Good Morning, Ladies" panelist would begin right away.

One week later on the show, Samantha announces that the network executives have chosen Sally Young to succeed Vera as the newest panelist. Sally, like Carol, is also a liberal comedienne and used to have her own daytime talk show before its cancellation five years prior. It came as a huge shock that Samantha would name Sally as Vera’s replacement because just a few weeks earlier, Sally made some mean spirited comments accusing Denise of lying about her surgery and that she did not exercise and diet. Of course, Denise is outraged. She is told the next day by Samantha that the network has decided not to renew her contract with "Good Morning, Ladies". Denise is furious, as she sees this as an obvious result of Sally’s hiring. Three days before she is supposed to announce her departure, she states on the air that she was being fired from the show so the network could usher in a bigger star to replace her and that she will be gone at the end of the season. The next day, Denise is nowhere to be found. Samantha then explains that because she was "betrayed" by Denise’s on-air tirade that her departure will be immediate and not at the end of the season as negotiated.

Once Sally started at "Good Morning, Ladies", the ratings rocketed. It became the highest rated daytime talk show ever. Of course there was the occasional argument, but things were smooth sailing. Until, that is there was another explosion on the set. Samantha was out of town so actress/comedienne Felicia Smith was filling in. In the middle of a heated discussion on the Iraq War, Sally and Carol start arguing about whether or not anything serious had ever been discussed before Sally started on the show. After that discussion cooled down a bit, Sally goes out on a limb an calls American troops stationed in Iraq terrorists. Lily is stunned. As a republican, she is greatly insulted and gets quite angry with Sally. Another fiery quarrel begins as Sally and Lily duke it out as what starts as a political argument but soon turns very personal. While all this is going on, Felicia and Carol are trying to cut to a commercial, but Sally stops them and continues the fight with Lily until the control room cuts them off.

The next day, Samantha is back together with Sally as she announces that the network and Sally could not come to an agreement on her contract. Once again, "Good Morning, Ladies" needs a new panelist…

What the Press would say:

Some critics have described some comedies as classics but "Good Morning, Ladies" should be described as a comedy masterpiece. Nora Ephron wrote and Sofia Coppola directed this bust at your seams comedy that has one of the funniest casts in film history. Never has there been a cast that is this uncontrollably hilarious but at the same time delivers Oscar-worthy performances. Blythe Danner plays Samantha Thomas, the legendary TV anchor who created "Good Morning, Ladies". Danner does a fine job here in a performance that is very refreshing, poised, and humorous at the same time. Megan Mullally plays Sally Young, the former daytime talk show host brought in on the show to replace Vera (Weaver). Mullally's mesmerizing comedic timing is sure to get lots of laughs from audiences and critics alike. Sigourney Weaver plays Vera McGee, one of N.Y.'s best lawyers and game show host who keeps things together on "Good Morning, Ladies". Weaver as always delivers a wonderful performance that is done with class and wittiness. Kristin Chenoweth plays Lily Anderson, the ditzy republican who is the show's latest edition. Chenoweth plays her character with charm and makes the viewer forget her character would be absolutely annoying if played by anyone else. Vanessa Williams plays the egotistical Denise White who is known for her excessive weight loss. Williams is very effective as the larger than life diva who'll tell it like it is. Finally, Bette Midler plays Carol Perry, the show's first loud-mouthed liberal who believes republicans are trying to take over the world. Midler remains one the great comical talents and proves she still has it. "Good Morning, Ladies" is a film that should not only be nominated at every major awards show, but should win because it provides audiences and critics a fresh look into what goes on behind daytime time talk shows. "Good Morning, Ladies" is an unforgettable comedy that should be considered in these categories...

For Your Consideration

Best Picture
Best Director (Sofia Coppola)
Best Actress (Blythe Danner)
Best Actress (Megan Mullally)
Best Supporting Actress (Sigourney Weaver)
Best Supporting Actress (Kristin Chenoweth)
Best Supporting Actress (Vanessa Williams)
Best Supporting Actress (Bette Midler)
Best Original Screenplay (Nora Ephron)

No comments: