The Imply Ladies world continues to stay fairly the subject of dialog, with Lindsay Lohan referencing MG and Conclave getting equated to non secular Plastics. Nevertheless, there is a query about Janis Ian and that Lesbian vs Lebanese line being mentioned that’s stunning to me. The Tina Fey movie simply ranks as one of many finest highschool motion pictures, loaded with good and poking jokes, the Lesbian vs Lebanese line included. As a reasonably avid Fey and Imply Ladies fan, I’ve some ideas in regards to the gag’s use within the endlessly quotable Imply Ladies.
If you understand something about Tina Fey, you understand she’s no joke as a author or comic. It is why the Imply Ladies idea in regards to the Lesbian vs. Lebanese phrase mix-up exists. Basically, it’s made out that Regina has confused the phrase Lesbian for Lebanese, as she unfold a rumor that Janis was a lesbian. Later within the movie, Janis tells Kevin G. that she’s Lebanese, main folks to imagine that Regina combined up the 2 phrases.
Followers on Reddit have been discussing this hinging line that Regina George delivers about Janis Ian and letting all followers in on the joke. Some commenters are going into element to clear up the confusion and showcasing how the entire Lesbian-Lebanese bit is a cornerstone of the Imply Ladies world. DebateObjective2787 defined that the joke subtly will get layered close to the tip of the movie and shared that it’s not an unusual bit in media:
Janice mentions on the finish of the movie that she’s Lebanese whereas hanging out with Kevin G. It is a long-running gag in media that individuals confuse lesbian with Lebanese. Golden Ladies and Glee have each achieved related jokes.
The alternate in query, reveals Regina speaking to Cady about her previous friendship with Janis. The 2 have been finest buddies in center faculty however the friendship shifted after Rachel McAdams’ character began seeing her first boyfriend. Janis was, ‘obsessed’ with understanding the top Plastic’s whereabouts, which led Regina to snub Janis (and their friendship) of an invite to her upcoming all-girl birthday pool get together as a result of she thought she was a lesbian. Verify the clip out beneath for your self:
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That ex-friendship recall scene is vital for the film that’s pretty much as good because the e-book. It offers the viewer perception into why there’s such a divide between Cady’s social circles and showcases why the now polar opposites cut up. The second highlights Regina’s fakeness and Janis’ loyalty all whereas quietly organising the Lesbian vs Lebanese idea. Though we by no means see the second George misinterprets the 2 phrases, all of the groundwork is laid and might roughly be inferred after you hear Janis say she’s Lebanese on the dance.
Whereas the Mark Waters-directed movie units up the purpose extra delicately, it’s not the primary time I, or different followers, have seen this bit. As talked about, different collection have performed with the phrase mixup, as MarinaAndTheDragons shared the Golden Ladies alternate:
…Hell, an episode of The Golden Ladies from 1986 has the identical joke however in reverse:
Sophia: “For starters, Jean is a lesbian.”
Blanche: “What’s humorous about that?”
Sophia: “You are not shocked?”
Blanche: “In fact not. I imply, I’ve by no means recognized any personally, however is not Danny Thomas one?”
Dorothy: “Not Lebanese, Blanche. Lesbian.”
Though it’s not an excellent widespread sighting, you may wager they aren’t as creatively crafted as Tina Fey’s. And whereas I do assume the overall concept of the joke’s construction and punchline are low-hanging fruit, the Saturday Night time Dwell alum gave it new life. The quiet reveal lands with two different characters moderately than Regina and Cady. Janis shares that she’s Lebanese whereas dancing with Kevin G close to the tip and, when you’re like me, you see this bit as signature 30 Rock-Fey materials.
If you happen to’re questioning, Fey additionally had a hand within the fulfilling musical iteration of Imply Ladies that got here out final 12 months. The Child Mama actress didn’t incorporate the gag within the current movie-Broadway-musical film (which is obtainable with an Amazon Prime subscription or Paramount+ subscription) however had a unique subplot to switch it. Ian is a rumored Pyro (the story revealed that she had set fireplace to an opulent toy that led to different gadgets catching fireplace), as a substitute of a potential lesbian. On this new movie, she merely is queer. It barely modifications the tone between the 2 adversaries, however not in a foul manner.
It’s nice to see followers explaining the Janis Ian Imply Ladies gag and that Fey’s iconic writing continues to be knocking it out of the park for different followers to find.