PrincessoftheInternet is super pleased to welcome Jen McDonnell as our second guest star in our celebrity pop culture Q&A series. (You can read part one with Kevin Naulls here.)
We go way, way back with Jen and together we share a special fondness for Gilmore Girls, George Clooney and general celeb gossipness.
Here's her awards season view of the world:
What's the Super Professional Capacity in Which You Cover Awards Shows?
I usually create red carpet dresses galleries and write articles on the shows' best/worst moments. Fun fact: most award show coverage is written by people who are wearing sweatpants and drinking cheap wine in a cubicle of a virtually empty office tower. It's super glamorous.
How Long Have You Been Covering Awards Shows?
Over a decade. Which is way, way too long. I started covering awards shows for AOL in 2005, then for Dose, then for MSN, and for my blog.
If you were a celebrity walking the red carpet, what would be your biggest fear?
E! always seems to come up with new ways to leer at female stars, whether it's the mani-cam or the 360 degree panning shots. I don't have the self-esteem for any of that madness.
If you were attending an awards show, who would be your dream host?
I'd like Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to do the opening monologue, Joseph Gordon-Levitt to contribute a musical montage, and The Rock to take over the audience banter duties. Perfect show!
This year, we’re seeing a lot of awards show controversy at the Oscars, with #OscarsSoWhite – what impact do you think it will have on the live broadcast and red carpet conversation?
I think it's a necessary discussion for the industry to have, but it's going to make for some super awkward 15-second sound bites on the red carpet. Watching nominees struggle to criticize the system while also trying to come across as grateful for the honour is going to be cringe-worthy. However, I'm betting Chris Rock's opening monologue will make it all worth it!
What/Who do you think won the least deserved award (Golden Globes, SAG, Grammys, Oscars) in the history of awards shows? Who was robbed?
Maybe it's because I've always covered TV more than movies, but the Emmy snubs are the ones that have hurt the most. The Newsroom's Jeff Daniels beating both Mad Men's Jon Hamm and Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston sucked. That The Office's Steve Carrel and Parks and Rec's Amy Poehler were never recognized for their work was terrible, made worse by the fact that they lost to Jim Parsons and Edie Falco, respectively.
What’s the one awards show moment you’ll never forget?
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams accepting Best Kiss at the 2005 MTV Movie Awards. I will never not want to rewatch that moment.
Why do people care about what other people wear on the red carpet?
Because it's part of the spectacle. I fully support the #askhermore movement and I recognize red carpet talk that's only focused on dresses is boring, but it's silly to pretend that fashion isn't a big reason why people tune into these things. There's a reason actresses don't just wear off-the-rack dresses -- and there's something fantastic about seeing a star totally own a red carpet with her style choices (see: Lupita Nyong'o's entire 2014 awards show circuit). Also, anyone who's ever worked the other side of the camera knows you're not going to have enough time to delve into many questions that elicit in-depth, thoughtful answers.
Do you care what people wear on the red carpet?
Yes. Unabashedly, unapologetically yes.
Who would you want to talk to at an after party? Why?
I'd like to sit next to George Clooney at the bar because I think he'd spend the night quietly making hilariously cutting comments about everyone in the room. I'd also try to squeeze in some time on the dance floor next to Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan.
Who do you think is more likely to win an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony)?
- Justin Bieber
- Anna Kendrick
- Terrance Howard
- Kanye West
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Drake
- Other (of your choosing)
Anna Kendrick has a good shot (though Leo probably assumes he deserves it more).
