Book Review: American Woman-The Poll Dance: Women and Voting by Kimberley A. Johnson

It’s a week away from the midterm elections, and a lot of things are at stake. Even though we think Presidential elections are very important, so are the midterms. And it’s especially important for women in this day and age. Just as we think we’ve come so far, some nefarious forces are trying to push us back into the 19th century. We need to fight against these forces. And one of he best way to do it is by voting.

Author, actress, and activist Kimberley A. Johnson shares this sentiment, and she states her case in her fabulous book American Woman-The Poll Dance: Women and Voting.

I first became aware of Johnson when I found her on Facebook. She discussed a host of issues, especially how they affected women, and proudly called herself a feminist. I felt like I found a kindred spirit and continue to follow her on social media to this day.

Johnson covers so many topics and how a woman’s right to vote is so important. These issues include the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), rape and sexual assault, abortion, birth control and body autonomy, unions and the workplace, equal pay for equal work, and sexual harassment on the job.

And because the personal is political, Johnson shares personal stories from her childhood to her work as an actress and salesperson. Johnson is quite honest, telling us the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Johnson also shares the stories of women of all ages and isn’t afraid to rake anti-feminists over the coals.

American Woman is written in a very down to earth style that is never dry and boring. Plus, it is obvious Johnson has done her research and homework.

A lot has happened since American Woman was published in 2014. Donald Trump was elected to the highest office in the United States and his MAGA followers make the Tea Party look like, well, a tea party The Trump presidency was pretty much a shit show, and Trump lost in 2020 to Joe Biden. However, far too many didn’t accept the results of the election and stormed the US capitol on January 6th, 2021.

We also dealt with the global Covid-19 pandemic, the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, the restriction of voting rights, school and mass shootings, and environmental degradation. The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg was replaced by the odious Amy Coney Barrett. And women lost their reproductive rights with the overturn of Roe V. Wade this past June.

All of this is enough to make you want to hide under the covers. But I try to remain hopeful. A lot of people are really pissed off and want a better country and society for all of us. I’ve noticed a great deal of activism among Generation Z who are just starting out their young lives and realize things are messed up. As a member of Generation X, I support them.

So much is at stake. Not only is our vote a right, our lives depend on it!

Book Review: The Office BFFs- Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey

Back in 2005, I started watching a TV show called “The Office.” Often unfairly compared the the British original, the US version soon found its voice and became a critical darling and a fan favorite. I’m one of those fans. I cringed over Michael’s antics, shipped Pam and Jim, and recognized oddball characters like Dwight, Kevin, Creed, and Meredith. I rolled my eyes with Stanley and Angela. I sympathized with Phyllis, Oscar, and Toby. And I related to dealing with chatterboxes like Kelly and smug douche bros like Ryan. “The Office” made me laugh and at times, made me cry. I enjoyed it until its last episode in 2013.

Being a fan of the show, I was happy to discover Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey’s podcast “The Office Ladies,” which I usually listen to at the office, of course. In their podcast they talk about what it was like to play their characters (Jenna played Pam and Angela played Angela), and all the work it took to make each episode come into fruition. Jenna provided us some fast facts about The Office and Angela had her colorful notecards to keep her on track. “The Office Ladies” is a wonderful walk down Dunder-Mifflin way. Now I’m delighted to review their book The Office BFFs: Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There .

After The Office BFFs starts off with a very brief introduction, the office ladies get down to business chronicling their lives both pre-The Office and post-The Office, and the delicious details in-between. Jenna and Angela tell us about their struggles as aspiring actresses and the early days of The Office when they ever wondered if their show would become successful. They had no idea it would last for nearly a decade. They describe what it was like to make such classic episodes as “Booze Cruise” and “Casino Night,” and how they nearly faced death in the episode “Work Bus,” which was directed by Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston. Jenna and Angela discuss learning about how their characters would evolve of the show’s run. And they also give the scoop on what it’s like to be real pregnant and fake pregnant on the set. Guess what? Being fake pregnant is a lot more uncomfortable.

Jenna and Angela talk about being on the red carpet, meeting big time stars like Meryl Streep, seeing guest star get mega famous, and being nominated and winning awards. They discuss their sadness over Steve Carell leaving the show and how The Office could go on without such an iconic character as Michael Scott.

The two Office Ladies are also upfront on talking about their personal lives, marriage, divorce, remarriage, and having kids in ways I’m sure a lot of people can relate.

The Office BFFs is written in a narrative style, with Jenna and Angela taking turns giving us the scoop on making The Office. There’s also a lot of pictures of the cast and crew throughout the book and it’s nice to see people enjoying themselves at work. Who knew?

Now if your looking for any salacious gossip and scandalous activities that may have occurred while making The Office, you won’t find it in The Office BFFs. This isn’t just a story about making a TV show. It’s also a book about strong bonds and tight relationships. And Jenna and Angela’s solid friendship sings from the book’s pages.

The Office BFFs is a must-read for any fan of The Office, but I think anybody who is into pop culture and has wondered what it’s like to make a TV show will find this book a valuable read.

Book Review: The Actor’s Life-A Survival Guide by Jenna Fischer

Back in the day, I believe it was in the year 2006, when MySpace was still a thing and we were all friends of Tom, Jenna Fischer wrote a post on her MySpace page where she discussed the trials and tribulations she faced as an aspiring actor. Already well-known as  the sweet and vulnerable Pam Beesly on The Office, Ms. Fischer’s MySpace post resonated with a lot of people, even people with no acting ambitions.

Now Fischer has turned that MySpace post into something more with her book The Actor’s Life: A Survival Guide that is at turns both a memoir of Jenna’s journey to acting success and a wise and practical primer for aspiring actors.

Fischer fell in love with acting and performing as a child. She took acting and dance classes and performed in both community and school productions, including acting as the Fiddler in Fiddler on the Roof, which must have been quite a challenge for a someone going to all-girls Catholic school.

After earning a degree in theater at Truman State University in Missouri, this St. Louis native packed her bags and headed out to Los Angeles. All Fischer had was her college diploma, a beat up car and some saved up cash. But she also had a big dream to make it as an actress in both television and in film. She thought it wouldn’t be long before she saw her name on the marquee of movie theaters or among the credits of a hit television show.

Boy, was she wrong. It took her eight years to finally become a success on The Office and in movies like Blades of Glory and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. And in that nearly decade long road, Fischer dealt with the good, bad and ugly of being an aspiring actor, which she isn’t afraid to share in The Actor’s Life.

When it comes to the survival guide, Fischer offers sound advice on getting the right headshot, getting into the film and television’s actor union SAG (Screen Actors Guild), and building one’s resume as an actor. She also advises on finding and keeping an agent and manager.

Fischer also discusses in detail the arduous auditioning process, the heartbreak, the glory, and how to keep going on.

Want to know what it’s like to be on the set as an extra, a bit player saying three lines in one scene, a guest star or part of the main cast? It’s not glamorous, but once you’re performing, you’re reminded why you chose acting as a vocation.

Of course,  even once one makes it things don’t go smoothly. Pilots for TV shows don’t get picked up,  shows get cancelled, speaking parts get edited out,  a movie bombs at the box office even if you’re an established name. You may even get fired. Fischer was recently fired from a TV show. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. She’s now the star of the ABC show Splitting Up Together, which is filming its second season.

Interspersed throughout The Actor’s Life are Fischer’s tales of getting speaking parts on hit shows like Spin City and That 70’s Show, working less than desirable office gigs, falling apart at The Pottery Barn because she felt like such a loser, filming kissing and sex scenes, her wonderful relationship with her manager Naomi Odenkirk, and the dos and don’ts on how to behave on the set.

Fischer also discusses creating opportunities by generating DIY acting projects and how the iconic book The Artist’s Way helped her on her journey as did actor and friend Molly Shannon.

Within the pages of The Actor’s Life include inspirational quotes by a diverse collection of people-Einstein, Sheryl Sandburg,  Marilyn Monroe, Jon Hamm and Debra Messing.

I enjoyed reading The Actor’s Life,  starting with an introduction by Steve Carell who played the bumbling Michael Scott on The Office to Fischer’s loving acknowledgements to family, friends, and colleagues at the very end.

The Actor’s Life is honest,  funny and wise. Fischer’s writing voice is empathetic, truthful and warm. It’s a must read, and not just for actors. I’m using it as a guide as I get my writing career back on track.  I also think this book is ideal for teachers, guidance counselors, and college career centers.

It was The Office that made me a fan of Jenna Fischer and The Actor’s Life is one reason why I remain a fan.

Well that,  and we both suffer from MCG-Midwestern Catholic Guilt.