Tina Fey
I was a proud contributor to the Silicon Valley Moms Group for three-plus years. I was part of a network that produced amazing content, I worked side-by-side with amazing women and smart writers, and I was fortunate to make life-long friends.
Those who follow the industry know the network has stopped publishing new content, and the founders and writers have gone their separate ways. In my own personal tribute to my beloved site, I am going to highlight some of my favorite contributions to the blog. And this one might be my all-time favorite, mostly because I adore Tina Fey. Here it goes, please enjoy:
Reposted from Silicon Valley Moms Blog on May 27, 2010:
I have never written a fan letter in my life. I went to high school in the 80s, so I was tempted to write letters to Tom Cruise; in college, where I studied journalism, I wanted desperately to meet Dan Rather.
Today, as a working mom, I really don’t have time for fantasy lunch dates or dreams of meeting celebrities. I have a daughter, a husband, a job, a house and lots of responsibilities that need my focus and dedication. But, I finally found somebody I’d like to take the time to publicly thank: Tina Fey.
Now, I typically don’t like it when commoners like me praise celebrities. After all, we don’t really know them as people; we know their work, their public persona and the stories we read in the press. Even so, I am inspired to write my very first fan letter. Here it goes:
Dear Tina Fey,
Even though I don’t know you, I adore you. I know this letter might sound creepy and stalkerish, so please know that I am just another working mom who thinks you are a genius. I want to thank you for many reasons:
- Thank you for being smart: I respect the wit and candor in your writing. You have more than proven your ability and sense of humor; you have shown that smart writing leads to quality entertainment. If you ever have any doubts about your gifts, just count your Emmys and Golden Globes.
- Thank you for being brave: Your writing and acting, namely on 30 Rockand Saturday Night Live, is fearless. I loved your stint on Weekend Update, as you always took the “did she really say that?” approach to your commentary. You don’t go for the easy laugh; you take a topic and smother it with your own brand of sass and wisdom. (Plus, any woman who takes on Tiger Woods, Tiki Barber and Jesse James — and theirmistresses — in a single segment is awesome in my book.)
- Thank you for writing what I feel: The opening monologue from your most recent SNL appearance was both brilliant and real. It also taught me that we actually have something in common; I too receive the same two questions time and time again: 1) Are you going to have another baby? and 2) How do you juggle it all? (Your answer was classic: And that’s how I juggle it all, Bitches!)
- Thank you for Liz Lemon: Even on the days I feel my most cool; I always have a little Liz Lemon in me. I work too much, I fear having fun, and I obsess over minutia. Like Liz, I too need to figure out how to have fun and not “Lemon” my life.
- Thank you for dominating: I tell you what, it is so refreshing to see a woman at the top of her game (and earn the recognition she deserves.) You are in an elite class. I love that I can watch your shows and movies, point to the woman who created them, and tell my daughter the actor and the writer is brilliant.
Even though this letter is addressed to you, I highly doubt you’ll ever find it or read it. And I’m sure someone will laugh at my note and tell me I am lame. In reply, I’ll simply quote the great Tina Fey and tell my critics to “SUCK IT!”
Sincerely, Stacy in Silicon Valley
Just trying to squeeze in some television between mothering, working and crashing.
