I love the movie-in-the-movie openings in Season 5. The teaser 501 starts "meta" fictional with a screen and a typing of lines.. But it's more than postmodern, it's to call a Jenny fiction! ;)

My favorited "shots" in 501 are:

Tina&Bette as Angelica's parents in the preschool,

Helena Peabody in the slammer,

Phyllis as guestbian on Alice's podcast:
-Alice calls Phyllis a "stone butch",
-Phyllis scribbles in her notebook of lesbian lingo,
-Phyllis assures Alice she was sweet, if a little vanilla.., Alice: "Ouch!",

Jenny's Mary-wonder postcard,
Sounder's ribbons and Jenny freak William,
Tina's cute *eye rolls* about Diva Jenny,
Tina comes, breakfast in hand, smile (and an apologize..) on face to tame a "crazy" Jenny,

Tina gets out of the pool and answers Bette: "You know, it's not like I didn't go for months at a time without having sex when we were together." Bette, after Tina leaves: "Ouch.",

Alice, Tina and Shane visit Helena in jail:
-Their walk through the hallway, Shane is excited about the girls, but Tina is down, to get not any attention.. ;)
-They advise Helena: "Don't drop the Soup!"

Alice says on Phyllis party to Tina: "Not Bette. Not Bette!",
Jenny's "rainbow" assistent quits the hollywood job,
The gang welcomes Jodi very warmly,

Jodi is not exited about Bette's lovingly set table, she bits her with "It's my space!",
And it's not all, Jodi says: "I'm going to take control of you.", Bette means: "Not really!",
Jodi's glowing face during the "blindfold" scene,

Alice on her door says in a silly deep voice "Who is it?", and Tasha commands: "Alice, open the door."

My fav couple in Season 501: Jenny & Tina on the movie production. ;)

Blog. very secret!

It was really great.
CHEERS ;-)

Jennyfer from Paris

I think Bette's interested in being under control of Jodie. Maybe she thinks that's funny but i don't wanna see her like that ! i don't hate Jodie but sometimes i can't stand her behaviour to Bette !
Tine's still loving Bette, she looks jealous at the party when Jodie comes back and kiss and hold Bette's hand .the Affair between Tina and Bette seems so sad, loving -> breaking up -> fighting -> crying -> jealous -> dating -> still loving !

The season 4 episode 12 ending foretells something that will occur in the season 5 finale.

Jody will have created a 17 REASONS WHY sculpture which will show at the Hammer Gallery. This has been reported to be where the group will gather in this episode.

Loyal and True is the questionable ingredient. Will Bette and Tina promise to be loyal and true, or will there be another disappointment?

Was I harsh? Maybe, but it's a public forum and if you put yourself out there, well what can anyone say? The reference regarding not earning it goes to EZ, she's not a writer, she's a musician/lyrcist who married well. I'm sure Amy Lam who worked her way up the ladder is so happy that EZ just walked in and took that title. People spend 20 years earning it. Ilene DID earn it.

Was I harsh? hmmmmmmmmmm Maybe, there aren't many writers who insert themselves as equals or above the talent. I don't find Ilene interesting at all. Yes, unless Ilene is trying to become the lesbian Martha Stewart, I want to see things about the show because I want to see bits of Helena. A great character reduced to nothing. She is part of the core cast and receives less than 5 minutes per episode. An ensemble show can be written where more time is given to all the characters, so everyone feels taken care of. The show is Not about the writers, especially when the writing is inconsistant, and the poor storylines are never addressed.

If you compare QAF to TLW you'd never know the shows were covering the same genre, (except the lesbian story there was horrible, correction the lesbians were horrible).

Was I harsh? Yes, and if one can't take it don't read it, don't put yourself out there. I've actually been kind, after reading some of the comments in and around the board. I'm flawed. I understand it. Most people feel they aren't being heard. All people never learn by hearing they are great all day. They need things pointed out. It is part and parcel of evolution.

This show hands down can be written so much better. That's what the lesbian community should demand. We are worthy of more.

Everyone bitches about Jenny, but at least she's demonstrated a story line that is quite interesting. Shane is a fuck machine, it would be really interesting if Shane or Papi got a serious std. Then maybe people would wake up to the fact that such behavior should not be celebrated. I know you're going to squawk, but Ronald Reagan didn't think gays were important enough to take care of when he was President and there were only a few thousand people dying from aids. Now we have MILLIONS. So a story line were women are heroes for fucking over 1,000 women is not a storyline unless it has consequences. Do you really think all those partners just slept with women? That they never used IV drugs?

Was I harsh? yes, because this show can be better written. There have been moments that were enchanting and brilliant. But they were moments.

I was harsh out of complete disappointment. But it is a total disappointment. This is a show that could have won emmys rather than awards from the community. Which doled them out if you show up. Ilene is better than all this she's churning out. Maybe I was too harsh and I apologize, it's the Madcow disease, Denny Crane. LOL

Was I harsh? yes, because this maybe the last season to make a brilliant mark for all Lesbians. Instead, less of the lesbians I know watch it, its straight women and men that watch. NO SHIT. My lesbian friends say, lend us the dvd. My straight friends ordered SHOWTIME. GO figure.

Was I harsh? Yes. Did it bother some of you? yes, for that I apologize. I was not feely well and lashed out. But the truth of my observations are truth to me. My concern is not for myself, but for a generation of women that are so empowered in a life style that just twenty years ago was not what it is today. Because of our respective careers, when my partner and I were working together, we had to rent seperate apartments in the same building, because others from our work lived in the building. If we came out it would have destroyed our livelihood. Today, we do live together and when talking to those whom we worked with, the comment were, "That was the best keep secret." That's the reality then. Upon interviewing a candidate the other day for a job, this young dyke came out to her... Well the rest of that story, I'll write about one day. Today, I'm so excited seeing women enjoy a freedom I could only have imagined. Maybe I would have been a Shane, NOT. I believe less is more. LOL My point is, when you have access like Ilene has, you need to make the best. Why, because she is better than what she is doing. Don't focus on the selling things to your audience, as much as hooking them up to the show. If people want Lesbian jewelry, they walk through Greenwich Village, the Castro etc... Ilene has opportunity to change things in a relavant way. If you want to be applauded, you have to accept being booed.

I do write, and have made the Fanfic awards list. I'm sure if I would have included some of the characters Ilene or the audience prefers I would have been a finalist. But, my interests are Helena first. It was under a different name.

But, if you want to trash, comment, praise my work, my address is below and it's in the creator's mind. There are other writers there for you to enjoy.

Was I harsh? Of course, writers are the toughest group. Ask Ilene. lol

Take care and peace to you all. My humblest apologies to anyone who took offense. Life is way too short and full of too much good to waste it on anger. I should have listened to my own words, but it was the Madcow, Denny Crane.

And as Helena once remarked, "I'm in awe of you." You are wonderful, energetic woman. Demand more and you'll get.
Peace

When God created Rachel she was just showing off.
www.RachelShelleyUnplugged.com

Decent episode, nothing too exciting, but I assume and really hope it gets much better.

Bette in a black bra, blindfolded...yowza! Hot scene, but it ended rather abruptly. Jennifer's body is to die for.

The Tibette pool scene was fun. Angie is just adorable, and I hope to see more of Bette and Tina interacting this season.

"Hello Jenny" -- JB, you rule.

Hello, All

Ilene,
Thank you for the recipe and I will use it this weekend.
Thank you for making the premier opening exciting and I was laughing so hard.

Jenny, is way above than she needs to be and needs to come down a tab. Jenny is a great actress and plays her part well. I love how this actress makes Jenny real and I laugh at her due to her annoying behavior.

I love Jenny and Alice were repeating the words of the death author. Alice had me rolling.

Now, where is Dana? Dana should return as a sister of dana. I believe she can pull it off and I miss her.

Please have them stop the hollywood clonics because they are not looking well. Skinny is not always health especially doing the clonics. Shane was pathetic looking last year. Stop the clonics, not every lesiban or butch or dyke or fem are skinny to the bone.

We all should be proud of our bodies and who we are. If society cannot accept it than hell with them.

There are beautiful women in all shapes, sizes, beauty, personality, ethnicity, cultures, religion, and etc.
Why should women be disappointed or ashamed over their looks? Be real...real...Keep it real.....

Never give misconception to young women that skinny is the beauty in life.

Keep it real.
Eager Student

Life is short for drama and let's enjoy life as best as we can.

Some of us asked after watching episode 501 : who might have fired "Wax", some say Paige, other the son of Paige, now we know it's Ilene with her kitchen fire hose. She needed more flammes for here cherries ! She do says it was very funny ...or if it's not Ilene maybe Silvester Stalone i guess....;-)

Bette and Tina were in a monogamus relationship for 7 years. They needed a break! And now that Bette has explored her "softer" (brow-beatin) side with Jodi, she needs to find her balls again and just have some freakin' fun! Like have that one-nighter with the senator (Dana Delany) and have a run-in with a dangerously beautiful, ripped biker babe in the bar, and lose herself on another hot-for-teacher college babe. Just go on a bender, Bette! Then, when you get that out of your system, you remember why you were with Tina for all those years, and you know it's what you really really want! C' mon Bette! Get rid of the kryptonite, kick ass and take some names! (and digits, too)

some people need to calm down a little. like the people who 'hate' on certain characters, couples or the show in general... it's a damn good tv show, in my opinion, but it is just a show after all.

in the words of kurt vonnegut
[except in this case it's a show/character(s)]

"any reviewer who expresses rage and loathing for a novel is preposterous. he or she is like a person who has put on full armor and attacked a hot fudge sundae."

-Elo

I just wanna say thank you Illene for your podcast and most important for the L word

Check out my L word video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRChUlSAGdA

There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?

thank you so much for sharing this with us ilene! ourchart was great before but it has just got 10x better in my opinion :)

"Take care of those who take care of you"!
By supporting your efforts, the future of The L Word and other related venues, Bette & Tina fans deserve to be rewarded for their support and loyality.
All this teasing can be interrupted as being mean spirited directed at Bette & Tina loyalists. I would hope not!

Last night was my first time attending an HRC party in Texas celebrating the premiere of the L word. It was great to be surrounded my all these woman who love the show, but i guess i never realized how many don't like (almost hate) Jenny!! I was shocked how many BOOs...she got. Other than that, the show was great, they also handed out the episode 502 to take home and watch. Oh boy did i watch it, you to get some Helena Action! and Shane gets Action as Well..Everyone will love it i promise!

Thank you very much, Ilene! I loved waching it!

Have you not learned anything yet? You are NOT the talent. I don't even believe you're the writer. I know you're the EP like EZGIRL (LOL, something not earned).

You are not funny, except in your own mind. You seem sooooooooooooooo uncomfortable with yourself, so controlled. Jeezzzzzzzzzzzzzz, what a bore.

Yes, you have money, I do too, but do you have to couch everything around yourself. We know you have a kitchen, it's too clean for someone whose cooking. CONTROL. You know, Helena cracking an egg in S2 was ooozzingggggggggggg with sex. You could barely could get the flame to go.

So it appears reporters receiving advanced copies of the show are reporting that Helena's character is finished by 503. Thank you bloody much for nothing.

I know you have trouble with story lines, but you could have shown her getting picked up from somewhere, give us a bloody back story.

Was there SEX? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm I must have closed my eyes. If I remember S2,S3 there was sex, I didn't watch S1. You talk about a wide lense, that must have been very important in your mind. Because it was so dark who could see.

Just like they said in WICKED, Sooooooooooo BAAAAAAAAAAD! Please, do NOT stick your fingers in the ice cream Yuck. That's how germs are transmitted. Couldn't eat at your house.

Comb your hair woman, you may have a show that appeals to the hip, but honey you are way toooooooooo uptight to be hip.

When God created Rachel she was just showing off.
www.RachelShelleyUnplugged.com