Pop Culture Curmudgeon

Brooke Busey Is My Hero

Brooke Busey (more commonly known as Diablo Cody) is the new Rachael Ray. Now, I don’t mean that she whips up a mean meal in 30 minutes or less or helps viewers save money on great food when they travel. Diablo Cody is the new it girl of the minute, and she is smart enough to cash in on that good fortune while it is fresh.

After being “discovered” by a literary manager looking for porn, she dazzled Hollywood with her fresh voice and interesting perspective. On the strength of her first screenplay (Juno), she got further screenwriting work, including a pilot for a show based on an idea by Steven Spielberg, and loads of media attention. And this is where she becomes my hero: she is successfully walking the fine line between wonderful success and overexposure.

Sadly, I think Rachael Ray crossed that line when she got her syndicated talk show. I’m not a Rachael Ray hater, but I did get a little tired of seeing her everywhere I went.

I’ve spent a fair share of time visiting Cody’s blog and reading some of her older columns for City Pages. I enjoy her writing style, and I hope she continues to keep that same voice as she progresses through the biz. She’s gotten a new column at Entertainment Weekly, so I’m excited that I’ll be able to continue to read new content by her on a site that doesn’t run the risk of being blocked by my work’s filter. Even the folks at New York magazine think it doesn’t suck.

I hope you will also check out some of Cody’s work (if you haven’t already).