I used to love Halloween. That had a lot to do with my grandma’s homemade popcorn balls and my dad’s ability to scare the bejeezus out of (and then hug the life out of) everyone.
I still think it’s a pretty good holiday as holidays go, but the ratio of drunken stupidity to fun spookiness is not so lovable sometimes. So when something kooky or bizarre comes along — without all the sinister mischief — I’m glad.
At first I thought this was going to fit the "kooky and fun" bill. But then it started to scare me. This morning on the Today show, Wanda Sykes stopped by to talk to Hoda and Kathie Lee.
Um, I mean, Elmo stopped by to talk to Yoda and C-3PO.
Where to begin? That’s more awkwardness than I know what to do with. The costumes are ridiculous, unless you think of them as costumes for Opposite Day. Goofy, off-the-rails Kathie Lee is a snooty robot, and down-to-earth, statuesque Hoda is a mystical midget. Shrug. At least Wanda just wanted to be Elmo because she thought the costume would keep her warm.
And then there’s awkwardness around the gay stuff. Kathie Lee isn’t quite sure what to call Wanda’s better half. She stammers, "well, you call her your wife!" Yeah, she does. Maybe someday the law will call her that too.
Wanda herself is awesome, of course, so there’s that. But (as Wanda says) the whole thing is just so weird.
Sigh. I think I need a popcorn ball. And maybe I need to watch Wanda’s HBO special again. I’ll definitely be tuning in for her new talk show.
Happy Halloween, everyone!
Hoda’s Yoda looks more like one of Glory’s minions from season 5 of BtVS.