#debbie st simone

[gnome-adjacent-vagabond]

Psst hey *pulls you closer* Canon middle-aged queer relationships and multiple canon queer/queer-coded characters. *lets you go* Go watch Venture Bros.

There are WAY more than these but I can't put em all up here because queer coding is up to interpretation. I say that everyone in Venture Bros is queer until proven straight but that's just me.

I wrote a whole-ass essay and then accidentally deleted it so the wording on this will probably be off, but it feels important so I'm gonna try be succinct.

Minor spoilers ahead! Skip paragraph three if you don't want those, then resume on paragraph four.

Full disclosure, this is a show that started in the early 2000s and has a LOT of issues in the first few seasons as well as a couple in the later seasons. There are transphobic and homophobic jokes, ableism, racism, and sexism. Sergeant Hatred is a walking trigger warning for about three seasons straight. It goes without saying but I'll say it anyway: DON'T watch this show if you have multiple triggers or are easily offended.

Having said that, these writers realized the problems with what they were writing and have worked to remedy those issues through commentary, retconning, and public acknowledgement of the early seasons' failings. Their opinions evolve and so does the show.

Shore Leave is a flamboyantly gay man who was initially intended to be a one-off joke about the G.I. Joe series and the Village People. Instead he has morphed into a three-dimensional character who presents comfortably as both masculine and feminine. He's in a loving relationship with another gay man, Al, who is flamboyant but tends to be a little less flashy. Steve Summers and Sasquatch have been a happy couple for years now--and all because the epitome of toxic masculinity, Brock Samson, helps them find a quiet cabin away from the government hunting them. Brock's mentor, Hunter Gathers, is a canonically detransitioned trans woman who struggles with her identity throughout the show (I'm still waiting for her to retransition despite the show's cancellation). Hank is perfectly at ease in a hyperfeminine strength suit, and Dean also goes through identity struggles that are never played for laughs and are heavily if not explicitly queer-coded. Vendata's queerness is understated and exists simply as a fact rather than being joked about. Sky Pilot is similar, though slightly more in Shore Leave's camp in terms of presentation. Sheila and the Monarch are self-proclaimed swingers and could be read to be in a poly relationship with Gary, their henchman. Debbie St. Simone has a rather homoerotic obsession with Sheila and is almost definitely bisexual.

The Venture Bros universe is full of queer rep, and the creators of the show write it in with intention. Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick talk about wanting it to be treated as fact rather than completely defining each of their characters--they talk about how few women are in the show and why (Johnny Quest and G.I. Joe, the inspirations for Venture Bros, are heavily malecentric and there's constant homoeroticism in them for that reason). They acknowledge the flaws and work to improve themselves and their writing. This has culminated in a surprisingly moving series about love, death, grief, trauma, and change that radiates queer subtext from any angle--especially Dean's journey.

Try the show at least up to season 4. The first three seasons are on Netflix and the rest are on Adult Swim. If you still don't like it, that's fine. Thank you for trying! Just know that it's out there and that it's an example of how human beings can change and become better people. Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick aren't perfect and neither is the Venture Bros, but for what it is it's a damn fun (shockingly so) show.

[croix-meridies]

Xoxo gossip girl

This comic but baboon blood

[whats-9plus10]

happy anniversary Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart 💚🫀

[asonr]

Doodles

[dilfgmancoolatta]

[thejoggingdead]

No spoilers but I need them to have sex team up

[monster-mush]

W.i.p ship art

[ladyaupair]

Do you guys think that Debbie's ever tried to kill Novia

[texasthrillbilly]

The context of this scene is so different now that we've met the St. Simones.

[gatabella]

How Ava Gardner Saved Carrie Fisher’s Life

On the afternoon that Debbie Reynolds married her third husband Richard Hamlett in 1984, Carrie Fisher called her mom from London to wish her well and apologize for not being at the wedding, explaining that she wasn’t feeling well. Carrie (to her great credit) was always honest about her addiction issues and struggles with bipolar disorder, but at the time she was going through a difficult period at the end of her brief marriage to singer Paul Simon and trying to hide her problems from her mother. Debbie, however, sensed that something was wrong and when she tried to call Carrie back and she didn’t answer the phone, she panicked. Debbie then called the hotel’s front desk and asked if they’d go to Carrie’s room and check on her, but they refused, not believing they were actually speaking to Debbie Reynolds. “It was close to one in the morning in London, and somehow I had to save my daughter. Who did I know there who could help? Frantic, I asked the concierge, ‘Would you go to Carrie’s room if Ava Gardner came to the hotel and went with you?’ In the moment of silence it took him to process this and agree, I prayed that my good friend would be true to her reputation, still awake in the wee hours and sipping champagne at home. Thank goodness she was. ‘I’ll sure as hell take care of it,’ Ava said when I explained the situation to her. Ava had handled everyone from Frank Sinatra to bullfighters in Spain. I was confident one London concierge would be no match for her. Ava rushed to the St. James Hotel the instant after we’d first spoken. When she and the manager opened the door to Carrie’s room, they found my daughter asleep on the floor, all of her clothes still on, including her shoes. The television was playing and all the windows were open, chilling the room. Ava called a doctor, who gave Carrie the medical treatment she needed. Carrie had not overdosed, although she had taken many more pills than a person should. Ava stayed with Carrie until she was sure she was out of danger. In our last phone call, many hours later, I thanked Ava for taking care of Carrie and making sure she was safe. I knew that words could never express how grateful I truly was. I trusted that my dear friend would understand.”

-from Unsinkable: A Memoir by Debbie Reynolds and Dorian Hannaway, William Morrow (2013)

[florececraze]

What Your Favorite Venture Bros Ship Says About You

Brock / Rusty - You’re just here for a bickering married couple

Pete / Billy - You have a thing for dorks, dweeps, and/or nerds

The Monarch / Sheila - Your ideal relationship dynamic is Sitcom Wife, Sitcom Husband

Brock / Molotov Cocktease - You want a girlfriend who not only can kick your ass but will do so upon request

Rusty / Dr Orpheus - You’re always a slut for opposites attracting

Dean / Jared - You love adorkable boys so much that one day you were like “Hey, you know what’s better than one adorkable boy? Two adorkable boys”

Shore Leave / Al - Your ideal high school romance is theater kid / jock

The Monarch / Henchman 21 - You were absolutely fucking thrilled when “Be Gay Do Crimes” became the hot new meme

Dean / Triana - Looking back on your adolescence, you can pinpoint The Venture Bros as the beginning of your crippling addiction to goth gfs

Hank / Dean - You were writing Supernatural slash before Castiel was introduced

Henchman 21 / Henchman 24 - You are a firm believer in ignoring the main cast in favor of funny side characters

Sheila / Debbie St. Simone - Your ideal date involves getting your senpai to notice you

Jonas Venture Sr / The Blue Morpho - You are a firm believer in the inherent eroticism of wanting to kill each other

Brock / Shore Leave - You’re always a sucker for Bara

Dr Orpheus / Jefferson Twilight - You just want good things for Jefferson and really, who wouldn’t?

The Monarch / Sheila / Henchman 21 (aka The Fluttercule) - You’re just here for some femme dom

Hank / Sirena - Your ideal date involves wacky hijinks after which pain ensues

Dean / Sirena - You are a firm believer in the inherent eroticism of stealing someone’s girl

JJ / Sally Impossible - You are always a slut for relationships that are so sad. Like if you cry every time

Phantom Limb / Professor Impossible - You just want to fuck villains and really, who wouldn’t?

Molotov Cocktease / Hunter Gathers - You’re just here for some secret agent women

Brock / Warriana - You’re just here for some Men 👏 Getting 👏 Pegged 👏

[croix-meridies]

You deserve everything and I want to give it to you

[whats-9plus10]

what do you mean your dad watches venture bros ?

[raybizzle]

"Out-of-Sync" (1995) is a neo-noir film directed by Debbie Allen and produced by Tim Ried under his production company United Image Entertainment. The movie stars LL Cool J, Victoria Dillard, Aries Spears, Yahpet Kotto, Howard Hesseman, and Ramy Zada. The film has a dark atmosphere, and Allen navigates the audience through this fictional underground world. LL Cool J and Allen were already working together in the sitcom "In the House," so she was able to help display LL's best characteristics in his first leading role. However, the movie did have a small budget and only appeared in limited theaters. Nevertheless, this was Reid's early attempt to open doors for black filmmakers with his production company in the mid-90s.

Director: Debbie Allen Writer: Robert E. Dorn

Starring LL Cool J, Victoria Dillard, Aries Spears, Yahpet Kotto, Howard Hesseman, Tim Reid, Ramy Zada, Luis Antonio Ramos, Henry Kingi, Monica Worthy

Storyline Even with his personal life out of control, no one commands the rave club audience like deejay and ex-con Jason St. Julian (LL Cool J). That makes him the perfect target for ruthless cop Marcus Caldwell (Howard Hesseman), who forces Jason to become his eyes and ears at the dance club owned by drug dealer Danny Simon, the same man responsible for sending Jason to prison. While waiting for the big drug deal to go down, Jason flirts with danger every time he flirts with scintillating Monica Collins (Victoria Dillard), Danny's main squeeze. Even in a world of conscienceless hitmen, cutthroat, and sadistic drug lords, Monica is the most dangerous player.

Available on DVD and streaming services.

[queenlucythevaliant]

Listen here on Spotify 

Transcription and notes under the cut

PART ONE: EVERY TRIBE, EVERY TONGUE, EVERY NATION

(songs of faith from the nations, in their own languages)

1. “Jerusalem”—Katherine Jenkins (British)

2. “Who Is Like Unto Thee”—Simon Khorolskiy (Russian)

3. “Battle Hymn of the Republic”—US Military Bands (American)

4. “Jesus, The Name Above All Names”—Lamb Music (Chinese)

5. “Hallelujah Tarrif Karenge”—The Asian Churches (Hindi)

6. “Mkono Wa Bwana”—Zabron Singers (Swahili)

7. “Imenetuki Mangaia”—Cook Islands Christian Church Choir (Rarotongan Polynesian)

8. “Jehova, Senor de los Cielos”—Fernando Ortega (Spanish)

. 

PART TWO: THE YEARS OF MANY GENERATIONS

(sacred compositions throughout history)

1. “Nicene Creed”—The Schola Cantorum of St. Peter’s (Medieval Latin chant, text AD 325)

2. “Crucifixus”—Tenebrae (Antonio Lotti, c. 1700)

3. “Jesu, Joy of Men’s Desiring”—The Cathedral Choir (J.S. Bach, 1716)

4. “Hallelujah”, The Messiah—London Philharmonic Choir (Georg Fredrich Handel, 1742)

5. “Lift Thine Eyes,” Elijah—Edenborough Festival Chorus (Felix Mendelssohn, 1846)

6. “Hymn of the Cherubim,” Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom—USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir (Pytor Tchaikovsky, 1878)

. 

PART THREE: THE UNQUENCHABLE FIRE

(prayers and hymns from heroes of the faith)

1. “Prayer of St. Francis”—Sarah McLachlan (Francis of Assisi)

2. “Adoro Te Devote”—Capella Musica Seoul (Thomas Aquinas)

3. “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”—Michael W. Smith (Martin Luther)

4. “And Can It Be”—Stuart Townsend (Charles Wesley)

5. “I Asked the Lord”—Sovereign Grace Music (John Newton)

6. “Amidst Us Our Beloved Stands”—Greg Kay (Charles Spurgeon)

7. “Just As I Am”—Billy Graham Crusade Choir (Billy Graham’s favorite)

. 

PART FOUR: IN GOD WE TRUST

(a tapestry of songs from America’s Christian tradition)

1. “I Am the Rose of Sharon”—His Majestie’s Clerkes (New England choral hymn)

2. “Bringing in the Sheaves”—Patti Page (Midwestern hymn)

3. “How Can I Keep from Singing?” —Audrey Assad (Puritan hymn)

4. “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”—Etta James (African-American spiritual)

5. “Peace and Joy”—Tudor Choir (Shape-note hymn)

6. “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel”—Paul Robinson (African-American spiritual)

7. “Old Time Religion”—Woody Guthrie (Western Gospel song)

8. “Can the Circle Be Unbroken”—The Carter Family (Country/folk song)

. 

PART FIVE: SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG

(songs of faith from artists known primarily for their secular work)

1. “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)”—The Byrds

2. “The Man Comes Around”—Johnny Cash

3. “Jesus Was an Only Son”—Bruce Springsteen

4. “Yahweh”—U2

5. “My Everything”—Owl City

6. “Deliver Us,” The Prince of Egypt—Steven Schwartz, Ofra Haza

. 

PART SIX: TEACH THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN

(favorite hymns and worship of my own family members)

1. “The Holy City”—Mahalia Jackson (Bupp)

2. “How Great Thou Art”—Jackie Evancho (Nana)

3. “Amazing Grace”—Judy Collins (Grandma)

4. “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”—Wells Cathedral Choir (Mom)

5. “Crown Him with Many Crowns/Christ the Lord is Risen Today”—Debbie Boone (Dad)

6. “Highs & Lows”—Hillsong Young & Free (Sister)

7. “Great is Thy Faithfulness”��Celebration Choir (Me)

. 

PART SEVEN: DOXOLOGY

(short liturgical songs that help unite today’s church)

1. “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”—Billy Graham Crusade Choir

2. “I Love You Lord”—Kathryn Scott

3. “Glory Be to the Father”—Ecks & Bullz

4. “Ho’onani I Ka Makua Mau”—Institute of Hawaiian Music

5. “Doxology (Live)”—Gungor