Leading Men

A particular male cousin of mine often accuses me of “reverse sexism.” In other words, sometimes I objectify, group, and stereo-typify men in such a way that I, myself, might protest if done to women. Well, today is one of those days. So if you are male, I would suggest you might want to stop reading at this point. Because, although I plan on being respectful and courteous, I’m about to talk about men as objects.

Objects
Of
Our
Appreciation

OOOA (yeah!)

Recently, a friend and I were discussing a particular TV show. She mentioned to me one of the men on the show was (to quote her) “hawt.” This was a revelation to me, since I had seen this show and the word that came to mind was not “hawt,” but “old.”

And then I got to thinking…I’m old.

Well, I’m 30, anyway, and the leading men of my generation are not the same as the cute, metrosexual young men of Hollywood today.

Still, I will always feel warmth and affection for the then choirboy-faced Ralph Macchio as he crane-kicked his way into my heart. Or Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s preppy Zach as he pined for cheerleader Kelly. Or Luke Perry’s rebel Dylan, the swoon-worthy 90210 leading man, whose poster adorned many a locker, even in my conservative Christian school.

My friend with the hawt detective grew up a generation slightly ahead of mine, and her detective graced the 80’s with his suave moves and ruggedly handsome face. Another 80’s friend regaled me with stories of her leading man, Rick Springfield, who I had never heard of.

For a long time, I thought she meant Bruce Springsteen who I had (at least) heard of.

Another friend confirmed Mr. Springfield’s hawtness (if you will), and I began to realize we all have leading men in our own generation.

Those men who remain in our minds, forever adored, thanks to memorable roles in music, movies and television shows. Men who defined the awaking realization of our own unique girlhood.

The first moment your heart leaped into your chest, the first name you scrawled on your notebook, the first kissing dream you had. The moments that still make you squeal inside. That voice, that smile, that knowing tip of the head.

I remember the first time when Christian Slater’s Will Scarlett broke through the brush after being unjustly imprisoned and screamed -

“It was your anger that drove them apart! It's not a lie! You ruined my life! I have more reason to hate you than anyone. But I found myself daring to believe you. What I want to know brother, is will you stay with us and finish what you've started?”

Hold on. Wait. Okay. *fans self*

Back on topic.

All in good fun, what I want to know is...what leading man do you still remember from your generation and for what role?

(P.S. – I love my husband, and he completely knows about and understands my Christian Slater/Will Scarlett obsession. And apparently, he’s still hot over someone named Kelly McGillis?)

Back to the Will Scarlett fantasy still in progress…