Crushy
May 31, 2013 8:14 AM Subscribe
Who was your first pop-culture crush? (single-link AV Club)
I credit both Catherine Bach and especially Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman for making me realize my heterosexuality.
posted by jonmc at 8:21 AM on May 31, 2013 [8 favorites]
posted by jonmc at 8:21 AM on May 31, 2013 [8 favorites]
Madonna.
posted by The Card Cheat at 8:21 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by The Card Cheat at 8:21 AM on May 31, 2013
(I posted there, but) Davy Jones, then Fred Savage (around The Wonder Years).
posted by getawaysticks at 8:24 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by getawaysticks at 8:24 AM on May 31, 2013
Valerie Bertinelli and Kristy McNichol. Yes, I'm old.
posted by davebush at 8:25 AM on May 31, 2013 [8 favorites]
posted by davebush at 8:25 AM on May 31, 2013 [8 favorites]
I don't think I had one. (... Then I clicked on the link and saw that picture of wee Jennifer Connelly in their David Bowie video. I think I sported some pre-teen bone over her in that movie. She still wasn't a "crush", but Lil' Connelly was the doppelganger of my first real world crush in the 4th grade.)
posted by dgaicun at 8:25 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by dgaicun at 8:25 AM on May 31, 2013
Uncle Jesse (I probably wasn't the only 8 year old praying for something to happen to Aunt Becky)
posted by raztaj at 8:26 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by raztaj at 8:26 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
This is all sorts of embarrassing, but... Amber Benson as Tara in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
And yes, I realize that she's a lesbian and that I'm a dude. I'll be over there, watching season 5 again if anybody needs me for anything.
posted by gkhan at 8:26 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
And yes, I realize that she's a lesbian and that I'm a dude. I'll be over there, watching season 5 again if anybody needs me for anything.
posted by gkhan at 8:26 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
The AV Club staff already mentioned a few of mine. Alyssa Milano seems like such a cliche answer to the degree that I'm sure it puts me in the same category with a few million other guys of my generation, but it's an honest one. I vividly remember a "Who's the Boss" episode where Sam makes out with a boy for the first time, which was probably my first experience of feeling white-hot, insane, irrational jealously. I also had a big crush on Erin Gray, but from her "Silver Spoons" days rather than "Buck Rogers" (was not happy when Mr. Stratton took her off the market).
Very first crush was probably Olivia Newton-John in "Grease". I'm not sure what it says about me exactly, but I much preferred the "innocent" Sandy to the heavily permed, leather-bound version from late in the film.
posted by The Gooch at 8:29 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Very first crush was probably Olivia Newton-John in "Grease". I'm not sure what it says about me exactly, but I much preferred the "innocent" Sandy to the heavily permed, leather-bound version from late in the film.
posted by The Gooch at 8:29 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Eric Estrada and Lynda Carter were the true firsts even if I didn't know what I was feeling, but John Stamos was the first pop culture icon I wanted to be my boyfriend.
posted by gladly at 8:29 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by gladly at 8:29 AM on May 31, 2013
That's not embarrassing at all. Mine was Amy Grant. I was 13. She was a Christian Rock singer. I listened to Metallica and the Misfits. I didn't even know what I wanted to do with her, but I knew it was evil. That was when I realized I have a weird brain.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:30 AM on May 31, 2013 [20 favorites]
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:30 AM on May 31, 2013 [20 favorites]
Lindsay Wagner, I think.
posted by rtha at 8:32 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by rtha at 8:32 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Harrison Ford, in "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
My (super and sweet) then-boyfriend took me to the movies to see it, and I thought I might die of squee, sitting there in the dark and holding his hand. But then...there was Indiana Jones, fedora and forearms, all swagger and smirk and big brains. I remember thinking, "Holy shit, does he come in a six-pack?" Yeah, sweet guys just never cut any ice with me after that...
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:32 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
My (super and sweet) then-boyfriend took me to the movies to see it, and I thought I might die of squee, sitting there in the dark and holding his hand. But then...there was Indiana Jones, fedora and forearms, all swagger and smirk and big brains. I remember thinking, "Holy shit, does he come in a six-pack?" Yeah, sweet guys just never cut any ice with me after that...
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:32 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Pearl Bailey when I was little, according to my grandmother. And then probably Susan Dey, Kristy McNichol, Lindsay Wagner, Lynda Carter - the 70s were a good time for TV. :D
posted by Celsius1414 at 8:33 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by Celsius1414 at 8:33 AM on May 31, 2013
Actually, no - Susan Dey, would've been my first. I had to go look and see when the Partridge Family and the Bionic Woman were airing, and the Partridges came first.
posted by rtha at 8:33 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by rtha at 8:33 AM on May 31, 2013
...Rupert Giles. Or John Steed.
Look there is a reason I own a lot of tweed.
posted by The Whelk at 8:36 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
Look there is a reason I own a lot of tweed.
posted by The Whelk at 8:36 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
To be completely honest, I was ruined for "normal" women by my youthful crush on Cindy Lauper and I've actually never admitted that before!
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 8:36 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 8:36 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
For me it's a tossup between Kathy Coleman as Holly on Land Of The Lost, and Kim Richards in the Witch Mountain movies. Though I can trace a lot of my *ahem* interests - legs, english accents, bob haircuts - back to Caroline Ellis as Joy from the Bugaloos.
posted by mgrichmond at 8:36 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by mgrichmond at 8:36 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
As a wee lad, Nadia Comaneci, then Kristy McNichol. In high school, Ally Sheedy.
posted by schoolgirl report at 8:38 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by schoolgirl report at 8:38 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
I credit both Catherine Bach and especially Lynda Carter as Wonder Woman for making me realize my heterosexuality.
Same people but different realization for me.
posted by elizardbits at 8:38 AM on May 31, 2013 [24 favorites]
Same people but different realization for me.
posted by elizardbits at 8:38 AM on May 31, 2013 [24 favorites]
Bob Saget.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:40 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:40 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
I can't remember if it was Harrison Ford in Star Wars or (and this one is very embarrasing) Jeff Goldblum in everything he was in, ever. Yes, even Earth Girls are Easy, which aired (edited) on Comedy Central in the mid-90s and I'd sneak-watch it, trying to change the channel before my parents caught me.
posted by muddgirl at 8:42 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by muddgirl at 8:42 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Gates McFadden.
Wonder if having an erection would be flagged on her medical tricorder.
posted by TheAlarminglySwollenFinger at 8:42 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Wonder if having an erection would be flagged on her medical tricorder.
posted by TheAlarminglySwollenFinger at 8:42 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Fairuza Bailk in Return to Oz and the No-Named princess from The Neverending Story (who were of course age appropriate at the time but kind of creepy to think about it)
I credit Debbie Harry's appearance on the Muppet Show and Jessica Rabbit from Who Framed Roger Rabbit with helping me realize the less-sweet, more lustful side of my young heterosexuality.
posted by elr at 8:42 AM on May 31, 2013
I credit Debbie Harry's appearance on the Muppet Show and Jessica Rabbit from Who Framed Roger Rabbit with helping me realize the less-sweet, more lustful side of my young heterosexuality.
posted by elr at 8:42 AM on May 31, 2013
Tina Yothers.
Everyone else was going gaga for Alyssa Milano, and I knew one guy who couldn't get enough of Tracey Gold.
But where was the love for Jennifer Keaton?
So I decided to focus my romantic intentions on her, the best way a poor, clueless 12-year-old could.
I didn't buy any posters or magazines. I just would watch episodes of Family Ties and think wholesome thoughts every time she appeared. You know, meeting the family, marriage, kids. It never got nastier than drinking the same ice-cream soda out of the same glass (I was a pretty dull, naive and innocent kid until I hit 22).
I hear she dyed her hair black, formed a rock band and became a singer for a bit. Now I think she's a mom with 2 kiddos.
posted by bitteroldman at 8:45 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Everyone else was going gaga for Alyssa Milano, and I knew one guy who couldn't get enough of Tracey Gold.
But where was the love for Jennifer Keaton?
So I decided to focus my romantic intentions on her, the best way a poor, clueless 12-year-old could.
I didn't buy any posters or magazines. I just would watch episodes of Family Ties and think wholesome thoughts every time she appeared. You know, meeting the family, marriage, kids. It never got nastier than drinking the same ice-cream soda out of the same glass (I was a pretty dull, naive and innocent kid until I hit 22).
I hear she dyed her hair black, formed a rock band and became a singer for a bit. Now I think she's a mom with 2 kiddos.
posted by bitteroldman at 8:45 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Jonathan Brandis. I was very saddened to hear of his passing several years back.
posted by Defying Gravity at 8:46 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by Defying Gravity at 8:46 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
Gadget Hackwrench
posted by exit at 8:49 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by exit at 8:49 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Sonja Henie. I've always been anachronistic.
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:50 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 8:50 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Kristy McNichol and Farrah Fawcett. I had the the famous Farrah Red swimsuit poster in my room as a 4th grader. What the hell were my parents thinking?
posted by COD at 8:52 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by COD at 8:52 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
When jbickers said "Erin Gray" I knew instantly what that YT video would be. But that was later.....
Let me dredge...
Memories from back then are very dim but the first time I remember feeling some kind of guilt about wanting to watch a really crappy TV show because of the pretty people on it was Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, a Saturday morning Kroftian disaster from 1976.
Wait, I think there's an earlier one -- "[The Secrets of] Isis", another Saturday show which, yep started in 1975. I have vague memories sitting in the basement on the long white shag carpet with a little woody and not being sure what it was for, but knowing that it felt kind of nice.
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:55 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Let me dredge...
Memories from back then are very dim but the first time I remember feeling some kind of guilt about wanting to watch a really crappy TV show because of the pretty people on it was Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, a Saturday morning Kroftian disaster from 1976.
Wait, I think there's an earlier one -- "[The Secrets of] Isis", another Saturday show which, yep started in 1975. I have vague memories sitting in the basement on the long white shag carpet with a little woody and not being sure what it was for, but knowing that it felt kind of nice.
posted by seanmpuckett at 8:55 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Farrah Fawcett, Charlies Angels...I had a plastic mug with "the poster" on it...those drinks tasted so good.
posted by incandissonance at 8:56 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by incandissonance at 8:56 AM on May 31, 2013
Cheryl Tiegs in fishnet (reprinted in Time magazine). In many ways, this really was a different country in the 70s.
After that, nothing stands out in my mind until "Moose" on "You Can't do that on Television".
posted by Slothrup at 8:58 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
After that, nothing stands out in my mind until "Moose" on "You Can't do that on Television".
posted by Slothrup at 8:58 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Juliet Mills when she was in "Nanny And The Professor". I was 7 years old. I had dreams about marrying her. Later, it was Melissa Sue Anderson from "Little House On The Prairie"
posted by briank at 9:00 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by briank at 9:00 AM on May 31, 2013
The earliest crush I remember was Bill Bixby in The Incredible Hulk. Poor Dr. Banner. Then I matured into Pierce Brosnan as Remington Steele (a lifelong crush, really). And yes... Bowie as Jareth certainly influenced by early teen sensibilities.
posted by kimdog at 9:01 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by kimdog at 9:01 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
No-brainer: Egon Spengler, Ph.D.
My overwhelming attraction to tall, bespectacled, intelligent men continues to this very day.
posted by divined by radio at 9:01 AM on May 31, 2013 [11 favorites]
My overwhelming attraction to tall, bespectacled, intelligent men continues to this very day.
posted by divined by radio at 9:01 AM on May 31, 2013 [11 favorites]
Olga Korbut.
Hey, I was young at the time, too!
posted by Curious Artificer at 9:01 AM on May 31, 2013
Hey, I was young at the time, too!
posted by Curious Artificer at 9:01 AM on May 31, 2013
May God forgive me, but...William Shatner.
In my defense, I was young, impressionable, and watching Star Trek in re-runs.
posted by magstheaxe at 9:03 AM on May 31, 2013
In my defense, I was young, impressionable, and watching Star Trek in re-runs.
posted by magstheaxe at 9:03 AM on May 31, 2013
Gillian Anderson
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 9:03 AM on May 31, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 9:03 AM on May 31, 2013 [4 favorites]
Early 80's Prince
posted by ersatzkat at 9:03 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ersatzkat at 9:03 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Erik Estrada, aka 'macho, rambunctious Officer Francis ("Frank") "Ponch" Poncherello' from the tv show CHiPS. I used to draw pictures of him in crayon and hang them in my room.
posted by capnsue at 9:04 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by capnsue at 9:04 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
Oh most definitely Susan Dey/Laurie Partridge. I put up with a lot of wretched pop and David Cassidy just to watch her.
posted by Ber at 9:05 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by Ber at 9:05 AM on May 31, 2013
Heath Ledger, from his very first appearance on American TV; a short-lived swords and sorcery show called Roar. I was 15 and prided myself on not having celebrity crushes, but look at that face!
I followed his career faithfully, printing out terrible quality pictures from the internet and clipping newspaper articles when his new projects were announced, creating a wall shrine of glossy teen magazine pics and movie tickets from my multiple viewings of 10 Things I Hate About You. As his roles diversified and critical acclaim grew, I was almost insufferably proud of my exquisite taste.
Needless to say, I was kind of devastated when he died.
posted by redsparkler at 9:06 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
I followed his career faithfully, printing out terrible quality pictures from the internet and clipping newspaper articles when his new projects were announced, creating a wall shrine of glossy teen magazine pics and movie tickets from my multiple viewings of 10 Things I Hate About You. As his roles diversified and critical acclaim grew, I was almost insufferably proud of my exquisite taste.
Needless to say, I was kind of devastated when he died.
posted by redsparkler at 9:06 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
I asked my husband, and he said Hayley Mills, which I'm okay with.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:06 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 9:06 AM on May 31, 2013
I opened the article with Labyrinth-era David Bowie in mind, and was thrilled to see it in the article. I was in third grade, and back then my tiny elementary school had a beauty pageant every year that nearly everyone participated in (think more homemade dress-up/variety show than toddlers and tiaras). I had to fill out a form with my favorite things for the emcee to read. One asked about my "hero". Most kids named their mom or dad, but I said David Bowie. :D
From the article:
It’s really a portal between girlhood and womanhood. I’m not embarrassed about that crush at all, to be honest. I just re-watched the dance scene and thought, “Oh yeah.”
Yup. Still most definitely "oh yeah!"
posted by bizzyb at 9:17 AM on May 31, 2013
From the article:
It’s really a portal between girlhood and womanhood. I’m not embarrassed about that crush at all, to be honest. I just re-watched the dance scene and thought, “Oh yeah.”
Yup. Still most definitely "oh yeah!"
posted by bizzyb at 9:17 AM on May 31, 2013
I wanted Clarissa to explain it to me. All of it.
posted by Kwine at 9:17 AM on May 31, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by Kwine at 9:17 AM on May 31, 2013 [7 favorites]
Uncle Jesse (I probably wasn't the only 8 year old praying for something to happen to Aunt Becky)
Momentary confusion.
posted by gordie at 9:19 AM on May 31, 2013 [11 favorites]
Momentary confusion.
posted by gordie at 9:19 AM on May 31, 2013 [11 favorites]
I think I was about 6 years old in the very early '70s when I watched this on our crapped out black and white TV one rainy afternoon. I still remember being amazed at the time that I was as fascinated by Raquel Welch in her fur bikini as I was by the giant monsters.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 9:26 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 9:26 AM on May 31, 2013
Mine was Amy Grant. I was 13. She was a Christian Rock singer. I listened to Metallica and the Misfits. I didn't even know what I wanted to do with her, but I knew it was evil. That was when I realized I have a weird brain.
Mine was Amy Grant. I was 13. I didn't even know what I wanted to do with her, but I knew it was evil. That was when I realized I'm gay.
posted by mudpuppie at 9:28 AM on May 31, 2013 [9 favorites]
Mine was Amy Grant. I was 13. I didn't even know what I wanted to do with her, but I knew it was evil. That was when I realized I'm gay.
posted by mudpuppie at 9:28 AM on May 31, 2013 [9 favorites]
Moose from You Can't Do That On Television.
posted by josher71 at 9:28 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by josher71 at 9:28 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
I wanted Clarissa to explain it to me. All of it.
Man oh man, totally true.
posted by josher71 at 9:29 AM on May 31, 2013
Man oh man, totally true.
posted by josher71 at 9:29 AM on May 31, 2013
Laura Bridge as "Sally" in the Encyclopedia Brown series on HBO.
posted by namewithoutwords at 9:29 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by namewithoutwords at 9:29 AM on May 31, 2013
Lord Peter Death Bredon Whimsey.
I was a lonely child, but damnit, I had great taste.
posted by theweasel at 9:36 AM on May 31, 2013 [4 favorites]
I was a lonely child, but damnit, I had great taste.
posted by theweasel at 9:36 AM on May 31, 2013 [4 favorites]
Mine was Amy Grant. I was 13. She was a Christian Rock singer.
Sex, Amy Grant and the Quest for the Righteous Fox
posted by straight at 9:39 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Sex, Amy Grant and the Quest for the Righteous Fox
posted by straight at 9:39 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Growing up in Taiwan, my first pop-culture crushes were Chinese (mostly from Taiwan/Hong Kong), and then Japanese. We got some American TV shows, and I liked a few guys (Brandon Walsh, Wesley Crusher, MacGyver), but there was a ~distance between me and American guys.
My first genuine crushes from American pop culture... probably Lucas Wolenczak on seaQuest, who was a "hacker" in the most unrealistic sense and helped convince me to study computer science years later. Wrong decision. It took me a long time to figure out that I didn't love real technology so much as I wanted to be a wizard.
Beside Lucas, my earliest American crushes were all in soap operas, the only shows I could understand when I first immigrated to North America and began learning English for realz. Austin Reed played by Austin Peck stood out as a gorgeous block of wood in a sea of scenery chewers. A couple of years later I crushed on Eric Brady played Jensen Ackles, the last of my soap crushes before I moved on to more ~sophisticated men like old (but young-looking) pedo vampires written by Joss Whedon.
posted by fatehunter at 9:44 AM on May 31, 2013
My first genuine crushes from American pop culture... probably Lucas Wolenczak on seaQuest, who was a "hacker" in the most unrealistic sense and helped convince me to study computer science years later. Wrong decision. It took me a long time to figure out that I didn't love real technology so much as I wanted to be a wizard.
Beside Lucas, my earliest American crushes were all in soap operas, the only shows I could understand when I first immigrated to North America and began learning English for realz. Austin Reed played by Austin Peck stood out as a gorgeous block of wood in a sea of scenery chewers. A couple of years later I crushed on Eric Brady played Jensen Ackles, the last of my soap crushes before I moved on to more ~sophisticated men like old (but young-looking) pedo vampires written by Joss Whedon.
posted by fatehunter at 9:44 AM on May 31, 2013
Moose from You Can't Do That On Television.
Ha, I think I had a little bit of that. God, this thread ages people like no other thread.
... I'll have what she's having?
posted by dgaicun at 9:44 AM on May 31, 2013
Ha, I think I had a little bit of that. God, this thread ages people like no other thread.
... I'll have what she's having?
posted by dgaicun at 9:44 AM on May 31, 2013
Moose is @cmcglade btw.
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:49 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:49 AM on May 31, 2013
I had a lot of book crushes growing up - from Sorenson Carlisle in Margaret Mahy's The Changeover to Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey. I also nursed a crush on the youngest Herrey brother - three Mormon brothers from Sweden who won Eurovision in 1984- and a Scottish snooker player, Stephen Hendry.
Uhm, yes. I was an odd child.
posted by kariebookish at 9:51 AM on May 31, 2013
Uhm, yes. I was an odd child.
posted by kariebookish at 9:51 AM on May 31, 2013
Gilgamesh.
man I'm really showing my age here
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:56 AM on May 31, 2013 [8 favorites]
man I'm really showing my age here
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 9:56 AM on May 31, 2013 [8 favorites]
I had a huge boy-crush on Johnny Depp in the later episodes of 21 Jump Street... this was when I was in college... which led to midnight showings of Ed Wood and dragging people who didn't care to Dead Man. Sigh... I miss those days.
You suck, Richard Greico!
and tbh, Depp sucks now, too
posted by Huck500 at 9:57 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
You suck, Richard Greico!
and tbh, Depp sucks now, too
posted by Huck500 at 9:57 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Lief Garrett. I didn't even know who he was, I just saw a poster at the record store when I was eight and that was it for me. That poster hung on the wall across from my bed. The same bed that had a Hollie Hobbie bedspread on it.
Then, later, when I was about 12, Duran Duran came on the scene on MTV and boy did I fall hard for both John Taylor (who has aged remarkably well) and Nick Rhodes.
posted by cooker girl at 10:03 AM on May 31, 2013
Then, later, when I was about 12, Duran Duran came on the scene on MTV and boy did I fall hard for both John Taylor (who has aged remarkably well) and Nick Rhodes.
posted by cooker girl at 10:03 AM on May 31, 2013
Glad to see I'm not the only one that had the Kristy McNichol thing going on.
posted by marxchivist at 10:03 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by marxchivist at 10:03 AM on May 31, 2013
Oh, and duh, Jo Polniaczek/Nancy McKeon.
posted by mudpuppie at 10:05 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
posted by mudpuppie at 10:05 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
Oh jeez. I completely forgot my Mark Hamill years between Lief Garrett and the D2 boys.
posted by cooker girl at 10:06 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by cooker girl at 10:06 AM on May 31, 2013
For some reason, Drew Barrymore? I mean, she's attractive, but I don't have any recollection of specifically why her.
posted by threeants at 10:07 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by threeants at 10:07 AM on May 31, 2013
The first one I can remember was Ally Sheedy from Short Circuit and later WarGames. My parents say my first crush was Barbara Mandrell, but I don't remember that (or her).
posted by infinitewindow at 10:08 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by infinitewindow at 10:08 AM on May 31, 2013
Sometimes Samantha, but more often Serena.
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:08 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:08 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Bobby Sherman is the very first I remember, but David Cassidy is probably the first real crush.
posted by Room 641-A at 10:08 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by Room 641-A at 10:08 AM on May 31, 2013
Nancy Wilson in the video for Never. First time I realized cleavage was a thing.
posted by bondcliff at 10:09 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by bondcliff at 10:09 AM on May 31, 2013
No Elisabeth Shue? Adventures in Babysitting? Just me? Really?
posted by Shepherd at 10:10 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by Shepherd at 10:10 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
At the age of 3, I would have done anything to be Bugs Bunny's girlfriend. Ah, that wascally wabbit.
I have no idea what this means.
posted by kinetic at 10:12 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
I have no idea what this means.
posted by kinetic at 10:12 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Farrah Fawcett. I still have the poster.
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:12 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:12 AM on May 31, 2013
Kelly Bundy. I was going through the whole teenage "I am so knowing and wise, despite my age! Curse my peers who seem so beneath me!" phase and imagined I could teach Kelly how to be sophisticated like me (all the while hoping she'd teach me some things in return).
posted by robocop is bleeding at 10:18 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by robocop is bleeding at 10:18 AM on May 31, 2013
Elton John, age 5. Followed in rapid succession by Christopher Knight, Shaun Cassidy, and Les McKeown. That's a mini-history of the mid-'70s right there.
oh, and they were all abruptly supplanted by Gary Numan in 1979, and thus began the '80s.
posted by scody at 10:18 AM on May 31, 2013
oh, and they were all abruptly supplanted by Gary Numan in 1979, and thus began the '80s.
posted by scody at 10:18 AM on May 31, 2013
Right, Erin Gray was an early influence, in the Buck Rogers repeats Veronica broadcasted in the eighties, as was the Princess from G-Force/Battle of the Planets, but earliest confirmed crush had to be Psi from Er Was Eens... de Ruimte (Once Upon a Time… Space (French: Il était une fois… l'Espace)), or at least her Dutch voice actress who had this cute, slightly exotic accent. Psi herself was basically counselor Troi before ST:TNG, but less sexualised and less useless.
posted by MartinWisse at 10:18 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by MartinWisse at 10:18 AM on May 31, 2013
Somebody mentioned Lindsay Wagner upthread, so I should be noted that Ally Walker on Sons of Anarchy seems to have almost all of her mannerisms and enough of a physical resemblance to make her a mini-me or something. Until they shot her anyway.
posted by jonmc at 10:23 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by jonmc at 10:23 AM on May 31, 2013
god forgive me... Richard Chamberlain in the TV miniseries Thorn Birds okay I was TEN ffs!
David Bowie as Jareth and Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran later confirmed and anchored my youthful obsession with androgynously pretty dudes.
posted by lonefrontranger at 10:26 AM on May 31, 2013
David Bowie as Jareth and Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran later confirmed and anchored my youthful obsession with androgynously pretty dudes.
posted by lonefrontranger at 10:26 AM on May 31, 2013
Yul Brynner, Richard Widmark, Lynda Carter as Wonderwoman, Christopher Reeve as Superman, both Sapphire AND Steel, and finally Drew Barrymoore as Charlie in the film Firestarter.
I have no idea how I even got to see anything those people were in, as I was around 5/6 at the time.
Yes. My brain is weird.
posted by Faintdreams at 10:27 AM on May 31, 2013
I have no idea how I even got to see anything those people were in, as I was around 5/6 at the time.
Yes. My brain is weird.
posted by Faintdreams at 10:27 AM on May 31, 2013
David Duchovny as Fox Mulder, and James Marsters as Spike. I was young enough to be really embarrassed about these crushes, because they were actual men who seemed so much older than me, and they weren't "cute" like the cookie-cutter teen idols in Tiger Beat and such. I didn't understand the meaning of sex appeal yet, so I didn't know why I was so riveted by these actors.
It was also the start of my career as a shipper of doomed TV relationships. Danaerys, whyyyyy do you not see how smoking hot Ser Jorah is?!
posted by keep it under cover at 10:27 AM on May 31, 2013
It was also the start of my career as a shipper of doomed TV relationships. Danaerys, whyyyyy do you not see how smoking hot Ser Jorah is?!
posted by keep it under cover at 10:27 AM on May 31, 2013
Also Anne of Green Gables as played by Megan Follows in the tv miniseries. Good times. Good times.
posted by Faintdreams at 10:32 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by Faintdreams at 10:32 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Staci Keanan from My Two Dads. It's still an amazing bit of cognitive dissonance for me that I loved that show, but got pretty disappointed that Staci later degraded her reputation by stooping to appear on such dreck as Step by Step.
posted by LionIndex at 10:33 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by LionIndex at 10:33 AM on May 31, 2013
Tawny Kitaen (Whitesnake videos) and Johnny Depp (21 Jump Street).
posted by rabbitrabbit at 10:33 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by rabbitrabbit at 10:33 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
So 80's straight-girl typical, and all around age 11: John Taylor from Duran Duran, Adam Ant, and Daryl Hall.
Was not into celebrities before that; all my crushes were on real life boys at my schools, although one of them was distantly related to Robert Goulet.
posted by droplet at 10:34 AM on May 31, 2013
Was not into celebrities before that; all my crushes were on real life boys at my schools, although one of them was distantly related to Robert Goulet.
posted by droplet at 10:34 AM on May 31, 2013
Lea Thompson, in Space Camp. I fell a little bit in love with her in that film.
posted by ChrisR at 10:34 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by ChrisR at 10:34 AM on May 31, 2013
I am trying and failing to remember the name of the alarmingly muscular cartoon mouse my friend confessed to being wildly attracted to as a child.
now i have to go ask awkward questions
posted by elizardbits at 10:35 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
now i have to go ask awkward questions
posted by elizardbits at 10:35 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
name of the alarmingly muscular cartoon mouse my friend confessed to being wildly attracted to as a child.
Mighty Mouse?
Danger Mouse was way cooler.
posted by bondcliff at 10:38 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Mighty Mouse?
Danger Mouse was way cooler.
posted by bondcliff at 10:38 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
For the longest time I've had a thing for brunettes, petite and feisty, likely found hanging out with the guys. Women with nice cheekbones, hair probably pulled back in a no-nonsense ponytail, and equipped with the ability to drink you under the table, or beat you at chess. Grownup tomboys, smart, capable, not about to take any shit from anyone. I never questioned why, I just knew that this was the kind of woman to whom I was attracted.
... until one day as an adult I re-watched one of my favorite childhood movies and she was right. there.
Marion Ravenwood, you have no idea how you influential you were.
"Yeah? I'll tell you what; Until I get back my five thousand dollars, you're gonna get more than you bargained for. I'm your goddamn partner!"
posted by komara at 10:41 AM on May 31, 2013
... until one day as an adult I re-watched one of my favorite childhood movies and she was right. there.
Marion Ravenwood, you have no idea how you influential you were.
"Yeah? I'll tell you what; Until I get back my five thousand dollars, you're gonna get more than you bargained for. I'm your goddamn partner!"
posted by komara at 10:41 AM on May 31, 2013
....name of the alarmingly muscular cartoon mouse my friend confessed to being wildly attracted to as a child.
Maybe one of the Biker Mice from Mars? I gotta admit, all three of them (and especially Throttle) kind of formed my love of bad boys and leather...
Biker Mice from Mars
posted by NorthernAutumn at 10:42 AM on May 31, 2013
Maybe one of the Biker Mice from Mars? I gotta admit, all three of them (and especially Throttle) kind of formed my love of bad boys and leather...
Biker Mice from Mars
posted by NorthernAutumn at 10:42 AM on May 31, 2013
I'm sure this dates me, but our afterschool television block was all syndication as a kid. So that would explain my confusion over Dr. Johnny Fever vs. Andy Travis, and my long time (continued) adoration for Alan Alda (Hawkeye on MASH). A little bit of rogue, a lot wit, maybe a bit too much to drink, imprinted as a pre-teen.
posted by librarianamy at 10:47 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by librarianamy at 10:47 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Nearly the entire cast of The Sandlot. In particular, Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez, who played Luis Mendoza in Mighty Ducks 2, which would then put us at the second wave of crushes on all the boys.
I also had crazy big crushes on Ed Harris and Gary Sinise after Apollo 13 came out. I was 9.
posted by phunniemee at 10:52 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
I also had crazy big crushes on Ed Harris and Gary Sinise after Apollo 13 came out. I was 9.
posted by phunniemee at 10:52 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
Rick Springfield was my first, though he was quickly supplanted by the almost-mandatory 80s teenage-heart throb band, Duran Duran. Specifically Nick Rhodes, even more specifically during his red hair phase. I can still remember this great picture I had of him in all of his makeuped glory and red hair that I would kiss before I went to bed. I still have a serious love of red hair.
posted by ElleElle at 10:52 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by ElleElle at 10:52 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Jason Bateman when he was on Silver Spoons. And then some magical years went by and he reemerged on Valerie/Valerie's Family/The Hogan Family and yowza! That scene in The Hogan Family opening when he skates up to the camera in his hockey jersey? (at :20) Mmm.
And he continues to get better and better.
posted by kimberussell at 10:53 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
And he continues to get better and better.
posted by kimberussell at 10:53 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
I don't think I ever had one. Kate Winslet, maybe. My first memory of puberty is having an attack of embarrassment while watching Titanic with my family.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 10:55 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 10:55 AM on May 31, 2013
Kristy McNichol - 7th time mentioned if you are counting.
posted by otto42 at 10:58 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by otto42 at 10:58 AM on May 31, 2013
Victoria Principal from the first couple of seasons of Dallas, which, wow is that a weird thing to suddenly remember.
Shelley Long as a close second, maybe?
posted by COBRA! at 10:59 AM on May 31, 2013
Shelley Long as a close second, maybe?
posted by COBRA! at 10:59 AM on May 31, 2013
Agent 99 aka Barbara Feldon.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 11:02 AM on May 31, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 11:02 AM on May 31, 2013 [4 favorites]
Well here goes... mostly all started in middle school -
Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo and Juliet - yes I did write him letters about the dreams I had that I was sure he had as well.
Skeet Ulrich from Scream (also derived from my crush on Johnny Depp that hasn't yet faded.)
And is Nick Cave considered a 'pop-culture' icon? Going to Catholic school at the time I was pretty sure I would go straight to hell listening to his music and staring at his photographs.
posted by hillabeans at 11:04 AM on May 31, 2013
Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo and Juliet - yes I did write him letters about the dreams I had that I was sure he had as well.
Skeet Ulrich from Scream (also derived from my crush on Johnny Depp that hasn't yet faded.)
And is Nick Cave considered a 'pop-culture' icon? Going to Catholic school at the time I was pretty sure I would go straight to hell listening to his music and staring at his photographs.
posted by hillabeans at 11:04 AM on May 31, 2013
Yeah what was it with Christy McNichol? I had that, too, and no idea why--I only ever saw her in "The Pirate Movie".
posted by sandettie light vessel automatic at 11:05 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by sandettie light vessel automatic at 11:05 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Where's the love for Elly May? Ginger? (definitely Ginger, not Mary Ann) Jeannie? Lily or Marilyn? Or Morticia? I must be getting old.
posted by TedW at 11:06 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by TedW at 11:06 AM on May 31, 2013
Maybe Uncle Jesse a little. Harrison Ford, for sure. And Bill Bixby, I want to hold you and make it all okay.
And Peter Wimsey -- Dorothy Sayers was a little in love with him herself, you can tell. (Though I had a little thing for Sherlock Holmes, messed up as he is, first.)
And Ed Harris is cooler than any of guys up in space in Apollo 13. In college, Edward Norton (not Brad Pitt) in Fight Club and then every other movie he's ever been in.
But I have yet to see anyone mention... Fred Astaire. I saw one of his movies in middle school, fell in love with his wisecracking, his puckish grin, and his absolute refusal to ever be embarrassed, and then, of course, there's the dancing, and the formalwear. Then I rented all the others.
I actually wrote a personal ad in couplet form in high school (seriously): "Indiana Einstein's smarts and smile required / Fred Astaire's debonaire also is desired."
posted by OnceUponATime at 11:15 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
And Peter Wimsey -- Dorothy Sayers was a little in love with him herself, you can tell. (Though I had a little thing for Sherlock Holmes, messed up as he is, first.)
And Ed Harris is cooler than any of guys up in space in Apollo 13. In college, Edward Norton (not Brad Pitt) in Fight Club and then every other movie he's ever been in.
But I have yet to see anyone mention... Fred Astaire. I saw one of his movies in middle school, fell in love with his wisecracking, his puckish grin, and his absolute refusal to ever be embarrassed, and then, of course, there's the dancing, and the formalwear. Then I rented all the others.
I actually wrote a personal ad in couplet form in high school (seriously): "Indiana Einstein's smarts and smile required / Fred Astaire's debonaire also is desired."
posted by OnceUponATime at 11:15 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Alicia Silverstone.
Had a whole wall devoted to cut out photos from magazines and everything.
posted by Lutoslawski at 11:21 AM on May 31, 2013
Had a whole wall devoted to cut out photos from magazines and everything.
posted by Lutoslawski at 11:21 AM on May 31, 2013
I am not easily smitten but the first time I saw Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca I was totally gobsmacked. I still consider her the most beautiful actress I have ever seen. Not sure if this qualifies as pop culture though...
posted by jim in austin at 11:22 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by jim in austin at 11:22 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
OHenryPacey: Farrah Fawcett. I still have the poster.I attended a joint exhibit of marble sculptures by (some guy) and Farrah Fawcett, who each carved the other nude.
It began when he wrote her a fan letter, gushing about how that poster was his first crush, and now he's an artist, and he wanted nothing more than to sculpt her. Turns out she was developing an interest in sculpture, and...
Two interesting things that day (well, the two most interesting things): everyone wanted to look at his work and talk to her about her work. I mean, duh, but it was so blatant. Everyone. Not just the hetero men & lesbians. Everyone. He could have been cutting purses with lawn clippers and scissoring wallets out of back pockets.
And: Farrah was legendarily shy; really, really scary shy. I was standing beside her booster in the crowd: a woman her age, also very Hollywood-attractive, with a lot of work done, who was constantly giving her smiles and thumbs-up while she talked. Constantly: the way you might encourage a dog through its tricks, for fear if you dropped the treat it would suddenly run off the stage. Sad.
--
Anyway, the moral of the story is: Kids, never give up on your dreams. Someday Farrah Fawcett might agree to get naked and strike the pose you want!
posted by IAmBroom at 11:30 AM on May 31, 2013
I've never really had a celebrity crush. I remember being puzzled by a magazine cut-out above my cousin's bed and equally flummoxed while my high school friends played "let's name hot celebrities". Why bother? I'll never meet a celebrity, and we wouldn't get along anyways.
Despite all that, I spent plenty of emotional fuel on Gadget Hackwrench from Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers. I do not remember why (probably because I was eight), nor do I have a hankering for lady animals, but something about a cartoon mouse.
posted by Turkey Glue at 11:31 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Despite all that, I spent plenty of emotional fuel on Gadget Hackwrench from Chip and Dale's Rescue Rangers. I do not remember why (probably because I was eight), nor do I have a hankering for lady animals, but something about a cartoon mouse.
posted by Turkey Glue at 11:31 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Michael Schoeffling in Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken.
posted by ridiculous at 11:33 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by ridiculous at 11:33 AM on May 31, 2013
Yeah what was it with Christy McNichol? I had that, too, and no idea why--I only ever saw her in "The Pirate Movie".
posted by sandettie light vessel automatic at 11:05 AM on May 31 [1 favorite +] [!]
She had a lot of competition for my attention too back in those days; Maureen McCormack, Tatum O'Neal, Susan Dey, etc., but for some reason she stuck out.
posted by otto42 at 11:33 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by sandettie light vessel automatic at 11:05 AM on May 31 [1 favorite +] [!]
She had a lot of competition for my attention too back in those days; Maureen McCormack, Tatum O'Neal, Susan Dey, etc., but for some reason she stuck out.
posted by otto42 at 11:33 AM on May 31, 2013
My animated animal celebrity crush was Nala from The Lion King.
posted by craven_morhead at 11:34 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by craven_morhead at 11:34 AM on May 31, 2013
Okay, this is very TLDR.
In high school during the early MTV years, I had a sort of girlfriend who reminded me a bit of Madonna, though she didn't really look much like Madonna. But watching endlessly repeated Madonna videos sort of reinforced my interest in this girl (let's call her Cat), in a weird way.
One Saturday during my senior year of high school, my mom and I were eating at Burger King or somewhere similar, and Cat walked in with HER mother. She said Hi and the mothers exchanged pleasantries, and I was shy as was my wont back then. After they left, I mentioned to my Mom how taken I was with Cat's hair, which was a weird shade of red not seen in nature. My mom then informed me of the existence of hair color dye, which up to then I was apparently unaware of.
Cat and I dated again when we were both at the same college in my early 20s, but she left for New York and ultimately married an accountant and had three kids, which is good as I never wanted children. She also gifted me my first cat, who lived for 18 years, and I will always be grateful for that.
What were we talking about?
posted by wittgenstein at 11:36 AM on May 31, 2013
In high school during the early MTV years, I had a sort of girlfriend who reminded me a bit of Madonna, though she didn't really look much like Madonna. But watching endlessly repeated Madonna videos sort of reinforced my interest in this girl (let's call her Cat), in a weird way.
One Saturday during my senior year of high school, my mom and I were eating at Burger King or somewhere similar, and Cat walked in with HER mother. She said Hi and the mothers exchanged pleasantries, and I was shy as was my wont back then. After they left, I mentioned to my Mom how taken I was with Cat's hair, which was a weird shade of red not seen in nature. My mom then informed me of the existence of hair color dye, which up to then I was apparently unaware of.
Cat and I dated again when we were both at the same college in my early 20s, but she left for New York and ultimately married an accountant and had three kids, which is good as I never wanted children. She also gifted me my first cat, who lived for 18 years, and I will always be grateful for that.
What were we talking about?
posted by wittgenstein at 11:36 AM on May 31, 2013
Yeah what was it with Christy McNichol?
I remember there being something just plain sexy about her. She wasn't perfect looking like so many stars and celebrities of the time even though she was very cute. She came across as more real because of that, I think, and also, I would venture, more sexy. So yeah, imperfections making someone appear more human thus triggering the responses on this thread.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 11:38 AM on May 31, 2013
I remember there being something just plain sexy about her. She wasn't perfect looking like so many stars and celebrities of the time even though she was very cute. She came across as more real because of that, I think, and also, I would venture, more sexy. So yeah, imperfections making someone appear more human thus triggering the responses on this thread.
posted by Phlegmco(tm) at 11:38 AM on May 31, 2013
Jennifer Jason Leigh 4EVER
posted by fleacircus at 11:42 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by fleacircus at 11:42 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
I attended a joint exhibit of marble sculptures by (some guy) and Farrah Fawcett, who each carved the other nude.
IAmBroom: Keith Edmier and Farrah Fawcett at LACMA? (It may have toured to other venues, but I'm not sure.) I worked on that show and met her very briefly. Not only was she actually a better sculptor than Edmier, she was incredibly gracious despite her obvious shyness (and oh my god, she was so gorgeous and delicate -- I was semi-prepared for how pretty she was, but not for how tiny and seemingly fragile).
posted by scody at 11:42 AM on May 31, 2013
IAmBroom: Keith Edmier and Farrah Fawcett at LACMA? (It may have toured to other venues, but I'm not sure.) I worked on that show and met her very briefly. Not only was she actually a better sculptor than Edmier, she was incredibly gracious despite her obvious shyness (and oh my god, she was so gorgeous and delicate -- I was semi-prepared for how pretty she was, but not for how tiny and seemingly fragile).
posted by scody at 11:42 AM on May 31, 2013
Maybe one of the Biker Mice from Mars?
UPDATE: it was, in fact, Vinnie the Biker Mouse From Mars.
posted by elizardbits at 11:42 AM on May 31, 2013 [5 favorites]
UPDATE: it was, in fact, Vinnie the Biker Mouse From Mars.
posted by elizardbits at 11:42 AM on May 31, 2013 [5 favorites]
Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran.
Um, is it okay to still hold on to a crush?
posted by MeatheadBrokeMyChair at 11:43 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Um, is it okay to still hold on to a crush?
posted by MeatheadBrokeMyChair at 11:43 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
I am so old. And this is so embarrassing. David Cassidy. Once upon a time he was truly adorable, and I had absolutely no musical taste.
posted by bearwife at 11:52 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by bearwife at 11:52 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Nice timing, I mentioned my first pop culture crush on Facebook yesterday after that Patrick Stewart post.
So yes, my first crush was on Jean-Luc Picard. Wesley? Meh. Riker? Yick. Worf, I had a bit of a crush too, especially as the seasons went on and then in DS9. Otherwise, Picard all the way. Loved Stewart's other stuff too.
I'm 20 years older and still love the man to bits, as much as you can crush on someone you've never met, anyhow.
Also, reading about his childhood, and seeing how much it means to him to make it good for others as well... his torture scenes with the Cardassians gain a whole level of meaning. I still remember shivering at how powerful it was when I first watched it; but damn. He actually lived through it. As a child. "There... are... FOUR... lights!!"
posted by fraula at 11:52 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
So yes, my first crush was on Jean-Luc Picard. Wesley? Meh. Riker? Yick. Worf, I had a bit of a crush too, especially as the seasons went on and then in DS9. Otherwise, Picard all the way. Loved Stewart's other stuff too.
I'm 20 years older and still love the man to bits, as much as you can crush on someone you've never met, anyhow.
Also, reading about his childhood, and seeing how much it means to him to make it good for others as well... his torture scenes with the Cardassians gain a whole level of meaning. I still remember shivering at how powerful it was when I first watched it; but damn. He actually lived through it. As a child. "There... are... FOUR... lights!!"
posted by fraula at 11:52 AM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
I was curious: Here's IAmBroom's sculpture safe for most workplaces (via).
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 11:54 AM on May 31, 2013
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 11:54 AM on May 31, 2013
his torture scenes with the Cardassians
For some reason I read this as "his torture scenes with the Kardashians". Wishful thinking?
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 11:57 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
For some reason I read this as "his torture scenes with the Kardashians". Wishful thinking?
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 11:57 AM on May 31, 2013 [3 favorites]
Oh, and longstanding crush on Leonard Nimoy when he was the young Spock.
posted by bearwife at 11:59 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by bearwife at 11:59 AM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
I was in third grade and it was Kira from the Dark Crystal. My first human crush would have been Pat Benatar (Love is a Battlefield.)
posted by the_artificer at 12:02 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by the_artificer at 12:02 PM on May 31, 2013
I liked my crushes catty or batty: Julie Newmar, Eartha Kitt, and Yvonne Craig. I also really had a thing for Nichelle Nichols.
posted by gamera at 12:03 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by gamera at 12:03 PM on May 31, 2013
scody: I attended a joint exhibit of marble sculptures by (some guy) and Farrah Fawcett, who each carved the other nude.All of the above is true, except: I saw them at the Andy Warhol Museum here in Pittsburgh. (Where better to display the non-crap art of a celebrity? I ask you!) And, I didn't see much evidence that either outshone the other's talent - which still says a lot for the newer artist.
IAmBroom: Keith Edmier and Farrah Fawcett at LACMA? (It may have toured to other venues, but I'm not sure.) I worked on that show and met her very briefly. Not only was she actually a better sculptor than Edmier, she was incredibly gracious despite her obvious shyness (and oh my god, she was so gorgeous and delicate -- I was semi-prepared for how pretty she was, but not for how tiny and seemingly fragile).
posted by IAmBroom at 12:13 PM on May 31, 2013
Elton John, Kristy McNichol, Shaun Cassidy, Farrah Fawcett and Herbie the Lovebug.
posted by futz at 12:16 PM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by futz at 12:16 PM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
One summer when I was fifteen, I became a tennis fan. Powerful. German. Thighs.
I had the Bowie thing too, and Albert from Little House. But Boris Becker cranked the whole thing up.
posted by rainbaby at 12:19 PM on May 31, 2013
I had the Bowie thing too, and Albert from Little House. But Boris Becker cranked the whole thing up.
posted by rainbaby at 12:19 PM on May 31, 2013
Madonna. David Bowie, from Labyrinth. Val Kilmer, from Real Genius; also the character Jordan, ibid. Brad Pitt in Thelma and Louise, Marina Sirtis, Signourney Weaver in Aliens. Johnny Depp AND Richard Grieco in 21 Jump Street, much to my chagrin. And, just to cap off my shame, when I was a sophomore in college, a friend of mine and I went to see Interview With a Vampire, clutched each others' hands in gasping lust at Pitt and Cruise's almost-kiss, and stayed locked that way for the entire movie.
Sigh.
posted by KathrynT at 12:27 PM on May 31, 2013
Sigh.
posted by KathrynT at 12:27 PM on May 31, 2013
I also recall having a very singleminded devotion to finding out what, if anything, Smurfette was wearing under her dress.
man i was a 6 year old creeper i guess
posted by elizardbits at 12:43 PM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
man i was a 6 year old creeper i guess
posted by elizardbits at 12:43 PM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Burt Reynolds
Jason from Battle of the Planets
Han Solo
Mr. Clean
Yul Brynner
With the exception of Burt, those crushes are still alive and well for me.
posted by MsVader at 12:47 PM on May 31, 2013
Jason from Battle of the Planets
Han Solo
Mr. Clean
Yul Brynner
With the exception of Burt, those crushes are still alive and well for me.
posted by MsVader at 12:47 PM on May 31, 2013
Thanks to Heather Thomas, the opening credits of The Fall Guy are permanently imprinted on my brain.
posted by Rangeboy at 12:50 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by Rangeboy at 12:50 PM on May 31, 2013
Nancy McKeon. For whatever reason, the character of "Jo" on The Facts of Life resonated. But so did Catherine Bach.
posted by maxwelton at 1:02 PM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by maxwelton at 1:02 PM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Speaking of Simon LeBon crushes (even though I was much more a John Taylor girl myself)...
Duran Duran defined my adolescence. Seriously, I was always listening to their tapes. I made my family listen to them too. So eventually, I think my dad actually grew to like some of the music. He always said that he'd go to a Duran Duran concert with me, but, uh, EW!
Fast forward to me being 40. Duran Duran is touring, and playing a gig at a local venue. Despite having seen them more times than I can count throughout my life, I know I totally want to go see them again. I round up the usual girlfriends to go, and casually mention it to my father. He insisted that he wanted to go too, so I got him a ticket. My girlfriends all love my dad, so they were excited to have him along.
So, we're at the concert, and my friends and I are still singing along and screaming our heads off like teenagers. Simon seductively addresses the crowd and shouts "Who's your daddy?" And, well, my daddy's standing there right next to me. Awkward.
posted by MsVader at 1:06 PM on May 31, 2013 [4 favorites]
Duran Duran defined my adolescence. Seriously, I was always listening to their tapes. I made my family listen to them too. So eventually, I think my dad actually grew to like some of the music. He always said that he'd go to a Duran Duran concert with me, but, uh, EW!
Fast forward to me being 40. Duran Duran is touring, and playing a gig at a local venue. Despite having seen them more times than I can count throughout my life, I know I totally want to go see them again. I round up the usual girlfriends to go, and casually mention it to my father. He insisted that he wanted to go too, so I got him a ticket. My girlfriends all love my dad, so they were excited to have him along.
So, we're at the concert, and my friends and I are still singing along and screaming our heads off like teenagers. Simon seductively addresses the crowd and shouts "Who's your daddy?" And, well, my daddy's standing there right next to me. Awkward.
posted by MsVader at 1:06 PM on May 31, 2013 [4 favorites]
Emma Samms.
Faye Grant in V.
Even earlier, Drew Barrymore, much because she's like a year younger than me, and so, I thought she was more accessible.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 1:14 PM on May 31, 2013
Faye Grant in V.
Even earlier, Drew Barrymore, much because she's like a year younger than me, and so, I thought she was more accessible.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 1:14 PM on May 31, 2013
a Scottish snooker player, Stephen Hendry.
snap! I remember when he was a young up-and comer. Good times, good times.
Also Morten from A-ha.
posted by gaspode at 1:25 PM on May 31, 2013
snap! I remember when he was a young up-and comer. Good times, good times.
Also Morten from A-ha.
posted by gaspode at 1:25 PM on May 31, 2013
When I was an impressionable age, I worked as a music critic for a short-lived local newspaper aimed at teenagers. The biggest interview I landed at the time (1990) was with the lead singer of a beloved Boston band. This guy was basically the king of the local music scene, he was smart and well-spoken, he took me seriously and treated me like an ally, and he looked like James Spader in Stargate.
Needless to say, I developed a huge crush on him. After the interview ran, my mom took me to see one of his band's shows, and we'd arrived early enough to run into him and his special lady friend hanging out with some other fans before the show.
"So, pxe," he asked me, "how are you liking school this semester?"
"It's okay," I replied. As I looked up at him with big, knowing eyes, I let out a dramatic sigh and added, "...but there are no cute boys there."
"Well, that must make it easy for you to focus on your studies!" he responded. His girlfriend cracked up laughing behind him.
Last year I got to see his band twice for the first time since that show. Much to my relief, my schoolgirl crush had grown up to become Carl Kasell.
posted by pxe2000 at 1:42 PM on May 31, 2013 [5 favorites]
Needless to say, I developed a huge crush on him. After the interview ran, my mom took me to see one of his band's shows, and we'd arrived early enough to run into him and his special lady friend hanging out with some other fans before the show.
"So, pxe," he asked me, "how are you liking school this semester?"
"It's okay," I replied. As I looked up at him with big, knowing eyes, I let out a dramatic sigh and added, "...but there are no cute boys there."
"Well, that must make it easy for you to focus on your studies!" he responded. His girlfriend cracked up laughing behind him.
Last year I got to see his band twice for the first time since that show. Much to my relief, my schoolgirl crush had grown up to become Carl Kasell.
posted by pxe2000 at 1:42 PM on May 31, 2013 [5 favorites]
Trent Lane :/
posted by galvanized unicorn at 1:53 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by galvanized unicorn at 1:53 PM on May 31, 2013
Speed Racer!
posted by cherryflute at 2:05 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by cherryflute at 2:05 PM on May 31, 2013
Jennifer Connelly, The Rocketeer, 1991.
posted by frogstar42 at 2:15 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by frogstar42 at 2:15 PM on May 31, 2013
Tinker Bell...
posted by jim in austin at 2:20 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by jim in austin at 2:20 PM on May 31, 2013
Bruce Willis (in his Moonlighting days) and Olivia Newton John.
posted by desjardins at 2:26 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by desjardins at 2:26 PM on May 31, 2013
Nicola Bryant, aka Peri Brown from Davison/C. Baker-era Doctor Who. When you are 12, her introduction in "Planet of Fire" needs no explanation. Video (safe).
posted by JDC8 at 3:01 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by JDC8 at 3:01 PM on May 31, 2013
Heidi Lucas in Salute Your Shorts. (I was six years old).
posted by pravit at 3:02 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by pravit at 3:02 PM on May 31, 2013
Jennifer Connelly, The Rocketeer, 1991.
Nathin Rabin actually writes about her in that movie here.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 3:12 PM on May 31, 2013
Nathin Rabin actually writes about her in that movie here.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 3:12 PM on May 31, 2013
River Phoenix and I can't believe I'm the first person to name him 8 hours into this thread.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:26 PM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:26 PM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
I was sure someone would have said Agent Cooper by now.
posted by mustard seeds at 4:03 PM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by mustard seeds at 4:03 PM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Alyssa Milano, duh.
Also Erin Grey, she was in not only Buck Rogers but also Silver Spoons. We got a double helping of Grey every week! Or was that at the same time?
Also, Bailey from WKRP in Cincinnati. Loni Anderson was supposed to be the beautiful one and Baily the mousy one, but for me there was no comparison. Now I can see that Anderson was beautiful as well, but she did absolutely nothing for me when I was a kid.
Similarly, Nancy McKeon from The Facts of Life. My brother and I both agreed that Jo was the hottest, even though Blair (Lisa Welchel) was the ostensible beauty on that show. Now I think I might switch that classification. Also, Tootie was cute as well.
Arrgh, I keep remembering more! Deborah van Walkenberg from Too Close For Comfort (and Streets of Fire). Being a blonde, I’ve always had a thing for brunettes.
Wow, I’m sure glad all this 80s pop culture has finally gone to good use.
posted by zardoz at 4:35 PM on May 31, 2013
Also Erin Grey, she was in not only Buck Rogers but also Silver Spoons. We got a double helping of Grey every week! Or was that at the same time?
Also, Bailey from WKRP in Cincinnati. Loni Anderson was supposed to be the beautiful one and Baily the mousy one, but for me there was no comparison. Now I can see that Anderson was beautiful as well, but she did absolutely nothing for me when I was a kid.
Similarly, Nancy McKeon from The Facts of Life. My brother and I both agreed that Jo was the hottest, even though Blair (Lisa Welchel) was the ostensible beauty on that show. Now I think I might switch that classification. Also, Tootie was cute as well.
Arrgh, I keep remembering more! Deborah van Walkenberg from Too Close For Comfort (and Streets of Fire). Being a blonde, I’ve always had a thing for brunettes.
Wow, I’m sure glad all this 80s pop culture has finally gone to good use.
posted by zardoz at 4:35 PM on May 31, 2013
Not first exactly (Martha Quinn, sorta), but high school me would have really been happy to go steady with Molly Ringwald.
posted by D.C. at 5:07 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by D.C. at 5:07 PM on May 31, 2013
No Elisabeth Shue? Adventures in Babysitting? Just me? Really?
Right Shue, wrong movie. Karate Kid ftw.
posted by justgary at 5:09 PM on May 31, 2013
Right Shue, wrong movie. Karate Kid ftw.
posted by justgary at 5:09 PM on May 31, 2013
The green Orion slave girl from the first Star Trek pilot, and Cassandra Peterson, AKA Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark.
Mrs. Khan wishes to share that her first crush was the noble rat Justin, from The Secret Of NIMH.
posted by KHAAAN! at 5:44 PM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
Mrs. Khan wishes to share that her first crush was the noble rat Justin, from The Secret Of NIMH.
posted by KHAAAN! at 5:44 PM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
There were two...
1) Lord Peter Death Bredon Whimsey. Last year I stayed at the University Women's Club in London, which formed Dorothy L. Sayers' model for Lord Peter's & Harriet Vane's marital home. I was pretty damn excited - it took me back to the days when I LONGED to be Harriet Vane so I could solve crime and swap Latin witticisms with Lord Peter.
2) Spike Thompson (from Press Gang). Similarly I LONGED to be Lynda Day so I could run a newspaper and have hot sexual tension with the bad boy of student journalism.
Suddenly my dating history is making a great deal of sense...
posted by Alice Russel-Wallace at 6:05 PM on May 31, 2013 [4 favorites]
1) Lord Peter Death Bredon Whimsey. Last year I stayed at the University Women's Club in London, which formed Dorothy L. Sayers' model for Lord Peter's & Harriet Vane's marital home. I was pretty damn excited - it took me back to the days when I LONGED to be Harriet Vane so I could solve crime and swap Latin witticisms with Lord Peter.
2) Spike Thompson (from Press Gang). Similarly I LONGED to be Lynda Day so I could run a newspaper and have hot sexual tension with the bad boy of student journalism.
Suddenly my dating history is making a great deal of sense...
posted by Alice Russel-Wallace at 6:05 PM on May 31, 2013 [4 favorites]
Debbie Harry was a really early, barely-understood crush based entirely on pictures of her from the album cover of The Best of Blondie. Then there was Belinda Carlisle and Jane Weidlin. Admittedly I only discovered them after the Go-Gos had already broken up, but their hotness had in no way diminished. Madonna's influence loomed large of course and then there was this ill-advised and embarrassing attraction to Debbie Gibson ... Then Winona Ryder came along in Heathers and Mermaids ... Lord have mercy.
posted by wabbittwax at 6:35 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by wabbittwax at 6:35 PM on May 31, 2013
Zorro (Guy Williams), Tony Dow, Ricky Nelson and .... Elvis!
posted by aryma at 7:42 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by aryma at 7:42 PM on May 31, 2013
Not old enough to have seen it in anything but reruns, but Avengers era Diana Rigg. RAWR.
posted by juv3nal at 9:38 PM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by juv3nal at 9:38 PM on May 31, 2013 [1 favorite]
aryma's mentioning Zorro reminded me: Catherine Zeta-Jones.
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 9:48 PM on May 31, 2013
posted by Rustic Etruscan at 9:48 PM on May 31, 2013
I'm jealous of all those who had Whimsey as their first literary crush. Lord Peter is definitely on my list of fictional crushes, but I only encountered him the summer after I graduated college -- so he came about long after Edward Rochester.
Ah, Rochester. Crazy, manipulative Mr. Rochester. I managed to overlook the lying, the dress up, the mad wife in the attic because he seemed to really value Jane for her mind and that was pretty intoxicating for me. As I'm sure it is for many, many other awkward, not very petty young teen girls.
Whimsey would have been a much better alternative. Similar perks, without the drawbacks. Crushing hard on Rochester at 14 wrecked havoc on my dating life at 24.
posted by JustKeepSwimming at 9:52 PM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Ah, Rochester. Crazy, manipulative Mr. Rochester. I managed to overlook the lying, the dress up, the mad wife in the attic because he seemed to really value Jane for her mind and that was pretty intoxicating for me. As I'm sure it is for many, many other awkward, not very petty young teen girls.
Whimsey would have been a much better alternative. Similar perks, without the drawbacks. Crushing hard on Rochester at 14 wrecked havoc on my dating life at 24.
posted by JustKeepSwimming at 9:52 PM on May 31, 2013 [2 favorites]
Literary crushes? Oh, how I loved Aslan. Had no idea he was supposed to be Jesus. And Ratty the Water Rat, from Wind in the Willows.
posted by bearwife at 12:21 AM on June 1, 2013
posted by bearwife at 12:21 AM on June 1, 2013
Spike Thompson (from Press Gang). Similarly I LONGED to be Lynda Day so I could run a newspaper and have hot sexual tension with the bad boy of student journalism.
I still dress like Lynda. Oh, I wanted to BE her with her no-nonsense attitude, unbridled ambition and sassy mouth (what happened to your women-writing skills, Stephen Moffat?) - and of course, that simmering tension with Spike.
God, and I also fancied Cecil Vyse from A Room with a View (the Danish Day-Lewis version, of course).
Lord Peter Wimsey, Cecil Vyse, Spike and Stephen Hendry. It all begins to make sense now. Now if could somehow shoe-horn my fascination with Ukrainian figue skater Viktor Petrenko into my burgeoning theory..
posted by kariebookish at 12:42 AM on June 1, 2013
I still dress like Lynda. Oh, I wanted to BE her with her no-nonsense attitude, unbridled ambition and sassy mouth (what happened to your women-writing skills, Stephen Moffat?) - and of course, that simmering tension with Spike.
God, and I also fancied Cecil Vyse from A Room with a View (the Danish Day-Lewis version, of course).
Lord Peter Wimsey, Cecil Vyse, Spike and Stephen Hendry. It all begins to make sense now. Now if could somehow shoe-horn my fascination with Ukrainian figue skater Viktor Petrenko into my burgeoning theory..
posted by kariebookish at 12:42 AM on June 1, 2013
Ctrl + F "Nick Carter" "Backstreet Boys" = 0 out of 0
Okay I'll get off all your lawns now.
posted by book 'em dano at 1:12 AM on June 1, 2013
Okay I'll get off all your lawns now.
posted by book 'em dano at 1:12 AM on June 1, 2013
Mickey Dolenz from the Monkees (it played on continuous reruns when I was about 8 or so), then Leif Garrett (my friends and I went to see the movie "Skateboard" and we'd invented our own word that was better than spunkrat and it was 'trund'. We screamed 'trund' at the movie screen and no doubt irritated the shit out of everyone around us every time he appeared) and although I loved pretty much everyone and everything in Flash Gordon, Ornella Muti made me feel funny.
posted by h00py at 1:35 AM on June 1, 2013
posted by h00py at 1:35 AM on June 1, 2013
JTT when I was seven. I'm pretty sure it was the combined forces of PJ Harvey and Shirley Manson that made me figure out that I was attracted to women, though.
posted by dinty_moore at 3:57 AM on June 1, 2013
posted by dinty_moore at 3:57 AM on June 1, 2013
Troy Donahue.
posted by DMelanogaster at 1:29 PM on June 1, 2013
posted by DMelanogaster at 1:29 PM on June 1, 2013
Add me to those whose first crush was Kristy McNichol.
Years after my crush, I had the pleasure of meeting her. Ended up having a great conversation with her, very friendly. Even got the nerve to ask her out. She turned me down, but was very sweet about it.
posted by 2manyusernames at 2:17 PM on June 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
Years after my crush, I had the pleasure of meeting her. Ended up having a great conversation with her, very friendly. Even got the nerve to ask her out. She turned me down, but was very sweet about it.
posted by 2manyusernames at 2:17 PM on June 1, 2013 [1 favorite]
...and Jan Brady clocks in at comment No. 175.
In my day (Christ, I'm old) Marcia/Jan preferences mapped well inna bijective stylee to the Beatles/Stones split.
posted by Kinbote at 2:53 PM on June 1, 2013
In my day (Christ, I'm old) Marcia/Jan preferences mapped well inna bijective stylee to the Beatles/Stones split.
posted by Kinbote at 2:53 PM on June 1, 2013
This is so weird, but... Tommy Sands in Babes in Toyland. I was seriously 2 or 3.
posted by koucha at 6:07 PM on June 1, 2013
posted by koucha at 6:07 PM on June 1, 2013
Kristy McNichol in "Little Darlings." Nancy McKeon in "Facts of Life." A touch of swagger really did it for 9-year-old me.
posted by houseofdanie at 10:17 PM on June 1, 2013
posted by houseofdanie at 10:17 PM on June 1, 2013
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posted by Ice Cream Socialist at 8:20 AM on May 31, 2013 [4 favorites]