With all the recent shakeups in the world of late night television, here’s my picks for some industry newcomers who would make excellent additions to the post-prime time slot. Click on any photo to scroll through a slideshow of the leading ladies who would rock the late night lineup.
For those of you who have yet to see the brilliant new Fox sitcom, “The Mindy Project”, it’s time for a life re-prioritization. Seriously, put aside your work and tell the family you’ll see them later because you’ve got some business to attend to.
Looking glam on the red carpet. Photo via Kiki Maraschino.
With all the necessary sitcom joy and hijinks, “The Mindy Project” romps its way through rom-com inspired perils of young adulthood, led by it’s star, creator, and writer, Mindy Kaling. You may know her from her true-to life role as Kelly on “The Office” or her fantastic memoir Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), but I know her as my true spirit animal.
The New England- bred star first made a name for herself by writing and staring (noticing a trend?) in the play Matt and Ben, a comedy about everyone’s favorite Boston-grown Oscar winners. Naturally, the glamorous 5’ 4” Kaling played Ben Affleck in the production, a performance that won her rave reviews and her start in comedy.
Now, 10 years after the premiere of “Matt and Ben”, Kaling is a full-blown household name, known not as much for her Affleck impersonation, but for her representation of the professionally successful, but romantically disgraced Dr. Mindy Lahari.
Mindy is a successful OB/GYN who works at her own practice alongside a crazy batch of misfits (naturally) including the charming British playboy, Dr. Jeremy Reed and the grumpy tough-guy, Dr. Danny Castellano (played by the incredible indie movie darling Chris Messina). While she navigates a demanding professional life, Mindy also makes time for personal dysfunction including a series of hilariously failed relationships. While watching the Real Housewives, musing over what Prince Harry’s instagram would be like, and exhibiting her extensive working knowledge of celebrity couples, Mindy makes an art of being a quirky, charming, and well-dressed hot mess.
Although the show’s premise may sound trite, Kaling herself is anything but. In a world where white, thin, and blonde are the hallmarks of a female romantic lead, Kaling stands out as a beautiful woman who’s not embarrassed to fall hilariously short of Katherine Heigl’s standards. In fact, The Mindy Project is a celebration of imperfection, a public pronouncement that oftentimes it’s a lot more fun to be a little weird and crazy and long as you’re having a good time.
LA's Leading Ladies 