Another light has gone out. Another star has dimmed.
But this time it is different for me.
The death of Canadian comedienne Catherine O’Hara has really affected me. I am not sure why as there have been so many untimely deaths in my rearview mirror lately, but this one has hit me hard.
Is it because she is Canadian?
Is it because she was so young and her death was unexpected?
Is it because she is a part of my DNA as I have followed her career from Second City to Home Alone, Beetlejuice and Best in Show to her recent brilliant performance in The Studio?
All of the above.
But Catherine O’Hara really spoke to me during COVID when I binge watched Schitt’s Creek. Her character, Moira Rose resonated with me. Would you believe my daughters called me Moira! And I don’t even own a wig although perhaps I should.
In case you are unfamiliar with the brilliant jibes and cutting comments of our dear Moira Rose, let me fill you in.
Moira is the grand operatic heart of Schitt’s Creek: a woman who treats even the smallest inconvenience as a five-act tragedy and refuses, under any circumstances, to dim her theatrical light. A former soap star with an accent that seems to wander continents mid-sentence, Moira initially appears absurd, out of touch, and comically self-absorbed. Yet beneath the wigs, malapropisms, and florid vocabulary is a character of surprising depth and insight.
Dear Moira. The world needs your wise and witty Moiraisms right now, especially with what is going on currently between the United States president and Canada.
As I write this, I am basking in the warm sun of Palm Springs. Yes, you read correctly. I have crossed the border into the United States of America. After over a year of boycotting the country, I have decided life is too short. I am not going to allow some egotistical, narcissistic guy with bad hair to rule my life.
Go ahead and shake your head in despair. I don’t care.
All I know is that the people of Palm Springs continue to say “Welcome” and “Thank you for coming.” I don’t have to wait for a table in a restaurant and there is always street parking.
What would Moira say to any naysayers? “I’m very sorry you feel that way.” This is a slap in the face.
As for the political atmosphere, she might say, “I’d kill for a good coma right now.”
Or how about a message to President Trump…”what you did was impulsive, capricious and melodramatic…but it was also wrong.” Moira’s pause before the but is lethal.
She might proffer this warning to his nibs. “Be careful [Mr. President], lest you suffer vertigo from the dizzying heights of your moral ground.” She would say this in a polite tone with absolute annihilation.
Who can forget this pointed remark when Moira purrs“I have never heard someone say so many wrong things, one after the other, consecutively, in a row.”Perhaps Moira is making reference to Trump’s warning to pregnant women against taking Tylenol as it causes autism in children. Or when he proclaimed “The 2020 election was rigged and stolen.”or“I ended eight unendable wars.”
Or how about this oft-quoted Moiraism: “This is not my circus, and these are not my monkeys.” She could easily be referring to his MAGA following.
But the Moiraism which is my absolute favourite which we Canadians should
take to heart is,
“Don’t let the bastards win.”
I miss you Moira.
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