Feature Friday : Rachel Shelley (aka : why I almost fell off my sofa)
by kranARI
I almost fell off my sofa tonight as I was watching episode 4 of the new series Episodes. As we all know (all of us Television addicts) every freakin show has gone on hiatus now in the US, which doesn’t leave us with much to work with.
Until about a week ago, I was catching up on episodes of season 1 of Raising Hope, a hilarious comedy about a boy who is stuck raising baby Hope by himself with the help of his clueless but amazing trailer trash family (check out my post on the show and it’s cast HERE). Then, I got slightly addicted to season one of Off the Map (check out my post on it HERE), a show produced by Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy & Private Practice writer and creator). In a few words, I wouldn’t generally recommend it but it’s a good time killer as it’s a medical drama set in the jungle with some interesting characters. Unfortunately it seems as though it’s going to get canceled next season. So there you have it.
I was stuck with nothing to watch so I decide to delve into my best friend’s recommendation, a new series Episodes, starring no other than Matt LebLanc. Yes, Matt LeBlanc I repeat. Not your obvious choice, but surprisingly he is amazing in this role which is practically tailored to fit both his humor, his charm and his intellect. Yes, he IS intelligent it turns out, as well as sweet and extremely likeable – even though he sounds like a jock most of the time. The show itself is evolving into something quite interesting. A British/American creation and collaboration, it brings together elements of both worlds as well as the shenanigans that go on behind the writers chair on a television series. The UK cast, Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig do a great job portraying the easily swayed and doe eyed / cynical British couple that go from London to LA to bring their hit television series to the US screens. Likewise the US cast, headed by Leblanc, is surprisingly witty and self-deprecating in a very un-American way. Maybe that’s why I love the show!
property of Showtime
So – back to why I almost fell off the sofa. All of a sudden who pops on the screen? Rachel Shelley. UK, British Rachel Shelley doing ana amazingly funny valley American accent. She literally stole the entire scene! What a nice surprise. I included the clip beneath so you can have a look. I managed to avoid a fall but I certainly could not suppress a gaffaw!
EPISODES
If you don’t know Rachel, you might remember her on the L Word recently or Lagaan, one of the most famous Bollywood films of 2001. She also starred opposite the adorable Heather Graham in Grey Matters. Rachel is also a writer and has a regular column with DIVA Magazine. I love reading her articles each month as she has a way with language and always follow her projects. The below video is a fan made video of some clips from the L Word, it’s cute!
THE L WORD
So, if you have a chance, check her out in Lagaan, she plays the adorable English love interest Elizabeth Russel and the intriguingly beautiful, powerful and charming Helena Peabody in the L Word who goes from riches to rags. We all loved her in both and there is much to see beyond her beauty. She possesses wit and charm as well as a very subtle style which seeps through all her roles. She also has a wicked sense of humor. While she was in LA filming the L word, she did a hilarious cover of the song Run by Snow Patrol.
RACHEL DOING “RUN”
You can also check out her column in the monthly issues of DIVA magazine. Here is a sample of her interviewing Jennifer Beals in the July 2010 issue. Go Rachel! We definitely want to see more of her hilariousness on TV!
Cue the Artist 