What a trip down memory lane! As clips of Jane Fonda’s movies played on the intro of the show, I had to pause my TiVo. A flood of memories came back like a wave and with each clip I felt the emotions that her movies had exposed. I can’t watch “On Golden Pond” without crying sappily or “9 to 5” without laughing uncontrollably. Her portfolio is simply amazing. The inspiring and emotional movies, her outspoken comments and of course the exercise videos which were the catalyst for my leg-warmer collection in the 80’s. Oh please, don’t laugh. You know you had them too! Purple, red, brown, black, black with pink stripes, black with silver glitter and pink and white stripes to name a few. They went great with my Dove shorts and half-tops. Don’t judge me!
After Jane finished snapping some photos for her blog, she shared intimate stories of working with the legends like Katherine Hepburn, Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Robert Redford. She then went on to talk about how being raised by a governess impacted her parenting. I was surprised to hear that her ex, Ted Turner wasn’t supportive of her spending time with her daughter when she gave birth. In case you are trying to get rid of your husband….apparently taking 10 days before the birth of a grandchild and 10 days after is too long and enough to drive a husband away. Ridiculous! Parenting wasn’t easy for her but it had to be hard. She didn’t really have great examples. She had been raised by governesses. As Rosie pointed out that most people regret the time they didn’t spend with their family, I can’t help but smile – that is one thing I have done right (thanks to my mom). I see my mother, sisters and nephew every day. I am lucky. No amount of money or fame is worth losing that.
Jane candid behavior continued as she opened up about her plastic surgery regrets and feminist struggle it created. The truth is that it doesn’t really matter what the world sees, it is what we see and how that makes us feel. Although I am too chicken to go under the knife, I have no judgment on the adults who choose to. My only beef is with botox. I am certain it can’t be good to inject botchulism into your body. Sure it is in small amounts but there are people who get multiple treatments and I wonder what the long term affects will be. I’m not a doctor, but if the Center for Disease Control talks about it…I don’t want it in my body!
It amazes me. With a fake hip and a fake knee, she has reentered the fitness industry. Now I secretly wish I had saved a pair of my legwarmers. When she announced that she was going to be 74 years-old in a month, I about died. WOW she looks and sounds incredible. With a new book, Prime Time, and new exercise DVDs, she sounded like a woman beginning a journey….not at the end of one. So inspiring!
Towards the end of the show, she answered questions about kissing Robert Redford. I loved her answer.
She then shared memories about “On Golden Pond” and her legendary father, actor Henry Fonda. The movie so closely mirrored her own relationship with her father only they didn’t get the closure she had hoped for. He died 5 months after the movie released and they never really got the chance to discuss how it changed their relationship. It had to be hard for her. She also grew up living with her mother’s mental illness and her suicide. Her pain was palpable and her strength was astounding.
The show ended with a few minutes of group exercise to Jane’s newest exercise DVD. My only complaint about the show was that it was WAY too short. I have always loved Jane Fonda and following this show I love her even more! Encore?