Friends of Zob
While in her mortal form, Zob had several close friends and confidantes. I’d like to use this section of my blog to introduce them to you.
I have to admit that I wasn’t terribly fond of Jeanne Beker or Fashion Television when the show premiered in the 80s. Almost a quarter of century later, I’ve started to see what Zob saw in Jeanne.
I guess it took me a while to look beyond her size-thirteen feet and to appreciate the crusty old bag for who she is. I had been such a huge fan of Tim Blanks and Fashion File, and I really didn’t give Jeanne a chance.
When Fashion File lost Tim Blanks to style.com, I was forced to watch Fashion Television again because I couldn’t bring myself to watch Adrian Mainella stare vapidly into the camera while pretending to have a point of view. It was during that time that I realized how great Jeanne Beker had become at her job. I said to myself “Who cares about those rumors that she slept her way to the top? I love this broad!”
Fashion Television also has become a lot better over the years. Segues into the world of art and architecture no longer take up valuable screen time that can be better utilized by interviewing a sixteen-year-old Estonian model about the rigors of her career. Interviews with the international press seem to be more candid and more likely to offend. And Jeanne herself appears to be an essential, beloved part of the business.
This brings me to my point: With age comes wisdom. To me, Jeanne Beker seemed to be a pretender to the throne when Fashion Television began. Twenty-three years later she wears the crown like she was born to be the queen. Zob saw it in her all along. I’ll admit it — now I see it, too.
