Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Why Fernando From SNL Was Half Right


If you watched Saturday Night Live in the '80s like I did, then surely you remember Billy Crystal's impersonation of Fernando Lamas. As Lamas, Crystal was known for his catchphrases, "It's better to look good than feel good" and "Darling, you look marvelous!"

Crystal claims that it was Lamas himself who once said on The Tonight Show that looking good was better than feeling good. Whatever the origin, I have to admit that our friend Fernando was at least partially right -- or maybe we could flip his saying around slightly: "Darling, looking good makes you feel good!"


I just know that most of the time, if I don't make the effort to look pulled together, I often don't feel as good as I know I could. There are many days when I feel perfectly fine going out to run errands without makeup on, but the other day when I was in kind of a blah mood in the morning (which happened to be Thanksgiving) I decided to put a bit on. Then I put on a nice, new, well fitting top in a pretty blue color from Eddie Bauer that I had just purchased, and my favorite silver jewelry.


No one was coming to our house for Thanksgiving, and I wasn't going anywhere. But somehow, taking the time to pull myself together and look good -- even if just for me -- instantly lifted my spirits. I looked good...so I started to feel good.


I've written before on my other blog about how sloppy American society in general has become. I've since discovered that wearing something nice and looking pulled together, even if casual, causes one of two reactions. Either people compliment you or they give you the side-eye and a dirty look because you dared to dress a little better than everyone else. They seem to be thinking that you think you're better than everyone else. 


If the reaction is the latter, so what? You're not dressing up for those other people; you're dressing for yourself! When I look good, I do feel good. I think Fernando would approve. 


Since I'm all about the retro, here's Billy Crystal as Fernando singing his '80s novelty hit, "You Look Marvelous."



4 comments:

  1. Hey Pam

    I know the feeling, about a month ago, by myself on a Friday night I was getting ready to go to see Joe Jackson at a cool small venue here in Toronto. At the last minute I decided to go sharply dressed, the concert was amazing and I really enjoyed dressing up for a change. (I work in a art studio, one wears paint with clothes)

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    1. Hi Timothy - good for you. Funny you mention Joe Jackson; I was thinking of his song "You Can't Get What You Want ('Til You Know What You Want)" and how it perfectly relates to the law of attraction. More about that on the blog soon...

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  2. Ha, your a fan too! Have you listened to his new album? Its bittersweet, must say he was a class act with a fabulous band. I've got some vids from the show on youtube
    Happy to share
    tsvirklysATartheart.ca

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    1. I'm only familiar with a couple of his hits from the '80s. I'll check out his new album when I have a chance.

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