All About Ashley | Ashley Lazenbury | Substack Tales of Hollywood divas, wayward royals, eccentric old ladies, and other casual acquaintances. Click to read All About Ashley, by Ashley Lazenbury, a Substack publication. Launched 6 months ago.

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Whatever Happened to Mommie Dearest? Now, a warning: should you ever happen to find yourself in the presence of Miss Faye Dunaway, do not, under any circumstances, mention Mommie Dearest...

If you find yourself in the company of Miss Dunaway, tread carefully—there’s a well-established list of off-limits subjects, which I mention here with reluctance. She’s known to leave fiery voicemails for journalists who dwell too much on the negative and too little on her brilliance.

A Very British Murder Why A Murder is Announced remains not only Miss Marple's finest hour, but Christie's most quietly radical novel

NEW POST: A Very English Murder

Miss Marple imparted many lessons—most notably, and perhaps not altogether to one’s advantage, the habit of assuming the worst in everyone, a trait hardly conducive to fostering healthy relationships in later life. But I digress…

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A Very British Murder Why A Murder is Announced remains not only Miss Marple's finest hour, but Christie's most quietly radical novel

NEW POST: A Very English Murder

Miss Marple imparted many lessons—most notably, and perhaps not altogether to one’s advantage, the habit of assuming the worst in everyone, a trait hardly conducive to fostering healthy relationships in later life. But I digress…

open.substack.com/pub/ashleyla...

The Reclaiming of Sister George Why The Killing of Sister George Still Matters

My new post on Substack:

The Killing of Sister George (1968) is a forgotten British film about a lesbian actress facing the sack and her toxic relationship with her young lover. Reviled by many, but deserving of a place in LGBT film history.

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Femme Fatale Why Johnny Guitar Remains a Queer Cult Classic

New post in honour of Pride Month

Looking back at Johnny Guitar starring Joan Crawford. An unlikely queer classic.

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After 2 years and 178 episodes, I’ve finally finished Star Trek: The Next Generation. What an experience - emotional, thought-provoking, and totally worth it! Alas, all good things… #StarTrek #TNG

Mid-Century Modern A Heartfelt Celebration of Queer Friendship

My thoughts on Mid-Century Modern gold ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Bring back the Bitch Evil Lookalikes, Moldavian Massacres, Alien Abductions - Dynasty truly had it all

🚨 NEW POST 🚨 Bring back the Bitch!

No show today dares to be Dynasty, where characters revelled in being gloriously bitchy just for fun. No morals, no message - just catfights and pure chaos.

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Bring back the Bitch Evil Lookalikes, Moldavian Massacres, Alien Abductions - Dynasty truly had it all

🚨 NEW POST 🚨 Bring back the Bitch!

No show today dares to be Dynasty, where characters revelled in being gloriously bitchy just for fun. No morals, no message - just catfights and pure chaos.

open.substack.com/pub/ashleyla...

I binge-watched this amazing show over the weekend and I highly recommend it! Really hoping it gets renewed for another season.

Coming Out Coming out with a little help from Buffy Summers

My most personal piece yet.

I wrote about ‘coming out’- with a little help from Buffy.

‘When I was a teenager, to be gay, to be “other,” was still a kind of dirty secret. I always felt comfortable being me - it was other people who had the problem.’

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Ladies Who Punch Ladies Who Punch is a scandalous saga of egos, backstabbing, and on-air warfare, highlighting the political tensions shaping America’s media

I wrote about Ladies Who Punch

Reading it feels like crashing an unfiltered dinner party where no one bothers with politeness - just a whirlwind of secrets, betrayals, and razor-sharp digs. It’s undeniably trashy, yet strangely significant.

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Johnathon Bailey is King of the Stage An unforgettable performance by Jonathan Bailey, backed by an exceptional cast, makes this Richard II a theatrical masterpiece.

Richard II is a beast of a play, almost entirely in verse, every line a linguistic tightrope walk where a single misstep can send an actor spiralling into incomprehension. Bailey doesn’t just speak it naturally, he makes it look easy. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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When Pop Had Personality How the Spice Girls Defined a Generation

I wrote about why Spice Girls still matter.

It’s hard to imagine a band like the Spice Girls surviving today. Today, pop music is tribal. The camps are smaller, the stakes somehow higher, the joy drained out by the need to pick a side and defend it to the death.

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I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Michelle Trachtenberg. A brilliant talent who brought so much depth to her roles on Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Dawn Summers deserved far more love and respect than the hate she received. Rest in peace, Michelle. You will always be remembered.

Goodbye Big Boys Thoughts on love, grief, and everything in between

My piece about Big Boys

In a few years, it will be one of those cult shows that younger generations discover and wonder, “Was it really like that?” Yes, it was. It was worse, actually. And funnier. And sadder. And better. But Big Boys got it. It really got it.

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We need to reassemble The Six to bring down Cindy Beale.

I personally think Sunday trading laws are a good idea, but can we please stop shops opening an hour early just for browsing? It doesn’t help workers, it frustrates customers, and it’s a waste of money for businesses.

A huge shoutout to the cast and crew of EastEnders for an incredible week of drama!
A special mention to James Bye, who played Martin Fowler. Whilst never having shared screen time with Arthur, Pauline, Mark, or the Real Michelle, he made us completely believe he belonged to that family.

And to think, people said the show had no surprises left to throw at us! #EastEnders

A Right Old Knees-Up Why EastEnders is the Beating Heart of British TV

I wrote about EastEnders 40th anniversary

I’m inclined to dislike anyone who proudly boasts they don’t watch the soaps, as if they’ve just confessed to never having sweated or sinned. These people aren’t refined; they’re repressed.

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The Merchant of Venice, 1936 A Shylock for the Ages

I went to see The Merchant of Venice at Theatre Royal, Bath. A phenomenal adaptation. Now touring UK.

⭐ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Eat With Gusto, Not Guilt Two Fat Ladies, one motorbike, and a culinary revolution fuelled by butter and bravado

I wrote something about Jennifer and Clarissa

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Eat With Gusto, Not Guilt Two Fat Ladies, one motorbike, and a culinary revolution fuelled by butter and bravado

I wrote something about Jennifer and Clarissa

open.substack.com/pub/ashleyla...

Any reasonable person would agree that outing a ‘celebrity’ in life is abhorrent. Why is it any different in death? Let Liam Payne rest in peace! It’s absolutely disgusting to see so many leading LGBT publications indulging in this kind of exploitive ‘journalism.’

Marianne Faithfull (1946-2025) A Legacy of Reinvention, Resilience, and Raw Truth

I wrote something about Marianne Faithfull.

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‘You can find onions even in the seediest village,’ Clarissa proudly claims. She wasn’t wrong! Jenifer and Clarissa made French onion soup while camping in Northumberland. It’s the ultimate comfort food when you come home from a long day. P.S. I know I used the wrong bowls.

Marianne Faithfull - As Tears Go By (1964) (Stereo / Lyrics) YouTube video by LilLinks

Marianne’s relationship with "As Tears Go By" (1964) was complex, once calling it an albatross around her neck. But over time, she came to appreciate its simple beauty and deep lyrics. Her original, delicate rendition still resonates with a quiet, enduring charm. m.youtube.com/watch?v=S8Ey...

The very first dish they ever cooked in Mevagissey, Jennifer is rightly very proud of her Fisherman’s Pie with its secret layer of buttered spinach. Finding coley was a struggle, but it brings the flavor out beautifully!