Opposites Attract: Quirky on TV, but What About in Real Life?

One of the things I most enjoyed about the first season of Rizzoli & Isles was watching these two very different, very strong personalities work as best friends. Jane and Maura are each successful in their careers, ambitious, focused, smart, and gorgeous. But their personalities are so different, on paper you wonder how they could stand each other. They remind me of myself and my high school BFF.

I was a shy kid, more comfortable with books than attending a football game, more inclined to have a conversation with my teachers than my peers. Homeschooled until ninth grade, the high school social scene was bewildering and it took a while to get my bearings. Freshman year was all about finding my equilibrium and realizing that I could thrive in such a structured environment. I had some acquaintances, but no BFF. Then came the first day of Sophomore year, second period American History. I was early, as usual, and sitting in a desk by the door when someone came skidding in just as the bell rang and landed in the chair behind me. Blond hair, glasses, and a general lack of shyness: meet my new BFF, Denise. We could not have been more different. Her default volume was LOUD, she knew almost everyone at the school, and she was an extrovert. I spoke up in class when called on, knew about five people at school (one of whom was my brother), and was an introvert. We hit it off immediately.

After we graduated and went to separate colleges, other former classmates mentioned that they were surprised that the two of us were friends because we were so different. Even my family told me they didn’t “get it”, but it always made sense to me. Denise forced me to get my nose out of the books and learn some social skills, much like Jane does for Maura. I showed her that a loud voice isn’t necessarily the most effective one, like Maura does for Jane. We were each others support system through the teen and young adult years. Sure, we had our disagreements and even spent a year or so barely speaking at one point, but our friendship has been strong enough to withstand the passage of time and the changes in our lives. In the end, I think we’re both better off for having met each other that fateful first day of Sophomore year. We are still friends, more than 15 years later. Our families are still surprised.

Excited for the second season of Rizzoli & Isles? Get prepared with all 10 episodes of the first season, coming to DVD June 28! Available for pre-order now!

I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote Rizzoli & Isles Season One on DVD.