Those Bad Boys
One of the joys of vacationing is the opportunity to look through magazines like US Weekly. Notice how I said “look” and not read. Basically, I page through, stare at the pretty photos and read the captions. This time I also read a few things, like the explanation of different types of Bad Boys. Since romance writing likes to focus on Bad Boys, I thought this might be helpful. Here are the categories:
*Bad Boys Posing As Good Boy - “He doesn’t kiss and tell, but he’s probably dating 100 girls.” Justin Timberlake and Tom Brady are the examples. To me, Timberlake is not a Bad Boy. He’s icky. I just don’t see the appeal. However, I do get Brady. I also like this category.
*Sensitive Bad Boy - “These guys understand how women think; they know how to get into your head.” Ignoring for a second the idea that there are men out there who understand women, I have to say I rarely think of sensitive and Bad Boy in the same sentence. John Mayer is the example here. Don’t get the appeal of him either.
*Class Clown Bad Boy - “Someone to play in the sandbox with. With him, naughtiness means being goofy.” Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn are the examples. I like both of them. Don’t consider either of them Bad Boys in the traditional sense. That’s probably because I think of Bad Boys as alpha and don’t really see either of these guys as alpha.
*Lifelong Bad Boy - “He’s still got that smoldering thing. He didn’t care about the loss of hair or the aging.” I like the idea of a lifelong Bad Boy. But, since Jack Nicholson is the example, I tend to think of this as the dirty old man category.
So, where’s the regular ‘ole Bad Boy? You know, the alpha guy who likes to be naughty, might have a bit of a past, but is smart enough to know a good woman when he sees one. Maybe that’s a mix of all of these. Or, maybe that only happens in romance novels…
June 14th, 2007 at 11:10 am
LOL.
I understand the appeal of Timberlake’s music, not so much his looks.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:40 am
LOLOLOL. That’s about all I have to say…except, when I look at Justin Timberlake, I’m possesed by an insane desire to babysit. I just don’t get it, either. Must be age.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:41 am
Matthew McConaugh (?spelling) He is a bad boy in every since.
June 14th, 2007 at 11:49 am
I read those examples and went “HUH?” Justin Timberlake has no appeal and Jack Nicholson gives me the creeps. John Mayer’s guitar has more personality than he does, and Owen Wilson sounds like someone has hold of his nether regions most of the time.
George Clooney— sensitive bad boy. You get the feeling he knows women enough to make them crazy with his elusiveness. Brad Pitt. Okay, they’re icons, but they got that way for a reason. Robert Forster (see the movie “Jackie Brown” with Pam Grier, 1997)— there’s a lifelong bad boy. The Rock. Colin Farrell—just bad. Xhibit, from Pimp My Ride. Oh, yeah, he’s a bad boy with a wicked sense of humor.
Or the neighbor guy in the elevator this morning who didn’t quite have time to button his shirt and pretended not to see me glancing at his six-pack abs— bad boy.
June 14th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
nice
June 15th, 2007 at 3:01 am
I am so glad I’m not the only one who’s baffled by the JT appeal. Eww. He doesn’t age, and that’s just creepy. What about the bad boy rockers, like Jon Bon Jovi? Yeah he’s been married for like 50 yrs but he’s still a bad boy.
And I tend to agree with you that the good, ole fashioned bad boy lives in our romances, not our lives…sad to say.
June 15th, 2007 at 4:03 am
Hurrah for romance novels, as I cannot see how anyone could stand these guys!
June 15th, 2007 at 7:10 am
I’m with Estella! lol
June 15th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Where does George Clooney fall in this scheme of things?
June 15th, 2007 at 11:53 am
Hopefully into my lap, Walt (don’t let my husband read this).
I like his sense of humour and the fact that he has more grey hair than I do, even though I’m older. Yep, really like that.
June 15th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I would agree with Cindy that George Clooney is free to fall on me anytime. The other guys on the list above…well, not so much. But, George is someone who doesn’t seem to fall into any of these categories. There must be one missing. The guys in that one are the ones I like.
June 15th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
George Clooney is my choice. He rocks.
June 16th, 2007 at 4:16 am
I agree with most = George Clooney is great. He is funny, handsome and there is just something about him - so low key too.
June 16th, 2007 at 8:13 am
VIVA LAS BAD BOYS was my pick of your books.
June 17th, 2007 at 9:36 am
Johnny Depp.
Baddest of the Bad Boys. I’m getting all hot and bothered just thinking about him.