Helen Mirren, the Oscar-winning star of Caligula, Prime Suspect, and Teaching Mrs. Tingle (it’s good, OK!), is the very definition of a lady boss. In 1975, she famously souffléd a sexist talk-show host on live television; has confessed her former “love” of cocaine at parties; and criticized men putting their arms around their girlfriend’s shoulders as a form of gross “ownership.” She is eternally wise, and eternally sexy.
The timeless one appeared on The Graham Norton Show—the excellent U.K. late-night talk show whose random-stars-on-the-couch format was ripped off by James Corden—and was asked by the titular host to deliver a Christmas message to the masses.
So, in typical Mirren fashion, she let it rip: “Hello. At this time of celebration and togetherness, we have the chance to reflect on the year gone by. And I think we can all agree that 2016 has been a big pile of shit,” she said, in a regal tone similar to the one she employs as presenter of Documentary Now!“So my advice to you is drink responsibly, and be merry. Have a very Happy Christmas,” she added. “But above all, go see Collateral Beauty, out on Boxing Day.”
Unfortunately for Mirren, critics have not been kind to the film.
