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Two things you should know. Okay, two things you probably already know: I’m a fan of Bill Simmons, the Sports Guy, and I’m a fan of Jennifer Aniston. Those two collide in my head today because of something Simmons’ wrote. Basically, he summed up Aniston’s career as a bust, and that she isn’t married because by playing the role of the victim, she remains relevant. The first point is more complicated, and the second isn’t my business. Now it’s true that Aniston hasn’t picked the best roles. I can’t even bring myself to consider watching The Bounty Hunter. Derailed was actually painful and embarrassing to watch, and Along Came Polly is as memorable as a trip to the DMV. She picked those movies, and they weren’t any good. So she’s guilty of some bad decisions.

I think the real issue, isn’t just her bad choices, it’s the lack of quality roles to pick from. She’s in her 40’s, she’s attractive and she’s funny. How many roles are out there for someone fitting that description to begin with? And aren’t studios first calling up Julia Roberts? Then Sandra Bullock, and after that, its either a 20 or 30 something, or ask Meryl Streep to do it. Ask yourself, where have Naomi Watts, Uma Thurman, and Nicole Kidman gone? Hell, the last time I saw Ashley Judd was when the Kyd rented The Tooth Fairy. Has Cameron Diaz been memorable in anything since There’s Something About Mary? If Hollywood wants a serious actress, they’re calling Hillary Swank or Kate Winslet. Occasionally they ring Angelina, but not that often. Two of the better actresses who just happen to be around the same age as Jennifer are now working on Showtime series. There are simply not enough quality roles to keep the top actresses working in quality movies. Two roles that come to mind, that I think Aniston would have been good for, are smaller roles. Roles that went to Vera Farmiga, The Departed and Up in the Air.

Honestly, I do not actually want to see this, but the writers easily could have made Hot Tub Time Machine or the Hangover vehicles for the ladies. And you know what; there still wouldn’t be a role for Aniston, because they largely went with cheaper talent. Truth is, most of the public only wants to see her as Rachel Green, and she still looks just like Rachel. Tom Hanks resembles the guy from “Bosom Buddies.”