Romantic Comedy

The Danny Horst Rule is a symbolic rule developed by Sally to highlight a sexist double standard. Named after TNO writer Danny Horst, this rule dictates that average men are attractive to extraordinary women, but average women are not attractive to extraordinary men. This hypothetical rule implies that women are not just interested in or attracted to physical appearance; they’re drawn to intellect, humor, and emotional intelligence as well, whereas men only care about a woman’s beauty and sensuality. The more famous a man is, the more likely he is to date a woman with the most social capital—beauty, wealth, and fame. As Sally observes Danny’s relationship with Annabel, she notes a pattern: Several other men whom she deems average have also dated or married beautiful and famous women that have guest-hosted TNO. Sally obsesses over this phenomenon throughout the novel, grappling with its implications for nonfamous women of average appearance as they search for romantic partnership. The Danny Horst Rule is, in part, a projection of Sally’s internalized sexism and reveals her internal anxiety about ways she perceives herself to be lacking. As Sally’s arc develops, she begins to separate her personal insecurities from the reality of systemic misogyny, which allows her to see Noah as a person on his own terms and accept his love, attraction to her, and desire for commitment as genuine.