September is here and new television programming is on our doorstep, ready to come into our living rooms. TheWrap.com joined some other critics who have been pointing fingers recently at the networks for their new shows that seem to emphasize "T & A" instead of showing their female characters in what they profess should be a more positive and well-rounded light.
ABC has a remake of Charlie's Angels, the poster child (no pun intended for the late, great original angel Farrah Fawcett) of 1970s "Jiggle TV." Is the super-model-looking crimefighting trio actually an example of the empowerment of women, or are they merely serving as nothing more than eye candy for a male audience?
ABC also has a show about 1960s airline stewardesses (before they were called flight attendants) titled Pan Am. NBC, likewise, has a drama set in the '60s with ladies in skimpy bunny outfits -- the highly hyped new series The Playboy Club. Are these just retro chic shows aiming to capitalize on nostalgia and the success of AMC's Mad Men, or is the period setting just an excuse to be sexist and misogynistic with a built-in excuse that they're not actually showing women in a poor light?
In their defense, both Pan Am and The Playboy Club seem to have plots that center on other dramatics beyond the bedroom. Feminist icon Gloria Steinem, however, is calling for a boycott of The Playboy Club and some network affiliates across the country are refusing to air it.
Even the first teaser for NBC's remake of the highly acclaimed British series Prime Suspect was mildly gratuitous, showing Mario Bello in her police locker room, strapping on her gun and donning her police uniform. I don't recall a similar closeup butt shot of the original actress Helen Mirren whenever I saw an episode on PBS.
I haven't seen full episodes of any of the shows mentioned above, so it would be unfair of me to take a stand on either side of the debate at this time. Nevertheless, I do hope that the new television season provides some good characters, regardless of gender, and avoids relying too heavily on stereotypes. The human body is a beautiful thing and should be celebrated, but not at the expense of objectifying women for the sake of television ratings.
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KC Redding-Gonzalez
Donna Snyder
Valerie Atherton
Jamie Hart
Mike Calahan
Tim Fox
Salon.com
Comments
The ads for Prime Suspect make the American series seem quite different in focus from the British series. I don't recall Helen Mirren celebrating being beaten up as "a good day at the office". But then, I only watched the first season of the British version, so I can't judge definitively one way or the other - certainly not until I watch at least one episode.
As for Charlie's Angels and Pan Am, you fellows (and ladies who enjoy thaat kind of visual appeal) are welcome to them.
Beautiful cops, beautiful lawyers, beautiful doctors, and people with low incomes who live in large, well-appointed downtown apartments.
What's wrong with you, Nick?
White Collar (USA)
Burn Notice (USA)
Royal Pains (USA)
The Closer (TBS)
Law & Order - the whole franchise
CSI - the whole franchise
And with a few exceptions, the women in these shows are also not stupid, vapid or ridiculous.
If the new shows, Pan Am and The Playboy Club, are showing women as subservient or weak, are they truthfully depicting the era of the 1960s and making commentary about the gender roles of that decade (and how far we've progressed or haven't) which would be a noble endeavor, or are they, as I said, just using that time period setting to show some skin and tell stereotypical tales that depict women in a sexist manner.
Will Prime Suspect delve into good stories about the struggles of a female law enforcement officer in a male-dominated, testosterone heavy profession, or is it just an excuse to play on female stereotypes and add to negative tropes rather than oppose them.
So, yes, I think sexism is very different than merely displaying sexuality.
That said, the gender balance of various law enforcement offices in TV land is WAY more balanced than it is in real life...and for the most part, the female characters on Law & Order, CSI, the remake of Hawaii 5-0, NCIS, etc. are depicted as extremely competent at their jobs and are treated as equals by their male co-workers.
Thank you for articulating exactly what I've been thinking, Nick! And all I've seen is the commercials. Plus you've saved me from writing a blog. :) (R)