Women’s TV Has Anger Issues
October 22, 2008 10:14 AM
Every morning, my Google reader dishes me headlines from every TV trade along with tech, media and entertainment business news. It means that for the past few months I’ve gotten a bird’s-eye view of what’s being talked about in the industry, from new shows and reviews to acquisitions and business moves.
The CW's 'Gossip Girl'
I think the last five New York Times reviews of women’s shows have pointed out a redundant theme. No, it’s not the “I’m rich/I’m cute/I’m stupid” trend driven by people like Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson a few years ago.
Now it’s “I’m rich/I’m vapid/I’m out to get you.”
Same little dogs, same big sunglasses, pursed lips and vapid, elaborate lives. Only now, instead of constantly shopping and walking around with a blank stare, it’s plotting with an evil sneer.
As a viewer, I’m not sure which is worse.
When I bring this up to friends in the industry, they say it’s what the audience wants. To me it seems like a lazy way to create drama and tension. How do you spice up an otherwise boring show or cast? Catfight!
But some of the best, longest-running shows didn’t play on that theme. Just look at “Friends.”
It’s said “Gossip Girl” is one of the CW’s weakest shows in ratings, that it’s only popular on the coasts. I think the cattiness has a lot to do with it.
As a woman, you know that overall, women just aren’t wired like this. Yes, in high school there are always those bitchy, insecure girls who pick on people, but there isn’t a woman I know who is vindictive, plotting or who hates other women. Far larger is the number of women who represent just the opposite.
Think of it as the difference between Janice Dickenson and Oprah Winfrey. Last time I checked, Miley Cyrus was out-earning Heidi and Lauren (of “The Hills”) by a long shot.
Maybe cattiness, anger and hate sells, to a point, but the bigger money sure seems to be in women being good. To a woman, a good woman is cool.
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Comments (3)
Patricia, you are right on the money. Every woman I know is the kind of soul who is willing to lend a shoulder, a hand, an outfit, a favor, a reference, or a play-date as needed. Storytelling and entertainment require a conflict or antagonist (or a chase scene on page 64) for extra layers and excitement, but it doesn't always have to be the same old tired cliche of women back-stabbing other women to gain advantage.I think YOU are cool, which proves your last sentence, doesn't it? Keep up the good work!
Posted by Kim Hurwitz | October 22, 2008 1:50 PM
"there isn’t a woman I know who is vindictive, plotting or who hates other women. " But if you see that "LIFETIME" movies seem to be angery, violent, and terrified. Very few "female-oriented" Lifetime MOVIES are of real topics, showing positive emotion. That's what I hated waiting ffor the Golden Girls to get on at 11PM, if a bloody scene was on, before the credits.
Its not really so much an anger issue, as much as it could be a terror issue. These movies really don't portray woman as safe, secure and able to take the world on positively.
ONLY ONE movie stands out, that I have seen on Lifetime, that portrays a woman who overcomes bosticles, in a positive way. "More Than Meets the Eye" was the only one I personally saw. "Doing Time on Maple Drive" (Jim Carey) was the other, but that's not so much for females, as much as "non-tradional minorty" males, with female accepting audiences... also known as Lifetime's P2's.
Also Xena and Buffy are also great examples of anger and violence selling.
But the question is... is it just females that are being sold? I say no. The cattiness comes to my own group... gay men. Look at the gay-popularity of "Betty," "Desperate housewives," "Top Model," etc. Yes they are intended to be for female audiences, but the cattiness attracts more than that (snap-snap).
I wonder how many logo shows are just as angery and catty? can you compare those? I'll bet so.
Posted by Anonymous | October 29, 2008 7:27 AM
@Kim, thank you! :)
@Anonymous, I agree. But I think a lot of women attach to Betty because she's a "good" character, she's one of them. I think the same goes with Serena on Gossip Girl. Top Model, I really think it's the competition element, the glitz and glamour. I believe it's the glam, not the catfights, that appeal to women on a lot of the shows along this line, but it's hard to say for sure. It's not to say that cattiness sells to a degree, but I wonder: Are there other choices out there for women to say one way or another? I'd love to explore this further.
Posted by patricia | October 29, 2008 12:46 PM