tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post7845718587751520709..comments2024-03-12T03:51:39.525+05:30Comments on Compulsive Confessions: I couldn't help but wonder: where are all the good TV shows for women?eMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12716202062654957842noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-12666212628498642722013-10-13T11:03:40.691+05:302013-10-13T11:03:40.691+05:30My favourite source for female centric TV shows, B...My favourite source for female centric TV shows, British period dramas :)<br />E.g. Downtown Abbey (though I thought the last season was boring), North and South all the adaptations of Austen etc are very targeted at a female audience and have female centric themes. My favourite by far is the current "Call the Midwife". Its has a very feminist theme because of it's setting, 50s East End of London before the invention/adoption of the "pill". Addresses abortion, birth control, prostitution. It makes me realize how very earth shattering the invention of the pill and legalization of abortion are and how much we take for granted these very hard won liberties.<br />Among American shows I did like Gilmore Girls far more than SATC and have heard good things about Orange is the new black.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-78125909684697311122013-08-09T03:45:06.659+05:302013-08-09T03:45:06.659+05:30I was on the lookout for something interesting (an...I was on the lookout for something interesting (and different) to watch and then I discovered The Good Wife. Drama, politics, scandal...it's got it all! I'm eagerly waiting for the new season this fall. Ashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14378422044904282470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-36740172927388210242013-07-31T19:40:26.866+05:302013-07-31T19:40:26.866+05:30How very pedestrian to think all shows must be lik...How very pedestrian to think all shows must be like SATC/Gilmore Girls. <br /><br />I really don't get why one must be feminist for the sake of being one. Women are as much a part of all the shows you mentioned (and didn't) as men. Your comment would only make sense if it were that all decent TV shows were about bromance and a bunch of guys going out, getting drunk, being man-whores. Some perspective, please. Don't please just cry foul because you can, and because you are female. Give yourself some credit.Kanganahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14259587903253819457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-88203478883584637092013-07-31T17:29:40.727+05:302013-07-31T17:29:40.727+05:30After reading your articles, I will say that the a...After reading your articles, I will say that the articles you post talk about the TV show, and primarily only the 1st season. In a sense that's fair, because none of these people have read all the books. As the world of GoT expands, you get to see a lot more nuance, and a lot more balance in terms of race and gender. But that would be hard for someone to see if all they had to go on was 10 hours of a TV show which does not even follow the book at many interesting points. <br /><br />But I reject the idea that the show is 'For the boys'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-76613809194966159442013-07-30T03:30:10.206+05:302013-07-30T03:30:10.206+05:30Orange is the new black is retty awesome. I do lik...Orange is the new black is retty awesome. I do like 2 Broke Girls and Whitney (don't know if its coming back). I do see your point of view but may be the female viewers are evolving? hey don't just want to sit and talk about 'girlie' things? I do not thinl News Room is a men show though. <br /><br />P.S. I do not enjoy New Girl and Mindy Project either. Tanvihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05491567577469019680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-20363850122391262352013-07-29T14:55:50.938+05:302013-07-29T14:55:50.938+05:30SATC is will always remain my No 1. Just like you ...SATC is will always remain my No 1. Just like you I can still keep watching it.. Can't say they dont make shows for women anymore, after all new girl, girls, gossip girls , pretty little lars are all targetted at women. But yet again they lack the soul of SATC find all of them very frivolousRajvi Bhow @ Straight talkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00063120689092734571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-28101979364764461082013-07-28T01:59:42.398+05:302013-07-28T01:59:42.398+05:30It's not a TV series, but ... just got home fr...It's not a TV series, but ... just got home from the cinema after watching Frances Ha and I loved loved loved it. A very rare example of a movie that's about women and for women that couldn't possibly be dismissed with that stupid "chick-flick" label. <br /><br />Have you heard of the Bechdel test? Apparently, this is how you tell if a movie is not gender-biased:<br />- It has to have at least two women in it,<br />- who talk to each other,<br />- about something besides a man. <br />Pretty good test for TV series too, I think.Luciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11093660147044137130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-43787341019965189852013-07-26T12:44:11.933+05:302013-07-26T12:44:11.933+05:30I hate hate hate New girl.I hate hate hate New girl.cricketfreakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15510046186283865517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-54638558453378858652013-07-25T21:25:33.361+05:302013-07-25T21:25:33.361+05:30This is the kind of article that got me reading yo...This is the kind of article that got me reading your blog :)tusharikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13999978975980158906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-801347029238989602013-07-25T20:03:59.610+05:302013-07-25T20:03:59.610+05:30Meh, it's TV. I find it hard to get riled up a...Meh, it's TV. I find it hard to get riled up about perceived "sexism" regarding television demographics. Good television is good television irrespective of who the target audience is. Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Homeland ARE fucking brilliant shows. And I don't necessarily think that they are made solely for a male audience. <br /><br />I haven't watched much of Gilmore Girls but it seems to universally adored. I do watch a shit-ton of tv, my Netflix queue is like, 140 items long. I watched Sex and the City back in the day (it was okay, I found it quite annoying most of the time, truth be told, but it was entertaining enough, I suppose - same thing with GIRLS). I liked NEW GIRL (usually I am wary of quirky characters like Deschanel, too grating after a while) - I find Mindy Kaling quite mediocre, not funny really. But she's the token brown, plump chick so whatevs. So good for her. <br /><br />I adore Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (Parks and Rec is freaking hilarious and 30 Rock was comedy gold). I am watching UP ALL NIGHT (recently cancelled parenthood comedy with Will Arnett and Christina Applegate) which is also quite adorable. <br /><br />I DO think some shows are gender neutral (HOMELAND starring the magnificent Claire Danes). And the legendary FRIENDS. It was loved by men and women alike, primarily because it was able to be an awesome show while showcasing the differences b/w men and women (the friends' reaction to Ross and Rachel's first kiss is a great example). <br /><br />Are there some women-centric shows that are primarily geared towards women? Sure. Some that do it well, others not so well. My husband abhorred SEX AND THE CITY but still managed to enjoy DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and GOSSIP GIRL from time to time. Men have their fair share of boy-shows, too. ARROW, THE CAPE etc, the new MARVEL show this fall come to mind. Sachinkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17358987461597301580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-69862901034060407022013-07-25T12:04:29.191+05:302013-07-25T12:04:29.191+05:30I'm no sure how you conclude that South Park i...I'm no sure how you conclude that South Park is a neutral show. Especially when Trey Parker and Matt Stone have even said its "by the boys, for the boys." And more to the point, more women seem to like Family Guy than South Park. Psychoherenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18349862122872811666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-42776134940323891632013-07-25T11:41:18.129+05:302013-07-25T11:41:18.129+05:30You should watch "Suits" as well as &quo...You should watch "Suits" as well as "Scandal". Both seem to be fairly neutral in terms of their target audience and have some strong female lead characters despite being set in predominantly "male" domains (law and US politics, respectively). Couch Potatonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-72957138894775328942013-07-25T02:06:41.863+05:302013-07-25T02:06:41.863+05:30Different Anon here:
(1) The gifs interfere with ...Different Anon here:<br /><br />(1) The gifs interfere with reading, remove them.<br /><br />(2) "Men fight, while we must be their mothers and wives". That's from Game of Thrones. How much truer can it get?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-85672786391397497912013-07-25T01:16:18.771+05:302013-07-25T01:16:18.771+05:30I wonder if you've ever checked out The L Word...I wonder if you've ever checked out The L Word. It's quite a cult series which actaully put homosexuality out there on television way back in 2004. Perhaps you'll enjoy it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-11758152051932075862013-07-24T23:16:41.494+05:302013-07-24T23:16:41.494+05:30You should watch old show Dawson's Creek. Mor...You should watch old show Dawson's Creek. More about teenage drama. I hate to admit, it is kinda cute thoughAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-12721909806497138902013-07-24T17:48:54.667+05:302013-07-24T17:48:54.667+05:30Excellent point (and great username) Low Quay! I w...Excellent point (and great username) Low Quay! I wish you would do a whole post around androcentrism, it's important to discuss these things. <br /><br />Niya, I feel almost exactly the opposite from you! Mindy Project scrapes for laughs, New Girl has a well built storyline, Mindy ignores her Indian-ness, at least New Girl acknowldges it. I'm curious what you think of 2 Broke Girls & Parks & Rec, two other shows I actually really like. In fact, I should've put Parks in here, because it is a sort of "girl" show, with a strong female lead, and it's funny as well as explorative. Next time. :)eMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12716202062654957842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-35285411465091639092013-07-24T17:40:41.767+05:302013-07-24T17:40:41.767+05:30Warning: Wall of text. The media/ TV networks/ wha...Warning: Wall of text. The media/ TV networks/ whatever blatantly lean towards androcentrism (‘the valuing of all-things-masculine over all-things-feminine’). This basically means that shows like GoT, Newsroom, etc. can count on both women and men viewership. Why? Because it is totally acceptable (even, "cool") for women to watch shows that are more ‘masculine’ but it doesn’t work the other way around. In the words of Lisa Wade, “Masculinized things (playing sports, being a doctor, being self-sufficient) are imagined to be good for everyone (we encourage both our sons and daughters to do these things), but feminized things (playing with dolls, being a nurse, and staying at home to raise children) are considered to be good only for women.” Very few men (if at all) watch shows that are ‘feminine’. I mean really, have you ever thought of what would happen to a guy if he admitted to watching ‘Girls’… he’d immediately be labelled a ‘pansy’. Shows need not just have female characters to be considered ‘feminine’. So GoT, for example, despite having powerful female characters isn’t a ‘feminine’ show. Get what I mean? And hence, it appeals to men as well as women. But Girls, on the hand, not so much. I could write a whole blog post on androcentrism and how it dictates our lives and choices. But this is it for now. :)<br />Ps - Orange is the New Black is an awesome show - for women! ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-4800814168223701042013-07-24T15:46:14.614+05:302013-07-24T15:46:14.614+05:30I appreciate the fact that you explained your thin...I appreciate the fact that you explained your thinking in the addendum:) Thanks for the links, I will check them out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-20332178912963363492013-07-24T15:45:48.698+05:302013-07-24T15:45:48.698+05:30Great article, I especially agree with you on Gilm...Great article, I especially agree with you on Gilmore Girls. It is so underrated, and I am currently rewatching it and becoming more drawn to Lorelai's point of view than before. <br /><br />I disagree with you on The Mindy Project and New Girl. While New Girl started out great, especially with Cece and downplaying her Indian origin/ethnicity, it really caricatured Indian culture by this point by showing only an essentialized version, and Schmidt constantly making gross remarks about Indian culture. In comparison, The Mindy Project reflects culture as one of the many different complexities everyone has to deal with. <br /><br />Personally I find The Mindy Project funny in a more intelligent and pop-culture way, and New Girl in a slapstick way, which makes it a bit less appealing for me. Niyahttp://theskincareedit.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-67151712745453582632013-07-24T15:29:00.622+05:302013-07-24T15:29:00.622+05:30I haven't read the other two links yet but the...I haven't read the other two links yet but the Screencrush post is a great read!MThttp://misstumnus.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-57986654154430866472013-07-24T15:21:17.401+05:302013-07-24T15:21:17.401+05:30You guys have many good points and it was too long...You guys have many good points and it was too long to comment, so I've added an addendum to the post that should clear up my POV. eMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12716202062654957842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-45064696478431697672013-07-24T15:03:01.121+05:302013-07-24T15:03:01.121+05:30"Meanwhile, I'll stick to watching reruns..."Meanwhile, I'll stick to watching reruns of shows I used to love and shows for "boys"-The West Wing, Newsroom, Game Of Thrones, Breaking Bad"- So in your opinion shows which are intelligent and serious are for the men! While we get stuck with shows about dating and mother-daughter relationships. I am offended. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-36065468789201976102013-07-24T14:52:47.259+05:302013-07-24T14:52:47.259+05:30Heh, just matching the tone.Heh, just matching the tone.MThttp://misstumnus.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-1904851378435634992013-07-24T14:49:23.606+05:302013-07-24T14:49:23.606+05:30Oh my god, i do not think GoT DOESN'T appeal t...Oh my god, i do not think GoT DOESN'T appeal to women, i just don't think it's aimed AT women, which if you notice, most fantasy shows/books seldom are. <br />and i am shocked that you think a show for women has to be all weeping together over mimosas. seriously.eMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12716202062654957842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7382033.post-17820082866089707252013-07-24T14:46:51.170+05:302013-07-24T14:46:51.170+05:30I am pretty shocked that you think Game Of Thrones...I am pretty shocked that you think Game Of Thrones is for boys, simply because it has sex scenes and Sansa. I dislike making sweeping statements on other people's blog, but that in an incredibly odd, narrow thing to say. Anonymous up top was right about all the strong female characters. I suppose Catelyn and Arya should have gotten together for mimosas and wept over their love lives for a couple of episodes to have made the cut.MThttp://misstumnus.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com