In Swink's piece he focuses on the four shows 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, The Mindy Project, and Girls. I have never seen any of these shows, but I still thoroughly enjoyed Swink's writing, interviewing, and main point in Lemony Liz and Likeable Leslie, which was to focus specifically on the audience's perspective towards the shows. I was surprised to find that almost all of the people he interviewed didn't view any of the shows to be advertised as "feminist" shows. Although, they did believe there were feminist concepts presented within the shows, as well as some characters supporting feminism. I thought I would think of some shows that I have seen that include feminist concepts or moments, and compare my thoughts and outlooks on the show as the people being interviewed did.
One show that first comes to my mind is Fuller House on Netflix. The main character in the show is a woman who goes by the same of D.J. Tanner. In case you have never seen Fuller House, D.J. is a single mom of two kids and is occasionally dating between two different male characters in the show. However, D.J's sister, Stephanie, is single and often illustrates woman empowerment and takes pride in being a single woman. D.J. will also sometimes promote feminist-like concepts. While I wouldn't view this show as a strong "feminist" source of media, I would agree to the fact that some of the characters do promote feminist acts.
Another very popular show is Grey's Anatomy. Meredith Grey is the main focus in the show, which now consists of 16 seasons. If you've seen Grey's Anatomy you might be thinking, um, Meredith was infatuated with a man most of the seasons and had her happiness depended on him. How can this possibly support or include feminism? Well I don't want to spoil the show for you if you haven't gotten to witness the show yourself, but Meredith does suddenly becomes widowed. After that point, Meredith begins to become an extremely independent and successful women. She reaches great endeavors on her own, and is a single mother as well. She, among other woman in the show, even some men, promote feminism in different ways without being a dominant "feminist" tv show.(Side Note: I highly recommend watching this show if you haven't, it's one of my all time favorites.)
A very popular and well known movie/book that contributes in some way to this topic is The Help. I wasn't sure on including this one just because I know it has been a hot topic in the past, and largely talked about. But I thought it is so popular for a reason, so I couldn't resist. While we all know that one of the largest and most important concept of The Help revolves around racism, another is women empowerment. There are so many uplifting and encouraging aspects to this book towards woman, which could be seen as feminists acts in today's world. My favorite quote, and one of the most popular, is "You is kind, you is smart, and you is important." This statement can be elaborated to much deeper terms, and is important for all woman to know. I think this book might be known more for its racial inclusions and awareness, which is another reason I wanted to include it, with the thought that some may not portray this book or movie as advertised as feminist.
The attention you've brought to how the shows are not entirely "feminist" shows in the sense that everything revolves around feminist concepts and strictly humor or aimed at a feminist audience was done extremely well. I remember watching Full House as a kid (however I have yet to see any episodes of Fuller House) but by the way you've described the girls, it doesn't sound like much has changed. I remember the original show was very much about the struggles of growing up and learning how to be strong, respectable women without having the traditional mother figure - until aunt Stacy comes in who was just as strong of a female role model as the other younger girls.
ReplyDeleteIt never occurred to me that these could've been feminist shows, then or now, until reading Swink's article. It made me realize there is a lot of feminism hiding behind male centered shows or even in co-ed casts. Essentially, a show doesn't have to only be about women to be supportive of strong women. Which is something I think is good for the audience - the shows are shown as comedies, lighthearted and overall enjoyable, but are able to address such issues as relationships, loss, family, and even the trials and tribulations of adolescence and adult life.
I totally agree with you, Krista. I never viewed this shows that I grew up watching as "feminist" shows, per say, so it was really neat to see Cara shine that light on them. Thanks to your careful consideration of the original "Full House", a tv show which brings back so many good memories, I now have a deeper appreciation for what it stood for. I especially like the point you make about the girls growing up without a traditional mother and having to become strong women kind of on their own. I had never thought of it that way. Thanks for sharing!
Delete"Women can do anything a man can do, even pee standing up. Sure it makes a mess, but that's the cleaning lady's problem, and guess what. She's a man" - The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why I haven't thought of this show yet, considering I binged every episode of it as unproductively as possibly, but The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is probably one of the most hilarious show I've probably ever seen... and it's written by Tina Fey! This show features feminism from all of its women, as well as Titus Andromedon who is probably one of my unconventional feminist icons. If you haven't seen this show, it's main idea is that Kimmy was held captive by a crazy Reverend for years in an apocalypse bunker and brainwashed with other women in a definite play on some cult activity - but in a less poison punch kind of way. Anyway, the entire show is Kimmy, who has only had a third grade education, goes out to New York rather than returning home like the other captive girls. Already she is blazing a trail for herself and all young women trying to make it in a dog-eat-dog world and every episode she faces an issue that she both hilariously and eventually overcomes and grows into a totally beautiful badass. It is entirely the kind of comedy you see in shows like the Office, Parks and Recreation, or Grace and Frankie. Regardless, this is definitely something you should check out if you love Tina Fey's work, which I'm sure most of us do.
If you want to have a quick look at the show, here is a narrated compilation that gives a good look into the show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkQOKzfLHbQ
I have never seen the show myself but my mother is a huge Grey's Anatomy fan. I remember when the show first started she loved the two main characters on the show and said it was a drama that took place in a hospital and was centered around their love story. After reading above that the guy got killed off I now see how it changed into a "feminist" concept to show the strength and perseverance of how a women goes on without her partner and somehow becomes stronger and better than before. Perfect example of how Swink's article shows how a female can change over the years just as relationships evolve so do individuales. A show might start off as a certain theme but over time turn into a feminist show after all.
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, I do remember watching Full House and that show being funny. A single father raising three daughters. It's cool how they turned the tables with the newer version. A single mother raising her kids. I can see how the concept of the show portrays feminist acts while adding humor to make the show enjoyable for all ages.
Cara, I grew up watching the show "Full House", but have never seen the new version of it. Thank you for sharing! I look forward to giving it a watch.
ReplyDeleteI love Grey's Anatomy as well. I, myself, was not very happy when Meredith became a widow. The show didn't seem the same to me without her partner in crime. However, you have shed a newer and positive light on an event that i once considered a tragic occurrence in the tv show. Meredith is able to continue to succeed above and beyond in her career and be a true model of feminist values in a way that I didn't realize before. So thank you for pointing that out!
I have not seen any of the shows/movies that you talk about here. I liked seeing you point out how these shows could be viewed as Feminist. You’ve successfully pointed out that even though a show or a movie might not seem to be taking a Feminist stance, that Feminist overtones can be implied. I would like to push back a little bit though to say that, as an intersectional Feminist myself, I don’t find these shows inherently Feminist and believe that they could also be considered to be “post-feminist” as they are shows which neglects the diversity of “identities and social experiences” of women who are not white (with the exception of “The Help” which represents a marginalised group of women). The first two shows, while they have strong, independent woman characters in them seem to highlight the example of “privilege and a re-cantering of middle-class whiteness” that Swink says is “central to the post-feminist landscape.” I find this to be especially true of Fuller House and Full House which are more or less shows about a middle-class privileged while family.
ReplyDeleteRe-centering* not re-cantering. Lol
ReplyDeleteGosh, I love Grey's Anatomy. And old Lady Hanrahan here watched _Full House_ when it originally aired. Ha.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the comments here quite a bit. They are smart and advancing the conversations that Cara started. Love to see it.
I would say that the shows Cara mentions *are* feminist if we remember that feminism isn't a) just about women, b) isn't always angry (not that there's anything wrong with that!), and c) imagines/creates worlds in which women and other marginalized voices are heard, sometimes without any "drama." Grey's Anatomy is one of the most "woke" shows (with a black, female creator, btw) and it is almost effortless. Rather--it SEEMS effortless, but people had to work (and keep working) to get it on the air.