“Your ovaries are squirting so much goofy juice into your
brain that you don’t know which way is up”[1]
Despite the
fact that we're supposedly living in a post-feminist society, why are
female characters in contemporary US sitcoms such as "The Big Bang Theory"
still being negatively represented?
This
critical investigation will focus particularly on female representation
within US sitcoms. As television is an example of
liberal pluralism as within television there are shows which appeal
to different groups and represent different groups as “liberal-pluralist view
the media are seen as mirrors reflective of the achieved cultural consensus”[2]
reflecting the current values and views of contemporary society. However
television over the years still perpetuates certain stereotypes and
the biggest is the negative representation of women. As within books,
articles etc. we have heard how the 21st century is the era to gender equality
and female liberation. For example we have movies which are with
female protagonists or TV shows that are female centric, and are
successful. Such as 30 Rock which was
a successful show that ran for 7 seasons, as Tina Fey’s was the main female
protagonist and despite her character subverting the stereotypes, the show was
highly successful. However the argument of this critical investigation is that
even today there are TV shows that perpetuate negative stereotypes of females
and how US television plays an important part in this as
"Americanisation" is a big part of the media and of our lifestyle,
and many of the values portrayed in the shows have been accepted by audiences
and have become a part of our life as "America Shapes the way
non-Americans live and think"[3]. Referring
to my hypothesis, in where females are negatively represented as because of how
the media is still male dominated for example there is a higher proportion of
male writers, and we are watching shows with their values in it (subjectivity).
And to support my hypothesis the main text that will be used is, The Big Bang Theory as the main example is
a contemporary text and a popular US sitcom as well. This enables the investigation
to deconstruct today’s media. Where we can discuss Penny’s representation but
also how Amy's and Benerdette’s
characters are shown to represent positive female representation, but however
just fall into the TV trope of “retro-sexism”. Furthermore historical texts are
equally important, in order to spot patterns in changes of female
representation for example Bewitched
(1964) etc. to see whether female representation has really improved? Or is
it just shown to have improved in order to achieve a larger female audience?.
Feminists over
the years have debated how negative female representation has started
from the 70's and 80's. As even though main texts for this critical
investigation are Big Bang Theory and
30 Rock which are contemporary texts.
However if we look back in US television, we can see how the representation of
women has improved and how much of it hasn't, (Zeitgeist). Comparing it to Bewitched,
which was a US sitcom that came out during the 1960's and if we look at how society
was back then in the 60's. Relating it
to SHEP, during that time there was an improvement in women's position
during that decade, as they became more independent and more careers oriented.
But also there was an increase in negative aspects to society, as we saw less
women having children, increase in crime rate and increase in inflation, so as
relating to women's position in society we can see that Bewitched is actually "demonising" women in the sense
they are the "witches" of society as they are going out of the
stereotype, and it can also refer to how all American women should go back to
the norm of being the typical housewife. In addition looking throughout the
first episode throughout the
husband finds out his wife is a witch he asks his friends for advice, where
instead taunting comments are made by the friends
saying for example Dick York tells the bartender “My wife’s a witch” where in
reply he says “cheer up, you should see mine”[4]. On that note we have a non-diegetic background laugh,
showing the sense society agrees with this point that "all women" are
witches, and this makes society unite on this point. As comparing it to the
contemporary texts we have Sheldon who comments on Penny saying “I don't know how, but she is
cheating! Nobody can be that attractive and this skilled at a video game”[5].
Where in both historic text and contemporary we see how stereotypes of women
are reflected in the shows, which refers to how sitcoms reflect the current
views of society so audiences can identify with their shows.[6] As
also we see Darrin in Bewitched and
in Big Bang theory Leonard are the victim of female mind
games and how they suffer from never understanding the complicating women. For
example during seasons we see Penny being confused about her relationship with
Leonard.
Another problem with female representation in US sitcoms is the
character types[7], as referring back to Bewitched. Also within the
show bewitched we see how every negative stereotype of females is
represented in different female characters for example the seductress is
represented in "Sheila",
and the arrogant and rude mother in law. As we have
negative representation and then Samantha who is shown as flawless
and beautiful but as a witch which gives the idea females can't always be
perfect. Again reinforcing the negative stereotypes of women, as even today
within the Big Bang Theory we have Penny "blond bombshell"
actress/waitress of "average intellect”[8]. Relating to how women in
US sitcoms aren’t there to contribute substantial amounts to the script, but
they are just there for the Visual pleasure of male audiences, “Male Gaze”[9] . For example 30 Rock "Men infantilize women and women tear each other
down”[10].
This episode was absolutely perfect in reflecting
the contemporary US sitcoms views on women and societies view
on women. As we see throughout the episode characters make comments such as
"my dream, is to create a kids shows that promotes illiteracy
in little girls"[11] this shows how the sitcom
is parodying certain aspects of the media, for example how kid shows
promote negative representations of women and how girls from a young age are
taught to be sexualised “Taught from a young age that they should be
sexy, edgy and seek male attention"[12]. Furthermore we can see that how US
sitcoms affect young girls to then later behave in that sexualised way in
society, hence starting this cycle of negative representation
Negative representations
of women in US sitcoms have bought debates on how it affects audiences. As
there are some debates on hypodermic needle[13] that shows values are
injected into the audiences and they accept the meanings. Which are negative
representations of women which encourages audiences to build this “Hyper
reality”[14]
how people can’t differ reality from media, resulting in men having “High
expectations from women” in society. However then we have the debate on how US
sitcoms affect young female audiences, as by viewing these negative/sexual
representations of women, young girls have negative images to look up to “a
sexualised society puts all kids at risk”[15].
Which
brings the question up of, as how the writers and
directors are male are they trying to refer to their thoughts of women
(showing his prejudice thoughts) or is he parodying the views of
American society during that time as the media is the “dream through the dreams of men”[16], ‘make herself object’[17] and ‘renounce her autonomy”[18]. Showing that how we are viewing an image of the writer’s reality,
referring to cultivation theory[19]
as by watching repeated images of women as "house wives" or playing
the emotional roles, society has accepted that view/image and that has
related to the dominant ideology of women as the media shows “dominance and
resistance”[20] and having a long term
effect on the audiences. In addition female characters that go against these
stereotypes, audiences tend to disapprove of these characters. For example in 30 Rock Tina Fey’s role, as a career
oriented woman she is considered as grumpy, and to some extreme extents seen as
a lesbian[21], which shows how
societies and writers traditional views are reflected in the show, and due to
American societies conservative views sitcoms show what the audiences want and
they enjoy traditional values. Women are portrayed in all media as being primarily involved in relationship
and men are more often portrayed in the context of their careers" reflecting the traditional conservative view of society that
has been in shows for many years, this has become the norm of society and going
out the stereotype makes society rejecting the view. This shows how in 30 rock Tina fey character is different
as "American sitcoms of the modern era,
in contrast with other so-called ‘women’s’ shows that target a female audience
through their female leads, yet have no women in prominent creative or
editorial positions"[22] even though Tina Fey is shown to be in a
"boss" like position in the company she still goes through problems
such as being stereotyped and still have a sexist boss, that
represents the patriarchy in society and in the media industry and the reason
for why women are still negatively stereotyped.
Stereotypes over the years in TV shows have a big contribution as to why
certain female representations take place today. As when certain stereotypes
are repeated it becomes "tropes” and due to these tropes society start to
accept the representations and we then have these negative images as the norm.
For example the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope, “Let's say you're a soulful, brooding male hero, living a sheltered, emotionless existence. If only someone
— someone female — could come
along and open your heart to the great, wondrous adventure of life...It's Manic Pixie Dream Girl to the rescue!”[23]. The Manic Pixie Dream Girl is every male characters dream. She’s the
funny and pretty character. But this is not the best representation of women,
as this character is put in the show just for the males satisfaction and
doesn’t really have a quality input to the story line, as how the sad, hurt and
injured male needs a lovely woman in his life to spark him up so he can go out
there and save the world again. For example in Big Bang Theory we have Leonard who is a smart guy but has a low
self-esteem, however later enters penny who sparks up Leonards life and then
becomes the character that is most wanted by women. Where Penny is a perfect
representation of a Manic Pixie Dream Girl as we never really have an
idea about her family etc., and she only helped change Leonard so he can go
back in the “real world” and live up to his “full potential”. This can give an explanation of
why females are still negatively represented in the sitcoms, as over the years
the same stereotype is being represented as for example in New Girl as well Zooey Dechannel "the sweet girl next
door" is the perfect girl who gives advice to her 3 other male house mates
which again shows how she is the Manic Pixie Dream Girl and gives them advice
so the men can be "saviours" of society. Also we can say that female
audiences have seen so many examples of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl, the
stereotype has become a norm and now female audiences accept the role
(identify) with the role and aspire to be like that, which the results in
females behaving the same way in society and men expecting that
behaviour from each female. Which could relate to how in society feminists
argue women are the takers of “shit”[24]
as men like to release their problem on women such as how Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory, releases his
frustration of failures in experiments on Amy.
Furthermore another point and problem with US sitcoms is the “Bechdel
test”[25].
Bechdel Test" which was created by feminists which is a test that movies
within the Oscars had to pass in order to see if the film was "female
friendly" and the test consisted of two or more women in the cast, the
women are in the same scene together and if they talk more than 30 seconds and
are they talking anything besides men. For example within a scene in Big Bang Theory which fails to pass the
Bechdel Test as Penny and Amy are talking about "guy problems" with
each other the stereotypical "girls night out"[26],
not really representing females as independent and
career oriented. As society claims
we are in a post-feminism society and we don’t really see that in the majority
of Big Bang Theory scenes.
Furthermore in US sitcoms another
huge issue with female representation is also the higher proportion of
male cast members. “Well,
commercial television -- what did I expect? The surprise is that public
television, for all its superior intelligence, charm and commitment to worthy
values, short changes preschool girls, too”[27]
The article talks about Smurfette principal and
how in US contemporary TV there are shows where there is a high disproportioned
gendered cast. Where the show will have a higher proportion of male characters
to female, and the only female character will be
highly stereotyped of negatively represented. For example New Girl Zooey Dechanel lives with three other guys in the
apartment and she is the main protagonist however she is highly stereotyped
when it comes to behavior and her clothing. This fits in with the idea as how
females are still be negatively represented. As this also has an effect on
female audiences as if they watch this show they feel they want to aspire to be
like her hence taking her clothing style and behavior on board.
Another problem is that US sitcoms
give audiences what they want as now “female chauvinist pigs of today are doing them one
better making sex objects of other women and of themselves they think
they're brave"[28] Relating to my critical investigation on how women
are being negatively/ sexually represented, it is not just to please the
male audiences but also the female audiences as how now in modern society women
are sexually objectifying other women and now see this as normal for example in
30 rock Tina Feys character is not
your normal US sitcom female character which then brings the whole comedy
aspect of how they think she’s a lesbian and no other male co-worker is
attracted to her and also the other female co-workers who also taunt her about
her look, which refers back to how women themselves are objectifying other
women and if they don't reach the stereotypical image they will be
isolated from audiences. As also in a documentary on BBC two called "Family
guy? US sitcoms" where they refer to the idea that US sitcoms always or
usually tend to make references to real life situations for example the
recession which was reflected in many shows. This refers back to my question as
how contemporary stereotypes and views are injected into the story line
and show.
Lastly a huge issue
with shows like Big Bang Theory and New Girl is “feminist have drawn attention to the
under representation of women in higher education and as scientists”[29].
Penny in Big Bang Theory is the best example of how female characters are
being shown as these “dumb” characters as we see her character that has dropped
out of college and works in the cheese cake factory who dreams big to be in
Hollywood, her character really doesn’t aspire to achieve something
academically. This really shows how in US contemporary shows have a norm of
where the main female character should be just this “attractive idiot”, as if
she falls into an opposite characterization she will be isolated and treated
differently from the rest of the characters. For example in 30 Rock Tina Fey is this confident
intelligent woman and that is supposed to be the funny aspect about her, as
this doesn’t fit in the norm of “attractive idiot”[30]
characterization.
In conclusion US sitcoms continue to negatively represent
females due to societies beliefs and acceptances As also
due to patriarchy within society and the media industry. As if we
look today 90% of sitcoms are written and directed by men[31]
and watching the shows directed/written by men we are watching a sense of
their reality and as using cultivation theory by repeating these images
and values audience believe and accept them as to be the norm. As
whilst in UK sitcoms have in recent decades established a highly successful
tradition of female writer/actors and Saunders and Victoria Wood through to
Caroline Aherne, this has been less notable in the US[32].
Furthermore due to these negative representation women aspire and
identify with these negative representation and then tend to accept
and imitate these traits and then making a cycle of women behaving like that in
society. However as we can also bring up
a point in US sitcoms we have negative representations of men as well for
example dolts, incompetents, dumb, lazy, dufus, predictable idiotic territorial
selfish doofuse’s who need to constantly be looked after by their wives[33]
which then can bring the point that actually even though women are negatively
represented, they are an essential character for example in Modern Family
Mitchell always does stupid things and then we have Claire guiding him the
right way. But referring back to my
hypothesis that women are still negatively represented I believe my evidence
and research proves that as majority of contemporary shows still have the
negative images of females and neither of the future coming show any light of a
positive representation. As the
notion of “post feminism” is one that has largely been constructed by the media
in order to discredit the real gains that feminism has made over the past forty
years.[34]
Word count- 3099
Final
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Smurfette principal http://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/07/magazine/hers-the-smurfette-principle.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
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[2]
Nesbitt-
Larking , P.W (2007). Pg.83
[7] Gray. G
(2010).(Pg.54)
[8] Women on Big
Bang Theory http://blog.sciencewomen.com/2008/05/women-on-big-bang-theory.html
[9] Mulvey.L.
(1975).Pg.14
[13] Fourie.P (2001)
pg.294
[14] Perry. N
(1998) introduction
[16] Groves.J
(2007) pg.84
[17] ibid
[18] ibid
[20] Holtzman. L.
(2000). PG 36
[22] A Serious Business: the Politics of Two American
Sitcoms http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/MM38_Politics_Sitcom.html
[23] Manic pixie dream girl
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ManicPixieDreamGirl
[25] Bechdel test
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/TheBechdelTest?from=Main.TheBechdelTest
[27] Smurfette principal http://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/07/magazine/hers-the-smurfette-principle.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm
[28] Levy. A (2005)
Pg.1
[30] http://impishidea.com/writing/how-not-to-write-female-characters how not write female
characters
[31] http://splitsider.com/2011/01/why-more-women-should-write-comedy-a-mathematical-but-not-boring-study/ why women should write
comedy
[32] US sitcoms http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/MM38_Politics_Sitcom.html
[34] http://waccglobal.org/en/resources/media-and-gender-monitor/97-issue-13/1012-Forum-Post-Feminism-the-Market-and-the-Media.html
