“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 over the years there have been many debates on female
representation and female’s empowerment within society. Such as if we look
within books and articles. We have heard how the 21st century is the era to
gender equality and female liberation and post-feminism[2].
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 other arguments are that
sitcoms over the years still perpetuate negative stereotypes. Which is
similar to the argument of this critical investigation and my hypothesis, which
is females are negatively represented because 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”. We can see that even today there
are TV shows that perpetuate negative stereotypes of females and US television
plays an important part in this, as "Americanisation" is a big part
of the media and of our lifestyle. 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].
As in general television is an example of liberal pluralism as due to
the variety of shows on TV, appeal to different groups and represent different
groups as “liberal-pluralist view the media are seen as mirrors reflective of
the achieved cultural consensus”[4]
reflecting the current values and views of contemporary society. Following to
the argument the main example for this critical investigation will be, The Big Bang Theory. This is an example
of contemporary text and a popular US sitcom. This enables the investigation to
deconstruct today’s media. Where we can discuss Penny’s representation but also
how Amy and Benerdette’s characters
are shown to represent “positive” female representation. But just fall into the
TV trope of “retro-sexism”[5].
Furthermore historical texts are equally important; in order to spot patterns
in changes of female representation for example Bewitched (1964). 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 focused on the representation of women in television. However if
we look back at US television during the 70’s and 80’s, we can see how the
representation of women has changed “Zeitgeist”[6].
As comparing it to Bewitched, a US
sitcom that came out during the 1960's and if we look at society back then. We can see during that time there was an
improvement in women's position during that decade. They became more
independent and more career oriented. But also there was an increase in negative
aspects of society, as we saw fewer women having children and increase in
divorce rates. 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.
Referring to how all American women should go back to the norm of being the
typical housewife as they are being a “femininity failure”[7].
In addition looking throughout the first episode the husband finds out his wife
is a witch and 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”[8]. 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”[9].
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.[10] As
also we see Darrin in Bewitched and
in Big Bang theory Leonard are the victim of female mind
games and their “Bastard Girlfriends”[11]
how they suffer from never understanding the complicating women. For example
during seasons we see Penny being confused about her relationship with Leonard.
Showing how even though we say we are in a post-feminist society we are
actually still having casual sexism towards female characters.
An important problem with female representation in US sitcoms is the
character types[12]. The show Bewitched shows
every negative stereotype of women, for example the seductress is represented
in Sheila, the arrogant and rude
mother in law. Then we have Samantha who is shown as flawless and beautiful, but
being a witch shows women 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”[13]. 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”[14] . For example, 30 Rock: "Men infantilize women and women tear each other
down”[15].
It reflects 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"[16] 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"[17]. 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 created debates on how they affect audiences. As
there are some debates on the hypodermic needle[18] theory. 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”[19]
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”[20].
Furthermore
another argument is the majority of male writers have resulted in the prejudice
representation of females. As “dream through the dreams of men”[21], ‘make herself object’[22] and ‘renounce her autonomy”[23]. Showing that how we are viewing an image of the writer’s reality,
referring to cultivation theory[24]
as by watching repeated images of women as "house wives" or playing
the emotional roles. For example Penny as a waitress . Also society has accepted
that image and has related to the dominant ideology. As media reflects
“dominance and resistance”[25]
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[26]. Showing how society and writers traditional
views are reflected in the show. Due to
American society’s conservative views in the sitcoms, audiences relate to the
values. Women are portrayed in all media as being primarily
involved in relationships and men are more often portrayed in the context of
their careers" reflecting the
traditional views of society that has been in shows for many years. This has
become the norm of society and going out the stereotype makes society reject 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"[27] . But even though Tina Fey is
shown to be the “boss” in the company, she still goes through problems such as
being stereotype and sexism from employees. Representing 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!”[28]. The Manic Pixie Dream Girl is every male characters dream. She’s the
funny and pretty character. But this is a negative representation of women, as
this character is put in the show just for the male’s satisfaction and doesn’t
have a quality input to the story line. For example in Big Bang Theory we have Leonard who is a smart guy but has a low
self-esteem. However later enters Penny that sparks up Leonard’s life and then
becomes the character that is most wanted by women. Penny is a perfect
representation of a Manic Pixie Dream Girl as we never really have an idea
about her family. But is only there to help 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 tropes are being represented. Resulting in women behaving the same
way in society and men expecting that behaviour from each female. Which could
relate to how feminists argue women are the takers of “shit”[29]
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.
Another point and problem with US sitcoms is the “Bechdel test”[30].
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"[31],
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.
US sitcoms have been said to give
audiences what they want as “female chauvinist pigs of today are doing them one better making sex
objects of other women and of themselves they think they're
brave"[32]
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 in modern society women are sexually
objectified, other women see this as normal for example in 30 Rock, Tina Feys character is not your normal US sitcom female
character which 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. Showing how Women objectify other women and if
they don't reach the stereotypical image, they will be isolated from
audiences. Also in a documentary on BBC two "Family guy? US sitcoms"
they refer to the idea that US sitcoms mostly 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.
Such as the norm of traditional roles of females e.g. emotional roles.
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”[33].
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. Opposite
characterization 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”[34]
characterization.
In conclusion US sitcoms continue to negatively represent
females due to society’s beliefs and acceptances. A s due
to patriarchy within society and the media industry. Looking today
90% of sitcoms are written and directed by men[35]
and watching the shows directed/written by men we are watching a sense of
their reality. The cultivation theory shows 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[36]. These
negative representation women aspire and identify with and then tend
to accept and imitate these traits and then making a cycle of women behaving
like that in society and then the media. 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.”[37]
Word count- 2281
Final
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[4] Nesbitt-
Larking . P.W (2007). Pg.83
[10] BBC 2
documentary Family guys? What sitcoms say about America Today?
[12] Gray. G
(2010).(Pg.54)
[13] Women on Big
Bang Theory http://blog.sciencewomen.com/2008/05/women-on-big-bang-theory.html
[14] Mulvey.L.
(1975).Pg.14
[18] Fourie.P
(2001) pg.294
[19] Perry. N
(1998) introduction
[21] Groves.J
(2007) pg.84
[22] ibid
[23] ibid
[25] Holtzman. L.
(2000). PG 36
[27] A Serious Business: the Politics of Two American
Sitcoms http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/MM38_Politics_Sitcom.html
[28] Manic pixie dream girl
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ManicPixieDreamGirl
[30] Bechdel test
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/UsefulNotes/TheBechdelTest?from=Main.TheBechdelTest
[32] Levy. A (2005)
Pg.1
[34] http://impishidea.com/writing/how-not-to-write-female-characters how not write female
characters
[35] http://splitsider.com/2011/01/why-more-women-should-write-comedy-a-mathematical-but-not-boring-study/ why women should write
comedy
[36] US sitcoms http://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/mm/subscribers/downloads/archive_mm/mmagpast/MM38_Politics_Sitcom.html
