I'd like to take this time to write a short exposition on how much it'd suck to be a girl. Now, I do not mean to imply with that statement those improper assertions of female inferiority, the maintenance of which is a disservice to both women and men, that have long plagued society. Rather, I conclude my entire premise solely on the made for TV movies on Lifetime.
I suppose some readers may be wondering what I am doing watching Lifetime. I assure you it is simply because that's the network that shows Frasier (However, were I inclined toward Lifetime generally, I would be secure enough in my masculinity to admit it). When the object of my interest lapses in favor of commercial advertisement, I am subjected to the network's programming notifications.
As a man, my television requires nothing other than explosions and women. Although I may decry the results of pandering to such a common denominator, at least it must be said that male television is entertaining. But what's more, it's empowering. The subjects and characters in our television are dynamic, energetic, and confident.
Women's television, on the other hand, is just as shallow but tends to rely on the weakness of the audience. Lifetime's inane offerings have titles like She stole my family, My unfaithful husband, or A child's ransom. The closest thing you get to active characters are battered women who finally rise up and kill their oppressor. To make matters worse, the remaining commercials on Lifetime are an endless succession of cleaning agents, laundry detergents, and culinary implements. Women are shown brought to the heights of ecstasy by the opportunity to use a new vacuum cleaner.
It is not my intention at this time to rail against the status of gender stereotypes. Certainly they are unfair and troubling, but they are also beyond the scope of any single post or even (to be perfectly honest), my general interest. However, I feel it appropriate to commiserate with women everywhere (at least, everywhere where they are subject to Lifetime) the pathetic offerings that make up their television networks.
10 comments:
I've just been watching the first episode of a new BBC version of Jane Eyre - definitely pitched at a female audience. A very strong, determined Jane - the episode ended with her just about to rescue Rochester from a burning bed. She even had moment of wit. No commercials either. (And at the end Jane gets the man and the money though, unlike Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, she misses out on the big house and all the servants.)
I would much rather watch programming aimed at men, and I find it fascinating that there are networks like the 'women's network' that are aimed at some demographic I don't think I'll ever fit into. Maybe it just boils down to whatever floats your boat and maybe isn't so much aimed at genders, since my gay male friends love the the WN and won't consent to watch the UFC championship with me. :)
and just think you haven't even watched Oxygen Network yet!
"Women" tv networks are all quite pathetic, aren't they? I'd rather watch ESPN any day.
And yes, I did schedule out everything. You'd find, if you were around me for oh, say, a week or two, that I could possibly be one of the most organized people on earth.
I might be a little OCD about it actually. I color-coded my planner so that each one of my classes has it's own color. For example, my English class's color is green. Therefore, my notebook for English is green, the pen I use to denote English assignments in my planner is green, and the folder for the class would've been green also except the store I went to didn't have any so it's blue, which kind of annoys me. :P
That is so true. While I like a good chick flick every once in awhile and will occasionally watch a Lifetime Original movie, I'm sick of all the weak female stereotypes.
That's why I'm thankful to have a brother and a father who've raised me on enough of those action movies/films that are definitely aimed at a male audience to keep me entertained.
I don't have Lifetime, but I do have other channels that are geared towards women so I think I know what kind of movies you're talking about. I really hate them and usually, they're out of date and look like they were made in the 80's. I think there are some good shows/movies too, though. I can't think of a specific one, at the moment, but I know there have been movies that are more empowering and positive.
You've been tagged! Ha! :) Go here to find out more: http://iluvduke.blogspot.com/2006/09/tag-im-it.html
Thts is true and i agree with you !
Yeah, our worth-watchings are solely entertaining, but explosions 'n' monkeys w/ guns can only go so far for people who want to put the effort into gettin' the emotional plot, conflict, ect. from such series from the Lifetime channel; the channel does empower women w/ success stories. I guess what I'm trying to say is women are to cleaning impliments and sweet revenge on the opposite sex as to men are to once-in-a-while Victoria Secret commercials 'n' four-legged animals dancing on their hind legs against their own will.
I never watch "women" TV networks. Well sometimes I watch W because they put on decent movies... the have a real thing for Julia Roberts on that channel. Really though, I tend to stick to your everyday normal non-gendered TV.
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