i'll post youtube links if and when i can.
but watch daily show for kristen schaal - "women's news correspondent" for such gems as :
Misogyny is like Jazz. A woman knows it when she hears it. . . Plus every party has one guy that's *really* into it.
She's funny *and* feminist! I told you so.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
farewell ms. clinton
have you ever noticed how america loves to rally around publicly humiliating a woman?
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Silent T: How Stephan Colbert Won My Heart, the second time.
When I fell in love with Stephan Colbert the first time, I didn't even know his name. To me he was Chuck Noblett, teacher of history, literature, art history, and Assistant Prinicpal, at Flat Point High. He was mashing his hand against a calculator, or turning around suddenly and telling us not to make it too "faggggggy."
Then our old pal Stephan exploded onto Comedy Central and I must first confess that I have not watched a whole lot of early Colbert Report. I was sans television at the time. But some friends and I managed to make an evening out of it and watched the premiere episode. (I saw some other episodes shortly thereafter but sporadically.)
These first episodes shaped my impression of the show. I thought it was funny but... I always seemed to trail off there. When I stopped long enough to articulate my feelings about it, I realized just how problematic I found it and Mr. Colbert's persona to be. The shtick was over the top. Colbert's conservative play acting was too real and I'd had enough of Bill O'Reilly and his lackies - I didn't find joy in watching anything that reminded me of them - even in satire. I found his egotism annoying and his lack of respect for his guests to be distracting. I much preferred Jon Stewart, who would actually allow his guests to be heard without interrupting them with inane remarks. Colbert would have on genuinely interesting people but they'd spend the whole interview arguing about something stupid like "so you apologize them for x,y,z" and I'd end up not knowing anything new.
So I didn't really watch for a while. Or I'd watch, but not too carefully.
So I don't really know when it happened... But lately Colbert has been kicking major ass. I am so impressed. And it's not that he's toned anything down. But lately, a sly smile, a laugh, a look, and it's clear he's much more aware of himself and his place in our fucked-up media mayhem. He's become bolder, more critical. Case in point: In a recent interview with the author of "LEAVE US ALONE" a wacko Libertarian-esque approach to politics, Colbert concluded by saying "Congratulations on bringing back the rhetoric of the 1850s." WHA-BAM! Several days later in a interview with anti-gun activist, Colbert turned a classicly Colberty snarky comment into a beautiful, responsible, rational, critical look at why we really do need gun control. I was creaming my feminist chonies.
Unlike Jon Stewart (who I'll love until time's end), who is consistently making these critical commentaries, when Colbert does it - because of his persona, because it's unexpected, because it's more rare - it's incredibly more subversive. Like smiling right before you sock someone in the face. And boy howdy, do I love to see someone socked in the proverbial face, when they really deserve it.
So Mr. Colbert, I don't know what brought about this change in you, but you've found your well of power and used it for good and that sir - for a feminist like myself- is an incredible turn on.
Then our old pal Stephan exploded onto Comedy Central and I must first confess that I have not watched a whole lot of early Colbert Report. I was sans television at the time. But some friends and I managed to make an evening out of it and watched the premiere episode. (I saw some other episodes shortly thereafter but sporadically.)
These first episodes shaped my impression of the show. I thought it was funny but... I always seemed to trail off there. When I stopped long enough to articulate my feelings about it, I realized just how problematic I found it and Mr. Colbert's persona to be. The shtick was over the top. Colbert's conservative play acting was too real and I'd had enough of Bill O'Reilly and his lackies - I didn't find joy in watching anything that reminded me of them - even in satire. I found his egotism annoying and his lack of respect for his guests to be distracting. I much preferred Jon Stewart, who would actually allow his guests to be heard without interrupting them with inane remarks. Colbert would have on genuinely interesting people but they'd spend the whole interview arguing about something stupid like "so you apologize them for x,y,z" and I'd end up not knowing anything new.
So I didn't really watch for a while. Or I'd watch, but not too carefully.
So I don't really know when it happened... But lately Colbert has been kicking major ass. I am so impressed. And it's not that he's toned anything down. But lately, a sly smile, a laugh, a look, and it's clear he's much more aware of himself and his place in our fucked-up media mayhem. He's become bolder, more critical. Case in point: In a recent interview with the author of "LEAVE US ALONE" a wacko Libertarian-esque approach to politics, Colbert concluded by saying "Congratulations on bringing back the rhetoric of the 1850s." WHA-BAM! Several days later in a interview with anti-gun activist, Colbert turned a classicly Colberty snarky comment into a beautiful, responsible, rational, critical look at why we really do need gun control. I was creaming my feminist chonies.
Unlike Jon Stewart (who I'll love until time's end), who is consistently making these critical commentaries, when Colbert does it - because of his persona, because it's unexpected, because it's more rare - it's incredibly more subversive. Like smiling right before you sock someone in the face. And boy howdy, do I love to see someone socked in the proverbial face, when they really deserve it.
So Mr. Colbert, I don't know what brought about this change in you, but you've found your well of power and used it for good and that sir - for a feminist like myself- is an incredible turn on.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Mz. Fey, Disappointments and Unshakable Faith in the Possibility of Ethical Comedy
Most people love Tina Fey. Myself, included. But, unlike my the way I feel for say, the adorable kitties in my life, this love is NOT unconditional. Sorry, Ms. Fey.
Here's what I love about our little Tina: She obviously tries her best to create female-centered comedy (by, for and about ladies). She wrote such SNL classics as Old French Whore and Mom Jeans. She was the head writer of SNL, a notoriously male-dominated workplace. Fey is also a self-proclaiming Feminist, which is sadly rare amongst entertainment-types. She's not afraid to go on national television and proclaim that being a "bitch" might not be such a terrible thing. Even an Obama supporter such as myself felt proud to hear that.
Here's what drives me crazy: Fey's character on 30 Rock, Liz Lemon, is one of the most pitiful women I've ever seen. The obviously autobiographical Lemon exposes Feminist rhetoric, claiming she is happy as a successful, single career woman. Yet, Lemon is continually cut down by her *male* boss who points out that she is indeed unhappy because she is a single, career woman. If you haven't seen an episode, let me catch you up:
Lemon: I'm a successful woman! I'm the boss in a male-dominated field! I'm totally happy ! I don't need a man!
Boss: But you dress like crap, eat like crap and are totally lonely.
Lemon: You're right. I'm miserable. Better find a man.
Why the discrepancies?
It's enough to make me think that it's impossible to BE a successful, feminist, entertainer and PLAY one on TV.
I know that the character is not totally under the control of Tina Fey, but it seems like she should have enough say in the creation and execution of her show to keep such a sad role model off the small screen.
The worst part is that the dominant thought seems to tell us that it impossible to achieve an ethical comedy. Why do people seem to believe that being misogynist is a necessary bi-product of creating television comedy?
Recently, I recounted my disappointment with 30 Rock to a very progressive, intelligent woman. Her response: Oh, but that's why it's funny! You could never write comedy, J.
I was flabbergasted. First of all, I can and do write comedy, so there!
Secondly, the response wasn't - oh but it's funny, but rather "that is why it is funny" as if the misogynist bullshit is what makes us laugh. What a horrifying prospect.
Here's my deal. Call me naive, hopeful, what you will ... but I refuse to lose the faith. I believe in television. I believe it has the possibility to be great. I believe that smart, funny TV can be made. I believe that we do not have to compromise our ethics to laugh. And I have proof. Strangers with Candy, Arrested Development, Golden Girls and Freaks and Geeks to name a few of my favorites.
Let me tell you a joke:
Question: How many Feminists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Answer: That's not funny.
Let me tell you about what happened one time I tried to tell this joke:
Me: How many Feminists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Idiot: Oh! I know this one! It's "Two! One to screw it in and one to suck my dick!"
Me (horrified): That's not funny!
Feminists are notorious for not having a sense of humor, while people like Carlos Mencia get away with murder under the guise of making us laugh. I'm not laughing. I say, being Feminist is about laughing when there is something funny while maintaining the courage to say "That's not funny" when it's not fucking funny, when it's downright offensive.
I have a sense of humor, even about being a feminist. But talking shit about women, or making them look like weak, pathetic morons happens to be something I think we could all stand to take a little more seriously.
Here's what I love about our little Tina: She obviously tries her best to create female-centered comedy (by, for and about ladies). She wrote such SNL classics as Old French Whore and Mom Jeans. She was the head writer of SNL, a notoriously male-dominated workplace. Fey is also a self-proclaiming Feminist, which is sadly rare amongst entertainment-types. She's not afraid to go on national television and proclaim that being a "bitch" might not be such a terrible thing. Even an Obama supporter such as myself felt proud to hear that.
Here's what drives me crazy: Fey's character on 30 Rock, Liz Lemon, is one of the most pitiful women I've ever seen. The obviously autobiographical Lemon exposes Feminist rhetoric, claiming she is happy as a successful, single career woman. Yet, Lemon is continually cut down by her *male* boss who points out that she is indeed unhappy because she is a single, career woman. If you haven't seen an episode, let me catch you up:
Lemon: I'm a successful woman! I'm the boss in a male-dominated field! I'm totally happy ! I don't need a man!
Boss: But you dress like crap, eat like crap and are totally lonely.
Lemon: You're right. I'm miserable. Better find a man.
Why the discrepancies?
It's enough to make me think that it's impossible to BE a successful, feminist, entertainer and PLAY one on TV.
I know that the character is not totally under the control of Tina Fey, but it seems like she should have enough say in the creation and execution of her show to keep such a sad role model off the small screen.
The worst part is that the dominant thought seems to tell us that it impossible to achieve an ethical comedy. Why do people seem to believe that being misogynist is a necessary bi-product of creating television comedy?
Recently, I recounted my disappointment with 30 Rock to a very progressive, intelligent woman. Her response: Oh, but that's why it's funny! You could never write comedy, J.
I was flabbergasted. First of all, I can and do write comedy, so there!
Secondly, the response wasn't - oh but it's funny, but rather "that is why it is funny" as if the misogynist bullshit is what makes us laugh. What a horrifying prospect.
Here's my deal. Call me naive, hopeful, what you will ... but I refuse to lose the faith. I believe in television. I believe it has the possibility to be great. I believe that smart, funny TV can be made. I believe that we do not have to compromise our ethics to laugh. And I have proof. Strangers with Candy, Arrested Development, Golden Girls and Freaks and Geeks to name a few of my favorites.
Let me tell you a joke:
Question: How many Feminists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Answer: That's not funny.
Let me tell you about what happened one time I tried to tell this joke:
Me: How many Feminists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Idiot: Oh! I know this one! It's "Two! One to screw it in and one to suck my dick!"
Me (horrified): That's not funny!
Feminists are notorious for not having a sense of humor, while people like Carlos Mencia get away with murder under the guise of making us laugh. I'm not laughing. I say, being Feminist is about laughing when there is something funny while maintaining the courage to say "That's not funny" when it's not fucking funny, when it's downright offensive.
I have a sense of humor, even about being a feminist. But talking shit about women, or making them look like weak, pathetic morons happens to be something I think we could all stand to take a little more seriously.
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