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2008 Primetime Emmys Review: Tina Fey wins, women and people of color loseWhite men over 30 living in a bygone era, and the white women who support them — that is the focus of the winning programs in the Outstanding Miniseries and Outstanding Drama Series categories at the 60th Annual Emmy Awards (John Adams and Mad Men, respectively). Unfortunately, it's also an accurate description of this year's Emmy awards show. The Emmys have never been known as a bastion of diversity, but watching the 60th Annual Emmy Awards tonight was like going back in time several decades, to the days when sexism was funny, and everyone important was white, male, and over 40. I knew things were were going to take a bad turn 10 minutes in, when the Dancing With the Stars host and William Shatner physically pulled off Heidi Klum's pants suit to reveal her skimpy glittering outfit beneath.
Klum just smiled, struck a sexy pose, and said, "Now that I've got your attention..." (Because who would pay attention to her with her clothes on?) It only got worse from there. Women were almost completely absent from all the directing and writing categories (in other words, any categories that were not gender-specific). There were no women nominated in the categories of Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special or Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (all the nominees were white men), and there was only one woman nominated in the categories of Outstanding Director for a Drama Series (Arlene Sanford, for an episode of Boston Legal), Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (Robin Veith for Mad Men) and Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or Dramatic Special (Heidi Thomas). None of them won. There were some female winners in "outstanding actress" categories — Glenn Close (Damages) for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series; Jean Smart (Samantha Who?) for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series; and Laura Linney (John Adams) for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries — but probably only because it was impossible for men to be included. Towards the end of the evening when Brooke Shields and Craig Ferguson presented the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, their scripted dialogue involved Ferguson talking about how he used to fantasize about Shields as a teenager, but now he respects her for her acting work. Then Shields asks, "Is that your hand on my ass?" and Ferguson responds, "Yes, and it's respecting you" with a leering grin. Brooke Shields and Craig Ferguson presenting Um, what year is this? I'll be the first person to say that Shields isn't the best actor in the world, but what were the Emmy writers smoking when they thought it was acceptable to have Ferguson leer and pretend to feel Shields up, while she stands there looking uncomfortable and accepts it? None of the male presenters were sexualized like this on stage. (A shocking double-standard, I know.) If visibility was bad for women overall, it was really bad for women of color. There were only a few women of color even nominated — America Ferrera and Vanessa Williams for Ugly Betty, Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson for Grey's Anatomy, and Phylicia Rashad for A Raisin in the Sun — and none of them won. (Shocking, again.) Oprah was a presenter, as was Eva Longoria Parker with the other Desperate Housewives, and Ferrera, Williams and Oh (who was saddled with a funny but stereotypical Asian joke about her mother wishing she'd become a doctor). America Ferrera and Vanessa Williams presenting Men of color didn't fare much better — all the male winners of the evening were white (save for the previously announced winner in the Outstanding Guest Actor category), and only a few men of color even presented (Wayne Brady and Laurence Fishburne). When The Amazing Race won for Outstanding Reality Series, and a black man started to walk up the aisle with a dozen others to accept the award, I wondered for a moment if they'd even let him on stage. To call this Emmys show a parade of white people would not be overstating it by much. But this year's lack of female nominees in writing and directing categories, and the overall lack of people of color as nominees and winners, is not much different than previous Emmys (with some exceptions). What was unusual was the extensive time devoted to celebrating television shows that most viewers under 40 would have a difficult time recalling, and very few viewers under 30 would even recognize. The entire evening was devoted to the "golden age of television." In between the nonsensical yammering of the reality TV hosts, there was a Laugh In skit, a Smothers Brothers tribute, a montage of "Sock it to 'em!" quotes, a feature on M.A.S.H., and tributes to Don Rickles, Mary Tyler Moore, Thomas Smothers and Betty White. Don't get me wrong, I love Betty White, I appreciate that Mary Tyler Moore paved the way for women on TV today, and I laugh at pretty much anything Lily Tomlin does; but I'm 35, and I had to ask my 45-year-old girlfriend what was going on half the time, so I can't imagine how the average 25-year-old viewer made it through the show without falling asleep or changing the channel. Lily Tomlin performing during the Emmys Celebration of classic TV is great, but the event should have included at least as much celebration of TV in the last year, since that's ostensibly why they have an annual ceremony. It also would have helped if their had been more diversity in the age of presenters and nominees. There aren't many good roles for women over 40 in Hollywood, but you'd never know it from their overwhelming presence among the nominees and presenters at last night's event: Diane Wiest, Betty White, Judy Dench, Mary Tyler Moore, Brooke Shields, Laura Linney, Candice Bergen, Carrie Fisher, Edie Falco, Polly Bergen, Elaine Stritch — the list goes on. Kathy Griffin introduces Don Rickles The only women under 30 even on stage at the event were America Ferrera, Hayden Panettiere and Jennifer Love Hewitt. I'm all for giving older women more visibility — I'm only a few years shy of falling into that category myself — but it's just as boring to see only women over 40 as it is to see only women under 40. And creating a program that appeals mainly to older white viewers is a bizarrely bad business strategy on ABC's part. Are they trying to drive away future audiences? Close said in her acceptance speech that she and her fellow Outstanding Actress in a Drama nominees are proving "that complicated, powerful mature women are sexy and high-entertainment and can carry a show." That's very true, and The Closer, Damages and Law and Order: SVU are among the best shows on television. But someone on the Emmy organizing committee is taking her words a little too literally. The evening's saving grace was Tina Fey — and I'm not just saying that because I'm a fan of Fey. Her skit with Amy Poehler was arguably the funniest of the night (Poehler's welcome to parrot viewers was classic). Tina Fey and Amy Poehler welcome Emmy viewers Fey's three wins for 30 Rock — in the Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series, and Outstanding Comedy Series categories — were well-deserved and fun to watch. In accepting the award for Outstanding Writer for a Comedy Series (she was the only woman nominated), Tina happily climbed on stage and gave an entertaining acceptance speech.
Tina Fey accepts the Outstanding Writer award When she accepted her second award, Fey thanked her parents for, "somehow raising me to have confidence which is disproportionate with my looks and abilities. Well done! That is what all parents should do." By the time she won her third award, she'd run out of funny speeches and was just thanking people by name. But as funny as Tina Fey's speeches were, the fact that they were the highlight of the evening underscores the problem. Take away Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (and the always funny and inclusive Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert), and what you've got left is a bunch of unfunny middle-aged white guys running things — and we all know how well that's working out for Saturday Night Live. In accepting his award for directing Pushing Daisies, Barry Sonnenfeld inexplicably told the audience to "love TV, and fear the internet." If this is the kind of programming we can expect from TV, then the people who make TV should fear the internet — because as technology improves, that's exactly where more and more viewers are going to turn to find entertainment that doesn't demean, ignore or just plain bore them. Submitted by on September 22, 2008 - 3:01am. |
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Tina Fey is the best!!!
Tina Fey is the best!!! Even without all these Emmys... :)
I'm disappointed that Chandra Wilson didn't win. She is the funniest and even when 'GA' sucks it is worth watching for her.
I'm glad I didn't watch the ceremony. So boring...
It sounds pretty much like any other award ceremony
Great review, now I'm really convinced I did not miss anything.
Could all the emphasis on old (people and TV shows) be because it was the 60th?
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-Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.
I blog, therefore, I am
Thank You Sara
"If this is the kind of programming we can expect from TV, then the people who make TV should fear the internet — because as technology improves, that's exactly where more and more viewers are going to turn to find entertainment that doesn't demean, ignore, or just plain bore them."
Exactamo and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sara Warn, Lori and the rest of the people behind AE for all that you do day in and day out to keep Rainbow entertainment a global phenomena lol..
Ok, Now back to you Willis
-<_>_<_>_<_>_<_>_<_>
When in doubt, finger something out.
Seconded!
Well
Tina Fey really was the highlight of the whole show, next year she should host, present and accept all the awards! That's a show I would definetly tune in for ;)
But didn't Sandra Oh say, her mother wished she became a doctor herself and not just pretend to be one?!
the emmys sucked this year, but fortunately they are over! YEAH LOL
heck yes
They should have Tina Fey host as well as write all of the scripted lines
Maybe then it wouldn't be crap
Unbelievable
WHAT IS PEOPLE THINKING??? I can't believe that in the 21Th century, we still have people like in the Emmy's ceremony organization, I just can't understand.
I'm very happy for Tina Fey, she deserve every award, with no doubt.
Thank you so much Sara and Lori, and all the afterellen vloggers to keep us aware of the news, and for keeping Rainbow entertainment a global phenomena
WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT YOU??
ABSOLUTLY NOTHING!
Thank you so much!!
Totally agree!
I was watching the show, and honestly was bored with all the "back in the time" TV. They could've done a much better job. And I LOVE Tina Fey!
lesbian without bordersthank you sarah for the
thank you sarah for the review,
I was so annoyed by the show when I watched it. I was so naive that when the host including Heidi Klum entered the stage I was thinking: oh cool that she wears this man suit, even some gender bending associations slightly came across my thoughts. haha. some minutes later I really had to switch the programme !
totally agree
extol? not the word you wanted
"Barry Sonnenfeld inexplicably extolled the audience to "love TV, and fear the internet.""
Uh, I think you mean exhort or something. extol means "to praise." that would be pretty inexplicable indeed.
but then again, this whole post mystifies me. i thought it was an unusually great night for women. and how could younger women have been nominated? for what? gossip girl? the hills? older women are the only ones doing any actual acting on tv. the younger ones can show up when they grow up.
also? "The entire evening seemed devoted to the '60s and '70s, for no particular reason I could figure out"-it was actually pretty obvious why. they were celebrating milestones because it was the 60th emmy show.
and if people don't know what Laugh-In is, it's high time they learned! i'm 22 and i didn't feel confused at any point.
whatever.
I'm with you
It just sounds like the writer isn't in TV at all- probably not the best person to write commentary on the Emmys. I did appreciate pointing out the sexism though. It's even clearer the Academy is still being run by The Man when that ish is "funny."
I wish there had been more mention of how ludicrous it was to watch people who deliver an average of 10, usually scripted, lines per episode and don't even have to act them, be awarded and celebrated all night long for that crap. Isn't paying them award enough? They're not even announcers! I was like OK, Heidi gets mad props for EPing but NOT for this!!!!! And man, Howie, after all those years on the circuit and on TV, this is where it all ends?? Man!
Personally, I was more offended by the inexplicable entrance of BLACK PEOPLE IN CHOIR ROBES when Josh Groban was singing the Jeffersons theme song, all of them looking so damned happy to be backing up the White man singing the gospel influenced theme song a to a show ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE. Whereas, when he had to do Cartman and Kenny, he was left to his own devices.
Sarah you leave me in awe.
The emmys bored the hell out of me, and insulted me so much I stopped watching after about 40 minutes in.
Tell me. How does a 35 year old white girl ALWAYS get it so right? You're the best.
I can appreciate some things, but...
...not most of last night.
I watched pretty much the entire thing (I'll admit that I muted my television and watched internet clips-which I should fear?-when I got bored or didn't care about who had won), and Sarah's very accurate. I'm in my 20s, and while I watched Mary Tyler Moore as a kid and still watch M*A*S*H, most of the tributes or whatever they did went over my head. I get that I'm supposed to have respect for these great shows, but I don't know anything about them. It would've been nice to have some newer classics up there, too (they did have Seinfeld, but that's as recent as they got).
The whole thing was kind of disheartening; it's not that I didn't WANT to care, I just couldn't muster up the energy to want to sit through speech after speech of random guy I've never heard of from random show I've never seen. And yes, Tina Fey was certainly my highlight as well (how could she not be?). If it wasn't for her, I think I might've turned the whole thing off completely. I just really wanted to see her win (plus, she was up against America Ferrera, and that's a competition worth caring about).
"No problem is insoluble, given a big enough plastic bag."
Wow, sounds like a
Wow, sounds like a particularly awful year.
I can't believe Lori is 45!!!
Yes
I'm sorry you had to sit through that Sarah,
The high point of the Emmys
Amen to that sista!
Christina Hendricks looked like a goddess. And the women of Dexter looked great too!
And I'm sooooooooooooooo happy Mad Men won. It's the best show on TV (after Pushing Daisies). The scripts are smart and multifaceted. The production values are terrific for what has to be a low budget show (I don't imaging AMC has a lot of money to spend). And it does a fantastic job of pointing out just how far we've come, and just how far we still need to go in terms of addressing sexism, racism, homophobia, and anti-Semitism.
As for the rest of the show: Ricky Gervais was genuinely funny, but everything else was one GIANT snoozefest. And Three and a Half Men...nominated for best comedy? Really?? REALLY??? I shudder to think.
Mokay?!!
Leporsy
not so sure
Diversity
I don't think that people of color should win just because they're people of color and certainly, I don't believe that Sarah thinks that either. To some extent, this is a commentary on Hollywood itself--despite it's "liberal" leanings, it still hasn't offered a space for men and women of color to access prominent roles. But in situations where people of color have achieved prominence, the Academy seems unwilling to offer their praise. So, yes, I do think that there are more men and women of color who deserved nominations, at the very least, and, in some cases, wins over their counterparts...not because they're people of color, but because they delivered better performances.
There's no one in the world that can convince me that Chandra Wilson didn't deserve the Supporting Actress Emmy. I appreciate Dianne Wiest's work on In Treatment, but there's no way it comes close to providing the heart and soul that Wilson delivers on Grey's. Miranda Bailey is one of the best characters on television today and the fact that the actress that portrays her hasn't gotten an Emmy is an injustice.
Also, an injustice? Phyllicia Rashad, apparently, doesn't have an Emmy. I'm not saying she should've won over Laura Linney last night (I didn't see John Adams), but still...Claire Huxtable does not have an Emmy?
But that's one case of someone who got nominated and still got overlooked...what about the folks who just didn't get nominated? Like Ana Ortiz from Ugly Betty (who, quite frankly, deserved the nomination more than Vanessa Williams). And not one single man of color included in the major acting categories? What about Chi McBride on Pushing Daisies or Tracy Morgan on 30 Rock or Guillermo Diaz or Page Kennedy on Weeds? All worthy of Emmy consideration, all parts of shows whose white counterparts were nominated, and yet no nomination...and to make matters worse, Jeremy Piven picks up the award again. Ugh.
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"The spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right..." - Judge Learned Hand, The Spirit of Liberty
When people say
"golden age"
I think the idea is that if you're only coming up with white men as your nominees and winners, your criteria for excellence may be a bit biased. Just the fact that Boston Legal continues to be nominated for best drama, best actor, etc. completely undermines the credibility of the Emmys for me. I watched only about the last 15 minutes.
The reason there was such a focus on old shows is that the theme this year was the golden age of television. I didn't have a problem with that. Appealing to younger people who know nothing about classic TV is not a big concern of mine. But the reversion to 1960s humor was sexist and totally lame.
Thank you Sarah, I could
Thank you Sarah,
I could not watch the ceremony due to time difference and i preferred to go to sleep. But after reading your article i think it is the best thing i could have done..what a waste of time of ceremony..not only i am disappointed because of all the things you mention, but also because of both Brooke Shields and Heidi Klum's docile, servile and submissive willingness to accept to take part in those "jokes". If Heidi Klum needs to let men rip off her clothes to be "payed attention" and Shields likes that stupid farce of smiling happily when a man touches her backside..it's incredible, very sad, and means that both of them don't respect themselves as women (or well, that maybe the check they gave them to make such idiot performances was blank or very big, which means that they are sold out, which does not make them any better either..) If women accept to take part in these kind of "inoffensive" paraphernalia and sperpentic shows, that does not make any good to women in general, because you're right Sarah, what year is this??God, 2 centuries of feminism just to end like this?? Are we going to be able to get rid of male-chauvinism anytime soon?
That was just bad
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were great! Not to mention, I am glad that Fey won 3 times becuase not only is she talented but her talent really shine through on 30Rock; it's a great show.
Other than that the show was horrible! I am 22 and I didn't understand that whole Lily Tomlin thing nor did I get the whole Smothers Brothers tribute. I understand wanting to pay tribute to truely great shows, and maybe this is just my age talking here, but I have never heard of those. I know MASH was great but again, WTF? I am thinking they either needed a theme for the show or they needed time fillers. Either way, it was just bad.
O yeah we can't forget the first 10 minutes of the 5 hosts getting 0 laughs
Respectfully disagree
I agree that last night's show was disappointing and below average, but to me that was mostly because of the sheer amount of great nominees that got hideously robbed of an award, among them Chandra Wilson, Vanessa Williams, Hugh Laurie, Neil Patrick Harris and, my biggest disappointment of all, Kristin Chenoweth. The writing was also less than stellar, and having the five hosts attempt to "improvise" a bit was in retrospect a Really Bad Idea. But I think that taking it as a strike against people of colour is taking a bit too far. Don't get me wrong, I am a person of colour myself, but I still don't feel particularly wronged in that regard by last night's show. I'm also not taking the lack of female nominees in Writing and Directing categories as a personal affront. Perhaps the current most buzzed about shows' best episodes only had male directors. I am often prone to overanalyzing everything, but sometimes it's only going to make you unnecessarily bitter, and I think this is one of those times. JMO.
I also don't think Tina Fey was the saving grace (that would have been Kristin Chenoweth and Neil Patrick Harris presenting together, much to my surprise), but that's only because I don't think she's the greatest thing since sliced bread, and I found her wins very predictable. But since I'm pretty much alone in that, I will shut up now.
I am often prone to
I am often prone to overanalyzing everything, but sometimes it's only going to make you unnecessarily bitter, and I think this is one of those times.
I agree.
Rocket Surgery
re: Rocket Surgery
Yes, yes, that's exactly what we are saying. That, and the rest of the ceremony was racist and sexist.
Also, Heidi Klum looked much better in the suit.
When winners are actually losers
Winners
Several of the commenters have already mentioned others that should have won, so I won't repeat them here...
That's exactly the point. It's not as if the culture is not sexist and racist, and that the Emmys are/should be offending everyone - rather the Emmys are an expression of a sexist, racist culture, and SW was just pointing that out. This article was the equivelent of your "venting your hatred".
Also, the lack of women and people of color in certain categories(director, etc.) points to their marginalization in the industry, an even larger problem.
By the way, I rather liked the emphasis on older women - we worship youth too much in this culture as is.
Ms. Pointy
I beg to differ
I agree. I actually think
Sexism
Thank you, Sarah, for writing about the disgusting sexism that occurred on the show. I watched about 5 minutes of the show and I'm so thankful I didn't see the Heidi Klum or Brooke Shields incidents. How atrocious! Thank you for exposing this to the masses who didn't watch the show so it doesn't go unchecked. I can't believe they would show men ripping clothes off a woman so she can be "interesting" and touching a woman inappropriately (without her consent -- or at least it was supposed to appear that way) and continuing to do so even after she (sort of) calls him out for it. As if we don't have enough sexual harrassment and rape occurring...let's make it entertainment! Although judging from pop culture, it already is entertainment for television's target audience (obviously, straight men). I am so irate I feel like I'm just rambling incoherently (I probably am) but I just don't see how this continues to be not only allowed but encouraged, yet watching two men or women who are in a loving relationship kiss (ahem, As the World Turns...is that on ABC?) is not allowed. I guess it goes unchecked because we let it... I mean I haven't seen any comments yet about this portion of the article. Speak up!! Hold people accountable! This must end!
Best TV Moment
I didn't see it either. It
I thought the clips where
John Adams
I do not typically watch award shows, but I was very excited to hear that John Adams won as many awards as they did. That was one of the most amazing mini series I've seen in a very long time.
Laura Linney had the Lead Actress in a Mini series in the bag. She was absolutely phenominal as Abagail Adams. I apprecite all of the other nominated actresses, but it would have been an injustice if someone else had won.
I am surprised at some of what I read in this article about the sexism though. Very surprising actually. Had I been watching the awards I wouldn't have thought much of the writing at all to include that sort of smut.
_________
Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.
"Reality?"
It was all a little bit too much "reality" TV for me. In my neighborhood, this lack of diversity is an every day occurence. I was glad I taped it and could fast forward. It only took me about twenty minutes to get through the good parts, of which most were of Tina Fey.
www.SeekingSaraSummers.com
I love to watch award shows
But yesterday I was lost half of the time, actually more than that but I decided to be happy about the fact that I was watching it without the crappy translators.
Also when Glenn Close gave her speech I was literally clapping, who knew "that complicated, powerful mature women are sexy and high-entertainment and can carry a show." I was shocked at this!
Tina Fey´s speech was awesome, both of them, and I immediately thought there was going to be some buzz about it here hehe.
I loved Glenn's speech too!
The Emmy Award show that couldn't decide what it wanted to be.
Well, first of all it was obvious that they didn't learn their lesson from last year and not only had Ryan Seacrest (Ryan opening 2007) back...they invited along 4 other reality tv hosts. Oy. But at least they didn't do theater-in-the-round again.
The show seemed to have too many personalities...and I didn't like most of them.
I don't think I can fault who turned out to be the winners because in each category I had more than one I was rooting for...and frankly, I didn't get to see everything that was nominated...so I really cannot judge. Hopefully, people saw the shows and voted according to who they liked best in each category based on the performances.
Starting with a YAY for Oprah doing a great and intelligent and interesting opening...but that was quickly erased when...
BOO...to Ryan, Howie Mandell, Jeff Probst for so lamely take up valuable airtime...and someone in charge thinking it would be funny.
YAY to Heidi Klum in a suit.
BOO to having men rip that suit off of her on stage. I guess it is okay for Hollywood to be sexist but they can mock it in the presidential campaign. That was so low, they should find out who was responsible and fire their butt for it.
YAY to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler being teamed up and doing a bit that was actually funny and not insulting.
BOO to forcing Craig Ferguson (who seemed so uncomfortable with the bit that he wanted to be sure no one thought it was his idea) and Brooke Shields to be sexist and insulting yet again.
YAY to teaming up Mary Tyler Moore and Betty White to present an award.
YAY to teaming up America and Vanessa to present an award.
YAY to Laura Linney, Tina Fey and Glenn Close winning.
YAY and BOO to the honoring of the various shows of the past. The choices and how they were honored seemed so random and uneven...it was hard to follow along. I thought someone from the cast of M*A*S*H was going to show up since Laugh In and the Mart Tyler Moore show had reps...but no such luck.
I guess it would have maybe been nice to have a few actors from shows that are on now paired (and under 40) with actors on shows we loved in the past. They wasted pairing up Jennifer Love Hewiit and Hayden Panettiere together...and I have no idea who they paired with David Boreanaz but she took up a valuable presenting space that could have been given to someone like Olivia Wilde.
Yet, when celebrating the 6oth anniversary of the Emmys...there should be no apologies for including some tv shows that the under 40 set might not recognize.
There were shows referenced that I as a woman in my mid-40s didn't ever see when they first aired and yet I still know about them...just through reading...reading about history no matter what the subject area is always a good thing.On the nose
I'd like to add YAYs to Ricky Gervais's how to accept an award bit and Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart prune bit.
I also agree with the Ferguson assessment. I love his show and while he does utilize crass humor, and perhaps that's why the writers thought to place him in that role, his is more satirical in nature and rarely ever comes across that bad (when it does, he acknowledges it and turns it into a self deprecating joke).
In general though I agree with some of the minority dissenting opinions about this article being more snarky than the show really deserves. I watched the entire thing and was surprised at the venom in Sarah's assessment -- it definitely had more misses than hits. The Heidi part was bad although not out of context since they were banking on Shatner's Boston Legal character's womanizing ways. Everything else just fell flat or was oddly executed. The show was deserving of criticism, but I'm disappointed in reading some of the comments that focus so negatively on the show when they didn't even watch it.
Anyhow the fellow presenter with David Boreanaz was Lauren Conrad from The Hills --- very bizarre pairing in my mind and odd to me that she was even tapped to present. I doubt fans of The Hills will watch just to see her, but I think they did something like that last year with another reality contestant.
Great review.
Maybe the Klum and Shields moments were sexists, but still scripted...Klum's suit obviuosly was prepared to be ripped off, and the moment when Tom Bergeron "explained" the difference between drama and comedy, by dropping Klum to the floor....and personally, I really don't think that Brooke Shields would actually make that comment on national television if it was not scripted (I really really hope it was scripted, in a way).
I see a very thin line between the script and the celebrities that actually go along with it. Don't get me wrong, this was a great review by Sarah Warn and I completely agree with her points. But makes me think, why Klum and Shields agreed to do these scripts? Couldn't they see they were sexist? Why couldn't just say no ? heh..
Maybe they didn't say no for
I'm getting sick and tired
I'm getting sick and tired of ppl trying to shove their ideological views in every freaking thing in the world, from award cerimonies to yougurt labels. So, there wasn't a perfect, exact proportion of women and ppl ''of color'' (I didn't even know Asian counted as ''of color'', but again, I'm not American, so fortunately, don't share your country's obssession with color and race) in the show. SO WHAT?? Since when did become a good thing to have ppl of different races, and an aproximate ratio of men and women in anything? When did that suddenly become BETTER, instead of completely irrelevant, as it should be???
That article was a sorry insight into what happens when smn can't see ppl as individuals, just as ''a gender with a color on''
Um
Please hear me; this is coming from someone in the Entertainment business who knows a lot of people also in the entertainment business, where they still say a lot of stuff out loud, with a Person of Color in the room, in 2008, that wouldn't even fly in this year's US election, and the politicos have said a lot of stuff already that sounded like it came out of a wayback machine with a burning cross on the roof.
It has never been irrelevant; in fact it has always been quite intentional, with documented staff meetings on why we can't cast her or him. Or let those people kiss on camera (Sound familiar??) Although I can understand someone assuming it's irrelevant- part of the trick has always been to downplay it, since it's very difficult to rationalize racism, brutality, and discrimination otherwise. In this case, the point is that "color with a gender on"(some will argue with me here, but , two words: Emmit Till) is how people are still portrayed (and rewarded and hired) in the media. There is at least progress here (and other places) because people sometimes hold the media accountable.
And yes, Asians are proud members of the Targets of Discrimination Club, ever since internment camps..no wait the transcontinental railroad, no wait...Yeah, the wayback machine.
I sincerely doubt that it's not a problem in your country, just no one's going to talk about it or doing anything about it until those troublesome minorites start burning cars and throwing Moltov cocktails at the police or something. Then they'll give you three brown newsanchors or let them have an issue of Vogue to themselves. Just some prominent examples from countries where racism isn't a problem.