Baywatch
Beginning in 1989, not long after after the sensationalism over girls like "Daisy Duke" from Dukes of Hazzard, came Baywatch-a hit television lasting throughout the entire 1990's. Although some may argue that the girls were just being comfortable with their bodies, this more risque show mostly showed women as brainless objects of affection. Rather than strengthening the ideas of feminism, Baywatch seemed to be a step backwards and reintroduced the helpless, bimbo act while making real women in society feel new levels of self consciousness.
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C.J Parker played by Pamela Anderson, became one of the main sex symbols of the decade. Her character is remembered for little more than a frilly interest in things like meditation/dream interpretation, and most importantly for seductively running down the beaches. Women look to the media for social cues on what beauty is and what they are supposed to look like, and presenting this often barely clothed character enhanced women's feelings of discomfort with their own bodies.
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Summer Quinn was quite often the weak, damsel-in-distress, always needing a man to save her. She ran away from her mother's abusive ex boyfriend, and when the man returned, she had to be saved by a male character (Matt Brody). She was even too scared to jump off the pier and had to be helped by this same character in order to overcome her fear. Summer ended up moving away from the beach because of a break-up. Along with her many issues with letting men rule her life, Summer's character also developed an eating disorder, showing just how much appearance mattered. In fact, according to the National Eating Disorders Association, the incidence of bulimia in women ages 10-39 tripled between 1988-1993, right around the time that these super thin actresses were showing concern about their wei
Baywatch is credited for putting more half-clothed women on television and most famously known for introducing the sensual, slow motion scenes. The video to the below is a collection of various scenes (many with this infamous slow motion technique) suggestively portraying the character C.J Parker throughout the series.
Baywatch is credited for putting more half-clothed women on television and most famously known for introducing the sensual, slow motion scenes. The video to the below is a collection of various scenes (many with this infamous slow motion technique) suggestively portraying the character C.J Parker throughout the series.
Sex and the City
The late 90's brought upon a major change in the way women were portrayed on television. Premiering in 1998, Sex in the City pushed the limits of what was appropriate for television, attacking many controversial issues concerning femininity, promiscuity and safe sex. Although the show raised many eyebrows, it was a huge stepping stone in tackling social stereotypes and how women were portrayed on television. In this post feminism world of the 70's and 80's, Sex in the City's characters, with issues relatable to everyday women, sent out the message that women can be strong, sexy, and successful all on their own.
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Carrie Bradshaw is not only a single, successful member of the writing staff for the "New York Star", but specializes as a sex columnist. Contrary to the female characters that were shown on television just a decade before, she managed to make a respectable living for herself out of her sexuality instead of hiding it and depending on a man. Although she shows momentary weakness throughout the series during break-ups with various boyfriends, she always came back strong and continued dating without making it the main focus of her life.
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Samantha Jones was perhaps the most shocking and controversial female character of the entire decade, taking the contentious topic of women's sexuality to a whole new level. Unlike most before her, Samantha took pride in her various sexual relationships, many of which were meaningful, and discussing them openly without any shame. She seemed to represent a new era in which women did not have to be secretive about these types of relationships, changing the long time social norm of a woman who did not save herself for marriage as being disgraceful. She was also the oldest of the characters, somewhere in her mid-forties, but seemed to act much younger, showing that aging women can still have spunk. Her never-wavering confidence, independent success as a businesswoman, and outgoing voice made her an extremely important character when studying the changes in how women are portrayed in media.
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Charlotte York was a more typical female character, an optimistic, classy, "true romantic". Being more traditional, Charlotte saved herself for marriage. However, due to lack of sexual chemistry her marriage quickly ended, showing just how important that aspect of a relationship was to both men and women, as well as questioning whether or not that notion should still be known true for women in today's society.
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Miranda Hobbes put her career before anything else, becoming a successful lawyer all on her own. Instead of being the sweet, kindhearted, silly woman looking for a man like many characters of the past, Miranda was the cynical voice of reason, distrustful of men and doing just fine on her own.
The clip below briefly analyzes some of the feminist aspects of each of the characters in the show.
The clip below briefly analyzes some of the feminist aspects of each of the characters in the show.
Overall, the award winning show, Sex in the City, showed that women could be sexual, find love, and achieve their dreams of success. It portrayed smart women as being equal to men, as well as focusing on the importance of friendship over finding a man. Sex in the City empowered feminism and broke the stereotypes of how women should behave in society.
F.R.I.E.N.D.S
FRIENDS is considered by many to be one of the most successful TV shows to date. Airing for a decade and withholding the same main cast throughout, it shows that the topics and events portrayed on the show found a deep feeling of relation from inside the audience. FRIENDS stands out because the show did not hyper-sexualize women. The show portrayed women for who they really are; vulnerable daddy's girl, perfectionist, and quirky care-free lover.
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Rachel Green was played by Jennifer Aniston in the hit TV series "FRIENDS". We first see Rachel as an egotist who grew up spoiled by her father and throughout the show she becomes less self-centered and cares more for those around her, especially Ross whose on-screen relationship guaranteed them a spot on TV Guide's "Best TV Relationships of All Time" list. Rachel believes she can do everything herself after being cut off from her father's money and starts working in the Central Perk Cafe. By the end of the Series she is an executive for Polo Ralph Lauren. Along the way she suffered many emotional breakdowns and breakthroughs, allowing her character to feel vulnerable and allowing others to show her that it's okay to feel helpless at times because her friends will pick her back up. She is an example of the spoiled blonde finding herself and happiness in others.
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Monica Geller was the competitive, "mother hen" character in the show and a majority of the scenes take place in her apartment. Because she grew up obese and partially neglected by her parents, she wants everything in her life to be perfect and orderly which isn't possible with the friends she has. She develops into being a very successful chef at multiple restaurants and marries Chandler Bing. She comes to accept the fact that life will never be perfect, rather, the imperfections of life, relationships, and friendship is what makes life so amazing. No matter how prepared you think you are, it is never enough for what can come next.
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Phoebe Buffay is the quirky one of the group. After her mother died and her father left her, she had to fend for herself but that did not change her one bit. She is an example of remaining true to oneself through all that life can throw at you. Her friends accept her for who she is because she is so unpredictable and will help them through any predicament. She is a caring and care-free woman that doesn't mind what others think of her, she just wants to feel wanted by those closest to her.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rachel_Green
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Geller
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebe_Buffay
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_Geller
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoebe_Buffay
Saved By The Bell
Saved By The Bell was a successful television series despite being on air for only four seasons. The problems and many hiccups in these student's daily lives often involved the opposite sex, school work, sports, or family life at home. What set this series apart from other school-oriented shows is the fact that the audience was convinced that the entire show's universe was inside of the high school since we rarely see any shots from outside the locker-filled walls. The women in this show all have "alpha bitch" roles (cheerleader, overachiever, fashion queen) but are portrayed as genuine girls going through life's struggles.
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Kelly Kapowski Was the subverted cheerleader of the school. She would parade through the hallways as a supermodel would move down a catwalk. The thing that set her apart from other alpha female beauties on television? She showed, countless times, that she had a genuine heart because of her poor upbringing. She did away with the ditsy cheerleader archetype by caring about her studies, her friends, and being accepted into an Ivy League school at the end of the series. The only trope that rings true with her is the "Will They or Wont They" with Zach...spoiler, they get married.
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Lisa Marie Turtle was the token minority of the popular girls at Bayside. She was a "spoiled sweet" girl who, just like Kelly, was a genuine person despite her harsh putdowns towards those who hassled her. She is a trendy and talkative girl who fits the role of Bayside gossip queen. She grew up with Zach since grade school and was often hinted to have a small crush on him several times during the show's airing. She was accepted to the Fashion Institute of Technology upon graduation. She decides to go to the prom with Screech after four seasons of him chasing her and attempting to woo her. This goes to show her genuine caring persona that is often masked by her materialistic interests.
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Jessica Spano was our resident overachiever at Bayside and this often meant many mental breakdowns and school-related stress episodes involving her. Her biggest fear throughout high school was receiving a B-grade on any of her work. She was the class representative and gave all "go-getter" girls who watched the show a role model. She showed it was great to be diligent and hardworking in school and it was still possible to be popular and have friends. Her diligence paid off after also being accepted to an Ivy League school (Columbia) upon graduation. Slater (Mario Lopez) was her love interest on the show, fulfilling the nerd-jock relationship dream.
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/jan/29/broadcasting.tvandradio
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB121201752162527645
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-facts-eating-disorders
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096542/
http://www.hbo.com/sex-and-the-city
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB121201752162527645
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-facts-eating-disorders
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096542/
http://www.hbo.com/sex-and-the-city
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Characters/SavedByTheBell