Blog post 2: Lauren Brady
TV Show: The Office
This is one of my favorite shows of all time. It is just so real, yet completely unreal at the same time. I appreciate the fact that Michael Scott's blatant sexist and racist humor is drawn attention to. If I examine this television show in closer detail, however, I see that there are actually some really good messages, but also solely male-driven aspects. There is a male boss, who's only female superior - Jan Levenson - is fired for being too emotional. The receptionist, Pam, is female and submissive - plus she is regularly the victim of sexual harassment - although eventually she stands up to her terrible boyfriend and begins working on her real dream. The other 3 regular women in the office are Angela, a bitch, Meredith, an alcoholic, and Phyllis, who is overweight. To me, women aren't quite fairly portrayed on The Office.
Law and Order: SVU
Another one of my favorites, I enjoy this show a lot and when I look at it closer, it has some pretty strong female leads within a typically male-dominated profession. Olivia is half of the main duo, who is a very strong and tough yet beautiful woman who, on very rare occasion, shows her emotional side. The D.A. is also female. I really appreciate that such important parts of the justice process are played by women. Rarely do they get dominated by the majority of male workers within their office.
CSI: Miami
This police show differs quite a bit from Law and Order. There is only one female lead, and although she plays a strong woman who is quite skilled with firearms, a lot of emphasis is still put on her cleavage and overall appearance. Most women characters featured on this show are solely there as victims or sexy, seductive suspects. They are quite provocative and don't exactly portray women in a respectable, strong way.