Do you ever hear feminists complaining about sexism on the small screen and wonder exactly what it is they have a problem with? Do you find yourself searching the TV supplement with a magnifying glass, trying to find evidence of this so-called “male gaze”, or the mythical “patriarchy”?
(If you’re anything like me – i.e. a tiresome, man-hating feminist who would rather plait her overgrown underarm hair than engage with popular culture – it’s rather more difficult, when it comes to Australian broadcasting, to find a TV show that doesn’t display some level of sexism.)
Well, today you’re in luck. Looking for a handy guide to sexist telly? Come, frolic with me, through fields of boofheads.
Let’s start with the obvious one:
Where to from here? Well, you could watch
Any gladiatorial weight-loss show -
If you’re up early, why not channel surf between
Women! What are they if not interchangeable wedding participants? Why, just tune in to
How about either of the Big Two Soaps?
Or if it’s just a light sprinkling of casual sexism you’re after, how about
Looking ahead, perhaps you are a dumb and buxom babe who would like to apply for the upcoming season of
Sexism on TV: do you believe me now?
Clem Bastow is a writer and film/TV critic