A A Gil

[realhousewifeofdevoncounty]

Just watching the Andrew Marr show. Apparently AA Gil of the Daily Mail has said that Mary Beard who presents the series if documentaries on the Romans is too unattractive for tv! Dear lord. There are plenty of unattractive male presenters who present programs because they are an authority on the subject, Simon schama it even Andrew Marr for instance. Sorry if this is old news but I was horrified and I couldn't see a thread about it.
Apparently Mary invited Gil to her university for a debate on the subject, but of course he declined, probably because as Andrew pointed out, he realises he is far less intelligent than her and would be shown up for the fool he really is!

[realhousewifeofdevoncounty]

Sorry for the typos, am rubbish on my phone.

[realhousewifeofdevoncounty]

I should also point out that I personally think she looks fine to me (why this matters anyway I don't know) and I actually think she is marvellous at what she does and an incredibly interesting woman.

[Elfontheedge]

I think it's wonderfully refreshing to see a woman on tv who looks a bit eccentric and different. There are so few women on tv in the field of history and natural history as it is and they are all young attractive types. Mary Beard's program is fantastic. AA Gill however is a horrible man.

[trice]

Mary Beard is wonderful. aa gill for example is a twat.

[Mopswerver]

Oh he's just one of those "Jeremy Clarkson" public school types who never developed beyond adolescence. Saying outrageous things is a sure way of getting attention. Ignore the arsehole.

[realhousewifeofdevoncounty]

I don't think she is that different though! She looks like most middle aged academic types I know. Don't know why even that should be such a novelty! She know a lot about the subject, hence she is presenting a programme on it. I do like how she says shit a lot though !

[roundtable]

He's the same charming soul that refers to his wife as ' the blonde'. He also was rude about another woman's appearance who is on tv, although I can't recall the names.

He's a silly adolescent man.

[Elfontheedge]

Exactly. She is a middle aged academic. Not s typically telegenic look. The only other female historian on tv who springs to mind is Bettany Hughes all brunette and sexified.

[RoxyRobin]

Look, he's a controversialist and enjoys making mischief. I find his columns entertaining even though I very often disagree with them or am annoyed by them.

Not that it should make any difference, but he has managed to succeed in the very tough world of journalism despite his dyslexia, and I would have thought that would have been regarded as an achievement by mners.

Finally, he is a standard-bearer for 'political correctness' when it is almost universally sneered at in the press

Professor Beard is an expert in her field and has the common touch, but I do wonder whether the BBC is guilty of presenting her as a cliche, the batty old dame of Academia.

[realhousewifeofdevoncounty]

Surely it is politically correct to not judge a woman's worth purely on her looks though? Just a thought...

[RoxyRobin]

I can't believe I'm coming to the defence of AA Gill, but anyhow ... I read his article last week in the Sunday Times (not the Daily Mail; it was Mary Beard who wrote the article there - Gill has never written for the Mail) and he did not say that she was too unattractive for tv. He said: She's this far from being the subject of a Channel 4 dating documentary' before going on to give a critique of her manner in presenting 'Meet the Romans'. Which, I have to say, reflects my own feelings; the 'eccentricity' schtick is being played up to add to popular appeal.

It was other commentators following in Gill's wake who criticized her appearance - notably Anne McElvoy in the Evening Standard who had much more of a go at her than Gill, who seems to have copped the blame.

[SardineQueen]

Try this thread with mary beard on it!

[SardineQueen]

"the batty old dame of Academia"

charming

[SardineQueen]

I mean, she's a highly intelligent woman and as expert in her field.

Maybe rather that the BBC "presenting" her as anything, she is presenting herself as she actually is. Which is an intelligent, engaging, middle aged woman.

[UnChartered]

Mop

i'm sure AA Gil and Clarkson are RL mates. figures

[NicholasTeakozy]

I've been watching her series and I think she's the right person for the job. She knows her subject and her obvious enthusiasm is infectious.

AA Gill is the chap that called Clare Balding a dyke on a bike which was fucking disgraceful. I absolutely luffs Balders.

[realhousewifeofdevoncounty]

Plus why can't the fact that she is batty old bird be ploy to attract viewers anyway? For years the fact that many female presenters are young and busty was used to attract viewers and that apparently is acceptable? I just think she us being herself and as she is entertaining and an expert on the subject she is right for the job? There are lots of male "eccentrics" on tv. Is eccentricity only acceptable in men and women must by default be attractive and personality is optional, undesirable even?

[realhousewifeofdevoncounty]

Sorry, way too many typos and question marks in that post...

[SardineQueen]

Did you click that link realhouswife you can read what mary thought about the comments herself.

[realhousewifeofdevoncounty]

Oh was she actually on the thread? I see! Sorry can't link to threads on my phone but I'll try and search for it in a bit. What did she say? I dud google earlier and see an article in guardian or somewhere where she more or less says, "I'm quite happy with my looks, ta very much!", but tbh I don't think she should be having to justify herself in that way tbh!

[SardineQueen]

She says that aa gill is an arse, basically.
But that it's still not nice to read things like that about yourself and it's sad that sexism is still so prevalent.

[roundtable]

That's it Clare Balding. Thank you!

[EchoBitch]

AA Gill's a tosser...ignore him.


And he dresses like a pimp.