Gogglebox. Ageism on tv towards women.

[rafthoggerrose]

Gogglebox in particular?
Nearly every week they show Debbie McGee performing brilliantly and every week the googleboxers take the pee out of her. (interestingly, they rearely show the other performers)
Now I'm neither a fan, or not a fan of Debbie McGee, I don't even know that much about her except she was married to Paul Daniels and used to be his assistant.
But, she's been brilliant on Strictly and obviously keeps herself fit and active and has worked hard.
So why the constant jibes about her age?
There's almost a ''Woman! think of your age! mentality. You shouldn't be doing all of that''

It's not only Googlebox.
I've noticed it happening a lot, across the board. It's as if all women over 50 should be sat in a corner crotcheting and looking after their grandchildren and baking cakes. People think that's 'acceptable'
Anybody of a certain age who is fairly active and takes up a physical sport or hobby is made fun of and is fair game for ridicule.

Why, in this day and age, when other 'isms' are carefully avoided, is ageism allowed to stand (and in the case of GB, blatantly encouraged) on tv/

This whole thing really bothers me, because I recently turned 60 and have worked hard to turn my life around. I'm the fittest I've ever been, more so than I was in my 20s and 30s and most of my hobbies are 'physical'.
I hate the thought that people are possibly making fun of me

Do men experience the same level of ageism?

[rafthoggerrose]

Forgot to add.
They didn't make fun of the older people doing the road trip, because it didn't involve anything physical.
Seems to be when older women attempt physical things that makes them a figure of fun?

[rafthoggerrose]

Anybody?
No thoughts on this? At all?

[Hogtini]

I would hardly call it 'constant jibes'. I think it was only Mary that commented on her age. Everyone else seemed really positive about her? 'Go on girl' 'here's our favourite little pocket rocket' etc. I think you're just focusing on the more negative comment here and perhaps Mary is only saying that because she is of the same/similar age and she thinks she personally wouldn't do that 'at her age'

[CherryZee]

Debbie McGee is a former professional ballet dancer and runs her own ballet school. That's why she's so fit, and obviously has a talent for dancing. She was always going to be really good at it. I think it's
odd that they would invite a professional dancer to compete, tbh.

[TheNaze73]

I think you’re proactively looking for negatives here.

[Mynametodaywillbe]

Given the fact that there are many older women as the viewers on Gogglebox I think it's a strange choice of show to label in this way. When talking about Strictly they usually just focus on the stand out performances - good or bad.

[rafthoggerrose]

I don't think I am.
Purposefully looking for negatives that is.
Or maybe you do notice the negatives as you get older?

''Giovanni's giving her a new lease of life''
''is that why she's trying so hard?''
''Maybe that's not all he's giving her''
''Oh no"" ''Oh no''
''She's 59! For goodness sake!''
''must be a milf''

[rafthoggerrose]

Yes, I shouldn't only be focusing on Gogglebox and Strictly.
I have only used those as examples.

I think I wanted to open up a discussion as to why programmes are so careful about discrimination in other areas, but older people (especially older women) seem to be fair game for being mocked.
Yes, it is often disguised as compliments, but there's a mocking undertone to it.
Probably comes under 'casual discrimination' or something similar.

And you are right, some of those doing the mocking were older themselves.but, interesting, they seemed to be the unfit 'couch potatoes' who were making fun.
Maybe they think it shows them up?
A case of 'well if she's doing all that people might expect me to be fitter' so I'll make fun instead.

[ErnesttheBavarian]

I've only seen GB once recently, and it really stood out to me how amazingly positive they all were about Debbie M? The 2 (yorkshire?) sisters were going on at length about how great her legs were, how fit she is, what a great dancers she is etc. Maybe it was just that one episode, but definitely very positive when I saw it.

[Titsywoo]

Lighten up love

[rafthoggerrose]

Lighten up love

Yeah, slightly patronizing.
Next you'll be telling me to calm down dear

[shutitandtidyupgitface]

I don't really see the problem with the comments you have quoted. From watching it, I thought they seemed very positive and the point was they were admiring her for being nearly a pensioner but doing so well and being so fit?

I think you have a bit of an issue and are looking for offense, tbh.

[Slarti]

I got the opposite impression, they seem to be very positive about DM on Goggle Box. Perhaps there have been some negative comments as well but that would mean balance rather than the negativity you perceive. There's no rule saying older women cannot be criticised or made fun of like anyone else, after all.

[Frege]

I don;t watch Gogglebox or Strictly so can't comment on the specifics. However, I certainly agree that television is awash with sexism and ageism, as is all of our culture.

[TheFairyCaravan]

Oh give over!

It's watch Gogglebox every week and every time they show Debbie McGee the vast majority of them say she's doing well, she's brilliant, how they couldn't do it. The positives far outweigh the negatives.

I think you're looking for something to whinge about

[DownTheChimney]

I agree with the others, you are seeing things that aren't there.
CherryZee we say that every week - "of course she's gonna be good she's a bloody professional dancer...."

[rafthoggerrose]

I certainly agree that television is awash with sexism and ageism, as is all of our culture.

Not just me then.

I don't go looking for it.
But once you've noticed it once, it's difficult not to notice it.

[rafthoggerrose]

I think you're looking for something to whinge about

Now now. Keep yer shoes on!
Nothing to say we can't have an opinion.

[TheFairyCaravan]

Now now. Keep yer shoes on!
Nothing to say we can't have an opinion.

The fucking irony!

[shutitandtidyupgitface]

But once you've noticed it once, it's difficult not to notice it

Once you have determined it is there, you will find it.

It's sad that you see positive comments as negative though.

[rafthoggerrose]

Now now. Keep yer shoes on!
Nothing to say we can't have an opinion.

The fucking irony!

Not nice is it?

[rafthoggerrose]

Once you have determined it is there, you will find it.

Imagine if people had that attitude when it came to other forms of discrimination?
Maybe we should tell them:
''You're imagining it''
''Stop looking for it''

I give up.

[shutitandtidyupgitface]

Of course we should tell them they are imagining it, when we have shown that they are. Why wouldn't you?

We're all watching the same programme. We all heard the comments. You have decided that positive comments are somehow negative. Why should we agree with you when it isn't true?

[stopfuckingshoutingatme]

I think it's because she is the 'star' this year . I don't see it as ageist- as many people like her !! I think it's genuine surprise as quite how nimble she is

[Insomnibrat]

The problem with Debbie McGee isn't her age, I don't know what it is about her, I had this conversation last night, I loved Bonnie Langford in Dancing on Ice. It ISN'T McGee's age.....she's just....unlikeable and apparently, the nation seem to agree with me.

FWIW, June and Leon and several of the goggleboxers are much older than McGee and are loved by the nation so, you know.....