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Original poster

to wonder why the female co-presenter on Countdown has to dress like a stripper

308 replies

hamtastrophe · 21/01/2013 15:08

Just that.

Is this 2013? Just utterly depressing.

OP posts:
donburi · 22/01/2013 09:51

well there was an interview a year or so ago in which the tv network explained that they do not influence her choice of outfits. She may grow out of it but it is embarrassing to see sometimes and has dragged that prog down into the C4 trash TV category

OnwardBound · 22/01/2013 09:56

I was about to say the same thing Cocktail.

DH watches Sky Sports and I am always aghast at the disparity between the male and female presenter.

Male presenters are about 50 years old, with a little grey in their hair for gravitas and wear a plain dark coloured suit. Their physical appearance is unremarkable, as the viewer you are meant to concentrate on what they are saying not how they look.

The female presenters are about 22 years old, very pretty, with generally long blonde hair, worn loose. They are in sleeveless low cut tops/dresses which are in bright colours and are skin tight.
They look like cocktail waitresses or the girls with the clipboard at the entrance of a nightclub.

I know it's only Sky Sports but wtf!

BegoniaBampot · 22/01/2013 10:08

hope she isn't choosing those clothes or her dress sense is bloody awful.

Hullygully · 22/01/2013 10:10

Have only read OP

I KNOW

Not just her ALL female presenters, inc most newsreaders, even if not like strippers are all about the appearance

aaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

cantspel · 22/01/2013 10:18

Alex Hammond is the female blonde sky sports presenter.

Yes she has lovely loose blonde hair but she is also a very knowledgeable racing pundit. Oh and she is not 22 just blessed with youthful looks.

Judgemental much?

ALittleScatterOfRain · 22/01/2013 10:23

Women should be able to wear whatever they want (well, within reason) without it being taken as any reflection on their abilities.

However I don't think the point about Bruce and Tess is valid. They're wearing evening dress, so a dinner jacket is really his only choice and a dress of some sort for her. She couldn't wear a suit, becaise it wouldn't fit the feel of the programme (judges is evening dress etc.). However on Countdown she could wear any type of clothes, if it's her choice then that's fine.

If she feels she has to 'child's that style, it's not so good.

TooMuchRain · 22/01/2013 10:26

YANBU and this thread is quite depressing, the pressures on women to dress sexually is immense and the fact that many 'choose' to do is NOT a great success for feminism.

Would you rather her wear a habit or a birker.

It's basically the same thing; women 'choose' to weat burqas because they are educated to see themselves as sexual objects that must be covered to protect men - and equally women 'choose' to wear sexual clothing in inappropriate contexts because they have been educated to see themselves as sexual objects who are judged predominately on their self-display and other characteristics

SparkyTGD · 22/01/2013 10:27

YANBU

If it was only one woman on TV it would be ok, but it is the 'norm' in the media that women 'have' to look young & attractive.

MrsBucketxx · 22/01/2013 10:36

Would you rather watch old and ugly then?

KnightRob · 22/01/2013 10:43

I am male and watched Countdown yesterday.
I can't remember what Rachel was wearing or what colour it was, but I CAN remember two of the maths puzzles.

You may say that's a good thing. I may say it's depressing!

ALittleScatterOfRain · 22/01/2013 10:49

Sorry, was on the app. That should say

If she feels she has to 'choose' that style...

AnyFucker · 22/01/2013 10:52

Are "old" and "ugly" synonymous in your world, mrsbucket?

That must be a scary place to inhabit

Thisisaeuphemism · 22/01/2013 10:54

"Would you rather watch old and ugly then?" - Bloody hell, I can't believe anyone would say that.

I would rather watch women who reflected the massive diversity of woman around me: young, middle aged and old, plain and pretty, fat and thin, not some identikit of young women in tight clothes.

In isolation, the female co-presenter's sexy look is not a problem. The fact that 80% of women on TV look like her is.

SpicyPear · 22/01/2013 10:55

That's the issue rain. She has a "choice" between staying young-looking, being slim, dressing provocatively and being on TV or not doing those things and not having a job on TV. It's hardly a real choice and definitely not one men have to make.

Anyone who thinks she would get away with not dressing that way and still have a job is deluded.

MurderOfGoths · 22/01/2013 11:33

"the pressures on women to dress sexually is immense and the fact that many 'choose' to do is NOT a great success for feminism"

If it is a genuine choice rather than something they feel they have to do then I don't see how that would be bad for feminism. And so far no one know whether this case is a genuine choice or not.

The problem is, by saying that dressing provocatively is never a choice then you are essentially saying that people have to dress a certain way (ie. not provocatively). And then we are still telling women what they have to wear and not allowing them to make a choice.

Should repeat that I totally agree that there is pressure on women in general. But wanting all women to stop dressing that way is actually not improving things.

ps. I'd ignore mrsbucket. Either she's deliberately trying to get a rise, or she's vile enough to think that crap and is not going to change her views.

MurderOfGoths · 22/01/2013 11:33

"In isolation, the female co-presenter's sexy look is not a problem. The fact that 80% of women on TV look like her is."

Absolutely.

AnyFucker · 22/01/2013 11:37

Mrsbuckethead has a hilarious habit of wedging in a quick jab of misogyny whenever he sees an opportunity.

gotthemoononastick · 22/01/2013 11:40

Maybe they thought the program would go out later....cocktail wear if you know what I mean...strawclutching...being kind.

MrsBucketxx · 22/01/2013 11:41

The media is looks oriented, thats just the way it is,

My doctor is a middle aged woman, I don't expect her to look a certain way,

Vile woman at your service murderofgoths ;)

fluffyraggies · 22/01/2013 12:08

"Would you rather watch old and ugly then?" - Bloody hell, I can't believe anyone would say that.

I would rather watch women who reflected the massive diversity of woman around me: young, middle aged and old, plain and pretty, fat and thin, not some identikit of young women in tight clothes.

^^ this.

It is quite possible she is perfectly happy wearing these clothes to do her job, and it's her choice.

I'm cynical enough to believe, however, that she got the job because she's perfectly happy to wear these clothes to do her job, not in spite of it.

Really, can anyone honestly say they think the appearance the majority of female tv presenters is a reflection of the way an average woman looks? I don't. It's blatantly obvious that looks are at least no.2 (if not no.1) on the list of attributes necessary to get a job on telly if you're a woman these days.

drjohnsonscat · 22/01/2013 12:16

Mrs Bucket have you ever seen Bruce Forsyth?

HeathRobinson · 22/01/2013 12:17

Hmm, fil never misses an episode of Countdown.

SparkyTGD · 22/01/2013 12:19

I'd be happy to have 'young and/or attractive' rules on TV if it applied to the men too.

Maybe Gary Barlow could present all the programmes on TV , or Harry Styles ?

No more Brucie, Eamon Holmes...