Would anyone be interested in a Feminist critique of The Big Bang Theory?

[ShadowsCollideIsSurroundedByAd]

Inspired by the Friends thread from years ago (was it by SOH?) I watched an episode of TBBT tonight and it genuinely repulsed me.

Howard is a creepy, pushy, sex pest.

Leonard is even worse though. He's the Ross from Friends style 'nice guy'. He's nasty, manipulative, possessive, and in the episode I watched earlier, lorded over and sneered at Penny when she forgot his birthday, then made a joke out of the fact that he'd read her journal, and massively invaded her privacy.

When I first watched TBBT I thought I enjoyed it, but the raging misogyny has put me off. Any other thoughts on it?

The so called positive stereotypes for women in sitcoms have always felt patronising. It's as if the scriptwriters have cobbled them together so that they can't be accused of being sexist and as a trade off for the male characters being centre stage.

The absurdity of this statement baffles and amuses me in equal measure. Even when a show features numerous strong and admirable female characters, you still find a reason to be upset. Such is the extent of your hypersensitivity and bias that you have gone out of our way to interpret the situation in the most negative and cynical manner. In the process, you have distorted the intentions of the writers to fit in with your overly simplified and ridiculous world view.

[...] just reinforces the idea that women are in charge of the emotional caretaking rushing around in shrill and neurotic fashion looking after the men children who can get on with being funny."

What evidence is there of this in the show?

"Even when a show features numerous strong and admirable female characters, you still find a reason to be upset. "

Not at all. I would like the female characters to be 3 dimensional. I don't want all the female characters to be strong. It's not about being strong. It's about being complex.

Did you see Maggie Gyllenghel's (sp?) speech about that? It was very good.

I'm a big fan of Joss Whedon but I do worry how other people perceive his shows. I saw a thing on youtube the other day about how Wash from Firefly was constantly emasculated by Zoe but I don't believe that's how it was written at all. Some viewers just think that Zoe being strong and independent reflects badly on Wash. That's a perception which is damaging to both genders, I think.

Is anybody watching Sherlock?

It's the whole "rational arguments" bollocks isn't it. Because peoples lives, the discrimination they face, their lived experiences even their opinions are only valid if considered so by some higher authority i.e. a man. And here he is saying patriarchy doesn't exist...

Rational arguments bollocks? This amuses me. Yes... how dare I demand logical and well reasoned responses from other people in a discussion. Oh, the humanity!

Besides, how does your inability to string together a cogent set of arguments evidence of a fictional patriarchy? Opinions are only as valid as the evidence and reasoning that supports them... this is true for all who choose to share their thoughts; regardless of their gender.

"Some viewers just think that Zoe being strong and independent reflects badly on Wash"

I haven't seen that particular show do think there is a tendency in many shows to represent women as being always so strong and independent, of having all the answers whilst the male characters are the underdogs that you root for.

Also in terms of romance where the boy is chasing a girl out of his league. The hot girl is a prize for the under confident boy that you root for.

Anyone who hasn't watched Firefly should definitely check it out. Only 12/13 episodes and the option of a movie.

Wash and Zoe are definitely equals in my eyes.

If it farts like an arse, if shit comes out of it like an arse, then, you know, the probabilities are it is an MRA. Troofact.

Is that an evidence-based statement though doctor?

The evidence seems to be mounting for DoctorTwo's position.

I suspect we're going to be treated to much more of it on which to base a convincing argument of rectal behaviour.

On the contrary, DoctorTwo, I am critical of every movement which claims to seek gender equality while only giving earnest consideration to the plights of one.

This thread is about a million times funnier the tbbt. Thanks!

Exalted. That is far too a simplistic way to look at things I'm afraid. It ignores reality.

Every progressive movement in history has concentrated on the concerns of the groups that they believe to be left out by the current system.

Would you have told the civil rights movement of the 60s that they should be also campaigning for white people's rights?

Would you have expected the Chartists to also fight for the voting rights of the male landed gentry?

I suspect your position is more along the lines that gender inequality doesn't exist and nothing needs to be rectified.

In total agreement with ICJump. It's provided a very entertaining afternoon and evening!

I'm sure you stick up for womens' rights in the Middle East all the time...

Do you fuck. You exist to try to put down strong women who stand up for themselves. As another regular in FWR says, We See You.

"I'm sure you stick up for womens' rights in the Middle East all the time..."

I'm sure he's off reminding ME women's rights campaigners that Saudi men should also be allowed to drive.

Wash and Zoe are definitely equals in my eyes. Mine too. They both play to their strengths. Inara and her relationship with Mal were not my favorite but you can't have everything...

Every progressive movement in history has concentrated on the concerns of the groups that they believe to be left out by the current system. Would you have told the civil rights movement of the 60s that they should be also campaigning for white people's rights?

Of course it was necessary for this movement as well as numerous others in history to concern themselves exclusively with their woes. These people were denied the most basic of human rights and privileges; the ability to vote (without impediment), apply for a job without discrimination, be regarded justly in the eyes of law, and so forth. These are such fundamental rights that, in their absence, an individual is prevented from functioning in society.

By the same token, women's suffrage was a necessary movement in years gone by for similar reasons. However, I fail to see which fundamental rights are being denied to women in western democracies today. We have reached a point in time where they enjoy the very same social and political rights as men, and are protected from discrimination in the law.

I suspect your position is more along the lines that gender inequality doesn't exist and nothing needs to be rectified.

That is not the case; I am well aware of the existence of inequalities that affect both genders in this day and age. However, I strongly believe that modern feminist rhetoric is not the answer as it does not earnestly consider the plights of both genders.

You exist to try to put down strong women who stand up for themselves.

That is a heinous misrepresentation of my views, DoctorTwo. It is evident that you have completely misunderstood my stance and regressed to the easy, convenient conclusion. Laziness of the mind.

I'm sure you stick up for womens' rights in the Middle East all the time...

It goes without saying that a suffrage movement is a necessity in many countries today; not least of which, the ones in the middle-east.

I also liked Firefly/Serenity, and of course Buffy TVS too. I watched all of Firefly when I was on mat leave, whilst tied to the sofa feeding, and was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it.

You can't convince an MRA when they are delusional. I think they would actually implode if anyone ever managed it, all those conclusions being overwritten at once.

TBBT in my opinion, you know that way women qualify their reasoning rather than stating it as fact ... (And they wonder why we can spot men via words on a screen)

It's a whole load of exaggerated characters. The dumb blonde, the nice guy, the lecherous MRA..., the aspie scientist etc etc. None of them stand up as decent people. Sara Gilbert's cold bitch was a horror, the weak men both terrified of her and still having sex with her because it was umm available I presume. Which is rather damning on its own. If you can disengage brain it's amusing enough. But if I engage my brain I can't really watch much film/tv because I end up screaming at how women are portrayed.

And yes, I'm well aware that men are portrayed less than favourably too (#whataboutthemenz) but y'know I've only got so much fight in me, so I'm using it for women, the kind with 2 X chromosomes.

Am I the only person who thought this was going to be a really weird thread about the origins of the universe?

I'll get me coat.

Oh, girls, girls, quiet down, there's a big clever man in our midst.

I am actually loving this thread, some very articulate explanations as to why TBBT is awful and misogynistic.

I'm too pissed to fully articulate why i find it to be so loathsome. Mostly, Leonard being a giant creep.

Well Quest 'big bang' sounds a bit doesn't it?

This is a really interesting thread though. Except for the MRA popping up.

But if I engage my brain I can't really watch much film/tv because I end up screaming at how women are portrayed.

Then perhaps you should disengage your brain. And I don't just mean when you're watching film/TV, but permanently. It is not conducive to progressive thinking, and clearly, it is doing you no favours xD