Front Row yesterday

[OneEpisode]

I caught some of radio 4’s front row yesterday evening in the car. I’m not a regular listener so maybe someone else can put into more context? Presented by John Wilson. The section of three was about “Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK”. On Friday there was an expert, a queer man, Ginger. Interesting conversation. On BBC Sounds this section starts at just after 13 minutes. Anyway what struck me was that at about 18 min in John says “this is a bunch of men being demeaning about women” “reducing stereotypes”, “misogynistic”. Ginger explains that drag doesn’t have to be, but agreed that the format sometimes “becomes misogynistic” Critiques this format and agrees “One of the downfalls of this programme”.
I haven’t watched the programme. But they then told you when you could watch it and then at 20 minutes moved on to talk about the next topic.
And I carried on driving.
Anyway, it later struck me that if two intelligent people agreed that something was, for instance, racist, despite its positives, they wouldn’t then go on to tell us when we could watch it.
And it was weird that I didn’t think it was weird, because the target was women. Anyone?

it was weird that I didn’t think it was weird, because the target was women

Apologies One, I am tired so it’s hard to think, but this struck a chord. So many ways in which women are targeted or badmouthed, and they are so well accepted that nobody bats an eye. Sexism is so ingrained in our society that most of us don’t notice... until it’s pointed out and when you start looking, it’s everywhere.

Yes it's so ingrained people don't see it. It's that 'fish don't know water is wet' thing or whatever the phrase is. So the presenter actually made a very good point but because the word misogyny doesn't have the emotional punch of the word racism, the programme sort of stumbled over a truth but quickly got up again and carried on regardless. I think it's also why there's no official hate crime for sex, only other protected characteristics. But to give the presenter credit, I'm pathetically glad the point of about it being misogynistic was at least mentioned. Perhaps this will gain traction over time if we keep saying it.

^ yes I have never seen anyone criticise the programme, it seems to be universally praised, apart from on this board. So I am grateful that someone did it on the BBC. But I agree with your point.

Thank you. I guess because it’s everywhere it’s in my head too.