I thought this would interest some of you. We talked about the tanking ratings for Colbert [and gloated]. CNN published an article by a young lady and you won't believe what she saw as the REAL problem... Stephen Colbert is a man! That's it, Colbert should be a woman, Stephanie Colbert??? So Gender Equality has attacked the Late Night circuit's "glass ceiling".. We can no longer tolerate this!!! Spread the word!!! We have another reason, more PC one, NOT to watch Colbert. So I feel a lot better not watching. TM ***************************** By Dasha Burns, September 9, 2015
Hillary Clinton is gearing up to become the first major female presidential nominee. And on the other end of the nation-rocking spectrum, a surge of female comedic talent continues to sweep the entertainment industry with successful TV shows such as "Broad City" and "Inside Amy Schumer" and movies such as "Pitch Perfect," "Bridesmaids" and anything with Melissa McCarthy.
But while these cracks in the glass ceiling keep spreading, one of America's most popular vestiges of "Mad Men"-esque chauvinism clings tightly to its old ways. As Stephen Colbert's debuts on CBS' "The Late Show," and Trevor Noah ramps up the promos for his "Daily Show" takeover, the country's favorite late-night shows remain unshakeably dominated by men.
Since the 1950s, the late-night talk show host has been a beloved American institution -- from Jack Parr to Johnny Carson to David Letterman and Jay Leno. But excluding a short stint from Joan Rivers in the 1980s, network late night has never had a female host. There may be a few examples of female comedians with cable shows, but men host all of the big-ticket, mainstream franchises.
It is wonderfully hilarious, in fact, that actress Lauren Graham has landed a development deal from NBC for a new sitcom about a female late-night host, "Kate on Later." She'll join the vicarious-living ranks of fictionally powerful women Katniss Everdeen, Xena the Warrior Princess and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It's like saying: "You're just as likely to fight in 'The Hunger Games' as you are to host a late-night talk show."
Why does all of this matter? Gender inequality anywhere is a problem, and late night is particularly influential in American culture.
Late-night hosts have the power to test the mighty and mock the notorious. As they schmooze with celebrities and heads of state, these hosts can hold the most cultural capital available to humans who aren't Beyoncé.
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They combine on-screen prominence with behind-the-scenes creative, strategic and logistical control. Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers -- these guys have complete power over every element on and off camera. That is why -- while I hope to be laughing my pants off with a female late-night host sometime soon -- I'm afraid I'll be wetting my adult diaper before it happens. ******** [Oh!!! nice talk young lady!!! That's not funny!!! Look at you, you young pretty thing. You shouldn't be joking about the diaper condition that afflicts millions of the elderly.That right there is age-ism, is it not my friends? TM] ************** Consider: Late-night hosts must embody two core qualities simultaneously -- humor and leadership. The host must charm the audience and make them laugh while owning the stage and taking charge of the show.
This poses a problem for women.
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How can a woman present herself as a funny leader or commanding comedian when our expectations of female leaders in general don't allow for vulnerability (where comedians find their golden content), and our expectations for female comedians don't allow us to imagine them taking charge?
We've created a paradox that's a problem.
This goes beyond a double standard. It forces women into an impossible trap where they must flatten themselves. And it's perpetuated by everyone who has the power to break the status quo.
By now I'm sure you are so curious that you'll click on the link to see what MUST BE DONE about this inequity! DO NOT become one of those who asks the impertinent question. "Why does all of this matter?"
The answer is obvious: "Gender inequality anywhere is a problem, and late night is particularly influential in American culture." TM
******* The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil ... but by those who watch them and do nothing. -- Albert Einstein