I think Jay Leno's comment should be the centerpiece of this article. "...we've reached a point where comedy is comedy - it's not male comedy or female comedy". Tell that to all the female comedians and female comedy writers who can't get jobs on Jay's (or Dave's, or Jimmy's, or Conan's) comedy show for the simple fact that they are women. Can Jay Leno ever say ANYTHING that doesn't make him look like an asshole?
Are you kidding? That's it? That is SO not the point of the article or of the issue. Yes, it is always important to point out lack of diversity, but c'mon Jezebel! You had the opportunity here to point out a MAJOR milestone in the history of women and sexism in the workplace and you blew it. very disappointing, Jezebel.
A note to Dave: If Jessica Simpson can make you look like an idiot, it's time to quit showbiz. Nice job, Jessica.
@Irin: It was certainly worth linking to and I thank you for that. Your enticing "sex bomb" headline probably attracted more people to read the article anyway. I love your writing, Irin, so I'm not trying to question your journalistic methods, I just got steamed because this is how the media in general seems to be covering the piece, and it frustrates me tha, as repetitive and un-sexy as it may be, the issue of women in the workplace still seems to be a major issue with regards to this subject, so it's just frustrating to see it become a "isn't Dave such a charming ladies man" issue. Thanks for replying though and keep up the good work!
@IrishWolf6789: By "old white male producers" I mean Rob Burnett, whom the article points out is the only one officially commenting on any of this. An old white male producer is the one speaking for all of the producers. The author of the V.F. article mkes a point of noting how no women are making any statements, but instead, this old white male producer Rob Burnett is speaking on behalf of everyone and making statements, like the one he made in reaction to N.O.W., about how there is no sexism against women in the workplace. Easy to say if your an old white male. No females from the show, executive producers or not, have come forward with any statement. Only the white male head of the company. That's what I was referring to. Maybe you should re-read the V.F. article more carefully.
I find it interesting that this is the one thing the author of this post pulled from the Vanity fair article. The gyst of the piece was NOT "Whose hotter: Bill or Dave?" In fact, I'd argue that Madeleine Smithberg's small comment about Letterman's "magnetism" was probably the LEAST interesting part of the article. The far more interesting issue (and I think far more compelling for Jezebel readers) is the issue of women in the workplace and the fact that no women from Letterman's show are allowed to speak, but instead we have old white male producers making statements about how there is absolutely no sexism at the Late Show. There are much greater women's issues here, Jezebel. And you seemed to have missed the point.
I never thought I'd be this happy to hear about a dumb stoner movie, but the fact that it is all female makes me want to jump for joy. A female 'Hangover' has never sounded so good. Anything to bring down the Apatowian Patriarchy!
Great article, Irin!
Amen! Go Jill Goodwin! Let's hope this is the beginning of a fantastic new trend in all writer's rooms!
