When it gets right down to it though, I don't really like lists that are exclusionary based on who you are. I'd rather see a list that's inclusive based on what you've done. In this case, a list of Hollywood people in power who've pushed forward gender equality and broken stereotypes.
This situation slightly reminds me of the recent change the Lambda literary awards made: they can now only be given to out gay authors. My thought about this is that if Matthew Sheppard's mother writes a gay-themed book, she ought to be able to win the real Lambda award and not just the special "friend to the gays" award. #womeninhollywood
Did they seriously spell Zooey Deschanel's name wrong ("Zoe") on the cover? Even the dumbest Stylista contestant wouldn't have let that error through. #womeninhollywood
Now, I love me some SATC, but Michael Patrick King was behind some of the ickiest aspects of the movie - the fairytale ending and the ridiculous displays of wealth. Not exactly women-empowering. #womeninhollywood
Also worth noting about MPK, he's been involved in "Murphy Brown," "Cybill," "Will & Grace," and Lisa Kudrow's "The Comeback." So, he basically only works on projects that feature women in interesting roles and who aren't married to fat guys in the suburbs with laugh tracks. #womeninhollywood
Here's the question: If a man sympathetic to women is in power, is it as good as a woman in power? I'm going to go with: No.
Hmm I can't say I completely agree. We can draw some parallels to the struggle for racial equality or gay rights in this same argument. You have to have sympathizers in positions of power willing to change society from the inside of the socially-accepted norm.
Had SATC been the brainchild of a woman, perhaps it wouldn't have been as successful. There's no way to know this.. but it's interesting to consider.
It's not as good (it could be argued that it's worse – why hire women when men can do it as good or better than them, and with no maternity leave!), but I don't fault her for including him. It's an article, not an essay, and she was trying to make a point. I'm more offended when lists of the most powerful *people* in Hollywood include a token woman. #womeninhollywood
You missed the best part of the story - King's answer: "Dear Nikki Finke,
Just a little thank-you for the recognition of the Sex And The City work and the unexpected honor of being made an honorary woman on your Power Women in Hollywood List. The only downside — my salary was just cut in half.
All my best, Michael Patrick King."
Would Finke have included King if he were heterosexual? Because there are undertones of 'Well, he's gay, therefore honorary woman!' that bother me slightly; especially when viewed in light of the previous article on Finke. #womeninhollywood
I've always thought Michael Patrick King ruined that show. When Darren Star was in charge, the women seemed like real people. Once he left, they became shoe-obsessed fashionistas who each had one distinguishable character trait. #womeninhollywood
Why is it women against men? I think the second commenter has a good point. Sometimes we have to get points any way we can and have a man on our side can help. #womeninhollywood
I have no problem with positively reinforcing female-friendly behavior, in fact I'm pretty sure that's the only way to progress.
Also, I'm curious about the wives & daughters section. Is it just the title that is objectionable? Or the inclusion of that category? #womeninhollywood
Naturally Madonna got what she wanted, she' Madonna ! But good for Guy- I think siblings have a very close bond. And what's a plane fare to these people?
WTF IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE WHO FIGHT DOGS??!?!?!?! I am not a religious person at all, but I do believe that dog fights are pure evil. People who fight dogs are evidence that Evil is real. (obviously there are other people who are evil too, but this really really effing bothers me)
I've been known to make remarks at work about people fighting and breeding their dogs, like, right to their idiotic faces. I don't fucking care if it means they never come back and we "lost a customer." Fuck that shit. I am NOT taking money from some asshole who thinks it's cool to cut off his dog's ears and force her to breed on a rape rack so he can make money off little puppies who will be raised to fight, who might be left to die because they aren't "right" for fighting, who could be used as bait for other dogs. Oh. My. God. I fucking hate these people so much and I really, really hope they all get what they deserve. [/rant]
@andromache hugs trees: Totally agree. It's disgusting and frightening and so so awful to me - I do not and will not ever understand how people can treat animals that way. To me, that's a sign of someone with no conscience...a sociopath of sorts. And I absolutely believe that anyone who would be willing and able to treat an animal that horribly and that cruelly would also be willing to do the same to a person.
10/21/09
When it gets right down to it though, I don't really like lists that are exclusionary based on who you are. I'd rather see a list that's inclusive based on what you've done. In this case, a list of Hollywood people in power who've pushed forward gender equality and broken stereotypes.
This situation slightly reminds me of the recent change the Lambda literary awards made: they can now only be given to out gay authors. My thought about this is that if Matthew Sheppard's mother writes a gay-themed book, she ought to be able to win the real Lambda award and not just the special "friend to the gays" award. #womeninhollywood
10/20/09
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Hmm I can't say I completely agree. We can draw some parallels to the struggle for racial equality or gay rights in this same argument. You have to have sympathizers in positions of power willing to change society from the inside of the socially-accepted norm.
Had SATC been the brainchild of a woman, perhaps it wouldn't have been as successful. There's no way to know this.. but it's interesting to consider.
10/20/09
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10/20/09
Just a little thank-you for the recognition of the Sex And The City work and the unexpected honor of being made an honorary woman on your Power Women in Hollywood List. The only downside — my salary was just cut in half.
All my best, Michael Patrick King."
I never cared for S&TC, but I love this guy! #womeninhollywood
10/20/09
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10/20/09
[www.theonion.com] #womeninhollywood
10/20/09
Also, I'm curious about the wives & daughters section. Is it just the title that is objectionable? Or the inclusion of that category? #womeninhollywood
01/31/09
But good for Guy- I think siblings have a very close bond. And what's a plane fare to these people?
01/31/09
I've been known to make remarks at work about people fighting and breeding their dogs, like, right to their idiotic faces. I don't fucking care if it means they never come back and we "lost a customer." Fuck that shit. I am NOT taking money from some asshole who thinks it's cool to cut off his dog's ears and force her to breed on a rape rack so he can make money off little puppies who will be raised to fight, who might be left to die because they aren't "right" for fighting, who could be used as bait for other dogs. Oh. My. God. I fucking hate these people so much and I really, really hope they all get what they deserve. [/rant]
01/31/09