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
"Her detractors aside, Finke does appear to be a powerful Hollywood presence."
OK, right there: That's a statement that betrays a profoundly uneducated approach to the workings of the Hollywood Industrial Media Complex and Nikki Finke's established role in it. Also proof of lack of acquaintance, historically, with the whole sordid/brass-balls biz of Hollywood gossiping, in the Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper tradition.
Bonus points for this piece quoting reformed crack addict David Carr who skipped on his kids' child support, to bolster the "Nikki is evil" thesis.
Yeah, potty-mouthed Finke is certainly the villain here. For being an eccentric lady who goes after the big boys. Barf.
I don't even like her all that much. But this kind of harebrained character assassination is lame.
Relationships are matters of dominance and submission, in Hollywood and everywhere else. If you don't like submitting, you'll just have to dominate. I will now press the "submit" button.
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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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
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[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
10/05/09
OK, right there: That's a statement that betrays a profoundly uneducated approach to the workings of the Hollywood Industrial Media Complex and Nikki Finke's established role in it. Also proof of lack of acquaintance, historically, with the whole sordid/brass-balls biz of Hollywood gossiping, in the Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper tradition.
Bonus points for this piece quoting reformed crack addict David Carr who skipped on his kids' child support, to bolster the "Nikki is evil" thesis.
Yeah, potty-mouthed Finke is certainly the villain here. For being an eccentric lady who goes after the big boys. Barf.
I don't even like her all that much. But this kind of harebrained character assassination is lame.
10/05/09