I was reading an article in The Wall Street Journal by TV critic Nancy de Wolf Smith about the late-night TV problems at NBC. The article took a different tack than I have read in the past, because it developed a critique of masculinity that referred to the “Animal House” effect of late night TV where “boys can make a girl feel like she’s been anointed in some way” because of some of the sophomoric references on these programs, which include Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show, along with Letterman, Conan O’Brian, Jimmy Kimmel, George Lopez and Leno. All of them, according to deWolf Smith are juvenile, which is code for “overwhelmingly masculine.” What deWolf doesn’t bring up is the Wanda Sykes Show on Fox or Mo Nique’s show on BET, not to mention the day-time talk shows hosted by women. What deWolf Smith is doing is called in psychoanalytic circles splitting: defining masculinity as that which is not feminine. Splitting refers to the either/or construct and it is a simplistic way of organizing gender identity. But it’s not accurate. In other words, splitting doesn’t reflect the nature of gender identity in contemporary American society where identity can be multifarious and quite fluid. I think this is an important discussion for those interested in popular culture as we receive our gender cues from the media. In other words, we learn what it means to be male or female or something else through viewing portrayals in the media. I am not suggesting there is a cause and effect relationship. So, to make the late-night TV issue at NBC a gender issue gives us opportunity to pause and reflect not just on TV ratings or juvenile “guy” jokes, but on the way gender is presented in the media. After all, is Leno a macho-man? Or does he sometimes express emotion through his softer side. Personally, I can’t imagine Conan (even though he’s named after a barbarian – just joking) in a cage fight. He’s too thoughtful and way too intelligent. So, what it means to be a man in contemporary society doesn’t equate with the masculinity of yore e.g. the Marlboro Man. And, the same goes for women. Women today have more agency (another term for power) in our society than perhaps any other time in history. While American society remains patriarchal, it is less so. Even within its patriarchy, gender roles and gender identity have greatly shifted: stay at home dads and female CEOs present two extremes.
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I was drawn to this blog post because of the many interesting issues it raises. These points include: the standards presented through television, the portrayal of the male and female sexes, and the effect this representation really has.
It is no secret that the media plays a vital role in our society—it sends out messages, provides information, depicts people, entertains, and in a way both subliminally and directly influences our society in regard to how to act and dress. The media also suggests what information is appropriate to discuss. For example, local news channels have upped the anti of discussing risky topics; the Tiger Woods scandal is an example of this. If the year were 1960, this issue would not likely be as widely and openly discussed and/or revealed. However, media is at a new level and has therefore set a standard of what can be spoken about on air.
In regard to gender related issues, a stereotype can be seen in almost every television show and advertisement; these are generalizations not literal representations. For example, not every woman and not only women drink Michelob Ultra, but by the impression given through Michelob Ultra’s commercials this seems to be the case. Media, representations, and information need to be consumed with a careful ear and eye. The gender cues displayed on television are meant for entertainment and are not to be taken literally. So when Conan Obrien speaks in a vulgar tone or Jay Leno makes references to male genitals, we have to remember that they are not representing all men. They are speaking for themselves, and in many cases—not even for themselves, but rather for the popularity of the show, for the paycheck, for that primetime timeslot. These gender cues are publicity stunts, ratings boosters—tactics to grab attention.
Our society will always say it has to be one way or the other. Men are either on the masculine side or they are too feminine. For women they are either the good stay at home mom or the high powered career wife. The media plays the primary role in this. Through television and movies we see both extremes. Men are either manly or sissy and women are either the sweet mom or high-strung, over-worked mom. Why can't fathers be portrayed as a loving, parent type and still have a high-powered career?
In regards to shows such as Leno and Conan everything they say and do is done for ratings. It is hard to judge whether or not they actually believe what they say. They just want their show to do well, and want people to watch their show and think it’s humorous and entertaining.
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