Over on radical Pacifica Radio's "Democracy Now" propaganda-cast, they're still recycling lectures from the big National Conference on Media Reform weeks back. On Thursday, they rebroadcast a lecture from actress Geena Davis on how children's entertainment cruelly stereotypes women, especially back in the Dark Ages of the last century. Is Judy Jetson too thin? And what's up with Smurfette? Davis started a foundation to fight for the image of women in children's entertainment, as she explained:
Do you remember the kinds of stuff that they made for us, for kids, in the oldie old days? Let’s see, the first animation, of course, was Disney's Minnie Mouse and -- where is she? I’m pushing the button -- Daisy Duck, who didn’t really do much at all, except ask to go shopping, I think. There were a lot of Hanna-Barbera cartoons -- Magilla Gorilla, Wally Gator, George of the Jungle -- virtually no female characters. I had a vague recollection that Yogi Bear had a girlfriend, and I searched and searched, and I finally found her, Cindy Bear, as you all remember.
Winnie the Pooh has been around for a long time and still is, has nine characters, and one of them is female: Kanga. I couldn’t find a picture on the internet of her alone, without Roo in her pocket. And if you think about it, really, isn’t she sort of half a character? Kanga, Roo, you know, she doesn’t do things on her own, really.
On the Looney Tunes website, they list twelve characters, and only one of them is female, but it’s the great one. It’s the one you all love and remember the best: Granny. She’s the one who owns Tweety, and she has to leave so that the story can happen.
Now, we all know that kids get a very strong message about body image from the media. 78% of senior girls say they don’t like their bodies. A third of third graders have been on a diet, which leads me to this question: is Judy Jetson too thin? I think her waist is the same size as her neck in that picture, if I’m not wrong. No, I can see you. I saw you for a second, and then you went away.
So a lot of kids’ fare, from back then and even now, shows highly stereotyped, sexualized female characters, even in programs made for the youngest kids. For example, did you know Miss Piggy had cleavage?
But, by far, my absolute favorite is the Smurfs. You remember the Smurfs? Smurfette. This was fairly recent. This was like from the ’80s, 1980 to 1990. The website explains that there were a hundred Smurfs, and originally there were no female Smurfs. Not sure how that happened. But eventually they added Smurfette. And this is how she originally looked. They describe her as having stringy hair and ugly eyelashes. She was created by an evil wizard to destroy the Smurfs. But then -- I’m not kidding -- Papa Smurf, after a successful operation of plastic smurfery, turned her into the blonde bombshell that we all know and love. And it notes that after her appearance improved, the Smurfs accepted and loved her.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center



















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Where's PETA on this importan
March 10, 2007 - 09:34 ET by sublight68Where's PETA on this important issue? Every time Fred's order of bronto-ribs flipped his car on it's side, another impressionable grade-schooler, me among them, learned that it's fun to eat meat.
And in a stange, twisted way, I always thought Smurfette was kind of hot.
I wish I was a rich celebrity
March 10, 2007 - 09:49 ET by stonecutterI wish I was a rich celebrity and this was what I was most worried about,....go back to making unwatchable movies and TV shows!
It must be nice to cherry p
March 10, 2007 - 09:53 ET by OIFveteranIt must be nice to cherry pick things to make your point. Hmm, Jetsons has Judy, Rosie, and the mother character; Flintstones had 3 female characters; Strawberry Shortcake anyone?
I'm pretty sure most of the ponies on "My Little Ponies" and alot of the Carebears were female. She-Ra? 2 of the 5 original Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers were female as well, the Yellow Ranger and the Pink Ranger. Mmmm... Pink Ranger.
Geena Davis... what a tool.
<insert something clever>
And let's not even get starte
March 10, 2007 - 10:07 ET by sublight68And let's not even get started on the Tele-tubbies.
"The Flintstones"
March 10, 2007 - 10:25 ET by Del Dolemonte"The Flintstones" also had several non-regular female characters, all of whom could be considered "strong" women: Fred's mother-in-law, for one, along with some of the guest stars like "Ann Margrock". Geena also missed a Looney Toons character, namely Daffy Duck's wife, whose picture is in the dictionary next to the word "battleaxe".
Ms. Davis was well-known during her college years for her consumption of funny cigarettes. My guess is she still does.
Of course GD overlooks the fa
March 10, 2007 - 12:03 ET by Don ShockleyOf course GD overlooks the fact that these same "rare" female characters are usually portrayed as being smarter and more grounded than the numerous male characters. How many times does the entire episode consist of the males running around making a mess of the situation and at the very end, in comes the lone female who fixes everything with just a little common sense. I don't see GD complaining that men are usually idiots in these same shows.
So sad to see Geena Davis r
March 10, 2007 - 10:01 ET by Jack BauerSo sad to see Geena Davis reject her Smurfette heritage.
Clearly a self-loathing Smurf.
Hahahaha Jack!
March 10, 2007 - 10:04 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasHahahahahahaha! Too funny! The most striking thing about Smurfette's complaint is that she is looking for females where there aren't any...DUH! Don't go looking for Diamonds in a Gold Mine!
Shut up and blog! If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal. Go Rudy!
Young, Gifted & Blue
March 10, 2007 - 10:11 ET by Jack Bauershe is looking for females where there aren't any
Good pick up there GAT. I hadn't noticed that.
You're right, it is odd to complain about female stereotypes when there aren't any females.
Remember the anthems..
BLUE IS BEAUTIFUL...
YOUNG GIFTED AND BLUE...
SINGIN' THE BLUES...
and my favorite
In the Smurfhetto
As the snow flies
On a cold and gray Chicago mornin'
A poor little baby Smurf is born
In the smurfhetto
And Smurf's mama cries
'cause if there's one thing that she don't need
it's another hungry Smurf's mouth to feed
In the smurfhetto
Anyone see Donnie Darko? H
March 10, 2007 - 10:20 ET by Dee BunkAnyone see Donnie Darko? He complains about how the smurfs have no package. You guys should call a press conference. I mean come on - it's an outrage! And Donnie would know - he saved the world!
DB -- DD -- great movie.The
March 10, 2007 - 10:23 ET by Jack BauerDB -- DD -- great movie.
I love that movie also - ju
March 10, 2007 - 10:40 ET by Dee BunkI love that movie also - just watched it again recently.
Special Edition, directrors
March 10, 2007 - 10:48 ET by Jack BauerSpecial Edition, directors cut, I hope, with the Holographic blue bunny on the case?
yeah the Special edition-
March 10, 2007 - 10:54 ET by Dee Bunkyeah the Special edition- I wanted to see what the difference was - do you know? I guess I don't remember the original that well because the only thing that seemed different was how they showed the book pages at different points.
Jack too funny
March 10, 2007 - 13:25 ET by misterbillJack too funny.
Perhaps I am confused, but it seems that Geena has a serious emotional or sanity issue when she has time to think of things like this. A day job helping those less fortunate may help fill her time.
By the way, other than Raggedy Andy, I do not remember any male doll until Ken and GI Joe.Why are we poor men neglected?
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
Come to think of it misterb I
March 10, 2007 - 13:33 ET by bigtimerCome to think of it misterb I don't think there were except for maybe...
Snap, Crackle and Pop!
Those are priceless antiques now...wished I had them, my grandma did when I was young.
Your point is well made though!
Hey BT--there was a rumor
March 10, 2007 - 13:39 ET by misterbillHey BT--there was a rumor that Crackle swung both ways, But I fagot the story. All puns intended!
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
misterb...I thought it was PO
March 10, 2007 - 13:44 ET by bigtimermisterb...
I thought it was POP!
Glad you straightened me out!
Loved your puns...lol!
Is this a joke? She can't
March 10, 2007 - 10:07 ET by Dee BunkIs this a joke? She can't be serious. Girls today have poor body image because some blue funny looking cartoon characters are looking for smurfs who are prettier?
I suppose it's got nothing to do with Hollywood and the fashion industry and all the anorexic models and movie stars. Kate Winslet is about the only star out there who has a somewhat normal woman's body. The answer is never in reality for these people - it's always some lurking conspiracy that they dig for while they miss what is right in front of their faces.
To this day I can't look at m
March 10, 2007 - 10:11 ET by sublight68To this day I can't look at myself in the mirror knowing I'll never live up to the ideals of He-Man, Master of the Universe.
Sub - LOL - I've always had
March 10, 2007 - 10:36 ET by Dee BunkSub - LOL - I've always had a lot of confidence because someone told me I looked like Pebbles once! And she made some guy named Mike's
List of Hot Cartoon Girls.
BTW - I look nothing like Pebbles - but someone did really tell me that once.
Dee hot cartoon girls
March 10, 2007 - 13:46 ET by misterbillDee hot cartoon girls. I am so old I do not know who most of them are, after my time. I was interested in Buck Rogers girlfriend Dale. I am joking, of course, but there must be something to it or all these anime(?) sites wouldn't be out there.
You may think I am crazy, but the interest level does suggest some serious problems in America. A real woman or man may never measure up to the standards of a cartoon character for some people.
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
My favorite cartoons are usua
March 10, 2007 - 10:21 ET by muh-oonMy favorite cartoons are usually pretty violent, like the old looney toons. If they beat up a female character like they do Wile-e, I imagine Geena Davis would complain about that too. Olive Oyl is the only female character that I can think of that is thrown around like a cartoon character, and they would not dare to do that in this day. I just don't understand what she wants. Is this a call for some kind of cartoon quota? If female characters are boring and predictable, that is the fault of political correctness and groups like "foundation to fight for the image of women in children's entertainment". A good image probably does not make a funny or entertaining cartoon character, but she seems to be demanding both.
There are several Looney Toon
March 10, 2007 - 10:30 ET by Del DolemonteThere are several Looney Toons cartoons that feature Daffy Duck's wife. She's so angry she makes Hillary Clinton look like Mother Theresa.
In one short, she slaps Daffy's beak clean off of his face. Talk about a "role model"!
smurfette
March 10, 2007 - 10:23 ET by philgagThis from a woman who's only real claim to fame is about 2 woman who hate men and ride around the country Robbing and killing them............She should've stayed home and made her husband a pot pie Like Jane,betty or Wilma
instead she had to be Penelope pitstop with a handgun
Good call Geena.........maybe she's still mad about her failed presidency?
Geez Geena...You left out Wil
March 10, 2007 - 12:48 ET by bigtimerGeez Geena...
You left out Wilma and Betty...how dare you!
With all the problems going on in this world it figures this tops this leftist worries.
What a nut-case.
How'd we ever survive with the cartoons they'd broadcast on the air?
LOL!
BT - do you think she worri
March 10, 2007 - 12:52 ET by Dee BunkBT - do you think she worries about the cartoons that encourage Palestian children to grow up and become suicide bombers? No - just worried that surmfette has blonde hair. Typical of the Hollywood brain trust.
hey Dee,Another excellent poi
March 10, 2007 - 13:01 ET by bigtimerHey Dee,
Another excellent point!
You are on-top of your game this morning!
Wished I'd of thought of that..glad you did!
Those cartoons are sad for what those kids are taught from day one, better yet indoctrinated with.
"Typical of the Hollywood bra
March 10, 2007 - 19:03 ET by TexasOptimist"Typical of the Hollywood brain trust"
So you are saying that she has brains? ;-)
If she has brains, then what must the brainless Hollywood types be like? Yikes.
Merry Christmas 2007.
To quote Mrs. Roger Rabit, &q
March 10, 2007 - 13:28 ET by Conservative VoiceTo quote Mrs. Roger Rabit, "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way."
It is funny that she didn't mention any current cartoons...like Brats, where she might actually have a point.
Strange indeed. In some rol
March 10, 2007 - 14:08 ET by radiofitz34Strange indeed. In some roles Geena has played on the big screen, she always seemed to be intelligent. Either she's a really good actress or maybe of late, she's killed off a few too many of the 'ol brain cells.
I grew up watching the Flinstones, Bugs Bunny, Top Cat, Deputy Dawg, The Simpsons etc. I never really had much concern for what the female characters figures looked like. Can't wait to read excepts from Geena Davis's next interview!
Radiofitz Geena
March 10, 2007 - 19:12 ET by misterbillIn some roles Geena has played on the big screen, she always seemed to be intelligent.
This merely proves she is a good actress not a good intellect. Richrad Gere is another one who, to me, is way out in left field. He wants to do some good re: human rights, but, again, to me , he comes across as not very well-versed in his subject and quite off the wall.
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
Obviously Geena Davis grew up
March 10, 2007 - 14:31 ET by GothampcObviously Geena Davis grew up in one of those hippie households where her parents didn't let her watch tv. This is what I remember (and I'm a guy by the way):
Josie and the Pussycats - female rock group
Scooby Doo - Daphne (the pretty one) and Velma (the smart one)
The Archies - Betty and Veronica
The Brady Bunch cartoon - Marcia, Jan and Cindy
When Laverne & Shirley became popular, there was a Saturday morning cartoon based on them
Modern cartoons have given us "Dora, the Explorer" and "The Thornberrys".
gothampc - a message to you--
March 10, 2007 - 14:43 ET by misterbillgothampc - a message to you--from Geena Davis:
"Shut up, you are ruining my fantasies. I have nothing else to do since my TV series was cancelled. Why did you have to go and shoot a big hole in my campaign, just because I was wrong?"
LOL
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
misterbill, if you could pass
March 10, 2007 - 15:29 ET by Gothampcmisterbill, if you could pass a message back to Geena:
"Geena, you're on your fourth marriage and you speak in interviews about how much you've been in therapy. Perhaps you ought to quit using the tv as a pattern for life. You and your three kids should get away from the boob tube once in awhile. There are a lot of great women all over the U.S. Go out and meet some of them."
If we're talking the 70s-80s
March 10, 2007 - 14:40 ET by tracheostomyIf we're talking the 70s-80s off the top of my head, Saturday morning had alot of live-action female heroes that Geena would conveniently forget. There was Electra Woman & Dyna Girl, and Isis.
Toons:
We had Wonder Woman and Jayna in the Superfriends.
Batgirl from the '77 Batman series.
Anyone remember the Herculoids?
How about Ariel from Thundarr the Barbarian?
Firestar from Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends? <THAT CAME ON AFTER THE SMURFS!
She-Ra, Princess of Power (already mentioned earlier in the thread)
Allura from Voltron?
And my favorite 80s toon, GIJoe had not just one, but at least four recurring female characters, occasionally appearing all at once.
Geena really forgot her childhood, er MY childhood anyway. =)
-PJ
"I'm not a theologist. I'm not an archaeologist. I'm a documentary filmmaker." -James Cameron
Batman 1966/67 ... greatest c
March 12, 2007 - 12:32 ET by Dan The Man 2Batman 1966/67 ... greatest campiest series made. Batgirl was a valued member to the series.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark. -- save my gun, shoot a liberal.
How insensitive, Geena
March 10, 2007 - 15:26 ET by nkviking75Hey, Geena, take another look at this subject, willya? This male's childhood was a tortured one thanks to the stereotypes featured on cartoons. All those nights... waking up in a cold sweat after dreaming of falling off cliffs... being chased by hunters with speech impediments... being hit by anvils... being ripped off by some mysterious corporation called "Acme"... narrowly avoiding becoming hassenfeffer... being pounded by Bluto... suffering pain under the influence of kryptonite... It's the males who are the real victims here!
</less-than-subtle sarcasm off>
I'd hate being hassenfeffer
March 10, 2007 - 18:03 ET by radiofitz34I'd hate being hassenfeffer. And I'd have to think real anvils (wherever they are) would be a tad painful on my head.
Anyone here from Alba quiock ee?
AH HA!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 10, 2007 - 18:14 ET by Guy Arthur ThomasI feel like a BLIND MAN who just struck GOLD! I carried the mentality of Smurfette Davis and applied it to what I simply could not figure out what is up TUMBLER'S crawl and like a forbidden sexual epiphany....bam....I have seen the light.
From the dawn of time until Frito Lays bumped The Frito Bandito off, all Tumbler has had for fine examples to follow have been impulsive, demanding, craddle robbing, anglo-envying Mexican personalities!!!!!!!!!! Damnable radio, television and movies!
Too bad he didn't grow up in today's world with excellent Mexican role models like...like...like...someone help me here. : )
Shut up and blog! If you claim to be a conservative, please don't disgrace yourself and conservatism by thinking and arguing like a liberal. Go Rudy!
Geena Davis is a moron. I ha
March 10, 2007 - 18:17 ET by mostlymoderateGeena Davis is a moron. I have seen her in quite a few movies "leveraging" those breasts of hers for attention. What a hypocrite.
Bimbette
March 10, 2007 - 21:55 ET by JoePgeena davis is the perfectly hypocritical one to point all of this non-sense out, the bimbette of the late 1980's herself. Dumb as a post, buck-toothed, but somehow a millionaire many times over for what? "Starring" in a couple movies?
Converse that with a single day of a policeman/woman, fireman/woman, emergency crews, and she's done nothing but eat Brach's chocolate stars her entire life, the ninny. She is NO different than that which she purports to bitch about, a lay-around-the-frickin-pool bimbette.
Sad case. Shud anyone listen? Does anyone hear her? Tune our out.
While we're at it, why do
March 11, 2007 - 17:34 ET by Tom PaineWhile we're at it, why don't we look at the images young boys receive from
watching television sitcoms? First, there may not even be a dad in the
house but that's OK because the single mom is the most virtuous character in America
today. If dad is in the house he is most likely the disengaged but
loveable screw up who mom keeps around because he pays the bills. Even if
there is a two parent family with a stay at home mom, she will complain that
dad never gives her any help around the house. But isn't that her
job? I don't see dad complaining that she doesn't pop in at the office to
"help" him with his job. That brings us to our next rule of
television families - staying at home and taking care of the house and kids is
the toughest job you can do. Dad goes to work to have fun, but mom is
really working hard.
Even though we are in a new renaissance of shows featuring nuclear families,
look at some of the messages they spread about the roles of fathers. In
"According to Jim" the father doesn't even know where his kids'
school is located much less consider going there to meet the teachers and find
out how they are doing. On "Everybody Loves Raymond" Ray
would rather do anything than spend time with his kids, even to the point of
faking injuries to get out of going to family functions. His wife calls
him an idiot in front of the kids. In one episode Ray was about to tell
his brother Robert how Debra and his mother manipulated Robert's relationship
with his girlfriend in order to get him to propose. Before Ray could tell
him, Debra kicked him in the crotch to keep him quiet. It was played for
a laugh. Imagine if a man on TV did a similar thing to a woman. Who
is to blame if today's girls grow up thinking a man in the house is optional to
raising a family and boys believe they have no worth whatsoever. Yeah, we
really have to crack down on the negative messages Yogi and Boo Boo are
sending...
Wow TP,Could not agree more a
March 11, 2007 - 17:46 ET by bigtimerWow TP,
Could not agree more and we have almost a couple of decades of kids being brought up this way with television now...it is pathetic.
BTW...lool at the commercials too...they are demeaning to men at times, I can think of one right now the nutri-system commercial where the guy goes...'My wife tells me I'm not as disgusting to her as I used to be'....AS?
Can you imagine if that were reversed and a woman was saying as she lost weight, 'My husband told me I'm not as disgusting to him anymore...you would have women all over screamin' at the top of their lungs to take this off the air immediately!
But no...those gals go on and say 'Just look at me...my husband tells me I've got a smokin' hot body', or such...
Talk about demeaning and hypocritical.
Our kids are being brought up this way...glad ours are grown.