The Female Explosion on Television
/So, It’s my turn to write for the blog this week, and since I’ve been staring at Scrivener (our book writing software of choice) for the last two hours with absolutely nothing to add, I decided to ramble a bit on the blog and see if it will coax my creativity out of hiding, or the break room in my mind, or wherever she’s decided to flit for the time being.
In a conversation this morning with the fabulous MAS, my writing buddy, the topic came easily to me. You see, we are avid followers, and enjoyers of performing arts, Film/TV/Stage. We love it all.
As co-conspirators, and co-troublemakers we have been known to raise eyebrows, garner snickers, and in many cases inspire (or is that incite riot…I get them confused sometimes), so when we take tangential trips off topic the results more often than not are actually productive. Today was no different.
This morning we were chatting on Skype doing joint research on a scene in our first book, which has strong female leads. We strayed off topic a bit because we were stumbling across great actresses like Geena Davis, and Jodi Foster, Laura Dern, and Susan Sarandon. That rabbit trail led us ultimately to chat about how MANY Television shows this season have strong female leads, and not just a leading female role, but in several cases the whole show is about the female lead.
We could not agree that any one was better than, or more of a favorite than, the others, so I will speak to them in no particular order (but since I’m writing this I may begin with my personal favorite, maybe, or save the best for last, hmmmmm decisions decisions).
Blacklist. We love it! Elizabeth Keane, WOW! And, yes, we do love James Spader, and give him props for being the evocative and compelling co-lead with our dear Lizzy. The writing for her character is outstanding, and Megan Boone delivers, which as a writer (I speak from experience) is the greatest reward. I think Megan is hitting her stride, and we are going to keep an eye on her to see how she grows in her career.
Quantico. First episode grabbed me in the first five minutes and has not let go. Again, excellent writing, and equally fantastic delivery, from not just one female lead, this show is packed with strong women. Whoever did the casting did a great job. Alex Parish played by Priyanka Chopra is the focal point so far, but there are at least three other strong female leads in this one, and they are carrying their weight in the show just fine. It’s another FBI show, which makes it one of a hundred (just kidding)?
Blindspot. Jane Doe. Jaimie Alexander. Wow. You wake up in the middle of Times Square, butt naked, with complete amnesia, covered in tattoos (and I do mean covered, as in every square inch of skin has a mark that tells a story). The tattoos are basically an elaborate puzzle, which so far has exposed some pretty bad folks on this planet, and some really seedy underhanded stuff going on high up in our government (you know, the folks that we pay to protect us…but I digress). And yes, it’s another FBI show, but it’s like chocolate, we can’t give it up.
How to Get Away with Murder. Hint: this lady won the Emmy for best actress this year. Viola Davis. If you aren’t watching this show you are missing out! Besides the lovely Viola, who plays the formidable Annalise Keating, there are three other women stealing the show on this set. This show has taken more twists and turns, and I have been blindsided more than a few times. About five minutes in each episode I find myself on the edge of my seat thinking, “holy cow, what an amazing team of writers”.
Nashville. Connie Britton plays Rayna James in this tell tale about one of my favorites cities, and my favorite genre of music. This show is all about strong women who get things done, and they don’t take any grief (I've been admonished to clean up my language) from anyone. Every time I sit down to watch this I can’t help but think “who’s gonna spend time under the bus this week?” Hayden Panetierre, and Clare Bowen, flank Connie and together they make a fearsome threesome.
Madam Secretary. Tea Leoni. Secretary of State, Elizabeth McCord. Okay, this one’s my fav, I’ll fess up, and although sometimes there’s some left of center leanings on the writing staff, it manages to stay relatively neutral in its subject matter. I’m a fan of neutral, I like the middle, more people get along there, and that seems to be the case in this show as well. Madam Secretary herself is also a badass, and is adept at maneuvering, I just plain love this show. Kudos to the casting agents for this one, they rounded up a bevy of talent from Bebe Nuewirt (there’s not enough room to list all of her accomplishments, or roles) to Patina Miller, along with Wallis Currie-Wood and Katherine Herzer. The Ladies steal the show. Although not a female, I cannot help myself from mentioning Tim Daly, huminah, seriously, he's on my list, just sayin'.
Grace and Frankie. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Although it’s on Netflix, and it’s been out a while, you simply should not miss it. If you need to laugh, then you need to watch this series. I binge watched it, and was so very sad when I ran out of episodes. Don’t worry though, they are making more. YAY!
We also talked about Revenge, and the two outstanding female roles of Victoria Grayson (Madeline Stowe), and Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp), which were riveting from week to week. Sadly, it was cancelled, which was truly okay since the revenge plot had run its course.
Honorable mentions to the actresses who play characters like Clare Underwood (Robin Wright), Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith), Annie Walker (Piper Perabo), Dr. Rachel Scott (Rhona Mitra), and Claire Riesen (Roxanne McKee). These ladies know what they are doing and have honed their craft beyond well.
As our trip down the rabbit trail wound down this morning Mary Anne asked me if I recalled there being this many television shows on at the same time with predominately female leads, and female story lines. I said I’d have to think on it a bit.
In considering the shows I’ve watched, and loved over the years, there haven't been that many in the grand sweep of television. So, I will close my blog entry today with the list of shows that popped into my head while I rewound my memory. Below is a list of the ones that stuck out, I hope when you read the list, they bring a smile to you like they did for me.
· I love Lucy
· The Carol Burnett Show
· The Mary Tyler Moore Show
· That Girl
· Bewitched
· I Dream of Jeannie
· Laverne and Shirley
· Charlie’s Angels
· Alice
· Moonlighting
· Designing Women
· Murphy Brown
· The Golden Girls
· Sisters
· Friends
· Ally McBeal
· Sex in the City
