As far as American popular culture goes, I have a pretty strong appreciation for television. Here is my tribute to three favorite shows, and the awesome women characters that I like them for.
is the most awesome woman on television today. Apparently I'm not alone in this verdict:Xena recently bumped out Baywatch (gag, choke, etc.) for the position of the world's most popular show. The show is a long-awaited joy for those of us who loved fantasy stories as kids and were offended that all the female characters were helpless bimbos. Xena, on the other hand, kicks butt. Even her ditzy sidekick Gabrielle can hold her own. In addition to defeating angry gods, tyrannical kings, marauding armies, monsters produced by bad special effects, and psychotic blondes, Xena portrays the only positive example of bisexuality available in the American media market. Regardless of the "Are Xena and Gabby...?!" controversy (aka "subtext"), the variety in Xena's love life shows that the heart of a strong, passionate woman does not discriminate along the lines of background, race...or gender. Battle on, Xena!
The reason I love the X-Files is not for the conspiracies and all that: they're amusing and all, but come on - the government could never be that organized. What I love is the central characters - it's a character-driven show, and Scully and Mulder represent two very believeable personalities in unbelieveable situations. They overturn classic gender stereotypes (man=rational, woman=emotional, very stupid but so are most TV execs). An informal survey of college-age men showed Scully to be the most lusted after TV character of my generation, proving that smart is sexy. (Although that in it's own way is demeaning, and most of these same guys who love strong women on TV are terrified of us in real life...go figure.)
The X-Files PageSome photoes, links, plus the "X-Files Time-Wasting Page," very silly.
The Complete X-Files Page The most extensive page around. Stuff like this seriously scares me: I love the show, but come on, it's a tv show! To each their own…
works on so many levels. First is its obvious humour, which is wonderful because so many shows (and people) totally lack a grasp of the obvious. Second is its sense of irony, sarcasism, and parody - of society, religion, "family values," the Fox network, all of popular culture, and itself. But my favorite aspect is the character of Lisa Simpson. Not just because of the name (and everyone knows that people named Lisa tend to be smarter than the general population ;), she is one of the few TV characters that I really relate to. It is difficult growing up intelligent and motivated, female, and underappreciated in a highly dysfunctional family, town, and society. There are a lot of obstacles to be overcome, not the least one's own insecurities and defensiveness. She's the token liberal and token athiest in conservative and supersticious environment; AND she loves PBS.
is the most awesome woman on television today. Apparently I'm not alone in this verdict:Xena recently bumped out Baywatch (gag, choke, etc.) for the position of the world's most popular show. The show is a long-awaited joy for those of us who loved fantasy stories as kids and were offended that all the female characters were helpless bimbos. Xena, on the other hand, kicks butt. Even her ditzy sidekick Gabrielle can hold her own. In addition to defeating angry gods, tyrannical kings, marauding armies, monsters produced by bad special effects, and psychotic blondes, Xena portrays the only positive example of bisexuality available in the American media market. Regardless of the "Are Xena and Gabby...?!" controversy (aka "subtext"), the variety in Xena's love life shows that the heart of a strong, passionate woman does not discriminate along the lines of background, race...or gender. Battle on, Xena!
The reason I love the X-Files is not for the conspiracies and all that: they're amusing and all, but come on - the government could never be that organized. What I love is the central characters - it's a character-driven show, and Scully and Mulder represent two very believeable personalities in unbelieveable situations. They overturn classic gender stereotypes (man=rational, woman=emotional, very stupid but so are most TV execs). An informal survey of college-age men showed Scully to be the most lusted after TV character of my generation, proving that smart is sexy. (Although that in it's own way is demeaning, and most of these same guys who love strong women on TV are terrified of us in real life...go figure.)
works on so many levels. First is its obvious humour, which is wonderful because so many shows (and people) totally lack a grasp of the obvious.
Second is its sense of irony, sarcasism, and parody - of society, religion, "family values," the Fox network, all of popular culture, and itself. But my favorite aspect is the character of Lisa Simpson. Not just because of the name (and everyone knows that people named Lisa tend to be smarter than the general population ;), she is one of the few TV characters that I really relate to. It is difficult growing up intelligent and motivated, female, and underappreciated in a highly dysfunctional family, town, and society. There are a lot of obstacles to be overcome, not the least one's own insecurities and defensiveness. She's the token liberal and token athiest in conservative and supersticious environment; AND she loves PBS. 
