PC TV: RIP ANTM
YES, THOSE ACRONYMS ACTUALLY MEAN SOMETHING
By Mande Wilkes
FITSNews - August 18, 2008 - Until now, reality TV has been just about the only venue uninfected by the politically-correct contagion … well, except for FITSNews, natch, which remains resolutely immune to the PC epidemic …
We know, you’re so welcome.
Anyway, reality programming has been the last televised bastion of the “anti-PC” - a place where we can still laugh freely at midgets, ugly drunk girls, and Flavor Flav. And while America’s Next Top Model (a longtime fave of the FITS gals) lacks midgets, ugly drunk girls and Flavor Flav, it’s still chock full of otherwise captivating cultural voyeurism.
Lamentably, though, the show’s host Tyra Banks has been on a mission of late to inject ANTM with the same political correctness that has infected all other entertainment media.
Last season, she chose Whitney Thompson as the contest winner, crowning an allegedly plus-size girl with this coveted honor. Now, to be fair, Ms. Thompson is hardly full-figured, fleshy only in her boobs and svelte everywhere else … but still. America’s Next Top Model just ain’t supposed to be called plus-size, even if the industry definition of that term approximates the ostensible beneficiary of your nickel-a-day pledge to eradicate world hunger.
Now, Tyra’s ongoing effort to “break down walls” involves the selection of a transgender person as a contestant on the upcoming season.
“Isis” is, in her own words, “a woman born physically male,” though she’s such a knockout it’s impossible to tell that she’s packin’.
While her appearance on the show is a rare testament to humanity, the whole thing comes off as airy and gratuitous - opportunism disguised as opportunity - especially considered alongside Whitney’s crowning.
All of which makes us wonder how much longer the anti-PC forces have left to hold out …
Our army is so tiny in this crusade against political correctness that it’s becoming all too noticeable when one of the troops mutinies - even when it is reality TV we’re talking about, and even if it yields what some would say is a positive result.
Comments
By FWFIV on August 18th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Mande-
This is a stretch even for a paranoid person like yourself.
Reality tv shows are a way for television producers to make more money without creating much in the way of original content. The subject matter and the contestants are based on one thing and one thing only, the ability to get ratings.
These ratings then translate into increased revenue for the producers of the show and the television networks. Putting a transvestite on the show is an example of free market forces at work and should make your cold, little heart proud.
If you wished to make a worthwhile comment lamenting the situation, then just point out the lack of standards and creativity in some of what passes for entertainment these days.
There is no PC/anti PC issue here, you are crazy if you see this as some sort of agenda driven narrative of the show.
By baker on August 18th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
It would seem to me that this may have absolutely nothing to do with so-called political correctness.
For one thing, was Tyra Banks ever one of the “troops” in the “crusade”?
But, anyway, I would think her selection of the “top model” — not to mention the transvestite angle — had more to do with ratings than PC. Or, maybe she really would like to see supposedly “plus-size” women have more of a role in the modeling industry. That may be about changing the status quo, but is it PC? I think that’s a leap.
Or, maybe Mande’s post was a parody to demonstrate how the anti-PC crowd is becoming as sensitive and illogical as much of the PC stuff itself.
By just me on August 18th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Honestly, Will, could you at least hire an anti-feminist with a brain? I have read three pieces posted by Mande and I have to sat that they bring the intellect level of this blog way below even your highest expectations.
By Enus Milfred on August 18th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Nice post, Mande. Keep up the good work.