The Double Standards on TV
Variety is not only the spice of life, it's a reflection of the real world
I’ve been re-watching S1 of Nobody Wants This because I just need a feel-good show right now, and I already finished S2. I’ve had the thought while watching that the women leading the show are all straight-sized, generally-thin women…
While Sasha is seen in S1 getting into a hot tub spa with no shirt on and his belly hanging out. Which we LOVE. We stan seeing a normal, squishy belly on television. But it just sucks that it’s a man’s and not a woman’s.
Or Rabbi Cohen, with a round belly and only half a head of hair.
Or Rabbi Neil - Seth Rogan going full grey.
I say these things not to put these men down - it’s honestly refreshing to see these types of bodily variations displayed on television. But what about the women?
Here’s where I see an issue with this:
We’re, yet again, promoting one female body as leading roles on TV while men get to go on rockin’ their dad bods, no questions asked.
What I’d really like to see is women featured in these types of shows with their cellulite and belly rolls and tummy out in a swim suit. I’d like to see women with no Botox or lip filler - both things that are very clear many of the women centered in this show have.
Where’s the variety? Sure, the show is set in Los Angeles, a city that’s arguably one of the most obsessed with image. But I’m tired. I want to see the women’s forehead wrinkles. I want to see a woman’s brow furrow when she’s upset. I want to see a woman’s smile lines when she’s happy. I want to see women of different shapes and sizes in a rom-com set in Los Angeles, dangit.
Now, I want to be very clear here that I don’t see anything wrong with casting women that DO have Botox or fillers. I do believe in bodily autonomy and that we can all do what we choose with our bodies, but my critique is on how centered one similar type of woman is here. When one body type (one of the thing ideal) is being cast time and time again in big shows like this, I can’t help but take note of how it affects viewers. I’m considering about the aging woman who’s feeling insecure about her aging body watching a show like “Nobody Wants This,” and feeling like the only way for her to be societally acceptable again is to get the Botox, die her hair, make a change. It feels tired and boring when all of the women in a show look too perfect, too “ideal,” so aligned with the beauty industry. I want to see variance. I want to see differentiation. That’s where beauty in life lies. And if art is a reflection of life, well, we’re sadly missing the mark here.
Just my thoughts. I’m just sick of Hollywood continually perpetuating the double beauty standard, and I want to talk about it to help those that might be feeling similarly know they’re not alone. Whether we want to change our bodies or we want to try to accept our aging bodies as is, the choice is unique to each of us. And I do believe we are all owed autonomy in that. I just simply don’t love the way Hollywood is trying to write this narrative for us, and I want to remind us that we can absolutely take back some of our individualized power here.
In body healing,
Megan ❤️🔥
Do you have a friend, family member or peer who might love this too? I’d be honored if you could help me spread the word about my writing and body image conversations!
While I’m not a licensed therapist, registered dietician, or medical health professional and cannot speak to body image topics from a clinical, trauma-informed place, I am an expert of lived experience. I’m an academic of my own body, and I’m passionate about facilitating conversations with other humans about their relationships with their bodies. I believe it’s important to continue conversations about healthy body image in creative spaces as a means to heal individuals as well as the collective whole. But just know the information presented in this medium is not professional mental health advice or medical advice, and any questions or concerns you have should always be directed to your healthcare providers.