Volume Control
Voices From Everywhere On Women On Cable
By Staff -- Multichannel News, 7/23/2007
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“Don’t get me wrong: I certainly applaud the fact that older women are no longer relegated to the role of 'feisty grandmother’ or 'loving matriarch dying from cancer.’ And it’s praiseworthy that there are more roles for women as tough, sexy, wild heroines. But it’s hard to lose yourself in a show when you’re busy thinking, 'Wait, that woman’s supposed to have spent her whole life outside in the sun — how does her skin look so good?’ And it’s confusing if you’re watching a tough cop or D.A. break down a suspect and you can’t tell her 'intimidating face’ from her 'disgusted face’ from her 'satisfied at getting a confession face.’ ”
Emma Rosenblum, New York Magazine www.nymag.com/arts
Finally, a Reason to Watch“Like Glenn Close (Damages) and other movie actors showing up on series television, Holly Hunter (The Piano, Broadcast News) admitted Sunday on a TCA panel that she never used to watch television at all until she got a series lead.”
Lynn Smith, Los Angeles Times www.latimes.com
Aspirational Viewing“You attract women with characters onscreen which make them feel good about themselves.”
Tim Brooks, senior vice president of research, Lifetime Television, quoted by the St. Petersburg Times www.sptimes.com
No Age Barrier“Last night I returned from the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Los Angeles, where I spent five days trapped at the Beverly Hilton attending press conferences from what seemed to be almost every single network on cable television. Throughout all those press conferences, one theme seemed to crop up repeatedly: If you’re a mature actress (as in, over 30) who wants to play a complex, strong woman, get a job on cable.”
Malinda Lo, San Francisco malinda lo’s blog www.afterellen.com/blog/malinda/
Strong Women Abound“When a piggish cattle baron won’t stop hitting on Holly Hunter’s character in TNT’s new Saving Grace, she punches him in the face. That’s becoming the ladylike thing to do, at least on cable, where strong female lead characters — and the notable film actresses who play them — are growing in number.”
Bill Keveney and Gary Levin, USA Today www.usatoday.com
