Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

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  • Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

    OK, so we recently had a debate here about introducing a female character as "strikingly pretty". While everyone who posted comments has some connection to screenwriting - hoped-for or realized - participants were self-selected, have varied sorts of current employment (which, to some extent, will inform/suggest our PsOV), and were of "varied" genders.

    So let's narrow things down a bit: Two writers, both are women, both write for The Washington Post, and (therefore) both were selected by The Washington Post.

    Here's their conclusion(s) on the Variety cover photo (and caption) of Melissa McCarthy (and her husband*) -And so, as bright as each of us at DDP may be, no wonder we could not come to an agreement on "strikingly pretty". Even the Washington-farking-Post can't resolve such things.

    _____

    * - Ben Falcone

  • #2
    Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

    I'm female. I can see what both females are saying in response to the cover.

    Variety trod a razor-thin line with that one. Genius or lucky?
    "You have idea 1, you're excited. It flops. You have idea 99, you're excited. It flops.
    Only a fool is excited by the 100th idea. Fools keep trying. God rewards fools." --Martin Hellman, paraphrased

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    • #3
      Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

      Definition of Sexism:

      1. attitudes or behavior based on traditional stereotypes of sexual roles. 2. discrimination or devaluation based on a person's sex.

      The headline is sexist because it devalues her talent and success. It plays on the "slept her way to the top" stereotype which indicates a woman with little talent uses sexual favors to climb the career ladder.

      Find me an article about another Hollywood couple who work together where the man is characterized as a sexual stereotype.

      Melissa McCarthy has taken some hits in the press. When Rex Reed reviewed Identity Thief he called her a "hippo," “humongous creep” and “a gimmick comedian who has devoted her short career to being obese and obnoxious with equal success.”

      Then another male reviewer, Nico Lang, commenting on the Reed article, referred to her as "America's Plus-Size Sweetheart," only to be shocked to find Melissa McCarthy didn't like that label either.

      When a woman is assessed first by her sexual appeal (to men), before her other traits and talents are assessed, it's sexist. There's no way around it. The reason why some people -- male or female -- don't see it as sexist is because sexism is so deeply ingrained in our society many are blind and numb to it. It's considered "normal." It's considered acceptable.
      Last edited by sc111; 07-07-2014, 08:11 AM.
      Advice from writer, Kelly Sue DeConnick. "Try this: if you can replace your female character with a sexy lamp and the story still basically works, maybe you need another draft.-

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      • #4
        Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

        When a woman is assessed first by her sexual appeal (to men), before her other traits and talents are assessed, it's sexist. There's no way around it. The reason why some people -- male or female -- don't see it as sexist is because sexism is so deeply ingrained in our society many are blind and numb to it. It's considered "normal." It's considered acceptable.
        THIS. Exactly.

        She is a very talented and funny woman, and the conversation should be about that. Any discussion of her "sleeping her way to the top" devalues her talent and ability. No question that it's sexist.

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        • #5
          Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

          OMG. Relax ladies. I'm female, and I think this debate over this Variety cover being sexist to Melissa is such a ridiculous non-issue. The woman who originally started the debate must have been completely out of stuff to write about, and high on Pamprin.

          It's a joke based on an old trope, and it's supposed to be kind of funny, because in reality, it's the OPPOSITE. I think this cover is actually demeaning to Melissa's husband, Ben. It shows her very much on top, squeezing his face like, "aww, isn't he cute, he directed my movie". They are happily married, and have a production company together. But they would not have a production company, nor would he be directing a movie, were it not for her super-stardom and success.

          So good for Melissa. I'm a big fan.

          But why aren't the MEN from The Washington Post debating the Variety cover on behalf of Ben? Because there's, like, some more important junk, and stuff, in the world, to write about.
          "The Hollywood film business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side." Hunter S Thompson

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          • #6
            Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

            It was maybe not the best idea, but it got them attention, so maybe in the end it was a great idea.

            The article is apparently about their working relationship as a married couple in the industry, so it's appropriate that the cover reflects that. It was somebody's attempt to be cute.
            Chicks Who Script podcast

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            • #7
              Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

              "When a woman is assessed first by her sexual appeal (to men), before her other traits and talents are assessed, it's sexist."

              This is the film industry!! We're talking about movie stars!! Is it sexist for the fashion industry to require its models to be beautiful?

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              • #8
                Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

                I think the criticism that it's sexist is justified, but as PR to promote the film it also fails because it effaces her comic personality.
                Last edited by castilleja32; 07-08-2014, 01:40 PM.

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                • #9
                  Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

                  Originally posted by Rantanplan View Post
                  "When a woman is assessed first by her sexual appeal (to men), before her other traits and talents are assessed, it's sexist."

                  This is the film industry!! We're talking about movie stars!! Is it sexist for the fashion industry to require its models to be beautiful?
                  But... I mean.... come on.

                  It's not a porn movie (or a fashion show).

                  If the role requires a beautiful person that's fine and great, but I don't prejudge a movie based on the actor or actress's looks.

                  The title was mildly annoying, probably because, given the scrutiny paid to Melissa's weight, we're extra sensitive.

                  She's great, btw.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

                    It's a joke based on an old trope, and it's supposed to be kind of funny, because in reality, it's the OPPOSITE.
                    Except that it's not really the opposite. The trope is the starlet sleeping with the male director. The opposite of the trope would be if she were the director (the person in the position of authority), and if he were the actor. That would be opposite. Even then, the joke still wouldn't be funny.

                    Originally posted by Rantanplan View Post
                    "When a woman is assessed first by her sexual appeal (to men), before her other traits and talents are assessed, it's sexist."

                    This is the film industry!! We're talking about movie stars!! Is it sexist for the fashion industry to require its models to be beautiful?
                    Technically, yes. Just because it's a common practice, doesn't make it any less sexist. It's sexist because you don't see male actors held to that same standards or treatment.

                    And by the way, Melissa McCarthy IS beautiful. She's also extremely talented and funny. All things that the headline did not convey.

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                    • #11
                      Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

                      Originally posted by celticbeauty View Post
                      It's sexist because you don't see male actors held to that same standards or treatment.
                      Um, okay...

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                      • #12
                        Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

                        A loving married couple on a cover is sexist? Every other actress is mostly naked on covers (men are too), but this one is too far? Love it!

                        Just another thing to get angry about instead of cleaning your apt or helping out a neighbor.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

                          Originally posted by Bono View Post
                          Just another thing to get angry about instead of cleaning your apt or helping out a neighbor.
                          You're right, who am I to think I had the right to critique something in the media when there are dustballs everywhere and unwashed dishes in the sink. I must have my priorities so screwed up -- better go bake some pies for the neighbors.

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                          • #14
                            Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

                            Originally posted by celticbeauty View Post
                            And by the way, Melissa McCarthy IS beautiful. She's also extremely talented and funny. All things that the headline did not convey.
                            You need a HEADLINE to convey that she is beautiful? The effing PICTURE, in which she looks, you know, beautiful, isn't enough -- you need the headline to announce her beauty or it's clearly sexist?

                            Unbelievable.

                            My god, how dare these people give Melissa McCarthy a really, really attractive and appealing cover to promote her new film. They must really be sexist pigs and hate her guts over at that magazine. The nerve!

                            Good luck in Hollywood, people. If you are this freaking sensitive, seriously, good luck.

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                            • #15
                              Re: Is Variety's Melissa McCarthy cover sexist? Washington Post says...

                              Originally posted by castilleja32 View Post
                              You're right, who am I to think I had the right to critique something in the media when there are dustballs everywhere and unwashed dishes in the sink. I must have my priorities so screwed up -- better go bake some pies for the neighbors.
                              I'm a stay at home dad and I do the cleaning.

                              I didn't even think about it in the way you did... I just picked 2 random things that are more important than worrying about this particular magazine cover.

                              Also, this thread is just as big a waste of time. Goodbye friends.

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