The only thing that worries me about this is having a higher chance of hearing Gina Yashere make a obviously HILARIOUS joke where Nigeria is the punchline.
Making such a public statement as this doesn't do the BBC or female comics any favours - any females on such shows in future may now feel they're only on there just to make up the quota, and not because they're funnier than a Flanagan or a Parsons...
I can't comment on Buzzcocks as I stopped watching that a few years ago when it lost it's way, but Mock The Week seems to have female and/or ethnic guests regularly, some are very funny and some just are very poor...as are some of the white blokes on there.
The balance on the show probably isn't helped as you have Dara, Andy, Hugh and (usually) Chris as regulars leaving just three spaces for rotating guests... in the last series (series 12), of the 11 regular shows, there were five with a female presence. They usually like to have a one liner specialist on there (such as Milton Jones, Stewart Francis or Gary Delaney), who do tend to be men.
While that might not sound a lot, it probably is a reflection of the significantly higher number of male stand-up performers out on the circuit in comparison to females?
The only thing that worries me about this is having a higher chance of hearing Gina Yashere make a obviously HILARIOUS joke where Nigeria is the punchline.
I thought that too, but apparently Gina hasn't been on MTW since 2009!
The more frequent female performers on there in recent years have been Andi Osho, Ava Vidal, Holly Walsh and Katherine Ryan (who seems to have been on quite a few shows lately).
Up to a little while ago, I'd only seen her on panel shows. But then I saw her stand-up act - Live at the Apollo, I think. It was great.
Don't have a problem with having a mix of people on panel shows. Does it always have to be the same faces, though? Sue Perkins - I am talking about you.
It means that dreadful woman Sarah Ferkin Millican will never be off the BBC and will have a job for life.
Surely this enough to end the licence fee for good.
Tht Millican woman needs to go to America to 'make it big' now.
I'm sure they coud have her.
Please please please BBC think again,
Surely all BBC panel shows are also under represented by the LGBT community, so we need one of each on the panel to reach the agenda targets.
BAN MILLICAN NOW.
QI surely helps them meet their "quota". Not only host Fry buy Sandi Toksvig and Sue Perkins, both excellent guests, are regulars and help meet quotas in two groups!
Comedy should never be defined by gender... comedy ,is just comedy. I cannot think of a single comedienne I'd pay to see,I can think of several comedians that I would.
Playing devils advocate, but maybe that's because you haven't seen enough female comedians on TV? If they did start featuring more then you might see a few that you would want to go and see?
Playing devils advocate, but maybe that's because you haven't seen enough female comedians on TV? If they did start featuring more then you might see a few that you would want to go and see?
This thread is predicitably awful, filled with people moaning about political correctness, people moaning about women not being funny so that's why they aren't on, and people asking "what's the problem?"
And that's really what I expected, given that we live in a heavily patriarchal society, and also because of things like cronyism - ie, ever wondered why the same acts get on telly all the time, or suddenly somebody becomes famous overnight. Here's a hint: it's not on merit.
I took the liberty of finding some links that everybody here should read/listen/watch before commenting further:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IYx4Bc6_eE - Stewart Lee on political correctness (which should really be renamed "don't be a dick" because that's all PC is really. Not being a dick to people. It's not hard.)
There's shedloads more information out there, and it may be worth people actually doing some research before commenting on things that they have absolutely zero knowledge about.
It's *incredibly* hard to see the world from the point of a view of a woman if you aren't one, because you don't understand your own privileged position.
And your post is predictable in its misandrist undertones. Women have far more rights now than ever before (you could say too many), what century are you living in?
As for the topic, well-a couple of Guardianista Feministas complain, and the BBC do their, ahem, classically politically correct thing! Although I myself don't usually watch panel shows, I can't stand the smug, aren't-we-all-oh-so-funny posturing from the celebrities on them.
There's shedloads more information out there, and it may be worth people actually doing some research before commenting on things that they have absolutely zero knowledge about.
It`s the same faces because most have the same, incredibly successful, agent so it`s got nothing to do with sex.
And your post is predictable in its misandrist undertones. Women have far more rights now than ever before (you could say too many), what century are you living in?
As for the topic, well-a couple of Guardianista Feministas complain, and the BBC do their, ahem, classically politically correct thing! Although I myself don't usually watch panel shows, I can't stand the smug, aren't-we-all-oh-so-funny posturing from the celebrities on them.
FYI I'm a man (not that it matters, just saying for context really). I just want my kid to grow up in an equal society where their sex doesn't determine what they can and can't do in life.
Why do we 'need' more women on TV? All these panel shows seem to be popular enough and bring in good ratings so what is the 'need' for such tokenism? Because of this PC crap, a male comedian will miss out on a place on a panel show because he is the 'wrong' gender - that is clear sexism. I hope BBC receives complains for this sexism, they have been infected with a feminist agenda for too long now
This is quite frankly ludicrous. There are far more made comedians of a decent enough level to appear on shows like this, so how is this even going to be possible? QI is a great example: there have been many female guests over the years (I assume Jo Brand has the most appearances) but there are also many, many episodes with all men. Who cares?
FYI I'm a man (not that it matters, just saying for context really). I just want my kid to grow up in an equal society where their sex doesn't determine what they can and can't do in life.
Guess that makes me a proper arsehole, right?
Do you seriously believe that having a woman on each comedy panel show episode has anything to do with equality? It doesn't. Equality is about equal treatment and equal opportunity, not arbitrary quotas.
Why do we 'need' more women on TV? All these panel shows seem to be popular enough and bring in good ratings so what is the 'need' for such tokenism? Because of this PC crap, a male comedian will miss out on a place on a panel show because he is the 'wrong' gender - that is clear sexism. I hope BBC receives complains for this sexism, they have been infected with a feminist agenda for too long now
There's no way society can switch to treating people fairly and equally in one go. I don't really agree with "affirmative action" (which is what this is actually called, if you're not familiar with the term) but until we reach a time in human history where we don't decide on somebody's role as soon as their born due to the status of their genitals, it's the best method we've got to try and right hundreds of years worth of wrongs.
But the fact that we have to try and do things like this really does say a lot about the problems we have in society.
This is quite frankly ludicrous. There are far more made comedians of a decent enough level to appear on shows like this, so how is this even going to be possible? QI is a great example: there have been many female guests over the years (I assume Jo Brand has the most appearances) but there are also many, many episodes with all men. Who cares?
Wow, it's almost as if women aren't given the chance so you're only ever seeing men and think that that is the status quo.
Do you seriously believe that having a woman on each comedy panel show episode has anything to do with equality? It doesn't. Equality is about equal treatment and equal opportunity, not arbitrary quotas.
It won't change overnight, though, so until then we'll have to try something else.
Maybe in a few generations time when we're all more progressive, sure, we can try the "treat everyone equally" way of doing things (and I'd love that) but until then, it's not really possible.
FYI I'm a man (not that it matters, just saying for context really). I just want my kid to grow up in an equal society where their sex doesn't determine what they can and can't do in life.
Guess that makes me a proper arsehole, right?
I would much rather they be selected on ability though on those grounds many of the male comedians would not be on the programmes either!
It won't change overnight, though, so until then we'll have to try something else.
Maybe in a few generations time when we're all more progressive, sure, we can try the "treat everyone equally" way of doing things (and I'd love that) but until then, it's not really possible.
Oh I'm sure crony-ism exists with this kind of thing, as it does nearly everywhere. That doesn't mean a quota will fix the issue, or even help. "Affirmative action" is just "positive discrimination" renamed to sound better (like "intelligent design" instead of "creationism").
The fact that there are fewer top-tier female comedians doesn't necessarily mean women are disadvantaged in the first place. That should be demonstrated before any action is even considered. Maybe it has been, I dunno. In any case, giving someone a position based on their gender, race, or anything else that is irrelevant, might actually make progress less likely, as people start to believe that women need artificial help to get these jobs or feel bitter about losing out on opportunities because they don't fill quotas.
The solution, as it often seems to be, is simply education. MPs are a good example: having 50:50 male:female MPs makes sense on the face of things, but actually most people would prefer the best candidate to have the job. If you want more female MPs you need to encourage more women to get engaged in politics, so the pool is large enough for gender to not be an issue on a large scale. Just having a quota doesn't help anyone. Politics is totally broken anyway but that's another thread.
Oh I'm sure crony-ism exists with this kind of thing, as it does nearly everywhere. That doesn't mean a quota will fix the issue, or even help. "Affirmative action" is just "positive discrimination" renamed to sound better (like "intelligent design" instead of "creationism").
The fact that there are fewer top-tier female comedians doesn't necessarily mean women are disadvantaged in the first place. That should be demonstrated before any action is even considered. Maybe it has been, I dunno. In any case, giving someone a position based on their gender, race, or anything else that is irrelevant, might actually make progress less likely, as people start to believe that women need artificial help to get these jobs or feel bitter about losing out on opportunities because they don't fill quotas.
The solution, as it often seems to be, is simply education. MPs are a good example: having 50:50 male:female MPs makes sense on the face of things, but actually most people would prefer the best candidate to have the job. If you want more female MPs you need to encourage more women to get engaged in politics, so the pool is large enough for gender to not be an issue on a large scale. Just having a quota doesn't help anyone. Politics is totally broken anyway but that's another thread.
Hmm.
Finding it hard to disagree with this post. Damnit. >:(
Absolute madness this will mean we will be watching shows which won't feel like the guests want to be there I can't see J Clarkson wanting to carry on with top gear if he's forced to present
I can see what shows will do do is move channels I think mock the week QI etc should go to either Ch4 or Ch5
If shows guests are going to be put together rather than people actually wanting to be there then it's wrong
And loose women etc all women shows should be banned aswell if you going to have a mix then every show should be mixed
Comments
I can't comment on Buzzcocks as I stopped watching that a few years ago when it lost it's way, but Mock The Week seems to have female and/or ethnic guests regularly, some are very funny and some just are very poor...as are some of the white blokes on there.
The balance on the show probably isn't helped as you have Dara, Andy, Hugh and (usually) Chris as regulars leaving just three spaces for rotating guests... in the last series (series 12), of the 11 regular shows, there were five with a female presence. They usually like to have a one liner specialist on there (such as Milton Jones, Stewart Francis or Gary Delaney), who do tend to be men.
While that might not sound a lot, it probably is a reflection of the significantly higher number of male stand-up performers out on the circuit in comparison to females?
I thought that too, but apparently Gina hasn't been on MTW since 2009!
The more frequent female performers on there in recent years have been Andi Osho, Ava Vidal, Holly Walsh and Katherine Ryan (who seems to have been on quite a few shows lately).
What about the Welsh, can I complain somewhere?
Up to a little while ago, I'd only seen her on panel shows. But then I saw her stand-up act - Live at the Apollo, I think. It was great.
Don't have a problem with having a mix of people on panel shows. Does it always have to be the same faces, though? Sue Perkins - I am talking about you.
QI surely helps them meet their "quota". Not only host Fry buy Sandi Toksvig and Sue Perkins, both excellent guests, are regulars and help meet quotas in two groups!
Playing devils advocate, but maybe that's because you haven't seen enough female comedians on TV? If they did start featuring more then you might see a few that you would want to go and see?
This weeks Top Gear ended with Jeremy promising to change his name by deed poll to Jennifer if the Porsche was faster than the McLaren.
That's one way to meet the female quota!
Ding ding ding! We have a winner.
They should just put Dara in a blonde wig.
And your post is predictable in its misandrist undertones. Women have far more rights now than ever before (you could say too many), what century are you living in?
As for the topic, well-a couple of Guardianista Feministas complain, and the BBC do their, ahem, classically politically correct thing! Although I myself don't usually watch panel shows, I can't stand the smug, aren't-we-all-oh-so-funny posturing from the celebrities on them.
It`s the same faces because most have the same, incredibly successful, agent so it`s got nothing to do with sex.
You're right, but they are two different problems. One is a problem with comedy in general. The other is a problem with everyday society.
FYI I'm a man (not that it matters, just saying for context really). I just want my kid to grow up in an equal society where their sex doesn't determine what they can and can't do in life.
Guess that makes me a proper arsehole, right?
Do you seriously believe that having a woman on each comedy panel show episode has anything to do with equality? It doesn't. Equality is about equal treatment and equal opportunity, not arbitrary quotas.
There's no way society can switch to treating people fairly and equally in one go. I don't really agree with "affirmative action" (which is what this is actually called, if you're not familiar with the term) but until we reach a time in human history where we don't decide on somebody's role as soon as their born due to the status of their genitals, it's the best method we've got to try and right hundreds of years worth of wrongs.
But the fact that we have to try and do things like this really does say a lot about the problems we have in society.
Wow, it's almost as if women aren't given the chance so you're only ever seeing men and think that that is the status quo.
It's all very circular and reinforcing.
It won't change overnight, though, so until then we'll have to try something else.
Maybe in a few generations time when we're all more progressive, sure, we can try the "treat everyone equally" way of doing things (and I'd love that) but until then, it's not really possible.
I would much rather they be selected on ability though on those grounds many of the male comedians would not be on the programmes either!
Oh I'm sure crony-ism exists with this kind of thing, as it does nearly everywhere. That doesn't mean a quota will fix the issue, or even help. "Affirmative action" is just "positive discrimination" renamed to sound better (like "intelligent design" instead of "creationism").
The fact that there are fewer top-tier female comedians doesn't necessarily mean women are disadvantaged in the first place. That should be demonstrated before any action is even considered. Maybe it has been, I dunno. In any case, giving someone a position based on their gender, race, or anything else that is irrelevant, might actually make progress less likely, as people start to believe that women need artificial help to get these jobs or feel bitter about losing out on opportunities because they don't fill quotas.
The solution, as it often seems to be, is simply education. MPs are a good example: having 50:50 male:female MPs makes sense on the face of things, but actually most people would prefer the best candidate to have the job. If you want more female MPs you need to encourage more women to get engaged in politics, so the pool is large enough for gender to not be an issue on a large scale. Just having a quota doesn't help anyone. Politics is totally broken anyway but that's another thread.
Hmm.
Finding it hard to disagree with this post. Damnit. >:(
I can see what shows will do do is move channels I think mock the week QI etc should go to either Ch4 or Ch5
If shows guests are going to be put together rather than people actually wanting to be there then it's wrong
And loose women etc all women shows should be banned aswell if you going to have a mix then every show should be mixed