News flash, y’all: Jon Stewart is not a sexist prick!
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, then you’ve probably missed out on the Jezebel kerfuffle of late (you can look it up easily enough if you’re interested). But the good folks over at The Daily Show noticed it, and they’ve posted a lovely response.
The short version is, Jezebel posted an article asking whether The Daily Show had a problem with women, citing the dearth of female writers and correspondents over the years. We didn’t blog about it here because it was only tangentially related to Stephen, seemed too negative and, frankly, seemed a bit questionable from a reporting standpoint (i.e. the persons quoted seemed a bit … selective). We’ve said ourselves that we’d love to see more women on TDS — and in comedy in general — but I’d like to think we’ve stopped short of implying sexism when speculating on the reasons for the perceived gender imbalance. Anyhow, the awesome women from The Daily Show‘s staff have chimed in:
Dear People Who Don’t Work Here,
Recently, certain media outlets have attempted to tell us what it’s like to be a woman at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. We must admit it is entertaining to be the subjects of such a vivid and dramatic narrative. However, while rampant sexism at a well-respected show makes for a great story, we want to make something very clear: the place you may have read about is not our office.The Daily Show isn’t a place where women quietly suffer on the sidelines as barely tolerated tokens. On the contrary: just like the men here, we’re indispensable. We generate a significant portion of the show’s creative content and the fact is, it wouldn’t be the show that you love without us.
. . .
Read the brilliant letter from the women of The Daily Show in its entirety here
Also? How hard did I laugh at that second postscript?
I laughed at the last item on the list of things Jon has supported them through.
Also, I feel mildly bad because after reading the letter about how unsexist the show is, I look at the pic and thought to myself “oh she’s cute, she’s hot..”
Shout Out (Hey!):
+2
I just read this as well! Very nicely done, women of The Daily Show!
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Oh, fantastic! I’m really glad they posted this response, that article was ridiculous.
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As Jon would say….. “BOOM!!!!” *fist punch*
That was amazing!! I’m so happy they did that, because it did sound like the few people who spoke out about The Daily Show being sexist were just disgruntled former employees. I also loved that even in the Jezebel article, the voice of reason was none other than Allison Silverman who insisted that she had no trouble with Jon at all. I really liked the list of things Jon has supported them through. It warms my cockles. :)
Difference makers:
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LMAO … wonderful! … *grinning*
“We are women, hear us roar!”
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Glad to see this here! :D
I wonder how much Jon knew about this, though. Can you imagine him reading the part where they gush about how awesome he is? LOL
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For those who don’t visit Jezebel much, you should know that the original article (not the follow up with quotes from “disgruntled ex-employees”) simply questioned why a show as progressive as TDS is lacking when it comes to women writing and being on air.
For TDS, which can be so introspective about politics and society, to dismiss a legitimate inquiry – and they did when they refused to provide comment for the original article – and respond as if it was Glenn Beck level crazy with what amounted to a snarky eff you… Well, to me, it’s a little insulting and disappointing.
Yes, women are obviously integral players behind the scenes. No, nobody said Jon is a big fat stupid dumb sexist pig. These women aren’t going to stick around if they’re unhappy, obvs., and huzzah that they are there and happy.
But this response doesn’t go back to the core question of women being under represented in the writers room and on air; to the idea of comedy being a boy’s club; or to how the show or women writers/comedians themselves can possibly change this.
So, in short, I had a giggle, but it turned into one of those vomit-burps that left a kinda bad taste in the back of my mouth.
Oh! And Kristen Schaal is still there?! I can has more of her? I love her!
Difference makers:
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I think you have a point, MeowMix: women ARE under-represented on air and as writers. And TDS is not alone on this, and I don’t think the problem is because Jon’s necessarily sexist. The issue of women and comedy began way before him and go far beyond him. I’ve always gotten the impression that he treats his staff very well, and that of course includes the women who work there.
But look at the photo: one black woman in a sea of white women. And is ANYONE over 30 or unattractive? Now maybe that’s just part and parcel of the TV and comedy world in general, but it’s worth questioning..To me, the questioning doesn’t diminish my admiration for, and love of, Jon’s work. It’s simply a matter of hoping things keep on getting better for women, and that more opportunities open up.. And by the way, does actually mentioning that a woman works on makeup help make their case, since that’s pretty much standard operating procedure?
Years ago, when I was an “X-Phile” (fan of The X-Files), the show won an Emmy (or Golden Globe) and everyone piled onstage. Chris Carter, the executive producer, began by saying, “It takes a lot of people to make a show.” But what I saw was an almost all-white group (one Asian) and almost all-male group. And despite my love of the show I thought: if it does take a lot of people, why are they all so homogenous?
I think the proof will be if Jon wins another Emmy and we see who actually has the power to get up on stage and get the award. And sadly, i think few of those women will be standing on the stage.
Shout Out (Hey!):
+1
I think MeowMix has a point: women ARE under-represented on air and as writers. And TDS is not alone on this, and I don’t think the problem is because Jon’s necessarily sexist. The issue of women and comedy began way before him and go far beyond him. I’ve always gotten the impression that he treats his staff very well, and that of course includes the women who work there.
But look at the photo: one black woman in a sea of white women. And is ANYONE over 30 or unattractive? Now maybe that’s just part and parcel of the TV and comedy world in general, but it’s worth questioning..To me, the questioning doesn’t diminish my admiration for, and love of, Jon’s work. It’s simply a matter of hoping things keep on getting better for women, and that more opportunities open up.. And by the way, does actually mentioning that a woman works on makeup help make their case, since that’s pretty much standard operating procedure?
Years ago, when I was an “X-Phile” (fan of The X-Files), the show won an Emmy (or Golden Globe) and everyone piled onstage. Chris Carter, the executive producer, began by saying, “It takes a lot of people to make a show.” But what I saw was an almost all-white group (one Asian) and almost all-male group. And despite my love of the show I thought: if it does take a lot of people, why are they all so homogenous?
I think the proof will be if Jon wins another Emmy and we see who actually has the power to get up on stage and get the award. And sadly, i think few of those women will be standing on the stage.
Shout Out (Hey!):
0
I think the timing of the Jezebel piece is suspect. It wasn’t until after Olivia Munn. She is young and pretty–that is the real venom behind the thing. Yes, and also very funny.
It just goes to show the truth of the old joke–”How many feminists does it take to screw in a lightbulb?” “That’s not funny!”
I consider myself a feminist but I am often dismayed at the infighting.
Shout Out (Hey!):
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