My nephew's mother alerted me to the show Manswers on the oh-so-problematic Spike TV. Because I do not have cable I have not had the privilege of actually watching this horrendous show but I have been able to watch some of the clips on their website.
Spike TV is television designed especially for young men. To which I say a resounding HA!! As if ALL television were not designed by and for men. It reminds me of the argument that if there is a BET there should be a WET. Spike TV and its Manswers are just another of many anti-feminist, woman-hating, backlashy shows meant to help hetero white guys get it up.
A few of the clips that I had the pleasure of viewing include: "Are women with fake boobs hornier?" "How to make your pick up a hot lady tub," "Hooker or cop," "Which animal is most like having sex with a woman?" and the oh-so-flattering "Make a stripper your lady?"
A few gems from the show:
"Any time a girl is around another girl there's always a little bit of competition."
"If she gets bigger knockers you get more sex because chicks with fake boobs are hornier."
Shows like this are the reason that we still desperately need feminism. Enough said.
9 comments:
i have to say that i happened to catch the episode of "manswers" which featured the "which animal is most like having sex with a woman segment."... and I can assure you that the rest of the episode was just as laughable. But, i'm pretty sure that's the point of the show. I saw the previews and assumed that it was was going to be the worst show on television...but it was actually, pretty funny. The show isn't made with any hint of sincerity, this is very visible in every aspect of the show, from the production quality to THE DIALOG.
Manswers is most likely the result of a 20 year old writer in Hollywood catching a lucky break with a juvenile (but funny) idea, it is certainly NOT the latest attempt by the patriarchal society to establish (or retain) some sort of dominance.
it just seems that when it comes to t.v.; shows like like "i love new york, ANTM, the bachelor, real world, desperate house wives, a shot at love, (the list goes on) that portray women in questionable light, should be the cause of more concern for women than something as ridiculous as "manswers."
Considering the fact that American society IS patriarchal society, it is impossible to look at mass media without seeing its reflection of patriarchal culture. The snippets of Manswers that I watched ALL represented women as sexual objects for male viewing pleasure. And while I agree that the show is probably not intended to be taken in any way seriously (bestiality!!!) the whole point of my blog is to take pop culture seriously.
Representations of women in mainstream media are no accident, they do not exist in a vacuum, they exist within the context of an enormous pay gap, sexual abuses of all sorts, underrepresentation in government and other powerful positions, and general sexualization across media. Taken within its context this show is horribly misogynistic and I think that context is very important when deconstructing media images.
*FYI: I carried this strand over from front page Milwaukee. I think it is important to share feedback with all of my readers. I hope Glass Joe does not mind.
If it's just a silly show that goes on without any influence of our male dominated society, then why defend it?
Does Glass Joe even know who is actually behind this show? Nope...but his faith in our good old patriarchal society brings up everyone favorites saying (in so many words) "boys will be boys." It's probably just some young kid writing it...
I don't know about you guys, but I'm not okay with "some 20 year old writer in Hollywood" degrading and objectifying women, no matter the intention. In fact, laughing it off as comedy is even more offensive.
Spike T.V"s show; 'Manswer' represent women in a disgusting fashion that personally makes me feel nauseous, and needlessly disappointed in the men of our culture. The women of the this channel and show are often viewed barley clothed, extremely enhanced and in a subservient over sex-ified manor.
Besides, a foul display of barbaricy, the show 'manswers' only show cases lame statistics of sexual behaviors such as oral sex, flatulence jokes, prostitution, male homophobia, excessive lesbian content, food, strippers, and the vulgar. In my opinion this show and its ridiculus content should be abolished. I have watched this show and have been completely offended by the questions that are being asked and answered on this show such as: 'which animal is most like having sex with a women' and shows that refer to women as bitches only to find out after looking at the countless pictures of women these intellectually stunted writers and producers are really referring to animals. Another example of male domination of women along with underlying animal context is with the imagery. One episode asks the question 'why men can't hit a urinal properly'? ANd in Spike TV's opinion, men apparently don't have the brain campacity unless there is a cartoon picture of a beaver and the lovely sexually deviant act of disposing of bodily waste on to another human being.
I think that i have wasted enough of my time with this foul form of entertainment, and fully intend on avoiding
not only this manswers show, but also every show within the Spike T.V. realm and will fully and freely continue voicing my disgust in every public arena i can find.
Yours Truly Disappointed in Humanity
Jennifer
Wow. How very interesting it was to see a completely different view than mine about a show like Manswers. Although I can definatley see your point, about how it objectifies women, what you don't know is that - that's how guys REALLY think. Yes, we do lust after beautiful women, and there is absolutley nothing wrong with it. Actually, it's instinctual. HOWEVER - there is a point where men can go too far. I don't like it when other men treat women like objects, when they aren't two cinsenting adults in bed. Iv'e seen some horrible treatment of beautiful women out in public, women are thinking feeling Humans just like men are. SO, I can see that. But again, questions like "Which are hornir - women with fake breasts or women with natural breasts" - really DO cross our minds. And YES, ALL of our minds. And it makes sense too. WHy on Earth would a woman get fake breats? Because she knows msome men like them. In her eyes, she wants their attention. Men think visually when it comes to sex SOMETIMES, ans the SMART women know it - if they want sex just as much as some of these men do. Smart because they know how to play the game of attraction, that simple, instinctual FACT - attraction. Is it perpetuating the objectification of women? Maybe, but only in a natural selection sort of way. But when it comes down to treating women like objects when it's time to work, or go out shopping, or raising a family, then no, that is truly wrong. ..........Give manswers a break - it's what we think about and talk about when you women arent near us. Really, don't kid yourself that we don't And I'm not a pig either, so belive me, men have sex on the brain all the time, and we want good looking women, not fat, un-healthy, examples of a person not having the decency to care for themselves.
Seriously?...no seriously...this is just stupid. Spike tv is the "man channel" just as oxygen was "made for women." It's fun to watch, they have funny shows, and the bulk of it is just comedy that can be viewed on other channels. As for Manswers, my mom and I have been watching it for the past few hours; we laughed our asses off. I think it's funny and witty. The questions that are posed are half comprised of things such as "how much beer can you drink before you die?" , "how much blood can you lose before you die?", "Can this man with stretchy skin break the clothes pin on face record?" to "what do guys look at first when they check out a chick? (the answer was the face btw)." I think most of you need to just chill and stop finding things to attack and point fingers at because you have too much free time.
I definitely see your point, and why you don't like the show, but in all honesty, you are freaking out. I'm personaly uncomfortable with some of the things portrayed, but it's mostly just fun. Lots of people like it, including almost all the women I know (those that don't, don't like the profanity, but otherwise do enjoy it). If you think it objectifies women, you should also consider how it shows te men: slobering, drunk idiots who just want some sex for the night. So, if you think about it, it unfairly portrays both genders. And if you think about it deeper, it unfairly portrays both sexes almost perfectly for your display of ideals, so as to claim ALL media objectifies women, which is untrue. And consider that spike tv is a mens channel, just as oxygen is for women (-anonymous), and you find yourself looking for an angel in hell, so to speak. You're not going to find anything that doesn't appeal to men, and appeals to you. Your shows are on other channels, so stop complaining that the world is terribly uneven and unfair, and go watch that which makes thou happy. (But i guess since that's what a guy would do, it's beneath you. jk)
-Chris
WOW. I have read many opinions/views on the show Manswers displayed on the Internet. I watched the show for the first time August '08. I will be writing a college paper about a source of media that displays a race/gender issue. I thought Manswers was a perfect topic of discussion considering all the diverse views. This will be very difficult to write from an analytical, versus bias, point of view. It seems like everyone out there either loves the show or hates it! But.... I did read one review from "Chris"about Manswers .... that basically said:
1. People are over-reacting.
2. The show actually made him, himself, feel slightly uncomfortable.
3. It degrades men, portraying them as horny slober-ers.
4. Spike TV channel is equivalent to men, as Oxygen channel is to ________.
5. It is all about varying perspectives, and overall context.
In conclusion, that was the only review I liked.
On a new topic, in college I am learning about modern stereotypes and I thought you might want to know a little bit about me before i give you my opinion. When reading other people's Manser internet reviews, I couldn't help but wonder if they were old, or young, male or female, where they lived, how much money they made, if they had kids, if they were feminist, if they were married, and how they dressed.
FYI:
I am 18.
F.
I just moved near Sacramento from Lake Tahoe.
I don't have a job.
No kids.
1 brother. 1 boyfriend. Divorced mother & father.
Blonde. 5'8". 155. Lbs.
College major: Art.
Non-racist.
I dress plain/girly/chick/surferish/skaterish.
... Now that you 'get the gist' and have naturally created a stereotype in your mind about 'who I am" as a person... I will give you my opinion about the show manswers:
I couldn't believe it. I thought it was like the comedy-version of Myth-busters. Some of the questions asked have actually crossed my adolescent girl mind. I wouldn't watch the show with my mom. Maybe my dad. Possibly my brother. Definatly my..
WOW. I have read many opinions/views on the show Manswers displayed on the Internet. I watched the show for the first time August '08. I will be writing a college paper about a source of media that displays a race/gender issue. I thought Manswers was a perfect topic of discussion considering all the diverse views. This will be very difficult to write from an analytical, versus bias, point of view. It seems like everyone out there either loves the show or hates it! But.... I did read one review from "Chris"about Manswers .... that basically said:
1. People are over-reacting.
2. The show actually made him, himself, feel slightly uncomfortable.
3. It degrades men, portraying them as horny slober-ers.
4. Spike TV channel is equivalent to men, as Oxygen channel is to ________.
5. It is all about varying perspectives, and overall context.
In conclusion, that was the only review I liked.
On a new topic, in college I am learning about modern stereotypes and I thought you might want to know a little bit about me before i give you my opinion. When reading other people's Manser internet reviews, I couldn't help but wonder if they were old, or young, male or female, where they lived, how much money they made, if they had kids, if they were feminist, if they were married, and how they dressed.
FYI:
I am 18.
F.
I just moved near Sacramento from Lake Tahoe.
I don't have a job.
No kids.
1 brother. 1 boyfriend. Divorced mother & father.
Blonde. 5'8". 155. Lbs.
College major: Art.
Non-racist.
I dress plain/girly/chick/surferish/skaterish.
... Now that you 'get the gist' and have naturally created a stereotype in your mind about 'who I am" as a person... I will give you my opinion about the show manswers:
I couldn't believe it. I thought it was like the comedy-version of Myth-busters. Some of the questions asked have actually crossed my adolescent girl mind. I wouldn't watch the show with my mom. Maybe my dad. Possibly my brother. Definatly my..
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