Redesigning Women: Television After the Network Era

by Amanda D. Lotz

This first volume in the series Feminist Studies and Media Culture began in dissertation research by Lotz (communication, U. of Michigan), who considers the increase in television programming aimed at women in the 1990s, and examines the types of stories presented and how the media began catering more towards women. Using feminist criticism, she examines narrative trends; how the women's cable network market expanded with the addition of Lifetime, Oxygen, and WE; and then looks specifically at four types of female-centered dramas--those revolving around action, comedy, protagonist-centered families, and the workplace--and their stories and audiences. Shows discussed include Ally McBeal, Sex and the City, Judging Amy, and Warrior Princess. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

240 pages, Paperback

Published July 11, 2006

Reviews

[Teleseparatist · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars? I suppose. I thought the author's definition of postfeminism made her arguments more rather than less murky, and I think she gives short shrift to several of the series she describes. I also wished she'd actually engaged with the post-9/11 programming shift (her omission of 24, a perfect illustration of the move away from female-centric drama, could serve as an example). It's also interesting as an artifact of the time it was written: before the Difficult Men re-dominated the silver screen and before likability of female characters stopped being expected.

I thought Lotz's arguments against role model analysis (or at least, against role model paradigm being the dominant mode of feminist criticism) could have used more depth. Granted, all she wrote about its roots and uses was awesome and some of the most interesting content, for me (something I'll be able to use in my own work. A lot). Still, her argument that:

"The presence of a previously unimaginable multiplicity of stories about women decreases the utility of this model, particularly when other frameworks remain obscured by its centrality."

doesn't quite hold water when considering how overwhelmingly uniform those stories could still be (by her own admission). Before this model can fade into obscurity, we still need to monitor representation - and this doesn't necessarily mean only role-model representation (as she usually simplifies it). But this is something to discuss in more depth than the review allows.

That said, I really appreciate the breadth of her critique, bringing into my attention shows that *have* been all but forgotten and which sound fascinating. The Division, in particular, but also Third Watch (and I've never heard it mention in any analysis of depictions of abortion on tv!). And Any Day Now, Judging Amy and Family Law are all shows I have a passing (or more than passing) acquaintance with, but I wish I could get hold of them in their entirety. And I thought the focus on how transformations in the media and advertiser pressures contributed to the transformations in formulas was very enlightening.

All in all, a very decent, well-researched piece of television criticism. (Even if I remain unconvince about Ally McBeal's nuances! ;))

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can get past this book's incredibly cheesy cover, it's pretty good. I've definitely employed it multiple times.