Top Ten 1980’s Feminist Television Characters
Photo from babble.com
With the passing of Dixie Carter on Saturday, I thought I’d come up with a list of feminist television characters that made an impression on me during my formative years. This list is based on the shows I happened to have watched at the time:
1. Murphy Brown - Murphy Brown is my absolute favorite. She’s so witty and cynical. She’s like a lucid Jack Donaghy.
2. Roseanne Conner - I still marvel at the way Roseanne and Dan relate to each other. I’ve always aspired to their friendship/romance. Even when they fight, they crack each other up. And they’re both involved in the caretaking and the breadwinning.
3. Angela Bower - I know that the very title of Who’s the Boss is sexist (because obviously Angela’s the boss so why is there any question?), so Angela’s probably not really that feminist of a television character. But she always seems so stressed out, I thought I’d throw her a bone.
4. Rebecca Howe - She makes me want to wear suits with big shoulder pads and carry around a briefcase, and she always resists Sam’s advances. And she’s in love with that gay guy, Robin. I was so busy picturing life with Miles Silverberg and/or Niles Crane, I didn’t even have time for Robin.
5. Claire Huxstable - The thing about Claire is that she has it all and actually enjoys it. Whereas other working moms on TV looked frazzled, Claire makes marriage, motherhood and full time work actually look desirable.
6. Julia Sugarbaker - The original Miranda, Julia Sugarbaker was clearly the sexiest of the Designing Women. She was authoritative, serious and competent, without being a downer.
7. Blanche Devereaux - I know this is controversial because the obvious feminist Golden Girl is Dorothy, with Sophia as a close second. But Blanche is sexy. And she isn’t the dumb one. She reminds viewers that women can be sexy at any age, which is as important a feminist message as any.
8 & 9. The Dads on My Two Dads - I don’t think anyone remembers these guys’ names (actors or characters) but they prove that raising children is not something only women can do, and arguably they were the first gay characters to do it.
10. Simone Foster - The hot red headed girl on Head of the Class makes those of us watching want to be smart, as well as have perfect curly hair and glowing skin. She’s like a less caffeine pill addicted Jessie Spano.
