If you live in Washington, D.C., you may soon see an advertisement with a cheerful, smiling person pointing out some things they like to do in D.C. One woman says she likes going to the Smithsonian. A smiling man in a button-down shirt claims to like “playing basketball with the guys.” Believe it or not,… Continue Reading →
Not wearing makeup on TV is literally Headline News
I have a pretty traditional work schedule, in that I’m not usually home during the day. This means that I’m not too familiar with talk shows. So, when I saw the headline “’The Talk’ hosts’ makeup-free premiere,” I wasn’t sure what or whom they were discussing. It turns out that “The Talk” is a daytime… Continue Reading →
Barney’s + Disney = Scary-skinny makeovers
High-end retail department behemoth Barney’s New York announced its holiday collaboration with The Walt Disney Company, wherein our beloved characters get the “runway treatment” (Read: slimmed to scary proportions). The front runners? A truly Skinny Minnie, a drastically dieted-down Daisy Duck, hipster Goofy, and more irritatingly altered versions of the iconic clan. In the short… Continue Reading →
Hey, fat girl! Shrink!
Spas are supposed to be relaxing, luxuriating experiences. I have personally never been to one, but from what I hear, you get pampered, massaged, relieve stress, and the like. You know what I didn’t know was a part of the spa experience here in New York, where I live? Being told you’re fat. And that… Continue Reading →
What we learned from the Olympics’ coverage of female athletes
This year’s Olympics in London provided some notable victories for women. It was the first Olympics where there were female athletes from all participating countries. And as always, the Olympics put strong, capable women in the spotlight. In a media landscape where female celebrities are often reported on for their fashion, hair style, or fluctuating… Continue Reading →
Axe does it again – disembodiment and sexism galore
Unsurprisingly, media critics have always had a tough time with Axe advertisements. Their overtly sexual nature and not-so-subtle caress of the male ego make it hard to believe that they’re selling body sprays and hair gels. But the commercial “Office Love,” just out on August 20th, takes Axe’s advertising to a whole new level. And… Continue Reading →
The Price Is Right: Equal opportunity objectifier?
TV’s longest-running game show is boldly breaking sexist barriers by announcing its plan to hire its first-ever male model. That’s it. Just one. The Price Is Right has announced its plans to hold a male model search as part of a five-episode web series where contestants are judged on their verbal skills, posing proficiency, and… Continue Reading →
Is cosmetic surgery a solution to bullying?
Nadia Ilse, a 14-year-old girl in Georgia, is attracting attention for getting cosmetic surgery to get bullies off her back. In an interview with ABC News, Nadia described the torment that school bullies put her through, calling her names like “Dumbo” or “elephant ears.” Unable to afford surgery, Nadia got it covered by the Little… Continue Reading →
Six Weeks to OMG You’re Totally Insane
As a New York City commuter, I am privy to a whole host of crappy advertisements that plaster the subways and buses of our public transportation system. Inevitably, this includes ads that try to entice me to buy all manner of junk food, watch a ton of terrible television, and buy the latest pop-health book…. Continue Reading →