Offender: New TV comedy "Work It"

Media Outlet: Premiered on ABC, 1/3/12

The Offense: Two out-of-work men dress up as women to get jobs selling pharmaceuticals. The first episode included lines such as: "Women are taking over the workforce. Soon they'll start getting rid of men. They'll just keep a few of us around as sex slaves . . . Not the kind of sex you like . . . Just kissing and cuddling and listening," and "When women take over, they'll make pride illegal."

NOW's Analysis: As one might expect from such an outdated and convoluted concept, "Work It" relies heavily on the presumption that viewers will crack up at the mere sight of two men dressed as women. The script is obsessed with ticking off every supposed difference between the sexes.

For instance, women eat itty-bitty lunches, while men crave giant subs. Men sit around and pound beers at pubs, while women drink cocktails and dance at clubs. And, of course: Men just don't get women, even their long-suffering wives. They need to literally walk in women's shoes to empathize with the other half of the population.

The stereotypical female characters in the office include the blonde princess, the driven bitch, and a slight variation on the Manic Pixie Dream Girl (this version's on hand to help the lead male character, Lee, become a better man and woman).

Other clichés are trotted out, too, like straight men's fascination with lesbians and this classic: "I'm Puerto Rican, I'd be great at selling drugs." Even book clubs where women read about coming of age (and dying) in Rwanda are played for laughs. Aren't women and their interests just silly?

"Work It" might be easy to write off, if it weren't so offensive. The plot is kick-started when Lee runs into a prescription drug saleswoman in his doctor's office, and she tells him: "We're kind of just looking for girls . . . we've had some guys, but the doctors seem to want to nail them less." And Lee's wife has to remind him to "stop comparing prostate exams to the pinball scene in 'The Accused'" -- no matter how old the reference, is gang rape ever good fodder for a joke?

Set aside for the moment that the characters repeatedly refer to adult women as "girls." And the ridiculously mocking way Lee's friend, Angel, walks in heels and a skirt. Even worse than these superficial offenses, the show has a nonchalant attitude toward inappropriate sexual remarks and attitudes. At his interview, Angel tells the female boss: "Your ass looks tight in those pants" (is this ok because he's presumed to be a woman?). Afterward, Angel tells Lee he was fighting an erection during the interview.

Perhaps the most insulting thread in the premise is how Lee gets hired. Vanessa, the boss, expresses surprise that Lee researched the company before his interview and actually understands its products. She confides: "Most of the girls who interview here think clinical trials are the things Lindsay Lohan keeps having to go to." Lee replies: "I'm not your ordinary girl."

So, ordinary "girls" are dumb and don't know how to prep for interviews? But a man (especially one with experience selling macho cars) knows how to impress the boss? Were any women writers or producers present when this exchange was waved through?

This kind of sexist buffoonery is juvenile even in beer commercials. Thirty minutes of it is just pathetic.

Take Action: Tell ABC what you think about the outdated and offensive stereotypes of women and men in "Work It." Update: ABC canceled "Work It" after two episodes, but it's still ok to contact the network and tell them why shows like this are a big mistake!

Lisa Bennett, NOW Communications Director, January 9, 2012

More offenders in : Objectification of Women, Television, Harassment, Intimidation, Media Hall of Shame

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Offender: Dr Pepper Snapple Group

Media Outlet: Aired on television stations nationwide beginning 10/10/2011

The Offense: After about 20 seconds of macho men driving around the jungle, killing snakes and spilling soda, this new TV commercial states explicitly: "Dr Pepper Ten. It's Not for Women." Dr Pepper also launched a Facebook page for men only. When someone with a female-identified Facebook profile tries to enter the page, the following message appears: "Sorry Ladies, Dr Pepper Ten Isn't for Women."

NOW's Analysis: The ad perpetuates stereotypical gender roles, where men are the action heroes of the world, forever looking for adventure, while women are submissive, ornamental or out of the picture altogether, as in this case. Taking place inside a mock blow-'em-up movie, the commercial includes lines like, "Hey ladies, enjoying the film? Of course not! Because this is our movie," and "So you can keep the romantic comedies and lady drinks. We're good." -- driving home the message that women have no interest in action (really?) and men steer clear of anything associated with the ladies.

The new drink has "ten manly calories," as opposed to Diet Dr Pepper, which has zero -- in other words, zero calories is too prissy for men, but 10 calories are too many for women. After all, women are supposed to drink diet soda to look thinner, while men will want to use Dr Pepper 10 as fuel for their manly activities. Is the ad poking fun at these stereotypes? Perhaps. But it seems like the makers of Dr Pepper want it both ways -- to appear to be laughing at misogynistic men while appealing to them at the same time.

For example, I had to use a man's Facebook page to sneak onto the Dr Pepper Ten Facebook page, where I found even more sexist nonsense. Videos show men shooting things, playing sports, etc., and there's a shooting gallery, where men can fire away at "girly" stuff, such as pink bows, red lipstick and sunflowers. Finally, you can take a quiz, testing your knowledge of sports, cars and movies. (I got a seven out of 10, while the man who helped me access the page got eight out of 10 -- so I guess I am pretty manly!) Women can and do know about sports and cars, but that flies in the face of our society's carefully constructed gender roles. Still, is it really necessary to portray women as forever linked with pink bows and lipstick? Haven't these outdated stereotypes grown old and terribly clichéd by now?

The Dr Pepper Ten commercial and Facebook page suggest that men continue to dominate the advertising industry. Apparently, not much has changed since the days of "Mad Men." In fact, this chauvinist viewpoint is reinforced in almost of all aspects of life -- from schooling to the corporate world. Women should not be left on the sidelines of life; we should be portrayed as the adventurers we really are. Dr Pepper really missed the mark this time.

Take Action: Contact Dr Pepper to tell them what you think, and sign the petition on change.org.

By Anita Lederer, Field Organizer

National Organization for Women, October 19, 2011

More offenders in : Advertising, Television, Sexist Piggery, Media Hall of Shame

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Offenders: Comedian Marc Maron and columnist Dan Savage on Real Time with Bill Maher

Media Outlet: HBO

The Offense: Guest panelists on Real Time with Bill Maher took their satirical humor too far on the July 15 show. Comedian Marc Maron expressed his hope of Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann getting f*cked "angrily" by her husband. Not to be outshined, columnist Dan Savage replied with the same violent depiction targeting candidate Rick Santorum.

NOW's Analysis: Bill Maher and his show are known for crass humor, including sexist slurs, but this time it was the guests who overstepped acceptable satirical boundaries, veering into hateful and violent territory.

While discussing Marcus Bachmann's controversial anti-gay Christian therapy clinic, the topic skewed toward his sexuality and marriage with Michele. After quickly determining Marcus to be a closeted gay man, Marc Maron states that he hopes Marcus "takes all that rage that comes from repression and denial and brings it into the bedroom with her . . . I hope he f*cks her angrily, because that's how I would, and I've thought about it."

To avoid "charges of sexism," and demonstrate that "it's not just women we're talking about f*cking," Dan Savage admits, "I sometimes think about f*cking the sh*t out of Rick Santorum." As Savage and Maron try to top each other, panelist and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban laughs as if it is the funniest thing he's heard all week. The lone woman panelist, Chrystia Freeland, looks vaguely uncomfortable while maintaining a polite smile.

Even though there are countless sexist and demeaning comments throughout the show, let's focus on the term that has the potential to become the new euphemism for rape: f*cking angrily. Is this the trendy, politically correct term to use when you want to describe violently raping someone you don't like? Women are usually the target of such comments, but don't worry, Savage made sure to mention angrily f*cking a man, and Maron applauded that sentiment, so at least they aren't sexist, right? They just enjoy the thought of degrading other people sexually -- a concept, by the way, that women and LGBT people might understandably take issue with.

Political topics and satirical humor have always gone hand-in-hand, but joking about the sexual assault of anyone is in no way amusing. Savage and Maron made it very clear that they have different political views from Bachmann and Santorum, but that gives them no right to fantasize about these candidates being the targets of aggressive, unwanted sex. It is deeply frightening that this needs to be said, but rape is not a joke, nor should it be used as a punch line for a political dig. These adults need to grow up and understand the weight of their words. And Maher, who long ago set the tone for his show, might consider trying to bring it back from the hateful path onto which it has strayed.

Take Action: Express your opinions by contacting HBO.

Marisella Rodriguez, Communications Intern, July 20, 2011

More offenders in : Media Activism, Violence Against Women, Television, Media Hall of Shame

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