The Footy Show / Sexual Objectification

[Mr_Moogle]

It's very simple in my book.

If you don't like the show, don't watch. If enough people don't like it and then don't watch it the ratings will drop. If the rating drop, the show will disappear. It's that simple.

However, it's a funny thing that very few people have allegedly seen this show in 15 years but know what goes on.

I love it how a group of people are getting upset about a TV skit, yet don't have a problem with the objectification of the players in calendars, or stuff like that.

If it wasn't Sam Newman, no one would give a rats toss bag. Typical Australian tall poppy.

I have to sit through it sometimes when I visit my folks. Once you've seen one episode, you've pretty much seen them all.

Not upset by the skit though. The Footy Show isn't supposed to be social commentary. It's a bottom of the barrel variety program. They pull gags like this on purpose to drum up some publicity anyway.

I don't think it's tall poppy syndrome. Sam Newman thrives on being hated. All he has to do is say something stupid, or drop his pants and everybody goes off about it. It's a marketed persona and he laps up the extra publicity.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

The show has been going for 22 years - I don't think they need to pull those stunts to get ratings.

I think it was simply an accident and he was just blasé at the time. I don't believe him showing his franks and beans was deliberate.

Tfs has had numerous "accidents" over the years.

Bad luck - I think not

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

Tfs has had numerous "accidents" over the years.

Bad luck - I think not

nope, i didn't say they were all accidents. I said Thursdays nights was.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

nope, i didn't say they were all accidents. I said Thursdays nights was.

I didn't see it so don't know but given their history & lack of precautions, I wouldn't be betting on it being an accident.

 

[alex_is_on_fire]

I'm not buying into it anymore. I said it was an accident and stand by it.

I think he did it without thinking.

 

[Reginald Perrin]

If you and the people you associate with don't think like this then that's fantastic but if you honestly believe that these attitudes don't exist in today's society then you are kidding yourself.

I'm sure there are people who have attitudes like that, but they aren't as prevalent as you'd like to make out and they certainly don't reflect mainstream society values.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on how young women objectifying themselves in their own selfies are role models for the empowerment of women.

 

[Reginald Perrin]

I'm not buying into it anymore. I said it was an accident and stand by it.

I think he did it without thinking.

Of course he did. The man has an ego the size of Nicki Minaj's booty. He was so upset when the old fella got an airing last time, if he was going to do it deliberately he would have fluffed.

 

[Sanders]

So who won this race to prove who is the most right-on, better person?

 

[Reginald Perrin]

The ISPs.

 

[FR0GGY]

Nah he's toast.

Allefgib for the trifecta, come on man!

 

[Dandy_GO]

Horrrorify indeed mate. Before I go on I want to say I am unfortunately well acquainted with the impact of sexual abuse on peoples lives. That incident is not just a football sub cuture incident though imo. Who lets their 16yo kids go out and get hammered? Who allows abuse and bullying over social media? Who is teaching these kids respect for other people? HS gun murders are not a football subculture... but another example of heinous crimes that I think have different underlying issues.

I appreciate your thoughts and they are thought provoking. I still feel that if the ideal is the lady in question should be able to make her own decisions... that we allow her to. And remain vigilant on all the other issues being brought up.

Btw hunky firemen are just as much an exaggerated fantasy as sexy nurses. Im comfortable with both. I don't feel we need to shy from indulging, celebrating and enjoying making fun of natural sexual attraction. In fact I actually believe it's healthier to do so. Repressing it doesnt seem to prevent many of the issues being put forward. Historically the catholic church has had a ton of problems that allowing their priests to marry may have mitigated.

I'm really keen to hear from jen on when cage dancing was something she was comfortable with to now feeling a silly skit with a scantily dressed girl hamming it up is reprehensible.

I linked that example specifically because it was in a sporting context. Both those kids were high school sports stars and their coach was involved in covering up the incident, meaning that he knowingly placed more value in their ability to play football for the high school team, and not jeopardise their chances of college scholarships etc, than justice for the girl who had been r*ped. He is certainly not the first person to do such a thing. It's quite common in sporting cultures to give far more leeway to stars than you would an ordinary person. But yes, it's certainly not confined to sports. It is crucial that we teach kids to respect others, as you said, and I think a lot of that comes down to how we portray women in the media. The Footy Show, historically, doesn't have the best track record with this stuff. Sam especially. I think it's fair for women to expect higher standards than this.

I agree again that repressing sexuality, sexual imagery etc is not the route we should be taking towards solving these things. Sexuality can be empowering, and women (as well as men) should feel free to explore and show that side of themselves in ways that aren't disrespectful to others. Working to repress that side of women would be just as sexist as misrepresenting them as sexual objects is. But there is definitely a line where sexual expression becomes sexual exploitation. It's important to be mindful of this.

Just want to make the point that you kind of need to consider society and the media as a whole when you think about this stuff. Yes these things on their own might not seem like much of a big deal - and they're probably not in isolation - but if you look at how women are talked about and portrayed in the media as a whole, and how they have been portrayed historically, then I think it's pretty fair for women to be offended by that kind of stuff. I think it would be blatantly untrue to say that The Footy Show has presented an overall fair, accurate and equal view of women. While nobody expects a dumb variety show to be leading the feminist movement, or to get it right all the time, when they do cross the line, and receive complaints about it, how hard would it be to listen to the women making those complaints rather than shout them down? When Sam Newman starts using blatantly sexist language against Caro or Sam Lane or whoever, and women complain, his usual response is to call them idiots, and most male Bigfooty posters seem to agree with him. I think that's pretty unfair.

 

[Deaneus!]

My thread has been hijacked.

Changing title.

If there's been a hijacking, I suggest we call Seal Team Sex.

C'mon it wasn't that bad.

 

[Mattrox]

If there's been a hijacking, I suggest we call Seal Team Sex.

C'mon it wasn't that bad.

Only if you are Kiwi....

 

[Jars458]

nope, i didn't say they were all accidents. I said Thursdays nights was.

Negligent at best provably reckless, low impact, not in play, 4 weeks due to a bad record.

 

[TooFar]

They learn it from somewhere. Where?

I would start with the Bible and Koran. Two of the most misoginistic and violent books ever written. Certainly more influential that the footy show or mates at the pub.

 

[Allefgib]

I linked that example specifically because it was in a sporting context. Both those kids were high school sports stars and their coach was involved in covering up the incident, meaning that he knowingly placed more value in their ability to play football for the high school team, and not jeopardise their chances of college scholarships etc, than justice for the girl who had been r*ped. He is certainly not the first person to do such a thing. It's quite common in sporting cultures to give far more leeway to stars than you would an ordinary person. But yes, it's certainly not confined to sports. It is crucial that we teach kids to respect others, as you said, and I think a lot of that comes down to how we portray women in the media. The Footy Show, historically, doesn't have the best track record with this stuff. Sam especially. I think it's fair for women to expect higher standards than this.

I agree again that repressing sexuality, sexual imagery etc is not the route we should be taking towards solving these things. Sexuality can be empowering, and women (as well as men) should feel free to explore and show that side of themselves in ways that aren't disrespectful to others. Working to repress that side of women would be just as sexist as misrepresenting them as sexual objects is. But there is definitely a line where sexual expression becomes sexual exploitation. It's important to be mindful of this.

Just want to make the point that you kind of need to consider society and the media as a whole when you think about this stuff. Yes these things on their own might not seem like much of a big deal - and they're probably not in isolation - but if you look at how women are talked about and portrayed in the media as a whole, and how they have been portrayed historically, then I think it's pretty fair for women to be offended by that kind of stuff. I think it would be blatantly untrue to say that The Footy Show has presented an overall fair, accurate and equal view of women. While nobody expects a dumb variety show to be leading the feminist movement, or to get it right all the time, when they do cross the line, and receive complaints about it, how hard would it be to listen to the women making those complaints rather than shout them down? When Sam Newman starts using blatantly sexist language against Caro or Sam Lane or whoever, and women complain, his usual response is to call them idiots, and most male Bigfooty posters seem to agree with him. I think that's pretty unfair.

Really appreciate, and enioyed, this post. Thank you.

The caro thing from memory, didnt see it, was disgraceful and a very personal attack - I see that quite differently. And unacceptable - complaints about that have my full support. What happened with sam lane?

Tfs is meant for mature audiences. Not kids. Viewers who understand the impact of seeing violence, bad language, adult themes and some nudity. I get its content is offensive to some. Don't watch. Tfs don't paint accurate and fair views of anyone. They lampoon most things. They make fun of each other continually. Expecting them to do anything but entertain is ridiculous. I do think they've done plenty to show they value women for more than just their sexuality. Their efforts for breast cancer are outstanding in my opinion.
I see the skit on Thursday night as no more responsible for objectifying women, or stories like the one you linked, than the way some women choose to dress and act. Let me be really clear that I think women should be able to dress and act however they want with out being treated any less than a man and without being subject to any form of abuse.

Do you believe that their antics beating up the redleg mascot and yo gaba gaba mean they condone or enjoy vickery belting Cox?

 

[Allefgib]

I would start with the Bible and Koran. Two of the most misoginistic and violent books ever written. Certainly more influential that the footy show or mates at the pub.

Reminds me of a thought I had the other day.
When we legalise Gay marriage should we legalise polygamy at the same time?

 

[SpeciousArgument]

If we want gender equality then it needs to be, you know, equal treatment regardless of gender. Using Allefgibs example, why is it ok to have a sexy fireman and not a sexy nurse? i havent watched one in a long time but those grand final footy show performances where the players sing and perform always used to be filled with players with their shirts off and i didnt hear about the example this was setting for young men and the horrors of objectification.

Getting your lingerie in a twist (and im talking about men and women here) when its a woman and not when its a man simply implies that you see women as weak and inferior and in need of protection. I dont think the path to gender equality lies in treating men and women differently.

 

[Mego Red]

Reminds me of a thought I had the other day.
When we legalise Gay marriage should we legalise polygamy at the same time?

Why, possibly? For those in I ur community who are born gay instead of straight, marriage equality just gives them the same rights to marry as everyone else.

Does anyone argue they're BORN polygamous? I'm as horny as the next guy, but I'm not arguing for my legal right to have multiple wives. That being said, it's certainly not illegal for me to have a few partners on the go at the one time.

Not sure I see any relevance?

 

[Mego Red]

Unless you want to try to argue that men and women ARE already equal, you can't argue that "things should just be the same, regardless of gender".

That being said, I would think it as simplistic and moronic to have a panel of idiot Sam Newmanesque women, and have a sexy fireman come out.

 

[Allefgib]

Why, possibly? For those I our community who are born gay instead of straight, marriage equality just gives them the same rights to marry as everyone else.

Does anyone argue they're BORN polygamous? I'm as horny as the next guy, but I'm not arguing for my legal right to have multiple wives. That being said, it's certainly not illegal for me to have a few partners on the go at the one time.

Not sure I see any relevance?

Was just a random thought I had mate.
Some who see marriage as only being morally valid between one man and one woman may be as confronted by polygamy as gay marriage. Some who support gay marriage may be uncomfortable with polygamy. It just occurred to me there really isn't any difference.

 

[Allefgib]

Unless you want to try to argue that men and women ARE already equal, you can't argue that "things should just be the same, regardless of gender".

That being said, I would think it as simplistic and moronic to have a panel of idiot Sam Newmanesque women, and have a sexy fireman come out.

Not seen puppetry of the penis yet?

 

[BACCS]

I enjoy strip clubs, who's with me?

Also, I think it's time to stop bucks and hens nights, they objectify both women and men, disgraceful.

 

[1970crow]

Reminds me of a thought I had the other day.
When we legalise Gay marriage should we legalise polygamy at the same time?

Why not. Who's business is it if some sap thinks life is going to be better negotiating with more than one significant other. Having said that, I've been on to the missus about getting a nanny in to help us out a bit. She's resisting pretty strongly and it seems she has trust issues. Good thing we don't have any kids.

 

[Allefgib]

Unless you want to try to argue that men and women ARE already equal, you can't argue that "things should just be the same, regardless of gender".

That being said, I would think it as simplistic and moronic to have a panel of idiot Sam Newmanesque women, and have a sexy fireman come out.

My point is more its a silly entertainment show full of many things various ppl are offended by. Why are we looking for the answer to gender equality there? It can be very stupid and moronic. No argument there. But they've had on and celebrated female footy players and other sporting champions who are female. Done some great work for breast cancer awareness snd research. None of that shows they don't value women in our society?

If you want a great news story for gender equality - our sister club the san antonio spurs hired the first full time female coach. #getaroundher
(Yes they should be our nba affiliated club )