What a funny coincidence! I've been trying to write a post for several weeks now about my favorite women on television, only to realize that there aren't that many right now (especially if I'm trying to keep the list contemporary with shows that are still airing).
I'm interpreting "strong" as both physically kick-ass and emotionally/mentally strong, but here are a few I have so far:
* Allison Dubois (Patricia Arquette), Medium * Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), Criminal Minds * Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness), also Criminal Minds, * Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes), CSI: NY * Sarah Connor (Lena Headey), Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles * Cameron (Summer Glau), also Terminator * Deb Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter), Dexter
There really aren't many/any strong women of color that I can think of off the top of my head (Lt. Maria Laguerta (Lauren Vélez) from Dexter comes to mind, but she's also seriously manipulative and flawed...not that that's necessarily a bad thing).
That is a great question. I don't have cable, but I do devour TV DVD series' often. I recently watched the first two seasons of Friday Night Lights and found that I really liked Tami Tayor (Connie Britton) and Tyra Collette (Adrienne Palicki). Maybe it is because I understand the trappings of smalltown Texas football culture all too well, but both of these characters are strong women that speak their minds.
I also love Olivia on Law and Order: SVU (Mariska Hargitay).
Also a big fan of Deb Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter) on Dexter.
I miss Veronica Mars. She was far from perfect, but what a complex, competent, engaging character. I also miss CJ Cregg from West Wing ... we watch those DVDs regularly around here. :)
January 30, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Anonymous said...
Hi! New here, just had to add Olivia Benson to this list!! Though I see someones beat me to it.
I don't watch much t.v. but I completely adore her character and what little I know of the real Mariska.
January 30, 2009 at 11:01 PM
We thought we'd keep it fun for this week's Friday Forum:
Where are the strong female characters on television? Looking back on shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Xena: Warrior Princess, were characters on these shows as strong as we remember them? Are there characters like this on TV now?
And what about reality TV - are the women on some of these shows hurting the perception of women?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
posted by CHICKS ROCK! at 11:14 AM on Jan 30, 2009
"Friday Forum: Women on TV"
4 Comments -
What a funny coincidence! I've been trying to write a post for several weeks now about my favorite women on television, only to realize that there aren't that many right now (especially if I'm trying to keep the list contemporary with shows that are still airing).
I'm interpreting "strong" as both physically kick-ass and emotionally/mentally strong, but here are a few I have so far:
* Allison Dubois (Patricia Arquette), Medium
* Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), Criminal Minds
* Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness), also Criminal Minds,
* Stella Bonasera (Melina Kanakaredes), CSI: NY
* Sarah Connor (Lena Headey), Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
* Cameron (Summer Glau), also Terminator
* Deb Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter), Dexter
There really aren't many/any strong women of color that I can think of off the top of my head (Lt. Maria Laguerta (Lauren Vélez) from Dexter comes to mind, but she's also seriously manipulative and flawed...not that that's necessarily a bad thing).
January 30, 2009 at 3:54 PM
That is a great question. I don't have cable, but I do devour TV DVD series' often. I recently watched the first two seasons of Friday Night Lights and found that I really liked Tami Tayor (Connie Britton) and Tyra Collette (Adrienne Palicki). Maybe it is because I understand the trappings of smalltown Texas football culture all too well, but both of these characters are strong women that speak their minds.
I also love Olivia on Law and Order: SVU (Mariska Hargitay).
Also a big fan of Deb Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter) on Dexter.
January 30, 2009 at 4:17 PM
I miss Veronica Mars. She was far from perfect, but what a complex, competent, engaging character. I also miss CJ Cregg from West Wing ... we watch those DVDs regularly around here. :)
January 30, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Hi! New here, just had to add Olivia Benson to this list!! Though I see someones beat me to it.
I don't watch much t.v. but I completely adore her character and what little I know of the real Mariska.
January 30, 2009 at 11:01 PM