An Erie Media-Go-Round Chat Down
It has been 44 years since I entered Ithaca College and sat in an empty television studio (WICB Channel 12) with 54 other freshmen listening to the dean of the broadcast school give us his standard freshmen pep talk.
Some pep talk.
He told us to look to the right and to the left and that those persons would never graduate from this department. He also looked at the 3 women in the class and said “there is no place for women in broadcasting.” The woman to the left of me looked up and scowled. It was Jessica Savitch
Some pep talk.
He told us to look to the right and to the left and that those persons would never graduate from this department. He also looked at the 3 women in the class and said “there is no place for women in broadcasting.” The woman to the left of me looked up and scowled. It was Jessica Savitch
The dean was right about the graduates as only about 15 remained from that original group, but turned out to be wrong about his prediction of women in broadcasting. However, you really can't blame him. It was 1962. From the networks on down, few women were on the air as more than just a weather girl.
Jessica did rather well going from market to market and finally to NBC and anchoring the weekend news and getting a few big scoops of her own. I spoke to her several times on her way to the top. She had to scratch her way, like an alley cat, to achieve what she did. As most of you know, she also had a tragic life and death as well. (I often wondered if the price of fame was all worth it.)
Many others would follow her lead in breaking down the testosterone walls of broadcasting.
Several weeks ago, there were a number of interesting posts about the perception that there were different standards for women in broadcasting than for men. One suggested we make a chat down topic which I promised I would do.
The EMGR Chat Down Question?
Today, are women in broadcasting held to a different standard than men?
(Editor's Update: Jessica did not graduate in the same year I did as she took some time off to complete some early TV obligations she had. We were both in Alpha Epsilon Rho together as well, R-TV national fraternity)
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6 comments:
Jack - It does appear that there is a double standard between men & women generally speaking. On the TV front, it appears that females are sometimes used more for looks than their journalism expertise unfortunately. I have read stories about older female anchors being fired and replaced with younger "Eye Candy" to attract more male viewers. Why do you think some stations have co-ed co- anchors? Look at the cable news channels, it's the same thing "Eye Candy" for ratings. But with Erie and other areas not having aggressive journalism anymore, this shouldn't be a real surprise. The days of Carol Pella are long gone.
I don't know whether women in broadcasting are held to a higher standard as far as their actual work product, but I do believe they are held to a much higher standard with regard to their physical appearance.
I, for one, am glad women are held to a higher standard in regards to on-air appearance.
I would much rather see a well-groomed Amanda Post, Karla Mullenax or Pat VanZandt than an unkempt Kevin MacDowell, Sean Lafferty or Scott Bremner.
Oink! Oink! My Good Man!
There certainly is a double standard in Erie broadcasting. Women have it much harder because they're forced to meet a certain photogenic standard that many of the men do not.
Television media women in Erie usually have to be young and hot, or else they're not on the air! How many older or unattractive women can anyone even count on Erie television? Yet, the same standard isn't used for men.
Even though I'm a guy, I think this double standard is very obvious. For God's sake, look at how many male on-air people in Erie are older, balding, obese, and not very handsome. On the other hand, some of these male "personalities" are also bad sounding with poor
on-air voices! Would a woman with the same poor vocal characteristic even be put on the air in Erie? No freakin way!
Let's take a look at some of these men.
Scott Bremner-balding, over 40, overweight
Joey Stevens- Over 40, Overweight
Scott Wludyga- Totally bald (yes, I know he has left WJET.
Luke Simons-balding
Scott Cook-Over 40, probably the worst on-air voice of all-time.
Rob Wilson-Obvious speech impediment
Ray Petelin-Bald
Kevin McDowell-Over 40
Lou Baxter-Over 40, Balding, Overweight.
Yes, there are the examples of older women in broadcasting,like Lisa Adams and Carol Wilson, but they are the rare exceptions in Erie media. It seems every other woman who is on-air has to be some young hottie. There really is a double standard in local television broadcoasting in regards to gender. Anyone who can't see it is blind.
I think Erika Howland is the hottest reporter on Erie TV! Anyone know if she has a boyfriend? girlfriend?
!
MMM. I thought this subject would generate some more comments...especially from women in and out of the business.
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