And Just Like That, Shrinking Expands Men on TV

MASKulinity Podcast

We’re at the start of award season, so it’s a perfect time to continue exploring MASKulinity on TV. This week, Samantha and Remoy walk each other through popular shows they’ve watched and ask, How are men and masculinity represented in these shows? Are they challenging the norm of MASKulinity or reinforcing it?

• Samantha starts off with a nod to Golden Globe-nominated Nobody Wants This for its evolved masculinity moments. Adam Brody has been in his nurturing masculinity bag since the early 2000s and we’re here for it!
• She then winds our TVs back to the late ‘90s for a look at a breakthrough TV show at the time: Sex and The City.
  • Remoy questions focusing on men while talking about a show that centers women. At any other time, Samantha would agree, butcher contends that it is helpful to see how women can perpetuate patriarchy.
  • What are men like in a TV show that entirely focuses on the dating and sex lives of attractive women? Samantha reflects back on the different love interests in the show and how their viability as a partner was measured.
    • Carrie’s main love interests, Mr. Big and Aidan, embodied two different sides of the coin that is traditional masculinity. Neither challenge patriarchal norms, still, it’s worth asking: Why would an emotionally unavailable tycoon be a better suited partner than a nurturing provider? Short answer: patriarchal tropes. Long answer: Nice guys finish last in the patriarchy, and SATC is no different.
    • Remoy acknowledges his own past as a Mr. Big type, proving that emotional unavailability doesn't have to be lifelong!
  • Remoy didn’t regret missing the show, but he couldn’t help but wonder, Do these stereotypical dating situations on TV inform our real dating lives or is it the other way around?
  • Patriarchy didn’t just impact dating in SATC. Casual homophobia, racism, and transphobia were peppered throughout the show.
    • The two call out that SATC touted itself as a feminist show, but only explored well-to-do, slim white women’s dating and sex lives. Everyone else does feel othered including men, who are one-dimensional and just meant to be chosen.
    • Samantha admits why she continued to watch the show despite all these tropes. She reflects on her younger self’s patriarchal leanings.
  • There were good things about SATC. While missing clear opportunities to be inclusive and well-rounded in their depictions of dating life in New York City,
  • Where the characters in the MASK On, MASK Off game from our “TV Dads” episode grappled with masculinity, SATC sticks to traditional expectations of masculinity by condensing male characters into three types. [13:00] Do you agree? Let us know!
• Samantha ends her story with a quick note on the SATC reboot, And Just Like That.
  • People have been vocal about how the show is forcibly inclusive.
    • Samantha shares some examples and opines on how evolved the reboot is compared to the old show.
    • What your verdict? Has this franchise evolved? Holler at us! @ maskulinitypod
• Remoy takes the mic and picks up where he left off with his new favorite show, Shrinking.
  • In Shrinking, men, and characters in general, are imparted with nuance and humanity that was clearly missing from SATC’s supporting characters.
  • Remoy maintains his fave was snubbed at the Golden Globes and attempts to foster appreciation in Samantha for his new show.
  • He shares a few clips from the show and lets Samantha ask clarifying questions about the show.
    • Cue in intergenerational friendships, community problem-solving, open communication with teenage children, and healthy grey-area relationships between men and women.
  • Shrinking does what And Just Like That attempted to do but in a realistic and relatable manner.
    • Changing neighborhood dynamics leads folks to call out racist behavior, rather than yearning for the past.
      • Remoy breaks down how characters deal with grief and changing dynamics in their lives.
      • Samantha immediately takes to Derek and Remoy gives her the lowdown.
    • In this ensemble cast, there are various folks support each other.
      • The relationship between father and daughter is quite moving.
    • Remoy gives praise to the writing of the show gracefully weaving themes

Referenced on this episode:

• Our episode on TV Dads
• The paper that informed Samantha’s gamifying of TV dads? That’s–Laughing at Men: Masculinities in Contemporary Sitcoms
• Our other TV episode: The Fresh Prince and 📺 Episode

COMPANION PIECES:

• Shrinking isn’t the only show demonstrating healthy masculinity
• Toxic Masculinity and Big vs. Aidan: How ‘Sex and the City’s’ love triangle has aged