The astounding hypocrisy of Kirsty Young

[HonaloochieB]

Still.

[jrussel]

Narnia Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Who is this a serious concern for jr? You called

> someone a hypocrite. Aren't loads of people like

> that?

Yes, but not all are so obviously in the public eye.

[Narnia]

Why are you astounded? What does it feel like?

[jrussel]

I am astounded by the blatancy.

It feels much like other times I have been astounded - astounding.

[Narnia]

Would you be more or less astounded if you were abducted by aliens, for example?

[jrussel]

I don't think that question is relevant to the issue being discussed here.

[DJKillaQueen]

Kirsty Young is talking about an industry wide problem. Most TV execs ARE men and most women working in TV are pretty and young, and that includes behind the camera too. It's not an industry where there's exactly a lack of people wanting to get into it either so the powers of those already in there to change that culture are limited.

There is an idea and it is the same in the music industry and film industry, that younger women are preferable to older women whereas men can be any age. Just look at how many older actors get cast in leading roles for example compared to how many women? And of those that do....how many look like Kathy Burke? If Timothy Spall where a women he'd never have had a film career, let alone one that has lasted so long.

The same is true of the music industry. The Rolling Stones can tour at 60 but can you imagine people paying to see a girl group touring at 60? Annie Lennox has spoken out a lot about the sexist ageism of the music industry.

And it won't change until we demolish the use of women as symbols of 'perfect beauty' in our culture. Women have always had to be glamorous to get noticed, whereas men need only be interesting.