.authored by something.of.substance.
(originally posted on WL 9/21/08)
This year’s Primetime Emmy Awards had five hosts, all reality television hosts and all nominated for their hosting skills. Talk about having to sing for your supper. Among the hosting hosts were Heidi Klum, former Supermodel and current face of “Project Runway”, and Tom Bergeron, the new Bob Saget of “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (a show I had no idea was still running!). The opening shot featured all five reality narrators appearing on stage together, in a row and sporting the same black suit, white button-down shirt and skinny black tie. Even Heidi Klum had a fitted version of this classic male staple.
.everyone, still clothed.
After running through a terribly unfunny dialogue, all five turned their attention to William Shatner and Heidi’s suit. Confused? I was. I’m not certain why William Shatner was worked into the opening skit, but he was called out, walked up on stage and began bickering with Tom Bergeron, the only male host remaining center stage with Heidi, about Heidi’s suit. Below is a rough paraphrase of the conversation:
William and Tom: “We thought you’d be wearing less clothes!”
Heidi: “I wanted to be one of the guys and I wanted to wear what everyone else was wearing!”
William and Tom: “But, we want you in less clothes!”
End of discussion.
Commence with William Shatner pulling on Heidi’s clothes from one side and Tom Bergeron pulling on them from the other. Amid Heidi’s prostrations, they literally ripped the suit off her body to reveal a low-cut, tight, sparkly black hot pants / sleeveless top number underneath. Just what the Emmy Awards needed: every man’s proverbially fantasy and every woman’s proverbial nightmare.
Obviously, Heidi was prepared to be ripped out of her clothes. But, what does this say about all the women who aren’t? And, if she knew this would happen, why protest? I really hoped that we had gotten past watered down gang bang references in media and I certainly expected more out of something that touts itself as being such a class act as the Emmy’s. Until we don’t find humor and class in primetime rape references, this behavior will still be seen as acceptable. To condone it on television doesn’t give anyone permission to repeat it in real life, but it certainly does nothing to convince people there’s anything intrinsically wrong with bodily demanding women to be less by wearing less.
60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards…for shame.
