This blog was originally published on elkharttruth.com on Dec. 4, 2014.
It’s about time powerful women were portrayed on TV.
But with CBS’ “Madam Secretary,” new this year; ABC’s “Scandal,” which is in its fourth season; and NBC’s “State of Affairs,” which premiered Nov. 17 and airs at 10 p.m. Mondays, it somehow has become one note.
All three of these shows have strong women — all played by A-list actresses — in Washington, D.C., grappling with life, love and lofty politicians.
But in a time when we should be embracing strong lead roles for women, why are they all so similar?
“State of Affairs” didn’t help itself by premiering after every other fall show. You could say the drama of whether its star, Katherine Heigl, is rude on set has helped garner interest, but that’s another story.
“State of Affairs” feels like NBC’s desperate attempt to plug in to the market of women in politics. It makes sense given the success of “Scandal,” and the drama definitely has plotlines that toe the line of morality.
But with these three shows so similar in idea, it doesn’t make sense to have all three.
I will admit Heigl does good work and her show, of which she is also a producer, so far has been as terrifying as it is tear-inducing. Heigl plays Charleston Tucker, who briefs the president daily on the United States’ top threats. Oh, by the way — the president, played with just the right amount of heart and dignity by Alfre Woodard, is Charleston’s fiance’s mother. And another thing … Charleston’s fiance was killed by a terrorist.
But like “Madam Secretary,” it’s a show that uses current events for plotlines and has a woman trying to solve problems using skill and heart, despite what any man tells her.
Does a strong woman have to work in politics? No. There are strong, confident women in numerous occupations. Doctors, journalists, teachers, social workers, professors, chefs, hotel managers … just to name a few.
Does every confident, powerful man on TV work in politics? Far from it. So why is politics the only field powerful women can work in?
While I applaud seeing women in power on TV, let’s strive for variety. It’s time.