Media studies

Lauren McCallum

Women in Television from 1990s to 2010

Roles for women in television in 1990s

Notes: In the early and late 1990s, TV roles werent given to women as much as it was
to men. Despite some exceptions, the study says, women are often still depicted on
television as half-clad and half-witted, and needing to be rescued by quick-thinking, fully
clothed men. A study showed from the New York Times that during this time, 555
characters and 80 shows/networks were studied. The study was highly based on women
in television, and showed that 15 percent of producers at the time were made of up of
women as well as 25 percent of writers and 9 percent of directors. The study had also
proved that in the prime-time shows shown on ABC, CBS, NBC and the Fox
Broadcasting Company, only 43 percent of their television roles were filled by women.
Though, their characters usually consisted characteristics of rich 40 year old women.
Such portrayals such as this failed to meet the demographic trends in areas such as
population, age and economics in the study.

Famous roles for women in television from 1990 to 1999

Julia Louis-Dreyfus Seinfeld
Betty White in Golden Girls
Julia Roberts in Pretty woman
Jennifer Love Hewitt Party of Five
Jordana Brewster As The World Turns
Oprah Winfrey The Oprah Winfrey show

Roles for women in television in 2000s

Notes: The situation of roles for women in television were drastically changed during the 2000s,
as empowered heroines and other female roles were placed more into action roles which had
been usually considered a male gender theme. Roles such as these consisted of Buffy the
Vampire Slayer" and "Xena: Warrior Princess and etc. Also during this generation for film, more
female roles occurred in successful career portrayals such as sex and the city and Judging
Amy. The 2000s was a time of change for television and its female roles. Also this became the
era where talk shows empowered more and more women to be talk show hosts based on the
popularity of talk shows.
Famous Roles for women In television from 2000-2008
Ellen DeGeneres The Ellen DeGeneres show
Oprah Winfrey The Oprah Winfrey show
Lauren Graham Gilmore Girls

Roles for women in television in 2010 till present

Media studies

Lauren McCallum

Notes: Television in this generation has drastically changed over the years though some studies
say their still arent as many women during work behind the scenes (Producers, directors, etc.)
Television became more controversial in some ways and more open on certain topics. Such as
womens prison, womens homosexuality, Tech savvy women, single mothers and constant
issues with their everyday lives and more. This now became more than your typical helpless
romantic woman being rescued generation.
Famous Roles for women in Television from 2010-present
Ellen DeGeneres The Ellen DeGeneres show
Oprah Winfrey The Oprah Winfrey show
Kaley Cuoco The Big Bang theory