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Search Results for: "big bang theory"

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

How The Big Bang Theory Finale Insulted Its Female Characters

Big Bang TheoryDid you watch The Big Bang Theory series finale last week? After 12 years, it was time to say goodbye to Sheldon and company. I’ll admit, I was sad to see their stories come to an end, but there was one thing that made me even sadder (and madder and more frustrated): The send-off the show gave to its female characters!

You all know I’ve been a fan of the show from the very beginning. Back in the days when Penny worked as a waitress at The Cheesecake Factory and Raj couldn’t talk to women without, umm, a little liquid courage. Back in the days when Sheldon struggled to learn the finer nuances of sarcasm and Wolowitz lived with his mother — may she rest in peace.

I’ve been there for it all, so maybe that’s why I found myself pretty disappointed in the Grand Finale Shebang — pun intended (Bazinga!). I was expecting to see Sheldon’s mom, sister and Georgie — the three characters we’ve all come to know and love on back-in-time Young Sheldon. Speaking of Young Sheldon, I was also half hoping to meet his childhood neighbor Billy Sparks as an adult.

At the very least, I was expecting to be moved and to see a finale fitting of a show that had made such an indelible mark on pop culture. I mean, what other show in recent memory has made smart the new sexy?

You’re right! I can’t think of one either. But we didn’t get that finale. Instead, we got one that felt rushed, and, perhaps in an effort to wrap things up, we got a finale that, honestly, felt out of sync with the spirit of the show. For a show that’s heralded its strong female characters and female scientists, the episode did a huge disservice to its female characters!

Big Bang TheoryThe irony of this is certainly not lost on me. Two things (WARNING: Spoilers ahead)…

Amy goes from “plain” to “pretty“: No, Amy DID NOT need to get a makeover! She was a brilliant scientist who won a Nobel Prize. When are shows going to stop relying on that insulting makeover trope? So much of what I loved about Amy was that she never bowed to convention or bucked to tradition, and she was a really empowering role model for young girls, especially in an age where society is all about these unrealistic beauty ideals that are impossible to live up to.

Penny is pregnant: Penny always said she never wanted kids, but BOOM, what do you know, she ends up pregnant in the end. Plus, at a time when women are fighting for the right to have control and autonomy over their own bodies, this story line felt particularly tone deaf and insensitive. Because even in the fictional world of The Big Bang Theory, women’s autonomy is incredibly important. We can’t forget that just because this is a sitcom, you know?

I think there’s a wider cultural commentary to be made here. The commentary, I think, could even go beyond The Big Bang Theory and talk about how even in fictional world, women can’t escape these toxic tropes and unrealistic standards!

“You must want to have kids. You just don’t know it yet!”

“Here, why don’t you have a makeover!”

In fact, people seemed so much more outraged over Raj ending up alone than they did with this blatant sexism, and, truthfully, I just can’t.

Writer Kathryn VanArendonk summed up my feelings perfectly in her piece for Vulture…

“From what we see after Penny discovers she’s pregnant offscreen, we have to assume that she’s pleased, whether or not she made a choice about staying pregnant. But it’s hard to overstate how much this plot — which was surely intended as a sweet, hopeful end — instead comes off as thoughtless and tin-eared at best, dismissive and condescending at worst. In an otherwise heartwarming finale for these characters, after 12 years spent together on one of TV’s most popular shows, it’s infuriating and unfortunate that The Big Bang Theory would essentially erase a woman’s right to choose from her own narrative.”

Indeed, the finale was dismissive and condescending all around. In the end, it was just a real letdown after more than a decade of being so invested in these characters. After all, their lives and their stories, though obviously fiction, came to be a part of our lives and part of our stories. I only wish Amy and Penny had gotten the endings that they truly deserved. Why they didn’t is one mystery I’ll be unraveling for all of eternity.

Big Bang TheoryThank you for listening, err, reading, friends! I desperately neeeeeeded to rage-write these feelings! What did you think of the finale, friends? Were you a fan? How would you have liked to see the gang’s journey end? With a bang? Yes, that pun was definitely intended… xoxo

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Leave a Comment Filed Under: Entertainment and Media, Shame on you, TV

Monday, December 23, 2019

That Was a Time: My 2019 Year-In-Review

2019 Year-In-ReviewHappy Holidays, friends!!! You know how I’m always saying “that was a time“?? Yes, sometimes I say it just to be overly dramatic because, let’s face it, I’ve been known to be a bit extra about things — can you blame me? But when I say (errr, write!), that phrase in the context of my ever-so-official and exciting 2019 Year-In-Review???

Well, that’s the absolute truth with a capital T — no filter, no pretense, no hyperbole. Just honest truth about a year that was certainly one for the record books. Was your year like that too? I sometimes dread looking back at the year every December and sometimes, the whole ordeal can start to feel a bit cringe-worthy with cliche phrases and all that looking-back banter. I still like to do it, though, because just going through the motion of reminiscing about one year is a great way to prepare for the upcoming year; it helps to put things in perspective and you all know how much I love putting things in perspective and analyzing until my heart’s content.

And like I said, 2019 was quite the year to remember, so I’m pretty sure that this 2019 Year-In-Review is going to be quite something as well.

In fact, there’s SO MUCH to remember that I’ve been worried that I’ll forget to include important and memorable moments — my apologies if I do, so feel free to remind me in the comments!! Like I said last year, BUCKLE UP, friends, because this is going to be epic, if you ask me! So without further ado, here are the highlights of my life online and offline for the last 12 months. Let’s get to this 2019 Year-In-Review…

2019 Year-In-ReviewI blogged about all things love and relationships, like Ms. Bear and the Fake Plant, surviving the Polar Vortex, an ode to Conversation Hearts, entitled Dude Bros on The Bachelorette and more thoughts on my father’s suicide.

2019 Year-In-ReviewDisability posts, such as ways to support disabled people, why I love talking about my disability, Mr. Rogers, the importance of disability representation and my date with the DMV.

2019 Year-In-ReviewFantastic fashion moments, like Harry Styles at the Met Gala, this pink opal ring, unicorn love and more Etsy finds!

2019 Year-In-ReviewFun Family Photos, including our big trip to the Big County Fair, our Christmas Trees, my 38th birthday, the Polar Vortex and our TRIP TO NYC.

2019 Year-In-Review(As a side note, I just have to say, again, HOW FUN our trip to the Big Apple was!! Central Park!! Broadway!! The View!! Meeting my amazing editors!! Tons of family time!! I still can’t believe we got to go and I’m so grateful to my mom and cousin for making it happen!! They’re aces, aren’t they??)

2019 Year-In-ReviewPontificating on pop culture, like Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, the adorable Royal Baby, The Big Bang Theory finale (spoiler alert: I wasn’t a fan!), Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, how I’m a huge Shawn Mendes fan girl, Sharpay Evans and High School Musical, Taylor Swift and how 1999 was really the best year in pop culture!

2019 Year-In-ReviewAnd, just like in 2018, I wrote lots of social and political commentary posts because now is not the time to be silent: The culture of women apologizing, challenging toxic masculinity, why I didn’t support the Women’s March, Nick Sandmann and dangerous teens, Joe Biden and consent, women sharing successes and the Alabama abortion ban and women’s body autonomy.

Plus, I also gave my VERY FIRST speech at a political event! Oh, wow, I was so nervous, but I think it went well. And it really pumped me up!

Aside from blogging, my freelance writing career continued to grow in 2019, as you can see from this cute photo spread I made!! I wrote about my favorite (and not-so-favorite) things in the areas of relationships, disabilities and pop culture for publications like Cosmo, Glamour, The Fix and The Week and The Washington Post. Plus, my op-ed game was strong — I wrote 10 pieces for CNN Opinion!

I also broke into new publications such as The Independent, Adweek, The Daily Dot, Family Minded, Rooted In Rights, Health, HuffPost Personal, Local Love and The Riveter!

Now, I saved the best for last!! The biggest, most surprising, most unexpected, most surreal, most exciting and most thrilling thing to happen…

MY TWEET WENT VIRAL.

Can you believe it?? I still can’t, honestly! I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately and it’s funny because that viral tweet is something I never worked for and something that I didn’t plan. I plan and plot every single aspect of my blog and freelance writing, but this viral tweet came out of nowhere! Needless to say, I’m still processing it all. But I’m so grateful that people responded to it! I just hope I didn’t sound too awkward in my interviews with USA Today, Good Morning America, The BBC, The Chicago Tribune and PEOPLE — not to mention the handful of live interviews I did. Oh, man, that was a time, indeed!

Whew! Whew! Whew!

Still with me, friends??

Good. Because seeing my entire year all written out like this is just a bit overwhelming!! I mean, when we’re living it and going through the year, we don’t really think about how massive it all will seem at the end, do we? We live each day and take it one step at a time. We focus on one thing at a time. The next item on our to-do list. And the next item after that. Until, well, it all adds up to 365 days of memories — good ones, bad ones, memorable ones and even ones we’d like to forget.

But then comes that moment in late December when you take everything as one big collective whole. You look at everything that happened throughout the past year and you realize, maybe for the very first time, “Wow! I did all that, didn’t I…?”

Whether it was good or bad, you survived the year! And that is something to be proud of! And, of course, something to celebrate!!

My idea of the perfect celebration? Taking some much-needed time off for the holidays!! I’m excited to kick back, relax and spend quality time with my mom and Janelle. The holidays can be hard and emotional for so many reasons. If you’re struggling this year, please know that you’re not alone. Be kind to yourself…you deserve it!

I hope you’re able to get in the festive spirit in whatever way brings you joy and peace!! I’ll be back to regular posting on Wednesday, January 8th!! Look for posts about our Christmas adventures, some new bylines and odes to one of my favorite shows of 2019 and…Peppermint Patty! Yes, the blog fun will continue in 2020. Also, feel free to send me your thoughts and ideas any time — just email me at mellow1422@aol.com!!! I always love hearing from you!! And I hope you enjoyed this 2019 year-in-review!

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin! See you there!!

I love you, friends!! And I’m so glad I got to meet so many new friends this year who found my blog after my viral tweet. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you’ll continue on this journey with me in the new year!! I’d love to see your own 2019 Year-In-Review too! xoxo

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9 Comments Filed Under: Blogging Club, family, holidays

Thursday, March 22, 2018

My Essay In The Wall Street Journal: “Stephen Hawking Is Dead, Not ‘Free’”

Stephen HawkingI was saddened to hear of Stephen Hawking’s death last week. Such a brilliant scientist who made so many strides in advancing our understanding of the universe — and also inspired so many conversations on The Big Bang Theory that I’ll never understand!

But what made me even sadder, and, quite frankly, angry to my core? The response to his death. I’ve seen this meme making the rounds and can’t get over just how insulting it is. Implying that Stephen Hawking is “free” now is incredibly ableist and insulting to people with disabilities!! Guess what?? You can be in a wheelchair AND live a productive, fulfilling, free life.

So I’m sure you can probably guess what I did. Yes, I wrote about it. For THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. I couldn’t quite believe it myself when the editor accepted my essay, but, needless to say, it’s been a dream come true. Never in a million years did I ever think I’d have a byline in such a huge-circulation newspaper!

Here’s an excerpt of the piece, which also appeared in the March 21st print edition of the newspaper…

My wheelchair has carried me—literally—through high school, college and work as a freelance writer. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without it. After all, it gives me the ability to travel, go shopping and live independently—activities that might seem routine but can be extremely challenging for people with disabilities.

Maybe that’s why it’s so frustrating to see Hawking’s wheelchair viewed as a prison he has finally escaped. The idea that wheelchairs hold people back is such an outdated misconception; in fact, they do just the opposite. They’re not a hindrance. They’re incredible tools that give people with disabilities new freedom and power—a chance to thrive in an able-bodied world. To see them as anything less is insulting to those who depend on them every day.

After writing this essay and my recent CNN Opinion pieces, I’m remembering just why I love op-ed writing so much. In college, I took a class on editorial and opinion writing. The year was 2004, and, honestly, part of me just took the class because it fulfilled the requirements for my journalism degree. I didn’t think I’d actually come away with a deep love for the writing genre, but that’s exactly what happened. Maybe I should do more of these? It also reminds me of my days as a newspaper columnist, which was a pretty exciting gig!

Stephen HawkingYou can read the full piece here and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to email me anytime at mellow1422@aol.com and let’s chat! And of course, feel free to share my essay on Facebook, Twitter or even your local refrigerator. If you share on Twitter, be sure to tag me @melissablake so we can connect! I can’t wait to hear from you! Love you all… xoxo

 

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8 Comments Filed Under: Disability, work, WSJ writing

Friday, January 12, 2018

Have a Wonderful Weekend

Have a Wonderful WeekendHappy Friday, friends!!!! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mrs. Bear!!! It’s officially her special day, and Janelle and I couldn’t be more excited!! This afternoon, we put up some decorations and balloons to make everything all festive when my mom got home from a long day with those middle schoolers! What are your plans shaping up to be? We’ll just be laying low this weekend. My mom also has surgery on Monday — I promise I’ll write about that ordeal at some point soon! — so we’ll be keeping things quiet and binge-watching some of our favorite shows! Do you watch Young Sheldon?? It’s a favorite of ours this season — so clever, especially if you’re also a fan of The Big Bang Theory and already know about Sheldon’s backstory. Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and here are my favorite finds from the wonderful Web…

Umm, Energy Muse could very well be my new crystal heaven!!

Can you get addicted to taking selfies?

Living as an introvert in an extrovert’s world.

Every Netflix original series, ranked! Where do your favorites fall?

How pretty are these purses??

And the ones in this Etsy shop too!

Young Sheldon gets renewed for a second season!

BRAVO to this children’s hospital for their dedication to being patient-centered.

Why are men staying silent on Me Too movement?

Crystal hearts. That’s all.

And, here are some wise words by women writers…

*”Why The Publishing Industry Needs To Be More Inclusive Of Autistic And Disabled People”

*”Trump’s New Medicaid Work Requirements Are a Disaster for Disabled People (and Everyone Else)”

*”My Dad Died — Here Are 3 Things You SHOULDN’T Do To Help Me”

*”I Started the Media Men List. My name is Moira Donegan”

*”Disabled People Still Aren’t Being Cast to Tell Their Own Stories in Hollywood”

*”I Grew Up Poor, But Wanted to Dress Like I Wasn’t”

And as always, feel free to connect with me on Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin! See you there, friends! xoxo

[Photo via We Heart It]

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Leave a Comment Filed Under: Entertainment and Media, link love, round-up

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

What New TV Shows Are You Watching?

New TV ShowsIt’s almost the end of September, so you know that I just have to ask: Any new TV shows you’re dying to watch this season?

The beginning of the new TV season is my favorite time of year. Some people look forward to the fall because of football and tailgating. I count down the days until my TV has pretty new, moving pictures for my viewing pleasure. I’ll tell you, it’s a looooong time between May and September, during that time of TV drought when all you can really do is console yourself with some fun episodes of Family Feud or the occasional Hallmark tear-jerker. I can even feel the sadness radiating from my DVR — it gets downright lonely!

Well, NO MORE!!! This week marks the return of lots of my favorites, like Criminal Minds, This Is Us and Grey’s Anatomy. But every year, a new crop of shows vie for the top spot on our Must-Watch List. Here are three new shows I’m excited about…

New TV ShowsYoung Sheldon: After a decade of falling in love with Dr. Sheldon Cooper on The Big Bang Theory, we finally get the prequel that may answer the question: What was Sheldon like growing up? We’ll get to see young “Shelly” at nine years old entering the big, bad world of high school in all his know-it-all glory. We’ll get to see his Bible-loving mom. I, for one, am pumped! #Bazinga

Me, Myself & I: Have I mentioned lately just how much I *love* Bobby Moynihan? Because I do. A lot. Moynihan stars as the 40-year-old version of Alex Riley, who we also get to know in vignettes of the character’s life at 14 and at 65. The show will span 50 years, and I’m such a sucker for shows that span decades like this! Plus, Moynihan is hilarious, and you can never go wrong with laughter, so…

New TV ShowsThe Good Doctor: Ahhh, yessss!!! You know I need lots of good medical dramas in my life, and this one looks amazing! It follows Dr. Shaun Murphy, a young surgeon with autism who goes to work at a prestigious hospital. The show already scored an 8.5 on IMDb, so I’d like to go on record now as saying this show will be the next House!

Are you a huge TV fan, friends? What shows — both new and returning — are you most excited about? Any old favorites you’ve been binge-watching lately? Because, you know a classic is always, well, a classic choice!! Happy TV time to you!!!! xoxo

P.S. More TV must-sees…

[Top photo via We Heart It]

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4 Comments Filed Under: Entertainment and Media, must-watch, TV

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So About What I Said is a daily blog that covers relationships, disabilities, lifestyle and pop culture. I love to laugh and have been known to overshare. I also have an unabashed obsession with pop music, polo shirts, and PEZ dispensers. Read more...

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