Do we, the viewers, want Pretty Young Things?
Some thoughts that have been a-brewing in my mind for a while have today come to a head with Miriam O’Reilly’s legal victory over the BBC with her claim of ageism. She was moved from her job as a Countryfile presenter when the show was “refreshed”, apparently because she was not “recognisable”. Hmm – not really the best defence when considering the replacements, surely… Just what were the “criteria for the show” I wonder – it’s Countryfile! Get a grip, BBC.
In some articles it is suggested that we, the viewers, are driving the desire for pretty young presenters. Do we really prefer Alesha over Arlene because she is easier on the eye? I don’t think so, and sure with the ageing population we’d rather see more contemporaries than be constantly reminded of our own ageing processes romping away.
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And putting aside the fact that us women have a thing for attractive, manly older men (thinking Sean Connery, George Clooney, Pierce Brosnan – now I need to take a moment…) if we, the viewers – 50% or so of which are female, were driving this desire we would have Chris Noth or that chappy who’s playing Zen just now on Sunday evenings presenting Strictly Come Dancing. Now there’s a thought!
Yes, at some stage we all get to the stage of being “past it”, but it seems to me that far fewer women are kept on for whatever reason than men – and let’s not be mean and mention names, but plenty will spring to mind, I’m sure!
I have to say that I love Moira Stewart on the radio 2 Chris Evans’ show – perfect “casting” but would be surprised if that had not been driven by the man himself rather than any idea of going against the grain or even ethos of inclusiveness at the Beeb.
I’m nearly 50 and have been merrily oblivious to ageism and how it can effect people. I work from home, have children still at primary school (OK so I’m the oldest mum but that’s not been as issue of anything more than my own mischief making) and never, ever go out. So I don’t have to live or work with it. Though I do have a sense of being taken more seriously, being older.
It’s only since researching for Grumpies on the Blog that I find a wealth of “over 50″ topics that are surely meant for my parents, not for me! It is truly astonishing that we are suddenly encouraged to take up bowls and have special afternoon tea clubs. Good grief – we have to keep working for another 20 years (by the time I get there, I’m sure) – retirement is a very long way off so we need to move the boundaries to where the goal posts are, surely. Old is not old anymore – it’s not allowed to be and we don’t want to be.
We expect better of you, BBC – lead the way and just get on with employing good, intelligible and entertaining presenters, regardless of their age, sex, or anything else that might possible be a bother to the minority.
And good on you, Miriam – women of a certain age are cheering for you today.
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9 Responses to Do we, the viewers, want Pretty Young Things?
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Old is the new young! Well done Miriam, we should all expect better from a publicly funded organisation.
indeed, Sarah. And actually it isn’t an age thing – there are plenty of older presenters on TV and at the Beeb – they do happen to mostly be male, though. Hmm.
I look forward to the BBC catching up with the US on this particular point – seems to me that age just is not an issue over there.
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There are so many organisations that make decisions ‘on our behalf’ that I just don’t understand! There are definitely double standards! I am sure that because of these decisions such as removing Miriam and Moira and many more from the front line so to speak, makes us look at the normal ageing process as something to be feared! It’s terrible! I have always enjoyed Countryfile, but since Miriam was dropped, it has lost it’s appeal slightly for me.
I admire many women who are in their 70′s plus, so the fact that Miriam who is a mere 53 years old is considered old, frightens me – not much to look forward to then … We need older women role models, and as a society we need to stop obsessing about the age we will be considered as ‘over the hill’ or ‘past it’! What about who we are, experience, expertise…
As we are living longer and longer, what was considered a long life is changing every year, so we need to readjust our thinking
I admire Miriam for saying no, and glad she has won her case! I hope her ideal job that values her will just be around the corner!
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Ah now, I’ve just watched the first episode of Zen and I can tell you that the lovely chappy playing Aurelio (in a most charming manner) is Rufus Sewell. He seems to be ageing rather delightfully, as he seems just as young and gorgeous as he did when I first clapped eyes on him in Middlemarch in 1994. He falls into my lush category.
Indeed, Morag – he is very easy on the eye and the men have their own eye candy too. Perfect viewing for a Sunday evening, in my opinion.
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I may be wrong but I seem to remember when this case first hit the news some time ago – i.e. when she was dropped from the programme – that the producer was/ is a woman… Shame on her if Miriam’s age was indeed one of/ the main criteria for that decision.
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The producer was indeed a woman who reacted very strongly to the allegations, and from what I’ve read it seems that the defence was based primarily upon her assertions that there was no ageism/sexism/discrimination.
Hmm!
Twitter: babssaul
This is an especially disappointing episode for the BBC, being both ageist and sexist.
Ageist, well, obviously, and sexist because its rare that a male presenter is bumped for being too ‘experienced’.
Let’s hope that John Humphreys is not de-emphasised to make room for Graham Norton on Today…
As I type this, I’m reminded of an aside made by Ed Byrne on Mock the Week: “Dear Points of View, I watched a programme last week that wasn’t presented by Graham Norton. Is he ill?’
If the BBC only wants established faces on primetime slots, then where will the new blood of whatever age come from?
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