The Old Age of Youth and The Youth of Old Age

This morning, when I watched Kristen Chenowith and Neil Patrick Harris announce this year’s Emmy nominations, I was surprised on two levels. First, I was taken aback because I know virtually nothing about the show MAD MEN, which garnered a whopping 16 nominations. Nope, don’t know who’s in it, on what channel I might find it, or what it’s about. Second and more significant, I was surprised by the number of women over forty that secured Emmy nominations. Of the three main categories (see bold names below), 80% of the nominees are over 40 years of age, and a third of those are 60 or older (go, Glenn and Dame Judy!).

Compared to the film world, which is currently screening only 2 films that target women over 40 (SEX AND THE CITY and MAMMA MIA!), television does seem slightly more progressive. Granted, I haven’t watched most of the Emmy nominees’ shows, so I really can’t speak to what their characters are like and whether they challenge traditional representations of women, i.e., are they something other than whores, put-upon housewives, victims, melodramatic girlfriends, etc.? An example…I did happen to catch Holly Hunter in SAVING GRACE this week and notice that while her feisty cop character “takes no prisoners” so to speak, she still suffered as a teenager from a priest’s sexual abuse. Aren’t there other ways to layer a female character’s psychology than making them victims of men?

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series:
– Glenn Close for “Damages” (2007)
– Sally Field for “Brothers & Sisters” (2006)
– Mariska Hargitay for “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (1999)
– Holly Hunter for “Saving Grace” (2007)
– Kyra Sedgwick for “The Closer” (2005)

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie:
– Judi Dench for “Cranford” (2007)
– Catherine Keener for An American Crime (2007)
– Laura Linney for “John Adams” (2008)
– Phylicia Rashad for A Raisin in the Sun (2008) (TV)
– Susan Sarandon for Bernard and Doris (2007)