Dr Who and the BBC - oh and gender equality

So the BBC is in hot water over giving the Dr Who job to a woman, 

well it seems to have its supporters too but lots of diehard complainers. They're also getting a tough time about having all their top personality spots filled by males and the pay inequalities between genders.

 

Now I am firmly in favour of everyone getting equal treatment and remuneration, based on talent not cronyism and certainly not gender bias, but I'm sure the 'political correctness machine' has gone mad sometimes and organisations, employers, boards of governors etc feel pressured to act in certain ways just to appease the idiot politicians who dream up the rules. Even if it might mean making appointments which aren't appropriate, as long as they tick the boxes.

 

I was talking with Linda from across the road about it the other day when P came home. He caught what we were talking about and muttered 'disgusting' then went into the kitchen to find a biscuit. He came back and I asked him what he meant. He said, "Only joking, you were talking about Dr Who I believe, I think a woman in the role is ok actually and I say that as one who has watched it on and off since a kid. But that doesn't mean I think women should automatically be considered for all roles just because of equal rights. They should only be considered if the integrity of the character in the story as conceived by its author is maintained."

 

I told him that was a mouth full. Linda nodded and asked him to translate, I wished I'd said that.

 

He said, "Well for instance I don't think they should consider a woman James Bond because it isn't in keeping with Ian Fleming's story, it was written at a certain time and shouldn't be meddled with. But the Doctor is different because his 'story' allows for him to regenerate in different guises so why shouldn't one be a woman."

 

Linda argued, "But there were women spies and are now, why not have a female Bond?"

 

"Not the same circumstances," maintained my husband. "They can't just go re-writing the works of internationally acclaimed authors to pander to current political correctness. I mean why not re-make Moby Dick next time with a woman at the helm, or Jane Eyre with a man in the part or any number of Shakespeare's characters with genders transposed? It's just not on." Then he raised his eyebrows and smiled at Linda as if to say he rested his case, then he turned and went upstairs without giving either of us a chance to respond.

 

"He's not really a chauvinist," I assured Linda with a smile. I think she knew, she's known us long enough, P does have an annoyingly crisp way of saying things sometimes though.

 

At least we all agreed on Dr Who.

Have a fun weekend.

 

Ronnie

xx