Blerg! Liz Lemon: Feminist?

Liz Lemon, a fictional character on the TV show 30 Rock, played by Tina Fey, is head writer for a show called TGS, or The Girlie Show.  Lemon is a white, heterosexual, cis-woman and a self-proclaimed feminist who works for the betterment of women. “By feminist, we mean each and every politically and socially conscious woman or man who works for equality within or outside the movement, writes about feminism, or calls her- or himself a feminist in the name of furthering equality” (Baumgardner 54). (“We” was italicized because there is no set definition of feminists. This definition is from the writers’ standpoint.) In the show, according to Liz, TGS “started as a show for women starring women. At the very least we should be elevating the way women are perceived in society” (quoted by Rebecca Traister). Liz often makes such statements when referring to how some of the other women characters on 30 Rock act in a sexual way, generally for the men around them. Since this is a sitcom, more times than not, most of Liz’s strides for more equal treatment across the board are shown in a humorous and a much less serious tone.  Liz is often making strong statements about women overall; yet the next statement is usually a joke about women.  For instance, after making statements about how TGS needs to “elevat[e] how women are perceived in society”, she cries out in pain because of her menstrual cycle, as a moment of PMS, and collapses (Traister). She takes two steps forward, and one step back, essentially. There are several other issues that cause many to find Liz Lemon problematic for women as an icon, i.e. her relationship with her boss, or other women on the show.  Yet, all of these flaws make her relatable, and certainly do not make her a ‘bad’ feminist. Lemon, regardless of being ‘good’ or ‘bad’, is important to feminism.

As stated previously, there are some problems with Liz Lemon as a role model.   Many point out that Liz is portrayed as a rarity. There are but two other main women on the show, neither are portrayed as funny, smart or as independent as Lemon (Dailey). According to Dailey, Liz creates “mixed messages about what women should aim for….it’s interesting that ‘smart’ and ‘funny’ get to stay in the picture, as long as the looks, the success and the happiness are toned down’.”  Due to this difference between the pretty and the smart, Liz is said to be a level above; therefore, she does not interact with these main on a personal basis. To many, this is one of Liz’s biggest problems (Dailey). Kelsey Wallace, writer for Bitch Media, mentions how Jack, CEO of Kabletown, as well as Liz Lemon’s boss, mentor and father figure, seemingly always helps Liz with her issues, whether it is about men, her work or life in general. There would be some issue or conflict that Liz takes to Jack, who argues his point until Lemon agrees, solving any of her issues in the end. This interaction sends the message that men are superior to women and that Liz Lemon herself, with all her flaws, simply plays into the stereotypical lines (Wallace).  As Jonah Weiner (quoted by Wallace) states, “Flawed people are funny, sure, but  why does Liz Lemon have the traditionally gendered flaws she does? Elaine Benes and Murphy Brown, for example, were strong, feminist- friendly characters and funny, to boot.”

There is no denial that Liz Lemon has flaws, like everyone; yet, because of her flaws, Liz Lemon is unfairly, automatically condemned as a poor role model. Dailey herself says that looking at Liz Lemon only for her poor character traits rather her better traits causes the biggest problem. “Grading women’s attitudes towards empowerment- ‘good’ feminism vs. ‘bad’ feminism- does more harm than good.” Yes, she can be pathetic when it comes to men troubles or baby wants. Still, she has stronger qualities that seem to be dramatically overlooked. “As a character, Liz Lemon not only runs TGS, but is in charge of a team of mostly men. Her power and strength [lies] outside of the sexual prowess and ability to get a man,” states a reviewer of Wallace. Firstly, even though the cast is predominantly male, this can only illuminate Liz’s professional power and strength, along with other women on the show, showing that these women can stand ground amongst men. Previously mentioned, the other girls are shown as beautiful and more “slutty”.  While this is not the best way to portray women in society, often these characters make Liz’s power, which is absent from her sexuality, become even more apparent. Liz even goes a step forward on several different occasions throughout the entire series to point out that this behavior, while it exists in real life, should not happen, and that women should not play into the male fantasy.  The reviewer continues, “She (Liz) has her position based on her talent, hard work and merit. She’s able to have strong friendships with the men on the show without have a sexual under (or over) tones.” This is an obvious goal for women to stride for. This shows that a woman does not need to “spread her legs” in order to climb the corporate ladder, but that with intelligence, women can reach the top of such ladder, as well. Reviewer continues to mention the relationship between Lemon and Jack.  “With Jack, as much as he helps her she helps him, like with Elisa or his dad problem. Her awkwardness shows that women don’t have to be perfect to be successful” (Wallace).  Lemon does stand ground against men, but sometimes the ground is shaky. A flaw, but a realistic, understandable and relatable flaw.  Lemon “strives and struggles to ‘have it all!’ as a creative writer, business woman, single woman on the New York dating scene, and a sometimes ‘clock-a-tickin’ wannabe mother. While jokes are made about Lemon attempting to ‘have it all’, she fairs pretty well, while also pointing out to us – comically- the hardships of a successful urban woman having to date, maintain friendships [like Jenna’s and hers], and be respected as a boss and a professional [women amongst all men], “ states Colleen Claes, writer for Cultural Voice-Over.

Another issue with Lemon to some is that even though sensitive topics are inserted by Liz and viewed on the show, the way that they are presented, even dismissed in the end at times, is the problem.  Wallace states, “While the very fact that a sensitive issue like preferential treatment based on race and gender was explored n a network sitcom is a great thing, once again the resolution reinforced the notion that these topics are better left alone.” Wallace is referring to an early episode where Jenna, a white actress, switches places with Tracy, a black actor, for a day to see who is “worse off” in a sense. They quickly switch back by the end of the twenty-two minute episode, however.  There have been other episodes of Liz and Tracy exchanging lifestyles for the same cause that end the same way.  Liz Lemon takes on sensitive subjects frequently. Whether it is race, or women in comedy, this character/show is not afraid to point out the flaws. One cannot condemn Liz, or the show, as a poor model due to the comic relief she/it gives to serious topics; the show is a sitcom. As stated before, this is only putting a tear in feminism, placing a battle between ‘good’ feminism and ‘bad’ feminism.  One needs to realize that Liz does speak out about gender, race, etc.  There are times, especially in recent episodes, that Lemon states clearly a well-thought serious statement about women, with no joke following. For instance, as Traister points out, “At one point, when jealous Jenna…tells Liz she must destroy lollipop-licking competition for mal adulations, Liz responds, ‘No, Jenna, that’s exactly the problem: men infantilize women and women tear each other down.’ No contradictory punch line here. Liz spoke the truth!” This does not always make up for when she does make a joke about women. Yet, as Traister states about Liz as a character, “[she] has made huge, feminist strides for women in comedy at the same time that she has made comedy at the expense of woman. Such is the life when you attempt -–as we all should! -- to bring gender criticism out of the pure ether of sociopolitical discourse and attempt to deploy it in the real, messy world of commerce, consumption and popular culture.”

Liz Lemon has flaws. Yet, even her harsher critics say she is “a step in the right direction”; the mere fact that this sitcom has a strong, funny leading woman who illustrates issues in society is a step in the right direction, and a gateway for other women in real life (Wallace).  As Claes states, “She’s smart. She’s funny. She’s independent. She’s not perfect. And she’s like us. What more could you ask for in a fictional feminist icon?” Lemon’s greatest characteristic is that she is relatable. She is not very model-esque. She eats junk food, wears sweat pants, and has boyfriend troubles. She does not always have the answers to her problems, and so she seeks help. Yes, she seeks help from a man; but, again, it is not because men know the answers when women do not. It is because this particular man is older, therefore wiser, and has been through most of her issues before (not to mention Jack also goes to Liz for help at times too, when he is in a new situation where only Liz can help out). So what if Lemon is no Brown? The fact that Liz Lemon is different does not mean that one can simply ignore, or write off, her and her work for feminism. “Different strands of feminism—or any kind of social activism—can work in contradiction to each other. Just because there’s no one correct answer doesn’t mean that the questions are useless or boring; they’re interesting enough to plot a sitcom around” (Traister).  Whether or not Lemon’s answer is correct or incorrect is unknown, along with the certain impact she has on feminism. She has flaws that bring out some negativity, but she also has many aspects that bring positivity. While the overall good or bad impact she has is unknown, it has been quite an impact nonetheless. Furthermore, as stated before, Liz Lemon (along with her creator, Tina Fey) is a step in the right direction and a gateway for other comedic women today.