Most recently it occurred when I was watching 'The Big Bang Theory' and I found myself relating to 'Penny'. She was a bit of a mess. She didn't know how her life had gotten to where it had. She was angry that her plans and dreams hadn't worked out. She couldn't understand where she had gone wrong. Now, not to get totally depressing because I am only 21 but I totally could relate to what she was going through. Even though I still have my whole life ahead of me I will happily admit that I have weekly breakdowns over what I'm going to do with my future. And I'm not the only one. My friend Holly said it best: "it feels like we're waiting to live." Now this may sound like a very depressing conversation but it is a true statement when you think about it. However, I'm going off track so I'll save that for the next blog.
Anyway, Penny felt like she had not accomplished anything and that everything in her life had gone wrong. And this is a very realistic view of women and people in general. Especially people like me in their 20s. It's so easy to go along in life from one point to the next doing what you think you're meant to. Go to school, go to university, go out and get a job and work until you die. Before you know it, your life has been lived and you wonder where it all went.
Penny was having this life crisis and there's nothing wrong with that. I feel like it is an accurate depiction of what people go through. She wants to be an actress and she isn't achieving it. Who wouldn't be upset? Your dreams aren't coming true. She also felt like she was stuck in a dead end job. How many people do you know that complain about their jobs? A lot I bet.
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| It's ok Penny; we'll fail together. |
And even though in real life 'Penny' is actually Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting a millionaire actress living her dreams that doesn't matter. Someone writes her character. Someone out there knows what it is like for some people and that makes me feel better. We are not alone because we are all struggling along together.
My next kindred spirit is 'Mindy Lahiri' on 'The Mindy Project'. She has a successful career as an OB/Gyn but her love life is a complete mess. True to life she doesn't have the whole package. She messes up and makes mistakes but at the end of the day she always does what she needs to to get by. She is smart, funny and sassy. She tells it like it is and has the kind of self-confidence that would make Beyonce look shy.
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| We all know someone who fills this position in our life. |
I can't begin to explain how much I aspire to be like her. She is feisty and she knows what she wants and is not afraid to get it. But she also has a lot of issues. Her life is far from perfect and that is what makes her such a realistic character. And I can't deny, the fact that she is not the 'ideal' size 0 figure makes her even more accessible to a young woman like me. It's nice to see a real woman going through real situations in a life that most of the time is complicated and messy. And for me it's not just the character. Mindy Kaling who plays the eponymous character not only created the show but also serves as an executive producer and writer on a majority of the episodes. She is smart, funny and sassy in real life. Plus, she's gorgeous with a killer wardrobe! She knows what makes good TV. And the way 'Mindy' is written is fabulous.
She owns up to her faults and recognizes her flaws but somehow she owns them. She makes her flaws work in her favour until they almost become flawless. With regards to current female television characters; I wouldn't hesitate to say that she is one of, if not the ultimate TV role model for women.
The last two I've discovered are more recent additions. 'Rosa' and 'Gina' from 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'. They are both feisty and straight-forward. Although Rosa could actually be considered more violent than anything:
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| Talk about rage against the machine! Violent tendencies or not; Rosa is the type of person I think we all secretly want to be. She is independent, speaks her mind and knows how to kick ass! But she also has a heart and while it may not be shown in every episode, those rare times when Rosa does display emotions make her a very loveable character. And while you know she could break your wrist faster than the time it would take you to draw a breath; you can't help but want to be best friends with her. Or at least employ her as a bodyguard. |
And Gina. What to say about Gina? Easily one of my favourite television characters ever! She says what we're all thinking and sometimes what no decent human being should ever think. Narcissistic, egotistical and at times mean you can't help but adore her with every moment she's on screen. Her unbelievably bad work ethic and blunt attitude to life make her a stand-out character and someone who I would love to know. How could you not love someone who famously said:
These characters have passed on traits to me through the TV screen and I love love it! I have recognized parts of them in me and it's nice to know that even if they are not real I have four amazing role models for life! If I could design a best friend it would be a combination of those four women in one person. Although maybe that would be too much fabulousness for the world. Either way, the next time you find yourself drawn to a TV character or wanting to base your life on them; remember it is totally normal and nothing to be ashamed of. After all, those characters were written by real people. So there are people out there who are just as quirky/strange/broken/messed-up/crazy/troubled/distraught/mean and just generally human as you. You are not alone. TV shows and characters bring people together. We can all relate to each other. And after all, what's more healthy than forgetting your own problems by burying yourself in a fictional world of make-believe?
Until next time,
Jeni x
