Witches are Back! Classic Charmed and 2018 Feminism
Enjoy this special episode hosted by Advanced TV Herstory sound designer, Catherine Yang. Catherine was influenced by the original series of Charmed and intrigued at the prospect of a high quality reboot. Charmed (1998 -2006) aired on the WB, and is now considered TV classic available on streaming and DVD. Charmed tells the story of the three (sometimes four) Halliwell sisters who discover that they’re powerful witches with the duty to fight all matter of evil.
With the 2018 reboot of Charmed premiering just earlier this week and declaring itself a “fierce, funny, and feminist reboot of the original,” Catherine seizes the prime opportunity to ask (and answer) the question: is the original Charmed actually feminist? How does it compare to the reboot?
In this episode, we discuss Charmed’s roots, its central themes, and the unwavering activism of two of its main actresses, Alyssa Milano and Rose McGowan, in the #MeToo movement. On top of that, we include a very brief history of feminism with reference to an amazing article by Constance Grady written for Vox.com.
Enjoy & thanks for listening!
Links
https://www.vox.com/2018/3/20/16955588/feminism-waves-explained-first-second-third-fourth
Charmed actresses reaction to reboot
https://news.avclub.com/none-of-the-original-charmed-actresses-are-into-the-reb-1828306336
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/02/arts/television/brad-kern-cbs-fired.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/20/us/me-too-movement-tarana-burke.html
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/dec/01/alyssa-milano-mee-too-sexual-harassment-abuse