The Red Carpet show is no better than Trumps beauty pageants. Both are crass, vulgar, and carry the wrong message, especially to young women.
For all the Times does right, or at least tries, over half its content is news stand rubbish.
If the Times put the resources it dedicates to the prurient interest of a small cohort of its readership perhaps we would not see the same content day after day. When I open up the Times each morning I've already read it yesterday or somewhere else. What's up with that?
Lastly, considering all the #metoo and the like coverage the Times still spends a lot of resources objectifying and belittling women and never bats an eye. Additionally I find it insulting that the Times so often places legit news in the style section in an attempt to draw readers into its shallow orbit.
I loved your coverage of the Golden Globes red carpet. I loved the more candid photos. I love the idea of showing the realities behind the typical red carpet photos which tend to emphasize the glamour without acknowledging all of the work behind it. I think both- glamour and the reality- can be super interesting!
Ask them what made their project meaningful and what they learned. Ask them what's the most and least fun about awards shows and who they are excited to see.
The Red Carpet event--once a quick gambol between the relative privacies of the limo and the venue--has grown to rival in designated space and time the award ceremony itself, becoming a cultural spectacle of infuriating excess and prevarication. And there is good reason for its growing significance: the Red Carpet is a glitzy and harrowing gauntlet of beauty, to which celebrities submit and audiences members (IRL and online) consume with sadistic fascination. As such, the Red Carpet offers crucial insight into the ever-changing maelstrom of beauty, celebrity, and the ferocious ambivalence of the mass audience. Trying to mask the vicious pleasures and manifold biases of the event with ethical critiques will only hide from view the subliminal motives and conflicts openly (and so rarely) displayed in the pandemonium of the Red Carpet. And, by masking this vulgar spectacle, we will come to know less about ourselves and the culture shaping our desires and fantasies.
You could have your male and female reporters covering the event disclose how much they are paid (within a certain range) and their level of experience, then let readers decide whether the Times compensates staff fairly without regard to their gender.
This could be an interesting sidebar in a discussion about how salary and career opportunities are distributed among women and men in the broader entertainment industry (acting and directing of course, but also ancillary roles).
Just ignore the whole idiotic thing.
Cover the women who complained AFTER Weinstein was exposed, and who are now using the scandal for publicity.
It's called hypocrisy.
Out here in rural America, people are more concerned about how to apply for jobs when they have no cell or internet connection, or reliable transportation if they get a job. So the celebs can go to their pat-themselves-on-the-back awards parties naked or in feed sacks for all we care.
Does the Times pay its female employees - all roles - the same as its male employees?
1
Norman Lear's unnamed date looks like Rita Moreno
To all those that have written comments about how women wearing attractive clothing that shows their beauty is inappropriate and demeaning - even though it is in the way THEY decide to show their beauty - I ask you to watch The Handmaid’s Tale.
Your puritanical views leads to repression and degradation for women, as the end point is that men then decide how women should show their beauty and sexuality
"Red carpet coverage is mostly of women, about, by and for women." And this is OK in these days of reckoning? Why should this be this way? Why shouldn't men have a presence, as subjects, reporters, and onlookers?
Just noticed that the Damon Winter slideshow photo of Norman Lear and Rita Moreno is captioned “Norman Lear and a date.” Are you kidding, NYTimes?? No one could identify that that was the legendary Rita Moreno??? Times up, NYT.
The grimy underbelly of Hollywood is 'Finally being lifted'? Come on. The
proverbial 'casting couch' has been a part of the lexicon since I was old enough to know what it meant.
How ridiculous to see stars in see-through dresses and dresses with slits all the way up the sides “protesting” sexual harassment because the dresses happen to be black. A sad mockery of the #metoo cause by these attention seeking women. If they were serious about dressing the part, they would be wearing black suits just like the ones the guys are wearing.
I consider the whole red carpet strut very sexist. Why do men wear tuxes with sensible, comfortable flat shoes while the women struggle with their gowns with such a long train ( especially with no maid of honor or bridesmaids!! ) on impossible 6" stilettos with toes squeezed and almost amputated. And then there is the ever present dread of robe malfunction! This was their chance but the women messed up. They wanted to make a statement? Ok Black! But black jeans, black tee-shirt with emblazoned #MeToo and black sneakers! Now that would make it official - the war is on, sexism go bust.
1
Mao said it best....“A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery; it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so temperate, kind, courteous, restrained and magnanimous. A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another.” These events and award shows are shallow ego trips.
The men were dressed well. Unfortunately, many of the women, dressed in black, were half naked. To those who showed a degree of modesty and respect, for example, Nicole Kidman and Rita Wilson, kudos! For those with plunging to the waist necklines, those showing lots of décolletage, push up bras or no bra under their sheer designer dress, off the shoulder plus plunge, etc, you are hypocrites!
Would it be fair for men to don sheer to show off their round balls? Or would they be called predators?
I miss the beautiful colored gowns of previous awards shows. The dresses look so drab and there is such sameness. Black is elegant but to see so much of it is boring and sad. It looks as though they are attending one large funeral rather then an awards celebration. They lack originality. I hope it is interesting for the viewers sake or they will turn it off.
“We will also make sure we find a time for us all to look at cool dresses and tuxedos and think about how we might dress up if we had all the money in the world... We think this is more useful than exploitative, as red carpet coverage is mostly of women, about, by and for women.”
And beauty pageants are really “scholarship pageants.”
Cast a very cynical eye on the roll out of activists who are accompanying the stars (many plainly aware of Weinstein's conduct and thus complicit to varying degrees) and acting as pathetic ambulatory deodorant. Did these activist receive money and support prior to this year's desperate need to put lots of roll-on on this seedy industry and its mostly unprincipled players?
So let me get this straight.. Women actresses scream, "Look at me! Look at me!" But they really mean, "Don't look at me! Don't look at me!" ...?? OK I guess that makes sense.
I admit - I like to see the fashion - but I read the NYT for solid reporting instead of celebrity gushing.
How the NYT can turn the 'Red Carpet' protests and the Hollywood promotion and marketing machine into positive social change? The NYT can start reporting much a female actor is paid in comparison to her male co-stars as a proportion to her time on the screen - essentially a variation on the Bechdel Test but for salary. (I also you to cover the same information for the music industry. Does a female who performs and writes her own material get the same deal that a male if he had the same sales? I suspect we have only seen the tip of that iceberg.) The NYT has the reporting muscle and editorial will to get this data about movie and music deals and publish it. You already publish stories about the cost of the movie production - salaries of the leading players are a critical, but missing component of those stories.
If the NYT can do this, I'm hoping there will be another 'Weinstein Effect', where a societal problem exposed in the entertainment industry sparks a movement.
1
Isn't the whole point of the red carpet to show up half-dressed and draw attention to oneself?
3
Suggest that the way women dress should reflect what they ask for from others. If we want respect, we should dress respectfully. These events have the opportunity to influence trends and social mores.......make the most of it.
11
My favorite awards show was the first after 9/11. The women wore pantsuits or tailered dresses, the men suits. No boobs, diamond crusted heels, or dripping in jewels. It had dignith and class. The Golden Globes serve booze, and rude people. No class or dignity there.
You need to spent time out of Ohio!
I dislike the skimpy costumes and I would bet it contributes to the focus on women as sexual objects. I agree it should be each individual's choice as to what they wear -- it should be up to the woman, completely. But I still have the right to my reaction, which is that it's not good for our culture to keep doing this kind of thing.... I'm sure others feel differently.
12
The objectifying of women in their half-naked glory, wearing foot-killing shoes, is exactly what fuels the rape culture that is endemic to Hollywood. I do not watch the Golden Globes, or any other award shows these days. They are toxic to all of our mental health.
16
Call attention to the inherently sexism of half-naked women accompanied by fully clothed men.
Then ask women about their career goals, and ask men how they plan on helping theirvdayes achieve those goals.
13
Fashion is the *only* reason to watch these shows.
3
True! I never watch award shows anymore. I look at the outfits the next day online, or later in a magazine at the doctor’s office. I doubt if there is anything you at the NYT could do that would get me interested in televised award ceremonies again. Maybe if the Obamas were presenting?
Since you asked: Drop all condescension to everyone. And, hey, any animals. The motive for the condescension, however clever, or however strongly you feel yourself or your audence superior to the object of your condescension, doesn't matter--drop the condescension as though it will boomerang and hurt you. The opposite of condescension is non-condescension. You don't have to go to obsequious, formal, stiff, distant, or even formally-stiffly-distantly respectful. Humor? It's not its own excuse. And most people are not as funny as they think they are, so it's not their excuse either.
1
The fact that The New York Times would spend so much resources covering the utterly superficial and vapid “Red Capet” is just sad. Why waste the money, time, resources and column space? My God. These are people who think they are so special and must be treated special just because they memorize lines in a television show or a film. What good do these people do for the world that they are treated the way they are? They make entertainment. That’s it. The majority of it does not even come close to beimg “art”, and even if something they do does, should we treat them like faux royalty? The celebrity culture is a big, big, part of the problem with out society and culture. It’s why people who now claim to have been abused never did anything about it, or said anything about it, when it happened. They cared more about “damaging their career” in Hollywood than doing the right thing. Obviously, they had no respect for themselves. Does this make their abusers innocent? No. But it also generates little sympathy from me.
29
It's a story this year because of the Weinstein scandal. Isn't this OBVIOUS?
Not to be a contrarian, but (which is always a contrarian's start with a conjunction a "but")... Given that red carpets are a problem and objectifying, perhaps the job should be not throwing more money at them by spending so much for more (better) photographers and better journalists with stronger credentials, but to send those people out to cover stories that matter and ignore the red carpet entirely....
26
We don't need more pictures of men in tuxedos; we need more pictures of tawdry, sexually inviting and revealing gowns on hot women. This is entertainment and a time and place to ogle at women and sexually fantasize, NOT a "soapbox to speak about harassment sexism and racism."
2
Ewww.
I just saw a slide show at another website of the "sexiest gowns at the Globes" over the years. I was struck by the professionalism all those glamorous women were exuding. Wait. I was struck by the lack of professionalism so many of those women were exuding, since they would not wear such revealing clothing to arrive at the set, nor would those who work at other jobs in the studios. When you think of how some of them look when they are actually being professional and playing their roles in their films, and then you see the cleavage down to there and the slits up the there, you do wonder what image it is they are trying to project: professional or sexually alluring. Oh, but this is a party, not part of their work. Really? Is that why studios send them to these affairs? Not to act as promoters for their films, but to have a party? Now we are told not to "objectify" women. Totally agree. Exactly what is it so many of these stars are doing with such clothing but objectifying themselves just as much as a beauty pageant contestant in a swimsuit, except the beauty pageant contestant has to prance around half naked on TV or not participate in the pageant at all. Movie and TV stars don't, unless they choose to, and if they choose not to, it's not like their careers are ended. I never hear another woman complain about Jennifer Lopez's, just to take one example, revealing clothes at awards shows as objectifying herself in the eyes of heterosexual men. Why not?
11
Ask the women the exact same questions you would ask of men.
14
"How will you be looking at the red carpets differently?"
I won't be watching at all. Celebrity worship is toxic in this country, and we really don't need to be inflating their egos any more. Turn off the TV tomorrow and read a book instead.
24
Yes, look what celebrity culture brought us: Donald Trump in the White House.
I would like to hear more from Matt Damon, the Afflecks, and Meryl Streep on the I Knew Too movement.
6
The Red Carpet to me at least is a relic of a bygone era. If we are truly to respect actresses for their talents and intellect then why are we focusing on their attire for the evening. As a father of 3 successful daughters I instilled in them that knowledge and personal character was more important than appearance of which they had little control.
17
I don't mind knowing "who they're wearing" - some designs are truly stunning and artistic - but could you rephrase it as "who designed your gown/tuxedo?" It's a tiny shift that gives credit to the designer without being...odd. Even better would be to just put it in the photo montage afterwards and leave the dialogue to questions about the actor's actual work.
7
Golden Globes, SAG, Oscars, et. al., have been hurtling toward irrelevance for years. The fact that the industry remains focused on politics, not art, ensures that this year will see a dramatic - and downright scary - drop in viewership.
The industry continues to use shrill spokespersons to express its extremist views, in an attempt to make the viewing public overlook the repetitive, uncreative content coming out of Hollywood.
The industry is closer to life support than it knows. The Golden Globes will be a canary in that mineshaft.
4
"We think this is more useful than exploitative, as red carpet coverage is mostly of women, about, by and for women. "
As someone claiming to be a man, I'd like to suggest you choose your words, your concepts, and your assumptions a little more carefully here.
We are not all Harvey. You are not all Hillary.
I know you know that. But your language drags us in another direction.
By the way, your qualifier "mostly" pretty much spoils the mood.
2
Trying to get an in depth intelligent conversation into a two minute soundbite in a red carpet "interview" is a challenge doomed to failure. Just trying not to be exploitive and inane would be a more realistic goal.
5
The moment I remember most from several years ago was realizing that the pretty child-interviewers on the Academy Awards red carpet were totally clueless about who Vanessa Redgrave was. At least enough pre-publicity was done so that last year the interviewers recognized Isabelle Huppert. Since the Redgrave incident, I have watched for fun and nothing else. I prefer the BAFTA Awards, which tend to be wittier, especially when Stephen Fry is hosting.
6
The interviewers could try asking questions with the same respect with which they'd interview, say, NASA scientists. When was the last time the Nobel Prize winners were asked who designed what they're wearing? Instead, ask these talented people about their professional training, their specific preparation for the nominated roles, how they became involved in each film, how their teams worked together on the project, their ultimate hopes about what the finished work contributes to a larger culture--but treat them like trained professionals doing a job as difficult as any engineer's or mathematician's. And interview the directors and designers, not only the actors. The infantilizing of artists is a huge reason why Americans don't respect the arts. Yet film and other artistic disciplines do more to shape the world's understanding of our country than any other form of diplomacy.
6
Clothing and fashion are a huge industry. That’s what it’s all about.
The work these people do is all about storytelling and theatre. Many (not all) of them have to a do read a great deal. How about asking them questions that go to the heart of what they do? Questions about what they are reading, have read, or plan to read? How about inviting them to share their favorite moments from the theatrical literature they are immersed in professionally? How about asking them about their favorite plays? Their favorite books? Their favorite authors? The point here being that while gowns, tuxedoes and coiffure are all lovely and eye-catching and out in the open for all to see, the ideas and inspirations that fuel and drive the work these very public figures do is not always given a public platform. Take this opportunity, as reporters, to inject some literary texture in with the sartorial. It might help inspire viewers to discover new literary avenues they had not considered; it might help inspire young aspiring thespians and really anybody else enchanted by the glitz and glamor to enrich their world with richer storytelling.
5
How about more attention for the writers, editors, art directors, soundtrack composers (etc) who don't get the red-carpet fanfare, but contribute every bit as much to the film or show as the actors (or directors)?
4
The narrative that women need to be beautiful and pursue beauty at any cost is what fuels the fashion, beauty and entertainment industries (and several more for that matter). The other part of our current social construct is that men of importance and power want to posses beautiful women. We can't come to terms with sexual harassment and misogyny unless we address both sides of the equation.
Wearing black is fine if you embrace the bigger picture which is to stop focusing on impossible beauty standards and stop making money via ads and endorsements from industries whose only purpose is to make other women feel insecure. The actress who shows up tonight in a simple outfit that she already had in her closet, who does her own hair and makeup and says she wants to be noticed for her talent and nothing else would be the biggest breath of fresh air.
I am hoping someone in Hollywood comes through for me. Unfortunately, the most famous #metoo ladies seem eager to punish men, but not take a look at how they themselves profit from and participate in the problem.
10
Instead of asking whose gown are you wearing, how about asking about the role they are nominated for, how they were cast, their artistic approach? The details of the gown can just be a parenthesis.
3
I do enjoy red carpet coverage for many reasons, not the least of which is they sometimes provide a “getaway” from the everyday. Along with just seeing the beautiful people (I don’t really care “who they wear”) I’d love to know more about how they get into character, what/who was their inspiration and what’s next. We mortals thrive on info like that! See you on the Red Carpet!
2
Thanks, NYT, for your transparency about your coverage protocol. My no-doubt minority view: These supremely vainglorious, childish shows should not be broadcast at all. Despite the good intention of the actresses wearing black and the new dollop of serious media commentary on harassment, the primary effect of the award season will continue to reinforce some of the worse aspects of our shallow culture: First, the cult of celebrity. Actors are no better educated, articulate, or knowledgeable than any other citizen, and in many cases much less so, given the narcissism and pampering that are inherent to Hollywood culture and economics. They should not be promoted as our cultural, let alone political, gods. Second, the fixation on the female body and traditional conventions of (mostly youthful) beauty for women and handsomeness for men. The latter is an utterly sexist and shallow treatment of women, as is the undeniable fact that lead characters are almost always cast as gorgeous people, and minor characters as false stereotypes (the nerdy accountant, the stuffy professor, the ugly villain, et al.) Walking the runway in black is a superficial, self-satisfied gloss on this grotesquely commercial-driven culture. Without exaggeration, its values and aesthetics reach their apotheosis in Trumpism.
10
I watch the BAFTA awards every year. The British approach to the red carpet is far superior to what occurs at American award shows. A very well informed entertainment reporter interviews the nominated actor about their movie on the carpet providing much detail about the actor’s role in the film. While off camera a fashion magazine editor and stylist comment on the clothes. This is so much more dignified for the actor and provides more information about the clothes. The fashion experts go into a lot of detail about the frock stating what season it is from and if it appeared on the runway in a different guise.
Often actors at the American awards don’t even know the name of the designer of the outfit they are wearing nor how to correctly pronounce their name.
20
Never have watched a 'red carpet.' Watch the awards show, then re-look at pics of the gorgeous gals in their gorgeous gowns the day after. The rest is unnecessary.
1
It's 2018 and it's just now you figured out maybe the whole red carpet hype is absurd and outmoded? I agree with those who've suggested asking the performers about something grownups might be interested in talking about or listening to.
Even better, drop the whole demeaning practice and cover the awards; if the networks are desperate for airtime, spend it on critical summaries, or interviews, of the nominees.
16
I confess I love to look at the pictures for exactly the reasons the article describes. And the women are much more varied in their fashion and hence generally more interesting visually than the men. By all means ask them all kinds of questions, including about designers if they want to give a shout out to them, but don't lead with it. Mix it up, and let the attendees talk about what interests them too, socially or creatively or about anything else. Don't point out "fashion mistakes." Give the harassment talk a rest unless the attendees bring it up, but it they do, listen. Oh, and do group the women by dress color in the later slide show, which for some reason I find bizarrely satisfying.
5
I love looking st the clothes, and fashion is an industry that deserves support, so a brief acknowledgement of the designer may still be appropriate recognition of the effort they and the actors go to put their best on show. But the clear focus of the conversation should be their art and their message. And perhaps you can let nominees know in advance that, if the NYT catches them on the red carpet, you will be asking for their voice.
6
"Most of all, we think folks enjoy the fantasies of Hollywood but also don’t want to endorse the lies and secrets." Only if they (the readers) knew prior to Hurricane Harvey expose. That's the job of media moguls like the NYT, WP, LA Times etc. Media folks please keep up the recent convergence and commitment on targets like Harvey.
“ red carpet is now a prime soapbox to speak out about harassment, sexism, racism, industry practices “ - really? “soapbox?” Since when? It’s all about gazing at the beautiful people as they walk towards defeat or victory. Spare the soapbox stuff for late nite tv or books.
6
Fashion -- and even everyday street wear -- has always been about more than function. It is an art form, a means of expression. At its most personal, a red carpet look is about the preference of the wearer, the image she or he wants to convey. At a communal level, it can express solidarity around an idea.
2
I disagree. Award shows ARE silly things for silly people. There should be no “Red Carpet” coverage.
27
I think if you limit TV to something that isn't silly you are eliminating 90% of TV.
2
Thank you for seeking feedback on this. I would like to see no body shaming of women (or men for that matter - but it is a particularly prevalent aspect of commentary on women and contributes the objectification and the idea that women can only be successfully if they confor to certain characteristics set by a male dominated industry).
I would like to see more diversity; representation matters and is part of creating an environment when’re all people can feel safe and ableist to come forward with their stories. Race, religion, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation (where individuals have made that public), age, disability and so much more.
You might also consider talking about accessibility of the events, especially for those with illness or disabilities (and I don’t just mean wheelchair access - go and have a look at Unrest the documentary by way of one example among many, to find out more about how ‘invisible’ disability can affect people).
Chiara M
Photographer and writer
11
How about asking the women on the red carpet about their work, their opinions on Weinstein, other revelations and the #MeToo movement?
Treat them as real human beings with thoughts, brains and opinions, not as walking clotheshangers.
18
I believe the readers are far more interested in the creative process, background and training in theatre arts as well as the actors’ other interests: e.g. Angelina Jolie’s work with UN, George Clooney’s work on Darfur, Reese Witherspoon and other women’s plans to remake the film industry into fair and equal opportunity.
12
I will be thrilled to see some intelligent conversation about the business of the biz, or about social issues - especially sexual harassment. But yes, I do still want to hear about the dress and jewelry. We can be smart and engaged, as well as stylish. There is no contradiction. Most of the folks in the biz are smart. Let that show.
8
I'd like to know how women who have been discriminated against, not just celebrities, overcame the abuse to succeed anyway. What did they do? Why did they succeed when others could not? And for those whose careers were damaged or ruined, how did their lives change as a result? What are they doing now? Have they been able to recover emotionally and professionally? What was the impact of being overpowered in this way? Sometimes there are lessons learned that could be shared in a way that's helpful to other women facing discrimination.
6
Interesting, yes but there is no time on the red carpet for anything much in depth. Prepare interviews in advance and post award that cover these questions. Its also OK to have fun without getting silly about it. It is a party/celebration after all.
1
For every question asked to women about harassment and assault, ask two about their work and what their professional goals are for the future.
43
I would like to see as many articles as possible that attempt to make a multicultural, multigendered society seem like everyday old America, the one we all know and love, whether or not we are consciously aware of that.
8
I'd like to know about their creative process
7
I fully support bringing the spotlight to the sexual harassment issue in these award venues. Women have determined they will wear black in solidarity. If, however, we are looking for TRUE solidarity, I suggest that the men involved make a statement as well. They could wear pink "pussy-caps" and each and every one of them demand that the President of the United States apologize and
step down. Here is an opportunity for men to step up.
11
At the very least, the men interviewed should be asked how they intend to help prevent sexual harassment and to promote the careers of more women to gain gender parity in the business.
1
Focus on achievements--view all genders as people, not models. The clothing is a meaningful achievement--by the designer, the person who selected and accessorized it (who is wearing it). Put one of your fashion writers in the mix, who can speak to the origin and context of the garment. View each woman as an individual. No "Top 10" lists. Should it be fun? Sure. Just stop viewing the women as well-dressed objects, and designers as invisible.
And please, no denigrating comments about people who made "fashion mistakes." A little humanity goes a long way--everyone has a point of view, even if doesn't meet your standards.
32
Great - I hope this means the question of what designer they (the women - since I rarely heard it asked of men) are wearing will finally be laid to rest.
12
Ask the artists about their work, not their clothes! If you are at an event honoring the best work in a given field, TALK ABOUT THE WORK. How did a perform develop their character, what was the director's vision, what inspired the writers?
Don't ask who has been sexually harassed, an awards ceremony in the wrong place for that conversation. The awards are to honor the work, discuss the work.
41
Please, no more questions about "who you're wearing". Ask men how they will be allies to women and people of color in Hollywood. Don't ask if women have been harassed, ask them what solutions they can propose. Ask people of color for their thoughts and ask them about their projects. Ask how we can all be allies.
23
ask people if they want to watch a boring show
1
Please don't limit your coverage on women at these events to their "cool dresses." When covering the red carpet live, ask women about something other than who they are wearing. When putting together slideshows about women and their dresses, include a fact about them that showcases their accomplishes beyond serving as a living mannequin for the evening.
Not "Actress Angelina Jolie stuns the crowd in a black, leggy Versace gown." But rather, "Oscar winning actress and UN Special Envoy Angelina Jolie walked the red carpet in a custom-made Versace gown."
28
Please don't minimize what's happening with dumb questions about fashion. Fashion for once can take a back seat. I don't want people to be put on the spot, but back away and give women {and men} the space to express their thoughts and feelings. This isn't a year for getting lost in escapism, but of looking clearly at reality.
8