Television shows are often intended to entertain, but they can also teach. Even famous shows can perpetuate extreme or covert misogyny, shaping the perspectives of women through plots, characters, and emotions. Over time, patterns emerge where women are patronized, sidelined, or defined by the men around them.
“The Big Bang Theory,” a popular sitcom, expressed many examples of covert misogynistic views throughout its 12 seasons. Sheldon Cooper, a prominent character in the show, is seen as “the innocent bigot,” where he expresses his focus is on science, rather than on women. In one scene, as he’s talking to his best friend Leonard, another main character, Sheldon says, “All you hear women say is, ‘I’ll just have a salad.’ You know? ‘Where’s my lip gloss?’ ‘I think this element should be called radium.’ That last one was Madame Curie,” While he expresses that women solely focus on looks, he chooses to overlook the fact that Marie Curie, a highly accomplished scientist, was in fact a woman. He then adds on, “You know what? She was kind of an honorary man.” This statement suggests that intelligence and scientific success are inherently masculine traits, and that women must be associated with men to be respected. Because this line is delivered as a joke, the show avoids challenging the sexism it presents.
Similarly, the TV series “How I Met Your Mother” reinforces misogynistic ideas through its portrayal of women as romantic interests which are disposable. Barney Stinson frequently objectifies women, referring to them with nicknames instead of names and treating them as achievements rather than people. While the show sometimes exaggerates his behavior or shows his behavior as ironic, it rarely holds him accountable. Female characters are often introduced solely to advance male character development, reiterating the idea that the sole purpose of women is to serve men’s emotional growth rather than having their own independent significance.
Even shows that are centered on family dynamics, such as “Gilmore Girls,” are not free from misogynistic portrayals. Although the series is acclaimed for its strong female leads, women are often portrayed as overly emotional or dependent on romantic validation. Conflicts between female characters, such as the mother and daughter, tend to be emphasized more than the affection or solidarity between them, which subtly reinforces the stereotype about women being irrational or competitive rather than supportive.
The danger that covert misogyny possesses lies in the subtlety of it. Because it is woven into comedic storytelling, audiences are less likely to question it. When sexism is excused as quirks or comedy, it becomes normalized. Over time, this influences how viewers perceive women’s intelligence, independence, and worth.
In conclusion, television shows that are there to entertain demonstrate how misogyny can persist in popular culture without seeming apparent. By disguising sexist attitudes as humor, these shows excuse harmful behavior as entertainment. As long as sexism earns laughter instead of criticism, it will continue to subtly influence audiences, potentially harmfully, about who deserves power and who does not.