View Full Version : Barbara Eden responds to criticism 'I Dream of Jeannie' was sexist


TMC
08-07-2018, 09:09 PM
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/metoo-genie-barbara-eden-responds-criticism-dream-jeannie-sexist-174154427.html

Was I Dream of Jeannie sexist or feminist?

The star of the beloved series I Dream of Jeannie, Barbara Eden, was interviewed Friday on Today by Al Roker. Eden’s character spent five seasons magically catering to the wishes of her master, Tony, an astronaut.

Roker asked, “Do you think today they could do I Dream of Jeannie, because some people said, ‘Oh, this was too sexist or she was subservient?’”

Eden responded, “Of course you could. The sexist or subservient part is so ridiculous. I mean, this is a classical theme. This is a #MeToo genie.”

Some have said the show was sexist, something that Eden has denied before. Others have agreed.

With the recent glut of classic TV shows being rebooted for modern audiences, who knows — we may just see an updated I Dream of Jeannie.

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In the end, Eden said she’s happy to be known for her unique character. “I’m proud of her. Isn’t it lucky that I had one character that people remember?”

king of comedy
08-07-2018, 09:35 PM
Great lady and great show.

PhoenixAcres
08-07-2018, 09:42 PM
Jeannie calls Tony "master" all the time. Obviously the misogynistic writers crafted this as a subtle message that women are inferior and subservient to men and should be recognized as such. Or maybe it's because she was a genie and he was her literal master?

The whole sexism thing is nonsense. It was a good show and they never bothered stinking it up with political stuff.

Babalu
08-07-2018, 09:55 PM
If anyone dared to make IDOJ today it would be wall to wall male-bashing BS.

In other words just like every other show on today.

RetroGuy2000
08-07-2018, 10:06 PM
The show is a reflection of its time: more than 50 years ago. Asking if it's sexist is like asking if there was racism during the Civil War.

Dale Key
08-08-2018, 02:20 AM
Jeannie isn't sexist and neither is Lucy. The attitudes of the time they aired are intact but they were not subservient women. Why waste Miss Eden's time with questions like that?

TMC
09-02-2018, 04:15 AM
I'm guessing that even though the show may likely have sexist underpinnings and was when you get right down to it, a male fantasy the chemistry between Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman is so amazing that they somehow made it work. I've heard the suggestion that Jeannie and Tony's relationship could be seen as a metaphor for an unmarried couple living together and trying to hide it from his superiors, so they can continue to fool around and have fun in private with no consequences.

TMC
09-05-2018, 09:17 PM
I wonder if Jeannie (https://www.quora.com/Was-I-Dream-of-Jeannie-sexist-or-feminist) could be considered an early example of a Manic Pixie Dream Girl (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manic_Pixie_Dream_Girl)? A quirky, free-spirited woman (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ManicPixieDreamGirl) who is really only there to teach the otherwise aimless, downcast, or depressed male protagonist how to embrace life, fun and happiness.

king of comedy
03-16-2019, 09:42 PM
I saw and met her at chiller fest in New Jersey. Great lady.

Schmoopie
04-14-2020, 12:36 AM
That was a cute interview but so sad about her son. Wow, she looks amazing for being in her 80's! Loved the end of the interview and that Genie Barbie doll is so cute!

OH Nuts!
04-14-2020, 01:32 AM
That was a cute interview but so sad about her son. Wow, she looks amazing for being in her 80's! Loved the end of the interview and that Genie Barbie doll is so cute!

Actually the show had a very passive-AGRESSIVE....tinge to it....Jeannie may act subservient to her “master“, but should he pi#s her off...he’d be dangling by a thin rope above hungry alligators!