WE Channel Empowers Women?

The face of American television has changed in recent years, yet in many ways it has stayed the same. Cable has allowed for a variety of stations to pop up that cater to very specific audiences. I remember in my college days my teacher saying how many more jobs there would be in video production in the future due to the boom of cable programming.

I really don't know about that anymore, my career choice has shifted somewhat, but I do know they were right; there are many stations to choose from these days. The problem is that there is really nothing on! This doesn't mean there aren't any shows to watch, it means there isn't much worth watching.

This changed for me when I stumbled upon "McLeod's Daughters" on WE (Women's Entertainment) about six months ago. You probably have never heard of this show, but I assure you, it's a winner. It's an Australian drama about a group of women running their own property. That in itself might not be of interest to you, but the message this show sends should be.

These are strong, independent women who take life's bumps and bruises with grace and dignity. This was the only program I made a point to watch each week. Just watching this show gave me a boost, a feeling that nothing is impossible, and the feeling that it's ok to have a brain and actually use it.

There is a strong message in this show that I want to share with my daughter when she is old enough to understand it. I want her to know that clothes and hair color don't make a woman who she is; it's all about inner strength and a belief that she is worth something.

Now, sadly, I'm not sure that is going to happen. WE ended their relationship with "McLeod's Daughters", and the episodes are no longer airing. The one show on their channel that actually mirrored their catch phrase "WE Empowers Women" is gone.

What WE TV has left on their schedule is laughable, at best. I'm hard pressed to find anything 'empowering' to watch there. Here are some of the programs that WE claims will empower women.

"Daddy's Spoiled Little Girl"

I watched this show once, and that was enough, thank you very much. I was totally and completely horrified. This show features young, spoiled, totally rotten girls getting everything they want from daddy. When viewing, you are treated to dialogs about how special and precious they are, how they deserve everything, and tips on how to throw a good temper tantrum to get what you want. Lovely.

"Secret Lives of Women"

Here women are portrayed at their very worst. Drug addictions, plastic surgery gone mad, eating disorders, and sexual dysfunction at it's best. There may be a point to this type of programming but I'm not sure what it is. I don't find it empowering to watch women at their worst. Where are the positive secrets?

"Bridezillas"

Do I even have to explain this one? For the fortunate who have not seen this, I guess I should. This one is a true piece of work, again portraying women playing diva, this time, for their upcoming weddings. The most common theme is 'give me what I want or I'll throw a temper tantrum'. If you want to make women look bad, this is the show to air!

"American Princess"

I don't think this show is airing at the moment, but I'm sure part two is coming up shortly. Apparently, the only way to be happy, worthy of attention, and important is to look perfect and follow the rules. Sorry, again, not buying it.

Anyway…

Where is the empowerment this station rants about? I've yet to find it. There are some other shows that are not as bad as those I mentioned, but surely this is scrapping the bottom of television programming. What kind of message are these types of programs sending out the rest of the world?

WE has every right to run the programming it wishes to air, but please stop flaunting brainless excess and superficial values as empowering. It's not empowering, and quite frankly, more than a little insulting.

The powers behind "McLeod's Daughters" (which is currently in it's sixth season in Australia and still going strong) are looking for another home for the series in the United States. While I'm waiting for a new channel to grab this amazing series, I will quite happily watch the episodes of "McLeod's Daughters" I managed to tape and I will also, quite happily, not watch WE television.