Is it just me??

[Quilty]

I watch a lot of tv. Make that, I listen to a lot of tv -- I don't look at the screen very often; I'm usually doing something else.

It seems to me that there is a huge disparity in how white women and women of color are portrayed if they are the slightest bit heavier than Holly Hunter.

Women of color who have serious roles -- S. Epatha Merkerson on "Law & Order," Marianne Jean-Baptiste on "Without a Trace," for example -- dress in conservative business attire appropriate for their jobs.

Caucausian women are dressed like clowns. Kirsten Vangsness of "Criminal Minds" or Kathy Kinney of "The Drew Carey Show." Even Pauley Perrette of "NCIS" (though she's very tall, but in great shape) is over-gothed to the point of looking ridiculous.

And while we're at it, could SOMEBODY please brush Holly Hunter's hair!?

[Dazzling Zoomer Gal Diana]

Gosh! I guess I will have to watch some TV and see. I watch about three or four shows, and that's it. Even then I either catch them online - DVR it or get the series from Netflix. Since none of them are those that you mentioned - except for NCIS once in a while ( Pauley is always dressed VERY punk rocker chic - isn't it her thing? ) I'll go look see . You have me intrigued.

[Quilty]

Yes, the character of Abby is very goth... but then again, the writers have turned a caucasion forensic genius into a her own form of "clown." She's so smart, so she has to dress like an idiot??

[Dazzling Zoomer Gal Diana]

Actually, because she (Abby) is young, and a punk rocker chic (bit more punk than goth) , she does reflect a good number of her "type" and style at the moment, certainly in clubs and in colleges in cities where I've been and taken notice. She is the black sheep who is so brilliant she can "get away" with her personal style. I think she rocks the way she is dressed - quite to character.

I'm certainly vaguely annoyed when I see women officers in plain cloths with heaving bosoms and inappropriate cleavage, as I am when I see female attorneys and others on tv dressed in too sexual a manner. But real individuality on tv in a role? I have to chuckle and applaud it. We "know" she (Abby) has time to grow out of it - and the reality is that I personally know many young women who are tattooed and punk and goth who are making adjustments for their careers and hiding their bodies and style. They envy her!

Different times, different generation, and she (Abby) reflects this. Concerning other women, it may be that some actors have more say in their wardrobe choices than others.

[Quilty]

Considering that she works in a high-level government agency, I would SERIOUSLY doubt that she'd actually be allowed to dress like that for work in real life. That was why I mentioned her character.

[Dazzling Zoomer Gal Diana]

LoL! True that Quilty ! But that's why it's television! Remember Kilnger on M.A.S.H. ? And that female character on the Drew Carry show that distinctly resembled a clown gone quite badly? All characters created to insert some levity and a bit of the slap stick.

In real life I'm not seeing women running about dressing inappropriately on their jobs, (although what some gals wear to the shopping malls and clubs s very interesting) so even if some women on tv are dressed "as eye candy" and inappropriately, I suspect that most women are sensible enough to dress properly for work. I've noticed a program or two with an all black women cast - most seemed to be dressed quite provocatively - except for the "mothers" .

As I cast my mind back over what little tv I've watched - Cagney and Lacey comes to mind. Those women were always dressed their part! It would be nice to see that again - but it would also mean a change in current fashions overall, which is at present clothing that is very form fitting.

[Quilty]

Yes, and they weren't FAT!

I must say, though, that Sharon Gless is heavier now, and DOES dress appropriately for her part on "Burn Notice." When I posted this, I couldn't think of ONE non-anorexic woman on tv who was dressed appropriately. Thanks for reminding me!