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Friday, January 27, 2012
Celeb / Shit Talk Why Do So Many Women Have a Seemingly Irrational Hatred of Zooey Deschanel?
Posted by Grant Brissey on Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 10:16 AM
- HATED
Okay, I'm no fan of the lady, and I'm fairly content to ignore everything she does, but I've noticed lately that many woman friends have a seemingly irrational hatred for her. Can someone please explain this to me? Is it because she makes faces like the one at right, or that she's dubbed things like "Hollywood's cutest weirdo," or because she can't really sing so good but keeps doing it? Maybe it's just because her name is Zooey. Surely there are people out there more deserving of hatred. Either way, click on the image to make it more annoying.
106
I'm sure most women will agree with me on this one (a woman myself).
I can't stand her and it is not because of jealousy AT ALL. I don't even find her pretty. Angelina Jolie, Michelle Pfeiffer and Grace Kelly are what I consider beautiful and Diane Lane is what I consider cute, and none of them bothers me.
The reason she annoys me is exactly that, as this type of girl is not outstanding, she plays the dumb, hysterical woman role (likes to draw attention to her even if she doesnt like the man), instead of trying to nurture her brains. She NEVER appears smart. And yet childish men see her as fun or natural. I say childish because they dont see that in ONLY a few months' time, that "fun and natural" girl will turn into a boring, "no projects in life" woman and it won't be funny anymore. Why? Not only because she doesn't have a decent job or study, but because the natural is not really natural... do you think that look is careless??? you think those (by the way, horrible) bangs are an "oh the hairdresser just cut them like this... whatever" kind of bangs? REALLY? Come on! It's like Ashton Kutcher's beard... in order to LOOK like he doesnt care, he spends A BUNCH of time arranging it... so basically this girl spends MORE hours looking for clothes that don't match than a "normal look" woman would in order to look well groomed.
The point is... this is NOT being cute, this is beeing WEIRD. Diane Lane is cute, fun, natural, pretty, easy-going, light hearted, approachable, "laugh about her mistakes", AS WELL AS beautiful, looking smart, sexy WOMAN. I as a woman ADMIRE that image, I am not at all envious about it.
ZD does seem funny at times, but it gets old pretty soon and there's NO other qualities in her. Childish men let themselves be enchanted by this "I'm weird because I'm funny and special but really easy-going" crap. Short-sighted men marry her believing this crap, quickly the woman is not low-maintenance anymore and later turns into a crazy cat lady as #32 said, the marriage sucks and they divorce. And why all of these? Because the weirdo was much easier a target than the REAL DEAL (the really interesting, fun yet determined, beautiful lady).
Overall, I would say the so-called hatred most women experience is more like the bewildered feeling you get when you pay to the greengrocer the price for the best tomato (a Grace Kelly) and you see how he smugly sells you the rotten tomato (ZD) in your face! UNBELIEVABLY OVERRATED.
More...
I can't stand her and it is not because of jealousy AT ALL. I don't even find her pretty. Angelina Jolie, Michelle Pfeiffer and Grace Kelly are what I consider beautiful and Diane Lane is what I consider cute, and none of them bothers me.
The reason she annoys me is exactly that, as this type of girl is not outstanding, she plays the dumb, hysterical woman role (likes to draw attention to her even if she doesnt like the man), instead of trying to nurture her brains. She NEVER appears smart. And yet childish men see her as fun or natural. I say childish because they dont see that in ONLY a few months' time, that "fun and natural" girl will turn into a boring, "no projects in life" woman and it won't be funny anymore. Why? Not only because she doesn't have a decent job or study, but because the natural is not really natural... do you think that look is careless??? you think those (by the way, horrible) bangs are an "oh the hairdresser just cut them like this... whatever" kind of bangs? REALLY? Come on! It's like Ashton Kutcher's beard... in order to LOOK like he doesnt care, he spends A BUNCH of time arranging it... so basically this girl spends MORE hours looking for clothes that don't match than a "normal look" woman would in order to look well groomed.
The point is... this is NOT being cute, this is beeing WEIRD. Diane Lane is cute, fun, natural, pretty, easy-going, light hearted, approachable, "laugh about her mistakes", AS WELL AS beautiful, looking smart, sexy WOMAN. I as a woman ADMIRE that image, I am not at all envious about it.
ZD does seem funny at times, but it gets old pretty soon and there's NO other qualities in her. Childish men let themselves be enchanted by this "I'm weird because I'm funny and special but really easy-going" crap. Short-sighted men marry her believing this crap, quickly the woman is not low-maintenance anymore and later turns into a crazy cat lady as #32 said, the marriage sucks and they divorce. And why all of these? Because the weirdo was much easier a target than the REAL DEAL (the really interesting, fun yet determined, beautiful lady).
Overall, I would say the so-called hatred most women experience is more like the bewildered feeling you get when you pay to the greengrocer the price for the best tomato (a Grace Kelly) and you see how he smugly sells you the rotten tomato (ZD) in your face! UNBELIEVABLY OVERRATED.
105
I'm sure most women will agree with me on this one (a woman myself).
I can't stand her and it is not because of jealousy AT ALL. I don't even find her pretty. Angelina Jolie, Michelle Pfeiffer and Grace Kelly are what I consider beautiful and Diane Lane is what I consider cute, and none of them bothers me.
The reason she annoys me is exactly that, as this type of girl is not outstanding, she plays the dumb, hysterical woman role (likes to draw attention to her even if she doesnt like the man), instead of trying to nurture her brains. She NEVER appears smart. And yet childish men see her as fun or natural. I say childish because they dont see that in ONLY a few months' time, that "fun and natural" girl will turn into a boring, "no projects in life" woman and it won't be funny anymore. Why? Not only because she doesn't have a decent job or study, but because the natural is not really natural... do you think that look is careless??? you think those (by the way, horrible) bangs are an "oh the hairdresser just cut them like this... whatever" kind of bangs? REALLY? Come on! It's like Ashton Kutcher's beard... in order to LOOK like he doesnt care, he spends A BUNCH of time arranging it... so basically this girl spends MORE hours looking for clothes that don't match than a "normal look" woman would in order to look well groomed.
The point is... this is NOT being cute, this is beeing WEIRD. Diane Lane is cute, fun, natural, pretty, easy-going, light hearted, approachable, "laugh about her mistakes", AS WELL AS beautiful, looking smart, sexy WOMAN. I as a woman ADMIRE that image, I am not at all envious about it.
ZD does seem funny at times, but it gets old pretty soon and there's NO other qualities in her. Childish men let themselves be enchanted by this "I'm weird because I'm funny and special but really easy-going" crap. Short-sighted men marry her believing this crap, quickly the woman is not low-maintenance anymore and later turns into a crazy cat lady as #32 said, the marriage sucks and they divorce. And why all of these? Because the weirdo was much easier a target than the REAL DEAL (the really interesting, fun yet determined, beautiful lady).
Overall, I would say the so-called hatred most women experience is more like the bewildered feeling you get when you pay to the greengrocer the price for the best tomato (a Grace Kelly) and you see how he smugly sells you the rotten tomato (ZD) in your face! UNBELIEVABLY OVERRATED.
More...
I can't stand her and it is not because of jealousy AT ALL. I don't even find her pretty. Angelina Jolie, Michelle Pfeiffer and Grace Kelly are what I consider beautiful and Diane Lane is what I consider cute, and none of them bothers me.
The reason she annoys me is exactly that, as this type of girl is not outstanding, she plays the dumb, hysterical woman role (likes to draw attention to her even if she doesnt like the man), instead of trying to nurture her brains. She NEVER appears smart. And yet childish men see her as fun or natural. I say childish because they dont see that in ONLY a few months' time, that "fun and natural" girl will turn into a boring, "no projects in life" woman and it won't be funny anymore. Why? Not only because she doesn't have a decent job or study, but because the natural is not really natural... do you think that look is careless??? you think those (by the way, horrible) bangs are an "oh the hairdresser just cut them like this... whatever" kind of bangs? REALLY? Come on! It's like Ashton Kutcher's beard... in order to LOOK like he doesnt care, he spends A BUNCH of time arranging it... so basically this girl spends MORE hours looking for clothes that don't match than a "normal look" woman would in order to look well groomed.
The point is... this is NOT being cute, this is beeing WEIRD. Diane Lane is cute, fun, natural, pretty, easy-going, light hearted, approachable, "laugh about her mistakes", AS WELL AS beautiful, looking smart, sexy WOMAN. I as a woman ADMIRE that image, I am not at all envious about it.
ZD does seem funny at times, but it gets old pretty soon and there's NO other qualities in her. Childish men let themselves be enchanted by this "I'm weird because I'm funny and special but really easy-going" crap. Short-sighted men marry her believing this crap, quickly the woman is not low-maintenance anymore and later turns into a crazy cat lady as #32 said, the marriage sucks and they divorce. And why all of these? Because the weirdo was much easier a target than the REAL DEAL (the really interesting, fun yet determined, beautiful lady).
Overall, I would say the so-called hatred most women experience is more like the bewildered feeling you get when you pay to the greengrocer the price for the best tomato (a Grace Kelly) and you see how he smugly sells you the rotten tomato (ZD) in your face! UNBELIEVABLY OVERRATED.
102
I get compared to Zooey Deschanel often by other women(apparently, she is the only soul allowed to wear dresses and have straight bangs), and it always seems to be fairly demeaning and passive-aggressive as if I should take it as an insult. Or some comments are overtly insulting.
For example, I once heard this, "Do you watch that Zooey Deschanel iPhone commercial and just whack off to it?"
Me: "What iPod commercial?"
So, I feel the inherent need to defend her as it seems to be a reflection of myself. As a feminist, I believe I can choose to display whatever level-or lack thereof-femininity that I desire, because it is suppose to be all about choice, no? I can understand why women would be displeased with the number of adjectives associated with the actress, namely "quirky", "adorkable", and "offbeat". However, it is not that we dislike knitting, arts & craft projects, and kittens. It is that we dislike having a woman whom meets every standard of beauty & beyond referred to as different simply because she wears bows and dances silly. Conversely, I do not agree with the vitriolic speech aimed towards her as a person. Make no mistake about it. Women don't like Zooey Deschanel because she is perceived as weird but absolutely beautiful. If another conventionally unattractive woman had the same demeanor, comedic shtick, & interests, women would praise her. Ultimately, the difference is her acceptance among men. And they accept her because she's hot. It's just another paradigm in the patriarchal society we live in, but it does not help women one iota to tactlessly harass one another over the perception men have. In the end, it still remains all about competition for men. It remains a matter of jealousy, because we are placing the standard of beauty in their hands & hating those who fit it. We are dividing ourselves by loathing those who are attractive rather than EXPANDING THE DEFINITION OF BEAUTIFUL THROUGH ACCEPTANCE & ENCOURAGEMENT.
More...
For example, I once heard this, "Do you watch that Zooey Deschanel iPhone commercial and just whack off to it?"
Me: "What iPod commercial?"
So, I feel the inherent need to defend her as it seems to be a reflection of myself. As a feminist, I believe I can choose to display whatever level-or lack thereof-femininity that I desire, because it is suppose to be all about choice, no? I can understand why women would be displeased with the number of adjectives associated with the actress, namely "quirky", "adorkable", and "offbeat". However, it is not that we dislike knitting, arts & craft projects, and kittens. It is that we dislike having a woman whom meets every standard of beauty & beyond referred to as different simply because she wears bows and dances silly. Conversely, I do not agree with the vitriolic speech aimed towards her as a person. Make no mistake about it. Women don't like Zooey Deschanel because she is perceived as weird but absolutely beautiful. If another conventionally unattractive woman had the same demeanor, comedic shtick, & interests, women would praise her. Ultimately, the difference is her acceptance among men. And they accept her because she's hot. It's just another paradigm in the patriarchal society we live in, but it does not help women one iota to tactlessly harass one another over the perception men have. In the end, it still remains all about competition for men. It remains a matter of jealousy, because we are placing the standard of beauty in their hands & hating those who fit it. We are dividing ourselves by loathing those who are attractive rather than EXPANDING THE DEFINITION OF BEAUTIFUL THROUGH ACCEPTANCE & ENCOURAGEMENT.
100
#90 The point stands - these issues are all inter-related. When you glorify one type of woman's body as ideal, we are unable to value all bodies as unique.
98
Zooey is shamefully under-rated as a song-writer and singer! In addition to being super-catchy, her songs are quite cleverly composed and she's no slouch in the lyrics department, either. They're frequently on repeat on my iPod.
I think, though, that we often kind of put down people are happy/positive as not being Serious Artists/Serious People and I sense that Zooey/the persona of Zooey is generally a happy and positive person.
But then, I sort of annoy people in the same way Zooey appears to annoy people - despite my not being as blessed in the looks department.
I think, though, that we often kind of put down people are happy/positive as not being Serious Artists/Serious People and I sense that Zooey/the persona of Zooey is generally a happy and positive person.
But then, I sort of annoy people in the same way Zooey appears to annoy people - despite my not being as blessed in the looks department.
97
@32: Can you acknowledge the possibility that society has room for both Zooey Deschanel and Rachel Maddow?
96
Zooey is that song/band that you find and you love because think its so cool and a different sound in a sea of homogenized crap..you see her at the pretty parlor and you tell everyone you know how rad she is....inevitably everyone catches on and then you have to share it/her/them with the masses and its no longer your awesome gem...so you begin to resent it...your favorite "struggling artist" is on a big gulp cup....and then you wake up one morning and you realize....
ZOOEY IS NICKELBACK.
ZOOEY IS NICKELBACK.
95
I don't think we need all this societal analysis to figure it out
But people hate Zooey Deschanel because she's just like them, except prettier, funnier, and more successful. Most of us have friends who are like her, except they aren't as funny, and they aren't especially pretty, and they have a very pedestrian level of success. Deschanel just has a little more of everything.
It's the same folks that 'hate' her as would slavishly follow her every word if they were friends. Hypocrites.
But people hate Zooey Deschanel because she's just like them, except prettier, funnier, and more successful. Most of us have friends who are like her, except they aren't as funny, and they aren't especially pretty, and they have a very pedestrian level of success. Deschanel just has a little more of everything.
It's the same folks that 'hate' her as would slavishly follow her every word if they were friends. Hypocrites.
94
the one role that i actually liked her in was in "eulogy." a truly funny, and fairly dark, comedy. don't be scared because ray romano is in it. he's actually funny in this movie.
93
Playing a role on television, even a popular one, is not the same thing as being held up as an ideal (see "Dexter"). Yawn and change the channel if you don't find her entertaining. Man, you guys are over-thinking this.
91
@85: Surrounded by Hollywood players and Hollywood culture since birth. Went to an elite prep school where her peers were the children of entertainment elites. Started getting roles in major motion pictures right out of high school.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zooey_Desch…
None of this is inherently wrong or particularly unusual. But when she whips herself into a giant hipster-cliché omelette and then gets hailed as a cultural maverick or labeled in any way "interesting" as a result, there's a giant credibility gap that she isn't remotely talented or self-aware enough to overcome. Thus the backlash.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zooey_Desch…
None of this is inherently wrong or particularly unusual. But when she whips herself into a giant hipster-cliché omelette and then gets hailed as a cultural maverick or labeled in any way "interesting" as a result, there's a giant credibility gap that she isn't remotely talented or self-aware enough to overcome. Thus the backlash.
90
@75- I didn't say thin people w/ body issues, I said the 90% + of the world that is thin as their natural state of being. My French friends aren't thin because 'Hollywood told them that was how they ought to be', they are thin because they eat less and move around more. and they are 'Actual Women' (and men). More offensive to many of the thinner women I know is the equation of breast size to womanhood, which seems to be an implied part the "real women" thing, and most of them are pretty sick of it.
86
my ONLY opinion on this whole topic is that she was the only watchable part of M. Night Shyamalan's "The Happening".
85
@44 The one thing that Cute Kooky Girl and Crazy Bag Lady have in common is that neither one will fuck Bailo.
@69 Right because cinematographer of A Woman Under the Influence and 15th billed in The Right Stuff are total Hollywood power-broker positions.
@69 Right because cinematographer of A Woman Under the Influence and 15th billed in The Right Stuff are total Hollywood power-broker positions.
84
I don't hate her, but I find it offensive that she equates femininity with owning a sticker collection and Hello Kitty sewing machine, dressing like Suri Cruise, and saying childish things like, "I wish everyone looked like a kitten" when she's not stoned. It's gross and creepy and she's basically just a hipster version of the classic blonde, ditzy bimbo.
82
I first saw her in 'Tin Man' (www.imdb.com/title/tt0910812) where her character was anything but twee, and so it's been kind of interesting to me to watch her really kind of step back from that and mold herself into this ultra-adorable non-threatening doofus type she plays on 'New Girl'... Whatever. I'm pretty sure there's some substance in there somewhere, and I look forward to her maturing and developing as an actress, but I'm not bothered by the sugary-sweet coating she's cashing in on right now...
81
No hate here. But for some reason that cover made me realize this:
Paula Deen is Zooey Deschanel 40 years later. Proof: http://i.imgur.com/CNkIz.jpg
Paula Deen is Zooey Deschanel 40 years later. Proof: http://i.imgur.com/CNkIz.jpg
80
One, it always seems she is trying too hard.
Two, she seems like the kind of girl a guy would kiss just to shut her up.
Three, I love @22's answer because of my super-sharp elbows.
Four, hate's too big a word for someone of no real consequence. So no, hate, just not too interested.
Two, she seems like the kind of girl a guy would kiss just to shut her up.
Three, I love @22's answer because of my super-sharp elbows.
Four, hate's too big a word for someone of no real consequence. So no, hate, just not too interested.
79
I think New Girl is hilarious, and that she is adorable and incredibly non-offensive. I don't get the hatred at all. Plus she CAN sing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSq1cez_f…
77
@73, unnecessary references to not having a TV = hipster era. Are you sure you haven't seen a flip book of her show?
75
@56 As a thin person, I get what you're saying, but you have it misplaced here. The body issues thin people have are from the very overvaluing of thin bodies that @32 is describing.
74
i AM very defensive of her when it comes to people who say she "can't sing" because, like, 80%+ of male singers "can't sing" but nobody gives a shit? but if you are a woman, then there is an entirely different set of expectations for your talent.
also, @51, GLADLY. <3
also, @51, GLADLY. <3
73
I've never seen the TV show - I don't have TV - but I've liked her in movies, and as far as her singing, I find it quite inoffensive (so long as they don't cast her to play Janis Joplin, as was once threatened). As to her appearance, not only do I not hate her for being younger, slimmer, and hotter, I'd be happy to worship at her feet. I think she's gorgeous.
72
@71: to be fair, you should note that the "black dude" character had a short-lived basketball career in Latvia. It wasn't like he had some NBA career.
71
I think it's fascinating that she is on a show that has 4 central characters, 3 men and her. That all four characters represent some kind of "trope" (as do most sitcom characters) and yet we are going to obsess over the female one. The men in the show portray a shallow, materialistic, brain in his pants, party dude, an affable underachieving slouchy dude and a black dude who is having an impossible time finding work after his BASKETBALL career ended. yet, here we all are worrying about whether Zoey's character is an offensive portrayal of a woman. Me thinks we may be a bit too sensitive on this one.
70
I think she has a beautiful voice and I like the way she sings (Grant: just because you may not like her voice doesn't mean she can't sing). Some of her acting roles I've liked, and some I haven't.
69
@68, father Caleb: cinematographer (A Woman Under The Influence, Being There, The Right Stuff); mother, actress Mary Jo (The Right Stuff, Twin Peaks). There's another Deschanel, too -- older sister Emily, actress, producer (It Could Happen To You, Bones). Hollywood nepotism at its finest.
68
@65: Has Grant even seen his own avatar?
@62: Growing up in a Hollywood-ensconced family probably didn't hurt her ability to "make a name for herself."
@62: Growing up in a Hollywood-ensconced family probably didn't hurt her ability to "make a name for herself."
66
@29 - Na. I think I hate far more male actors (only a couple female actors).
For instance:
I hate Michael Douglas - he looks like in real life he would be a b*tchy complaining man about little things. (btw have no idea if that is true!)
I hate Christian Bale because he has an a-hole personality that shines through. (I think we all know this one ended up being spot on!)
For instance:
I hate Michael Douglas - he looks like in real life he would be a b*tchy complaining man about little things. (btw have no idea if that is true!)
I hate Christian Bale because he has an a-hole personality that shines through. (I think we all know this one ended up being spot on!)
65
@18, whatever the fuck 'hipster era' means, it must involve posting pictures of shopping carts taken under an overpass in Roosevelt.
63
I like her! (And I'm a lady!) I've seen trailers for the new girl and it looks really stupid, but she otherwise seems like a charming person. And as the internet so often illustrates, men can be just as catty as women about silly things like this. I prefer to focus my hate energy on evil creeps like Newt Gingrich and Michelle Bachman.
62
I don't know who she is. Whatever talents she has or doesn't have, she's been smart enough to make a name for herself and that alone deserves credit. And every generation has a lovable goofball with a special kind of whacky cuteness. Mine was Carol Burnette.
60
I'm surprised by how many of you watch TV. Not to be that "I don't watch TV dude", but I don't get it - why watch 'New Girl' out of the 200 better options on TV (not counting the one million better options away from a TV).
59
Grant, it's so funny that you are asking this... I had a conversation just this morning over IM with a friend about my "complicated feelings" for Zooey. Basically I think she is a one trick pony, but the trick she does, she does pretty well, but man it can get annoying sometimes.... For fun, here is our chat:
Friend
i think i might have a minor obsession with zooey deschanel
Amy
she is really cute in that show
Friend
she's kind of my hero
Amy
sometimes I want her to shut up though
I have a love hate thing with her
Friend
really?
i guess i like people who border on annoying
Amy
like she is so cute I want to BE her, but then she is so cute that it gets annoying, like kind of like "Hey, look, Im still over here being cute, guys!"
Friend
like that mom on gilmore girls
Amy
and her music gets annoying to me too, that she and him stuf
like she has a neat old timey voice, but I dont like to listen to it.
BUT I LIKE HER A LOT
I just have a complex relationship with her.
Friend
i feel like we could make that music in the drop of a chimney sweep's hat
relationships are complicated
it's ok to talk about it
Amy
yeah that's all true
Friend
i think i might have a minor obsession with zooey deschanel
Amy
she is really cute in that show
Friend
she's kind of my hero
Amy
sometimes I want her to shut up though
I have a love hate thing with her
Friend
really?
i guess i like people who border on annoying
Amy
like she is so cute I want to BE her, but then she is so cute that it gets annoying, like kind of like "Hey, look, Im still over here being cute, guys!"
Friend
like that mom on gilmore girls
Amy
and her music gets annoying to me too, that she and him stuf
like she has a neat old timey voice, but I dont like to listen to it.
BUT I LIKE HER A LOT
I just have a complex relationship with her.
Friend
i feel like we could make that music in the drop of a chimney sweep's hat
relationships are complicated
it's ok to talk about it
Amy
yeah that's all true
57
Grant, it's so funny that you are asking this... I had a conversation just this morning over IM with a friend about my "complicated feelings" for Zooey. Basically I think she is a one trick pony, but the trick she does, she does pretty well, but man it can get annoying sometimes.... For fun, here is our chat:
Friend
i think i might have a minor obsession with zooey deschanel
Amy
she is really cute in that show
Friend
she's kind of my hero
Amy
sometimes I want her to shut up though
I have a love hate thing with her
Friend
really?
i guess i like people who border on annoying
Amy
like she is so cute I want to BE her, but then she is so cute that it gets annoying, like kind of like "Hey, look, Im still over here being cute, guys!"
Friend
like that mom on gilmore girls
Amy
and her music gets annoying to me too, that she and him stuf
like she has a neat old timey voice, but I dont like to listen to it.
BUT I LIKE HER A LOT
I just have a complex relationship with her.
Friend
i feel like we could make that music in the drop of a chimney sweep's hat
relationships are complicated
it's ok to talk about it
Amy
yeah that's all true
Friend
i think i might have a minor obsession with zooey deschanel
Amy
she is really cute in that show
Friend
she's kind of my hero
Amy
sometimes I want her to shut up though
I have a love hate thing with her
Friend
really?
i guess i like people who border on annoying
Amy
like she is so cute I want to BE her, but then she is so cute that it gets annoying, like kind of like "Hey, look, Im still over here being cute, guys!"
Friend
like that mom on gilmore girls
Amy
and her music gets annoying to me too, that she and him stuf
like she has a neat old timey voice, but I dont like to listen to it.
BUT I LIKE HER A LOT
I just have a complex relationship with her.
Friend
i feel like we could make that music in the drop of a chimney sweep's hat
relationships are complicated
it's ok to talk about it
Amy
yeah that's all true
56
@32 I don't think nailed it. Specifically because apparently being thin makes you not an "Actual Woman". There are whole places, like most of the rest of the world, where both men and women tend to be thin, or at least considerably thinner. And it also turns out they are actual people, with real live opinions, personalities, and such.
55
@48, I couldn't disagree with you more about Emily Deschanel. I think she's absolutely beautiful and really charming in interviews, plus I really enjoy her on Bones (which is stupid fun).
54
I don't hate her. Sometimes her cutesy thing gets annoying, but in general I like her okay. Her voice is interesting and enjoyable when she's not doing that super affected belty, torchy thing.
I don't quite understand why she's the current flavor of the month, and I also don't think it's irrational to dislike her. For my money, Mindy Kaling is the real adorable, early-30s actress who should be getting this kind of attention. That doesn't mean I think Zooey sucks.
I don't quite understand why she's the current flavor of the month, and I also don't think it's irrational to dislike her. For my money, Mindy Kaling is the real adorable, early-30s actress who should be getting this kind of attention. That doesn't mean I think Zooey sucks.
50
@32 Also nailed it.
@38 Yikes, I hope that's not what most people think. I guess I should clarify my previous comment.
Also, I'm enjoying the growing storm of comments from my secluded perch.
@38 Yikes, I hope that's not what most people think. I guess I should clarify my previous comment.
Women [who demand dignity] can't stand [women who capitalize upon sterilized, anti-intellectual expectations of the male gaze].
Also, I'm enjoying the growing storm of comments from my secluded perch.
49
@18
Most historians date the Hipster Era as 1992 AD - present, but there is a politicized heterodox faction insisting that 0 HE be calibrated to 1989 CE. The question is complicated by the backlog of archaeological evidence; there is an enormous amount of material that hasn't even been sorted and tagged yet.
Most historians date the Hipster Era as 1992 AD - present, but there is a politicized heterodox faction insisting that 0 HE be calibrated to 1989 CE. The question is complicated by the backlog of archaeological evidence; there is an enormous amount of material that hasn't even been sorted and tagged yet.
48
I actually adore her (but not her current show) and was mildly devastated when she and Ben Gibbard called it quits. They were truly darling together.
Her sister on the other hand (the Bones chick), I can't stand AT ALL! She's a much less attractive and far less interesting version of Zooey. She's just so damned boring. Perhaps the question you should really be asking is why some many people like that one!
Her sister on the other hand (the Bones chick), I can't stand AT ALL! She's a much less attractive and far less interesting version of Zooey. She's just so damned boring. Perhaps the question you should really be asking is why some many people like that one!
47
Never heard of her, but her last name does invoke this product which I have no special affection for. http://www.hellmanns.us/products/dijonna…
46
@29 To paraphrase Chris Rock, everything men don't like about women, women can't stand about other women.
@30 Pretty much nailed it.
@30 Pretty much nailed it.
44
As a guy, you have to watch for that inflection point where Cute Kooky Girl turns into Crazy Bag Lady...and ZD is pretty much on the cusp. Its like that old National Lampoon graphic...Exotic->Bizarre etc.
43
But to be serious, it turns out that one of the few destination TV shows for young women 15-39 on basic cable is New Girl.
So maybe they hate her but are fascinated by her?
So maybe they hate her but are fascinated by her?
39
@32 - For the record, I love smart badasses, too. I'm not sure that these various archetypes should be in competition. Not only can they share the same cultural space, but they can often seem present in the same person (my wife, for instance, is like a cross between Gina Carano and Lucille Ball).
38
@29, more specifically, women hate other women who look younger, slimmer, and more attractive and also hate women who look less attractive, but have hot boyfriends or significant others.
37
I hate her and anyone who was in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy travesty.
The BBC series was so much better.
The BBC series was so much better.
36
That schtick for me was born, lived, I grew tired of it, then it died, in the movie Yes Man. By the end of the movie I was hoping she would grow out of it. Sadly, she has made a career of it.
35
well she cant act her way out of a bag, despite what people in hollywood seem to think but aside from that she is ok
34
@26 -
See, but the threat of that is what makes the whole thing interesting. The most interesting people I know, male or female, are more likely to end up that way than to end up well-adjusted and living on healthy retirement accounts. There's a fine line between dingbat and uncarved block. Not every fool is a holy fool, but we enjoy watching fools because every fool just might be the one that gets it.
Crazy Cat Woman or Delusional Bag Lady.
See, but the threat of that is what makes the whole thing interesting. The most interesting people I know, male or female, are more likely to end up that way than to end up well-adjusted and living on healthy retirement accounts. There's a fine line between dingbat and uncarved block. Not every fool is a holy fool, but we enjoy watching fools because every fool just might be the one that gets it.
33
It seems as thougfh she's so thouroughly adopted the MPDG aesthethic that there's no longer anyone there - just a walking commercial for twee. Which is too bad, given that I really enjoyed her in Almost Famous and The Good Girl. She used to be that refreshing antidote to the stereotype leading lady but now she's morphed into the Queen of Indie RomComs. And really, what is with the singing? It was cute with the first album but now its just grating; thin, reaching to stay on key...
She is very beautiful and she certainly has charisma to spare but I'm hoping that someone is telling her to tone down the twee. Since her new sitcom is all about the twee maybe not...
She is very beautiful and she certainly has charisma to spare but I'm hoping that someone is telling her to tone down the twee. Since her new sitcom is all about the twee maybe not...
32
i dont hate zooey deschanel, because, you know, the feminist killjoy isn't into "hating" other women because we are all victims of the same patriarchal system that pits women against each other, et cetera, et cetera.
i DO think she represents a type of woman -- doe eyed and quirky and dumb and thin and white and super palatable -- that is non-representative of Actual Women and it sucks to have that be the type of woman who is broadcasted as ideal.
it would just be nice to live in a society that is charmed by a smart badass.
i DO think she represents a type of woman -- doe eyed and quirky and dumb and thin and white and super palatable -- that is non-representative of Actual Women and it sucks to have that be the type of woman who is broadcasted as ideal.
it would just be nice to live in a society that is charmed by a smart badass.
31
A pattern I see--well illustrated by criticism of the "quirky girl" and "manic pixie dream girl" memes--is that the hate has less to do with her than with the perceptions of her. A misogynist's take might be that women of jealous of the amount or flavor of attention she receive from men; the feminist social-constructivist version of that suggests a critique of the tropes forced on women by an institutionally sexist culture. I'm pretty sure I don't buy the first, and am not much more inclined to accept the second.
I confess to finding her fairly adorable. My wife seems to share that view, more or less. And frankly, I don't understand the antipathy towards the "aw shucks" element in her comedic persona (no disrespect intended to the person who does). We talk about intelligence like it's something radically different from good looks or physical prowess--as though it's something other than a (generally unearned, intrinsic) trait that an outside party either values or doesn't. A certain cluelessness (or the affectation thereof) has been part of comedy since Laurel & Hardy; it seems that only when women wield it is it seen as a character flaw or, worse, socially harmful. I love Fey, Poehler, and Wiig as much as anyone, but I'm not too bothered that someone remembers why we used to laugh at Lucille Ball.
I confess to finding her fairly adorable. My wife seems to share that view, more or less. And frankly, I don't understand the antipathy towards the "aw shucks" element in her comedic persona (no disrespect intended to the person who does). We talk about intelligence like it's something radically different from good looks or physical prowess--as though it's something other than a (generally unearned, intrinsic) trait that an outside party either values or doesn't. A certain cluelessness (or the affectation thereof) has been part of comedy since Laurel & Hardy; it seems that only when women wield it is it seen as a character flaw or, worse, socially harmful. I love Fey, Poehler, and Wiig as much as anyone, but I'm not too bothered that someone remembers why we used to laugh at Lucille Ball.
27
She always seems like a picture of a person instead of a person... This is the case often with generic celebrity-types, but so often, they're not screaming, "Look at me, I'm so weird and different and quirky LIKE YOU!" She seems fake, but claiming such authenticity that it's frustrating to see people buy into it. The "quirky" thing is generally reserved for us non-celebs... She's threatening what we've got going on, and being fake with it and setting a stupid standard for stupidity that's just so stupid oh my god what is happening to me
26
Haven't minded her in films, so far, where the the Manic Pixie Dream Girl schtick has been toned down, but the TV show seems determined to push the Idiot Manic Pixie Dream Girl to it's most annoying extreme.
I'm also old enough to see she's getting a bit long in the tooth for Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Maybe not just yet, but it's difficult to enjoy 30ish MPDGs when I know that within a decade or two they become Crazy Cat Woman or Delusional Bag Lady.
I'm also old enough to see she's getting a bit long in the tooth for Manic Pixie Dream Girl. Maybe not just yet, but it's difficult to enjoy 30ish MPDGs when I know that within a decade or two they become Crazy Cat Woman or Delusional Bag Lady.
23
I don't even know who she is. Now that Slog and LineOut have made an effort to draw my attention to her, I have no doubt that I won't be thanking you.
21
#11 is right, here's a video if you don't know what "manic pixie dream girl" is referring to.
http://www.feministfrequency.com/2011/03…
It's kind of the same way a lot of men hate Matthew McConnaughy except like 30x more stereotyped and degrading.
http://www.feministfrequency.com/2011/03…
It's kind of the same way a lot of men hate Matthew McConnaughy except like 30x more stereotyped and degrading.
20
For what it's worth, I hate her too. Diabetes runs in my family, and the cuteness/tweeness/sweetness runneth over.
19
I'll admit I've been captivated since seeing her in Almost Famous. I fell out of the wagon though when New Girl hit the tube. I think the twee thing does get old after a while. Her roles seem to fall within those varying shades of cutesiness.
16
She's okay, but there's something about her voice that just puts me off. Too nasally or something.
15
She represents the infantilism of the twee persona. I like twee girls too (I am a twee girl in an alternate universe), but it can get a little tiresome if that's all you have going for you. In the long term you really have to have something to talk about besides how adorable those hair barrettes are, or Marshmallow Peeps! @11's "Manic Pixie Dream Girl" pretty much sums it up -- she's cute, she's a little childish, she does crafts and sings songs, she's never emotional beyond a passing pout or two, and she's devoted to doing whatever the boys want. She's the perfect friend from grade school, who wants to play kickball and make flibbers and never interrupt when the boys are talking. Only plus boobs. Nice ones. Boobs!
She doesn't bother me but she might if I hung around her all day.
She doesn't bother me but she might if I hung around her all day.
14
Guys like that she both mocks and fulfills the spaced out cute girl stereotype.
Girls know that, which is why they hate her.
Girls know that, which is why they hate her.
13
My girlfriend likes watching the new girl, but to me it looks like frat boy schlock humor.
However, I do recall peeking at an episode where Zooey's character was trying to seduce some guy in her undies coming off as a dom with a Mae West/Ann Burrell voice and I thought she was absolutely hilarious.
Other than that, she's a cute babe with nothing all that reedeeming about her.
However, I do recall peeking at an episode where Zooey's character was trying to seduce some guy in her undies coming off as a dom with a Mae West/Ann Burrell voice and I thought she was absolutely hilarious.
Other than that, she's a cute babe with nothing all that reedeeming about her.
12
@5 the problem with those parodies is that they aren't close to as ridiculous as her actual interviews.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNifin-ID…
She is parody of her own persona.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNifin-ID…
She is parody of her own persona.
10
I think it has to do with the form of comedy she tends to fall into. It's not smart, confident funny like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig... it's dopey, kind of dumb "oh golly gee shucks" comedy. Whether or not she's actually intends to, it seems like she's dumbing herself down. The New Girl is case and point. And she doesn't help herself in interviews either... she seems about as dim as her character. For me, her only redeeming quality is that she's unbelievably gorgeous. And you can't get by on that forever.
9
@3 nails it.....I enjoy watching New Girl, but I don't delude myself, Zooey is the Julia Roberts of the hipster era.
8
I don't hate her--she's just doing her best to get paid--but I'm disappointed in men who wish I were more cutesy-pootsey like her. Seriously, guys?
7
I must follow that up with that I also think she is hot and would readily jump in the sack with her, when she is not doing her annoying cutesy thing. But she does it ALL THE TIME. Yuck.
6
I hate cutesy people. Cutesy women are even more intolerable because in addition to being grating, they seem to also be playing into the "teehee, I'm an adorable little lady-child, pinch my cheeks and spank my bottom" but not in a sexy just in bed kind of way, but in their whole existence. Which is horrible and drives me insane.
5
Watching "The Zooey Deschanel Show" on YouTube can help put things in perspective.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqtUcQ2u5…
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipt9EO8lJ…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqtUcQ2u5…
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipt9EO8lJ…
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