Cougar

http://nymag.com/arts/tv/features/61733/

This article happened to be published in tandem to our classroom discussions dealing with gendered stereotypes. “The Cougar Moment” is a trip down memory lane of the most iconic of female cougars, in relation to the newest cougar to hit television, Courtney Cox in Cougar Town. I have not gotten a chance to see Cox’s new show, but I haven’t heard the best of critic acclaim. In fact, the writer of this article, Emily Nussbaum, tears the shows to pieces. Why is that, one might ask? Because she believes that Cox’s character, Jules Cobb, represents the worst kind of cougar that exists. Instead of exalting her character, by creating a sense of pride and independence in being a single older woman, Jules whines and moans about her deteriorating good looks. Samantha Jones from Sex & The City, on the other hand, exudes enough self confidence that there is no need for her to even bring up the fact that she is a beautiful woman. Her assertion and control in the situations she is placed in is exuded in all her actions, from her smile, down to her shoes, and what you’re assuming this character must be carrying in her purse.

It upsets me to think about how writers of these shows can create a self-loathing character such as Jules Cobb, who is sending out mixed messages about what it is a single, older woman represents. Samantha Jones sees sex purely as self-fulfillment. She understands the power she creates for herself in a relationship when she treats sex as a necessity. By doing so, Samantha develops competitive and aggressive qualities in order to acquire what she wants; these are typically male characteristics and it is wonderful that Sex & The City allows for a female character to possess them. Jules Cobb, on the other hand, views “sex as a measuring stick: proof you’re hot enough to make men want to have sex with you.” ( “The Cougar Moment”) I agree with the writer of this article, that Cox’s character would most likely resonate more with its viewers if they created a character more similar to Samantah Jones. Yes, this may show another side of the “typical cougar” character, however, it is a negative representation of women. One that is so blatant, it may be causing viewers to detract from the show, surely alongside some other reasons…