Another One Bits the Dust... Unfortunate.

Part 1:

In the opening of the Emmys, five reality show hosts (Heidi Klum of “Project Runway,” the only female, Ryan Seacrest of “American Idol,” Tom Bergeron of “Dancing with the Stars,” Howie Mendel of “Deal or No Deal,” and Jeff Probst of “Survivor”) came to stage in uniform fashion: black and white suits from head to toe.  And for the first five minutes, three of the five hosts are talking while the other two remained silent, including Klum. She looks on as a spectators who laughs and smiles at the improv act created by her co-hosts. Soon after, two of her male co-hosts leave the stage while the other two remaining critique her outfit.  (See picture #1) They jokingly talk about her suit to each other in front of her as if she were not there, as if she were a picture they were commenting on. From their tone and speech, it becomes apparent that like they expected her to be wearing something else, something feminine. She simply replies, “I just wanted to fit in.”

Picture #1

http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/emmys/photos/0,,20212368_20227848_20514145,00.html

Then her co-hosts make a sneaky comment to about “something” on her suit, perhaps a loose thread, at which point they both grab either side of her suit and rip it off her body. After acting surprised, Klum smiles proudly while revealing a one piece body garment that exposes cleavage and her legs. She then comments, “Well if you insist" in what could be heard as a provocative voice, as she releases her pony tail so that her hair falls around her face. (See Picture #2)

Picture #2

 

http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/emmys/photos/0,,20212368_20227848_20514143,00.html

This bit demonstrates, all too clearly, the expectations of men for women. Her co-hosts, despite their joking demeanor, implied that her suit would not make her equal to them. They had only been irritated because they did not have something to look at. Their questions of ‘why are you wearing that?’ or ‘what is this?’ tell their displeased feelings of women trying to maintain some agency. And Klum plays the all too willingly role of a women who not only listens to the comments of a man, but also of one who is eager to expose herself in such a way that is pleasing to the male gaze. Klum's apparent problem is fixed by the men she is being critiqued by; they had the answer.

Part II:

In a later part of the show, Bergeron and Klum are told that they are asked to demonstrate the difference between DRAMA and COMEDY. In doing so, Bergeron takes Klum in his arms and dips her, supporting her, while she gives a dramatic expression. (See Picture #3)

"This is drama..."

Picture #3

http://www.instyle.com/instyle/package/emmys/photos/0,,20212368_20227848_20514139,00.html

"And this is comedy," says Bergeron, as he drops Klum to the floor to elicit laughter from the audience, which he is successful in doing. (See Picture #4) She huffs and gives a sour face, which only adds to a comical relief experience by on-lookers. Here, Klum serves as prop, a thing, used by her male co-host as she is cradled and then dropped. He demonstrates power by his pleased facial expression and by the fact that he also laughs while Klum pretends to be displeased. She looks moronic for not knowing what is going to happen to her and then helpless when she is on the floor.

Picture #4

Later on after the show, without any scripts, Klum and Bergeron take a picture of a bruise she received from being dropped. In this picture, Bergeron seems to have a proud expression on his face as if the act, the bit, was all worth it. And Klum has an expression, similar to that made on stage during the actual bit, where she is upset. However, it still managed to be funny.

The interesting thing about this picture taken backstage though is that since there is no script, why are they still acting? I think one could say that Klum is unable to cause a scene and be upset because she voluntarily agreed to such treatment on stage. However, the major question is why was it okay to provide her with such an act and why did she feel it was okay to accept it?

Picture #5

http://nydailynews.com/gossip/2008/09/22/2008-09-22_heidi klum_falls_on_her_butt_as_cohost_o.html

Overall, Klum is used for her image as a supermodel where she is expected to be very feminine. As a result, her co-hosts treatment of her on stage, despite the fact that it was for comical effect, demonstrates the image that women are expected to conform to. In fact, being for comical relief strengthens this argument because it makes this process look fun for both parties, male and female, and provide a sense of approval. The behavior of the hosts on the show, and of the writers for the Emmys, make it okay to treat women as so because, well, it was only for laughs!