At a major university, the first woman of color to become chair tries to meet the dizzying demands and high expectations of a failing English department.At a major university, the first woman of color to become chair tries to meet the dizzying demands and high expectations of a failing English department.At a major university, the first woman of color to become chair tries to meet the dizzying demands and high expectations of a failing English department.
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- 2 wins & 8 nominations total
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As a young faculty member, and woman this pressure really happens, and for the first time I see my self in a show.
I do wished it was longer, it feels like they rushed it and squeeze it in only 6 episodes.
I do wished it was longer, it feels like they rushed it and squeeze it in only 6 episodes.
The university's in trouble with low student enrollment and some of the elder professors are at the core of the problem. The younger more talented staff is not without their own problems as Sandra Oh's character takes the Chair position to address the problems while contemplating her own needs and desires. It is quirky as well written and engaging, well acted, and plenty of star power. Lots of laughs.
Perhaps I'm the right sort of age for this - mid forties - but I found this pretty funny and of course Sandra Oh is always compelling to watch.
What I find hard to get my head around is that while the subject matter and in fact what the characters are often talking about is race, gender and inequality, the characterization does not live up to those ideals. The characterization of white men, women and people of color are very tired and old. The female chair is always scrambling and in a panic perpetuating the idea that women are less capable in leadership positions, the sole black teacher has no backstory and exists only in relation to the other characters. There is a very typical white male role - 'brilliant washed up professor' who behaves without responsibility but it's excused because he's 1. Brilliant and 2. Sad. So bored of that narrative. The only decent representation is Joan for being a badass but still relies on the old trope that older woman doesn't feel appealing so says what's on her mind because she's nothing to lose.
If you're going to make a series that talks explicitly about issues of gender, race and inequality then your work need to be above what you're critiquing. Otherwise you're not hitting the nail on the head so much as missing the mark entirely. Which is a shame because you can see they're trying.
Perhaps more diversity in the leadership roles and less from the types of people who brought us the death of Khaleesi.
What I find hard to get my head around is that while the subject matter and in fact what the characters are often talking about is race, gender and inequality, the characterization does not live up to those ideals. The characterization of white men, women and people of color are very tired and old. The female chair is always scrambling and in a panic perpetuating the idea that women are less capable in leadership positions, the sole black teacher has no backstory and exists only in relation to the other characters. There is a very typical white male role - 'brilliant washed up professor' who behaves without responsibility but it's excused because he's 1. Brilliant and 2. Sad. So bored of that narrative. The only decent representation is Joan for being a badass but still relies on the old trope that older woman doesn't feel appealing so says what's on her mind because she's nothing to lose.
If you're going to make a series that talks explicitly about issues of gender, race and inequality then your work need to be above what you're critiquing. Otherwise you're not hitting the nail on the head so much as missing the mark entirely. Which is a shame because you can see they're trying.
Perhaps more diversity in the leadership roles and less from the types of people who brought us the death of Khaleesi.
This whole series is dedicated to the woke movement but in a refreshing way it kind of focused on both sides. The acting was decent, love Sandra Oh and Holland Taylor, they were perfect. The storylines were interesting and the humor hit.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Chair was filmed on location in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. To create Pembroke University's campus, the show alternated between Washington & Jefferson College and Chatham University's Shadyside campus.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Morning Express with Robin Meade: 8-27-2021 (2021)
- How many seasons does The Chair have?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.00 : 1
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