Small Achievable Goals

I liked the first two episodes well enough because of the attention they brought to women trying to perform on the job while experiencing cramps or menopause symptoms. For many women, this can be incredibly difficult, trying to smile and participate professionally, while your insides are spasming or you feel like you are burning up, with sweat dripping down your very flushed face. I did really like these issues being showcased. I did not like the swearing and vulgarity, however, which seemed to increase in episode three, at which point I stopped watching. It seemed like the "humour" was relying too much on crudeness, which I don't find humuorous.

As someone who has started the perimenopausal journey, I was excited to see this show - but instead of feeling liberated at openly discussing the trials and tribulations of menopause, all I found myself watching was the flogging of a dead horse of terrible jokes. I couldnt get through the first episode. But I tried again with the second, because I wanted to like it. Couldnt get through that either.

I honestly dont understand how anyone could possibly find this funny. Do people actually find this funny? Do people consider this feminism? These jokes are not liberating, or even clever - they are stupid.

The only question I have for this show is: why? And also 'how'? How does this show make it to the air? Surely someone along the way must have raised a red flag that this show isn't good, like, at all. In this time of so much content, this kind of bunk just isn't going to cut it. This is why Canadians think Canadian shows are so bad! Do the people who work at cbc not watch other television? Do they not see how good shows are, and how shows like this are decidedly not? The boss character (I think that's what he is, I'm not sure) drinks from a metal straw. That's his whole personality. He drinks from a straw. Honestly, please cbc, you gotta do better. Like so so so much better.

The show undeniably sheds light on crucial societal issues, particularly the persistent mistreatment of women; for example, it exposes the harsh reality of how capable, deserving women are routinely overlooked for promotions in favor of unqualified men. It also highlights other glaring injustices imposed on girls and women that remain largely unchanged despite over a century of so-called progress since women gained the right to vote. However, the exaggerated nature of the characters makes them difficult to watch, as they reinforce the damaging and outdated stereotype of women as "hysterical." Given the current political climate, where the devaluation of women and the erosion of their rights are alarmingly on the rise, I worry that the show's message is too subtle. Instead of empowering women and educating society on the difficult realities they face, it risks reinforcing the very oppression it seeks to challenge.

When I heard there was a show about Menopause, I thought, 'brilliant'. Great concept and a great area with a lot of funny and important stuff to draw from. But this isn't a show, it's a cartoon. A bad one. Instead of mining the potential comedy and stories inherent to menopause, the CBC saw fit to just let Meredith do her thing and milk any semblance of a joke until it is devoid of whatever made it funny in the first place.

It's hard to believe this is the same network that gave us Schitt's Creek. What happened? I'm a huge proponent of the CBC. I think a public broadcaster is ESSENTIAL to our identity as Canadians, but I think the CBC needs a shake up, big time. It needs to be gutted, taken down to the studs, and rebuilt with people who know what they're doing and don't keep making the same humourless comedies.