I feel like so much of what our generation was sold about work was a scam. It seems to be true for friends across all industries at the moment, including like scientists in biotech who thought scientific research was the safe and sensible option. They still face layoff cycles oddly reminiscent of what I’ve heard Hollywood screenwriting careers look like.
Nothing gives me more glee that bitching about And Just Like That (obviously watched all of it). The podcast bit was a real low point, in a sea of low points. I definitely wanted to be a journalist because of Carrie Bradshaw!
For anyone launching in the 80s our romcom journo-lifestyle inspiration was Meg Ryan as Sally in When Harry Met Sally. And we mustn't forget about Lois Lane! 😊
So funny. It got me and my other half (both graphic designers) wondering how our profession would be shown in a female lead: she rushes around all day, then circles a bit of clipart on her tablet and it whoooshes and the design job is done!
Thanks for writing this. I often wonder what the modern office room com would even look like in a world filled with remote work and Slack/Teams messages.
I, too, fell victim to Carrie Bradshaw etc al, heading into the world hell bent on becoming a writer, only to find getting a foot in the door near on impossible, before settling in marketing. Carrie has a lot to answer for.
So many greats over the years : Marlo Thomas - That Girl (recently bought the t-shirt), and of course the notorious Murphy Brown (love). Sad to see them go and replaced by the horrid / disturbing "And Just Like That".....not many women are like that. Not an ounce of reality in that show just pandering. Sadly Nora Ephron left us , who in fact gave us joy with a glimmer of hope.
Please also never forget Letters to Juliet!! Totally underrated Amanda Seyfried rom com, probably the last of the journalists leads before the switchover (well noted) to foodie queens.
Loved reading this so much! To me it was Rory Gilmore AND Carrie Bradshaw. While the first didn’t really end up being succesful as a journalist, she had an incredibly successful university/school career I find. And Carrie just glamorized the entire thing. Now that I am older, and don’t work in the industry anymore, I simply shake my head at these portrayals.
But I lowkey miss these old rom com vibes. It was just wholesome, when you ignore how unrealistic it all is.
Side topic, journalism has some potential issues coming up with Julian Assange and whether or not you can be prosecuted for publishing true documents. I think it’s an interesting time with apps like this and so many self publishing opportunities to discern the truth and what media will look like in the future. Very interest read.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, SATC, 13 Going on 30, The Little Black Book, Devil Wears Prada, all of these glamorized the industry too much! I thank all of these movies for my journalism degree…at least my 7 year old self would
I feel like so much of what our generation was sold about work was a scam. It seems to be true for friends across all industries at the moment, including like scientists in biotech who thought scientific research was the safe and sensible option. They still face layoff cycles oddly reminiscent of what I’ve heard Hollywood screenwriting careers look like.
So true. I remember the rom coms and how much I wanted to be a journalist like the main characters. I am now in my 30s and still think about them...
Nothing gives me more glee that bitching about And Just Like That (obviously watched all of it). The podcast bit was a real low point, in a sea of low points. I definitely wanted to be a journalist because of Carrie Bradshaw!
Hate watching AJLT is truly one of my greatest pleasures. Roll on season 3!
Fun discussion - thank you for this context.
For anyone launching in the 80s our romcom journo-lifestyle inspiration was Meg Ryan as Sally in When Harry Met Sally. And we mustn't forget about Lois Lane! 😊
love this. devil wears prada and how to lose a guy in 10 days were some of my favorites!!
Aspired to Carrie but more likely to be Miranda’s fifth assistant, once removed!
So funny. It got me and my other half (both graphic designers) wondering how our profession would be shown in a female lead: she rushes around all day, then circles a bit of clipart on her tablet and it whoooshes and the design job is done!
Thanks for writing this. I often wonder what the modern office room com would even look like in a world filled with remote work and Slack/Teams messages.
Birkenstocks are the new Manolos! 😍
I, too, fell victim to Carrie Bradshaw etc al, heading into the world hell bent on becoming a writer, only to find getting a foot in the door near on impossible, before settling in marketing. Carrie has a lot to answer for.
Ps. Players was awful, but I sort of loved it?
Definitely worse romcom offenders out there than Players!
Most of them made by netflix 😂
So many greats over the years : Marlo Thomas - That Girl (recently bought the t-shirt), and of course the notorious Murphy Brown (love). Sad to see them go and replaced by the horrid / disturbing "And Just Like That".....not many women are like that. Not an ounce of reality in that show just pandering. Sadly Nora Ephron left us , who in fact gave us joy with a glimmer of hope.
Please also never forget Letters to Juliet!! Totally underrated Amanda Seyfried rom com, probably the last of the journalists leads before the switchover (well noted) to foodie queens.
Loved reading this so much! To me it was Rory Gilmore AND Carrie Bradshaw. While the first didn’t really end up being succesful as a journalist, she had an incredibly successful university/school career I find. And Carrie just glamorized the entire thing. Now that I am older, and don’t work in the industry anymore, I simply shake my head at these portrayals.
But I lowkey miss these old rom com vibes. It was just wholesome, when you ignore how unrealistic it all is.
Side topic, journalism has some potential issues coming up with Julian Assange and whether or not you can be prosecuted for publishing true documents. I think it’s an interesting time with apps like this and so many self publishing opportunities to discern the truth and what media will look like in the future. Very interest read.
The Bold Type was the fairytale for me…
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, SATC, 13 Going on 30, The Little Black Book, Devil Wears Prada, all of these glamorized the industry too much! I thank all of these movies for my journalism degree…at least my 7 year old self would