logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
33m 25s

I Don’t Care If You Like Me

Slate Podcasts
About this episode

On this week’s episode of The Waves, are female characters becoming less likable? Slate senior supervising producer, Daisy Rosario is joined by author and comedian Jena Friedman. Jena’s new book Not Funny explores likeability and what that means for women in comedy and the world. They talk about unlikeable female characters and anti-heroines in shows like Rosanne, Killing Eve, and more. How unlikeable female characters have evolved - and how streamers actually helped bring down some gatekeepers making more room for complex women on TV. 


In Slate Plus: When Jena asked famous male comics the questions so many female comics get asked every day.


If you liked this episode, check out: How to Survive in Hollywood.

 

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth with editorial oversight by Daisy Rosario and Alicia Montgomery.

Send your comments and recommendations on what to cover to thewaves@slate.com.


If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on How To!. Sign up now at slate.com/thewavesplus to help support our work.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Dec 2023
The Year in Celebrity Memoirs
In this episode, Rachelle Hampton and Candice Lim are joined by writer, comedian and Glamorous Trash host Chelsea Devantez to break down this watershed year of celebrity memoirs. The trio crowns the best and the worst titles, dissect what separates a good memoir from a great one, ... Show More
44m 17s
Dec 2023
What is a Feminist, Really?
On this week’s episode of The Waves, we say goodbye by contemplating a key word of the podcast - feminism. Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth and original Waves host June Thomas discuss what feminism means, the historical problems with the word, who should get to call themselves f ... Show More
36m 42s
Dec 2023
In Defense of Lean In Feminism
On this week’s episode of The Waves, why can’t the feminists all get along? Slate senior producer Cheyna Roth is joined by Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR political correspondent and author of the Substack, This F**king Job. They dig into what went wrong with Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean ... Show More
27m 18s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2019
On sex and bias with comedian Sara Pascoe
How does evolutionary biology shape our attitudes towards desire? Is it always possible to confront your own prejudice? Gris talks to Sara Pascoe about making jokes in the age of woke speak, the highs and lows of life as a comedian, and her new book Sex Power Money.We love hearin ... Show More
34m 56s
Oct 2022
Iliza Shlesinger: Be Skeptical, Not Cynical
Iliza Shlesinger (comedian, actor, writer, producer and author) returns to the podcast to reveal the solutions to her somatic pain, the changing cultural sensitivity toward comedy, and her approach to expressing anger. She discusses the origins and process of her observational an ... Show More
57m 42s
Apr 2025
Jenny Slate, and Elizabeth Meriwether and Kim Rosenstock: On Throwing Out the Rules | 9
Comedian Jenny Slate sits down with Nikki Boyer to dish about playing the fictional "Nikki Boyer" in FX's "Dying for Sex”. Jenny opens up about smashing taboos, celebrating the power of female friendship, and her journey into the role's most vulnerable moments. Then, showrunners ... Show More
48m 27s
Apr 2020
SMNTY Podcast and Chill Playlist, Episode 10: Comedy and Activism with Chanel Ali
<p>If you're looking for a feminist discussion on women in entertainment, this is the playlist for you! We dig into topics around women in revenge, movies, tabletop gaming, and Harry Potter. Come take a listen, will you?</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="ht ... Show More
42m 35s
Dec 2023
TDZ's Top 5 Of 2023: #4 Pop Culture Horniness (8.22.23)
<p>In episode 1535, Jack and Miles are joined by filmmaker, director, TV Writer, and host of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/celebrity-book-club-with-chelsea-devantez/id1533722524">Celebrity Book Club</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chelseadevantez/?hl=en"> ... Show More
1h 5m
May 2021
Should Kendall Jenner Be Canceled?
In this episode, the girls cover the latest in pop culture, including the Billboard Awards and covid restrictions finally lifting! They also give advice on how men can be less intimidating when talking to women and Olivia explains how to spot a narcissist. As always, tune in to s ... Show More
1h 9m