Aisha Tyler: If You Don't Like 'Supernatural,' 'Watch Another Freaking Show'

One of the less helpful consequences of the Internet is that everyone's rage meter seems to almost instantly go from zero-to-100 in about two seconds. Yes, there are plenty of folks in the media who have made a misogynistic comment or shown that they are not especially tolerant of someone's sexual or lifestyle choices. But because the default tendency of people online is to treat every comment equally - regardless of context, intent or humor - it's becoming increasingly common for some otherwise innocent comment to turn into a huge social media firestorm.

That reaction leads to a kind of "the boy who cried wolf" reaction from a lot of people. After you've seen a few instances where the trivial is given too much attention, it's easy to miss the circumstances when a bit of scorn and action is appropriate and required.

One example of an overreaction is the response from some fans over comments made during last weekend's San Diego Comic-Con panel for The CW series "Supernatural." It was hosted by comedian/actress and show fan Aisha Tyler and some fans were upset by some comments made by Tyler and show stars Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles.

This twitter thread is representative of the negative reaction:

While the negative fan reaction was not widespread (and in fact many fans thought the panel was great), the controversy had received enough attention that on Tuesday Aisha Tyler posted this response on her Facebook page:

Some people on the internet have been saying some pretty ridiculous things about the Supernatural panel I moderated at Nerd HQ at SDCC this past weekend (which by and large was a massive hit and a highlight of my con, personally). As is widely known, I am a huge Supernatural fan and am lucky enough to be friends with a large part of the cast, who are all kind, giving, great guys dedicated to their families, their fans, and their show.

I like guys. My podcast is called Girl on Guy. I was raised by a single father. I am a standup comedian and spend a large portion of my social and work time around men. Many of my closest friends are men. I am curious about them. I enjoy their company. I do not apologize for that. I am also a feminist and a dedicated supporter of the LGBTQQIAAP community. I will not apologize for the things I said during the panel, and I do not take them back.

Occasionally sociocultural dedication and vigilance can decay into wild-eyed hysteria. This is one of those times.

a) The joke about Misha was not transphobic. I am a HUGE supporter of the LGBTQQIAAP community and put my body and my money where my mouth is constantly for gay and trans rights and marriage equality. That is public record and indisputable. The comment was a joke. You can take it however you would like but that is not how it was intentioned. And for the record, that is not how it was taken by Misha, who was and remains a very good friend of mine.

b) Jared and Jensen are not misogynists. This is bullshit on its face. The show focuses on the relationship between these two brothers with a very unique provenance and a very unique set of circumstances. I disagree vigorously that there aren't strong women on Supernatural: Felicia Day, Genevieve Padalecki, Kim Rhodes, Amanda Tapping and Alaina Huffman, among others, would agree they are not wimps.

But Supernatural is not about male-female relationships. The show is about two brothers trying to prevent the apocalypse, and how that rends and repairs their relationship with themselves and each other. If you want a show about relationships, or about women, complex, self-actualized female characters ABOUND elsewhere — Scandal, Penny Dreadful, Girls, Homeland, The Americans, Gray's Anatomy, Vikings (Lagertha Lothbrok is OUT OF CONTROL — I want to have her babies) — this is but a meager and partial list.

TV is finally becoming a great place for women. Not perfect, I , but better.

c) the show is a show about men. If you don't like that, watch another show. If you are a fan, you are a fan, and you enjoy the elements of the show you find satisfying. If the show is not creatively satisfying to you, watch another show. If you think it's misogynistic, WATCH ANOTHER SHOW. If you are pissed at Supernatural or its writers or it's actors, WATCH ANOTHER FREAKING SHOW. The idea that women don't watch the show because they are drawn in by these male characters and their interplay is bullish*t. That is why you're watching, or at least part of it. If it wasn't, YOU WOULD BE WATCHING ANOTHER FREAKING SHOW.

c) Not every show can be everything to everyone. Period. Art must exist for art's own sake, not to satisfy someone else's cultural agenda. You can criticize the show, and you can criticize me, as is your right, of course. I can take it. Go nuts.

In art, as in America, everyone is entitled to be wrong.

 

From my perspective, Tyler's response seems to be an appropriate one. Not every show has to touch every sociocultural mark to be relevant or entertaining or worthwhile. We've become this society of people who can't take a joke and the Internet only amplifies that problem.

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