Witches are Back! Classic Charmed and 2018 Feminism

The series Charmed, originally airing from 1998 to 2006 on the WB, can now be seen as a TV classic. Charmed tells the story of the three (sometimes four) Halliwell sisters who discover that they're powerful witches with the duty to fight all matter of evil.

With the 2018 reboot of Charmed premiering just earlier this week and declaring itself a "fierce, funny, and feminist reboot of the original," it's a prime opportunity to ask the question: is the original Charmed actually feminist? How does it compare to the reboot?

In this episode, we discuss Charmed's roots, its central themes, and the unwavering activism of two of its main actresses, Alyssa Milano and Rose McGowan, in the #MeToo movement. On top of that, we include a very brief history of feminism with reference to an amazing article by Constance Grady written for Vox.com.

Enjoy & thanks for listening!

Links

History of waves of feminism
https://www.vox.com/2018/3/20/16955588/feminism-waves-explained-first-second-third-fourth

Charmed actresses reaction to reboot
https://news.avclub.com/none-of-the-original-charmed-actresses-are-into-the-reb-1828306336

Brad Kern's Firing
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/02/arts/television/brad-kern-cbs-fired.html

Tarana Burke & MeToo
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/20/us/me-too-movement-tarana-burke.html

Alyssa Milano & MeToo
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/dec/01/alyssa-milano-mee-too-sexual-harassment-abuse

Rose McGowan Memoir
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2018/01/29/11-big-revelations-from-rose-mcgowans-memoir-brave-including-her-childhood-in-a-cult/?utm_term=.77ef5bd17c0e