Oodles of television series have created seriously fierce, seriously fabulous strong female characters – who are your faves?

I’ve been addicted to many a television series over the years (TV has always been my drug of choice), but it’s not the show itself that gets me hooked – at least, not at first. When I start watching a new show, I look for “the one.” That one character I want to go through everything with, season after season. That one character I’ll want to scour the screen for next week or binge-watch for hours.

There are so many ah-mazing strong female characters on television now, I get all verklempt just thinking about it. They’re strong, eccentric, and get shit done regardless of their emotional baggage. Whether on “Mad Men” or “Homeland” or “Orange Is The New Black,” it’s a wonder I accomplish anything. Like, ever.

From the hundreds of television series I’ve come in contact with, here are the ladies who’ve been inducted into my personal hall of fame:

1. Miranda Bailey, “Grey’s Anatomy”
Played by Chandra Wilson

Okay, so Bailey was nicknamed “The Nazi” by her co-workers at Seattle Grace – but her tough public persona hides an emotional toll that would ultimately throw her off her game. Her ego is both her strength and her weakness. Even though I couldn’t work with her without needing a change of pants, it’s hard not to be impressed.

2. Gemma Teller, “Sons of Anarchy”
Played by Katey Sagal

The only word I use to describe Gemma is: Dayuuum. As the queen of a California motorcycle club led by her son, she’s just as tough as the men who surround her. She’ll do anything and endure anything to ensure the club and her family’s survival – no matter how savage. Gemma’s got this hate-to-love quality about her: She’s done some insanely gruesome things (I’ll never look at a turkey fork the same), yet I’ll forever be on her (incredibly broken) side.

3. Ethel Mertz, “I Love Lucy”
Played by Vivian Vance

The BFF we all want to have, Ethel was the cheese to Lucy’s macaroni. She was a voice of reason, sharp-tongued, and fiercely loyal. There’s nobody I’d rather work in a chocolate factory with.

4. Carmela Soprano, “The Sopranos”
Played by Edie Falco

Complicated and compelling, Carmela loved and hated her husband Tony Soprano, and could never seem to get past her guilt over reaping the rewards of their incredibly illegal lifestyle. The Sopranos is a television series I could watch multiple times and find new character dimensions I’d never noticed before.

5. Claire Underwood, “House of Cards”
Played by Robin Wright

I find Claire Underwood to be cold, calculating – and totally mesmerizing. I’d love to meet her just so she could ruin my life without so much as a hair out of place. I know Frank’s the ultimate antihero, but his wifey seriously gives him a run for his presidency.

6. Fiona Gallagher, “Shameless”
Played by Emmy Rossum

She dropped out of high school to take care of her brothers and sister while her parents drowned in their addictions. Her loyalty to her family is unparalleled, and I’m excited to see what they do with her character next season: Will she crumble like her parents, or set her baggage aside for the sake of her future?

7. Maxine Gray, “Judging Amy”
Played by Tyne Daly

“Judging Amy” will always be my favorite television series of all time, and much of this is thanks to Maxine Gray: The opinionated, passionate, strong-willed mother of Amy Gray, the show’s protagonist. As a social worker, she does what it takes to help the children in her care, even if that includes bending the law. She handles daunting obstacles with attitude and an unbreakable tenacity that’s hard to top.

8. Elsbeth Tascioni, “The Good Wife”
Played by Carrie Preston

Elsbeth Tascioni is scattered and barely ever says the right thing – basically, she’s me if I’d made the insane decision to become a lawyer. Somehow, through the smorgasbord of emotional baggage, she’s able to stay on task to perform her job brilliantly. The look on her opponents’ faces as she pummels them in court screams “spin-off.”

9. Miss Piggy, “The Muppet Show”
Voiced by Frank Oz

What list of strong female characters would be complete without Miss Piggy? She was originally meant to be a minor character in the television series, but eventually stole the show – and Kermie’s heart. Bestselling author, “Project Runway” guest judge, there’s nothing she can’t do.

Out of all the television series you’ve had the pleasure of watching, who stands out the most to you?

Related on EcoSalon

The Chelsea Handler Show Moves to Netflix: Late Night Doesn’t Need the Networks (or Does It?)

The FCC Rules of Nudity: Why Aren’t Penises Shown on Television?

I Want My Green TV

Image: angelravelor

The post The Top 9 Strong Female Characters Ever to Grace a Television Series appeared first on EcoSalon.

ColumnDoes watching women tear each other’s eyes out on TV make me a bad feminist?

When the last season of The Bachelor ended, I promised myself I was done with any TV shows involving the following: dating, housewives and matchmakers. The thing is, I love these shows. I don’t care that they are scripted, stupid and hardly ever result in true love.

It started innocently enough. Years after The Bachelor franchise became popular, a friend invited me to a viewing party. I had never watched the show. But one night of wine, snarky smack talk and vegetarian entrees (in the form of sea salt brownies from Trader Joe’s), and I was hooked. Years later, much to my own embarrassment and the dismay of my husband Erik, I still am.

And my viewing habits have gotten even worse: Millionaire Matchmaker and The Real Housewives—of New York, the OC and Beverley Hills, I haven’t stooped to Jersey—have crept into my life. Erik classifies these shows as “horrible women screaming at each other.”

Even though I have caught him watching brain-numbing golf tournaments, something about his characterization crept into my head, and now I am pretty sure that watching this crap makes me a lousy feminist.

With all of the ways society pits us against each other (working women vs. stay-at-home moms, single women vs. married women, lesbians vs. straight women, women without kids vs. women with kids, trans women vs. Smith College), I have to ask myself: Does watching women tear each other apart for entertainment support my beliefs? The clear answer is no.

But, god help me, I can’t help but wonder how bridal stylist Desiree Hartstock (That’s her real last name!)—or Des, as Sean called her on the last season—the doe-eyed, likeable runner-up, will do as the Bachelorette when it starts up May 27!

Like an addict, I watch the commercials and bargain with myself: What if I just watch my favorite part of the show, the introductions where the contestants exit the limo and I place bets on which one will do the requisite horrible dance, recite the wretched poem or have the dumbest job? Maybe I can just tune in for the hometown dates and the last hour of the three-hour finale. Would that be SO bad?

According to the ‘70s rallying cry, “the personal is political,” it would be. This seems to be a question that still matters—and regarding issues far more important than reality TV.

Aligning my beliefs with my actions is a constant battle. Do I buy the recycled toilet paper even though it’s scratchy? Pay more for the organic, local produce? Change the channel when women with spray tans and implants rip each other apart over a guy they don’t even know? Historically: occasionally, yes, no.

I’m not suggesting we strive for total consistency at the risk of sucking the fun out of life. I am fully confident that I can get my TV fix from Callie Khouri’s Nashville, Mindy Kaling’s The Mindy Project and Lena Dunham’s Girls, all of which offer plenty of drama, mind-bogglingly good hair and smart writing sans negative stereotypes about women as catty bitches out to get a man at any price. However, Rebel Wilson’s new show doesn’t start until fall, and my other stories, as I call them, are going on summer vacation.

I can’t stick up for the housewives or the matchmakers, they have to go. But I can argue that The Bachelorette is a feminist-enough show—at least as much as brownies are a vegetarian entree. The woman is in charge and calling the shots—or executing the shots the producers are calling—whatever. The male contestants don’t typically come across as any smarter or nicer than their female counterparts. No one emerges smelling like a rose, as they say.

So, will I go cold turkey and say goodbye to the ladies of reality TV, or will I accept the rose ABC is pushing and tune in? I’m not sure, but I can tell you this: in Bachelorette lingo, it will be the most dramatic, and hardest, decision I have EVER had to make.

Image: ABC TV

The post That Happened: My Final Rose: Saying Goodbye to Reality TV? appeared first on EcoSalon.