<p>In this episode of <em>The Problematic Gaze</em>&nbsp;podcast we dive into the 1982 cross dressing classic&nbsp;<em>Tootsie</em>, and we're thrilled to be joined by our Down Under correspondent, TV historian, host of<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/tv-gold/id1106441089" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> TV Gold Podcas</a>t, and former TV VJ Andrew Mercado! </p><br><p>Andrew joins us in “Culture Corner,” where we unpack what 1982 looked like in both the US and Australia.</p><br><p>We cover key cultural moments and trends—from Brisbane’s Commonwealth Games and political repression under Joh Bjelke-Petersen to&nbsp;<em>E.T.</em>, the rise of MTV, early home computing, teen sex comedies, the Lindy Chamberlain case, Men at Work, and Cold War nuclear anxiety.</p><br><p>Andrew breaks down the golden age of US daytime soap operas, highlighting major shows and some of the more bonkers storylines, and we connect that directly to <em>Tootsie’s</em>&nbsp;soap setting.</p><br><p>We also critically analyse the film’s satire of sexism, Michael’s toxic behaviour, the ethics of deception, its relatively non-homophobic approach for the time, underdeveloped supporting characters, and its romantic comedy ending—asking whether&nbsp;<em>Tootsie</em>&nbsp;still holds up today.</p><br><p><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/tv-gold/id1106441089" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Find Andrew on his own podcast TV Gold here</a></p><p><a href="https://linktr.ee/theproblematicgaze" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here to follow us on all our socials</a></p><br><p>Don't forget to hit that FOLLOW button to get every episode of The Problematic Gaze downloaded and ready to listen!</p><br><p>Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts. They really help to spread the word of The Problematic Gaze.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">And if our fellow Gazers want to comment on what they've heard in our episodes, or to suggest future topics, please email us at [email protected]. We love hearing from you!</a></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>