Recent depictions of menopause on television shows are finally becoming more realistic, moving beyond the historical tendency to avoid the subject or treat it as comedic fodder. A pivotal moment came in "Fleabag" through Kristin Scott Thomas's powerful monologue, where she describes menopause as initially "horrendous" but ultimately "magnificent" and freeing for women. This scene exemplifies how fictional characters are now offering meaningful representation and education around a previously taboo topic.

This analysis examines how narrative approaches, tones, and framing of menopause storylines differ across television genres, particularly comedy and drama. In comedy, HBO's "And Just Like That" follows the women of "Sex and the City" as they navigate their transition from their 30s to their 50s, while "The Change," starring Bridget Christie, tackles menopause head-on as its central theme. These comedic portrayals are then contrasted with dramatic representations, including the Hulu series "Better Things," starring Pamela Adlon.

These diverse portrayals mark a significant shift from earlier eras when menopause was either ignored or used as a punchline. By presenting menopause through various genres and perspectives, contemporary television is helping to destigmatize discussions around female aging and bodily changes. This evolution in storytelling not only validates women's experiences but also contributes to broader cultural conversations about aging, health, and women's lives beyond their reproductive years.

Authors:
Margaret Tally, Empire State University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Margaret Tally is Full Professor of Social and Public Policy at the School for Graduate Studies of the State University of New York, Empire State College. She is the author of Television Culture and Women’s Lives: Thirtysomething and the Contradictions of Gender(1995). She has also edited three book collections with Betty Kaklamanidou, HBO's Girls: Questions of Gender, Politics, and Millennial Angst(2014), The Millennials on Film and Television: Essays on the Politics of Popular Culture (2014), and Politics and Politicians in Contemporary US Television(2016), The Rise of the Anti-Heroine in TV’s Third Golden Age(2016) and The Limits of #Metoo in Hollywood: Gender and Power in the Entertainment Industry (2021, McFarland Press).

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