The Dangers of Lifestyle Feminism | In Defence of Ann Perkins (Parks and Recreation) | Video Essay

[@ArianaAlexis]

If you like this video, you might also like this one I made exploring when exploitation is ok in film and television told through the lens of true crime and the Netflix Jeffery Dahmer show: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ7MdqecmqyWb9E Or this one looking at the messy behind-the-scenes of Steven Spielberg's forgotten Jurassic Park spin-off, We're Back: A Dinosaur Story: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHyymapug7-jjsk Or here is the In Defence of playlist if that's what you're into: kzbin.info/aero/PLqStSJhv1GeS_4n1Fw7I-mbgo1s_QDtFF

[@unknown_limes]

People dislike Ann? She's my favorite character! I love that she's a supporting character; she's not anyone super special and she doesn't have to be. She's special in the way that we all are. Ann is just a thirty-something nurse. Her problems are mundane and nothing super special. She already ironed out most of her worst habits prior to the start of the show, so there's no huge character arc. Just herself learning how to listen to her gut. She's Ann Perkins. Who doesn't love Ann Perkins?

[@kermitkrab5637]

I legit stopped watching the show after Ann and Chris left, they were some of my faviourite characters

[@invwsibleman]

keep lying to yourself

[@AdviceFromAHipoCrite]

I agree!!

[@Diesel257]

The same that hated Pam on the Office. I'm guessing ugly (inside and out) women.

[@puppycatsbee]

exactly!!! ive just finished s3 and ofc ann is my favourite, although i absolutely ADORE leslie aswell shes just wonderful, my bestfriend is the one who had introduced me to parks & rec and said i should watch it and since i had already watched the office twice already, the 1st time was in the early summer of last year, and its by the same show writers, i knew it'd be something i'd enjoy!! my friend also knows me very well, and they say our friendship reflects ann & leslie 🥹 and i can confirm that leslies character definitely reflects them a lot, they even have blonde hair like her! ♡ i hope everyone is able to find a friendship as special as this if they havent already 💜

[@ChigoIEbere]

I thought Ann's whole point was to be the Straight Man. People don't like her?

[@Katsby83]

I don’t like how Leslie talks about Ann. Ann’s fine. I typically find her compliments creepy, not funny.

[@alfredc.7777]

I agree, she was underdeveloped but I liked her presence in the show and I could truly feel the show was a little toooo wacky when she left. She was a great character to balance off the cast and her awkwardness is really cute. ANN PERKINS 😁

[@grnmjolnir]

I had no idea she needed it. She was the sane one of the bunch.

[@Villion77]

Exactly she needs no defense she's Ann Perkins

[@ThunderTaker1215]

While co-parenting with Chris is my favorite option, I’m guessing that the writers got them back together because since the breakup, Chris went to therapy and worked on himself, which made the decision more believable. At least to me.

[@cupfulofeathers]

Agreed. And Ann had also worked on herself; she became more independent and broke her habit of adopting the personalities of her boyfriends, as Leslie pointed out in "Sex Education." Co-parenting would have been sweet, but I was honestly happy to see them accidentally fall in love!

[@lazyfrogeyes5949]

The terms "co-parenting" or "co-parents" is just one of the cringest terms I have ever heard. Its just patronizing. You are not a co parent . If you are that child's biological father and obviously mother and are active in that child's life you are that child's parent. . You are not a co parent with a step father or mother. The term stepmother and father literally derives from the word orphan.

[@bafbaas1210]

I find that Ann and Jerry have an interesting dicotomy. In the way that theyre both unextravagent "ordinary" people but the eccentric larger than life people around them seem to react very differently to them. But Ann, the 30-something pretty likeable woman, in spite of the kind of suprising enthousiasm and admiratio she receives from Lesley, Tom and Chris, she seems the struggle in her private life a bit. But Jerry, the older white man, in spite of his general being bullied (yes bullied), has the quintessential perfect american family.

[@feliciaadams7666]

Weirdly, but this made me appreciate Princess Caroline even more. She had a similar story of single motherhood and while they both ended up getting married at the end of their stories PC fell in love on accident and not out of some weird need by the writers for a woman to be in a relationship to have a "proper family". I liked Ann, I really did. She was sweet and often the only voice of reason that could get through to Leslie at times. I just wish the writers had given her better.

[@AliT857]

Agreed! Co-parenting between Ann and Chris would have been so cute and suited their friendship! I think it was too radical in 2013 😪

[@radhiadeedou8286]

Romanticising kids growing up in broken homes, how wholesome

[@vampire7240]

@@radhiadeedou8286 "broken homes" 😐

[@ernestoagapitogarcesconyad1710]

@@radhiadeedou8286 co-parenting =/= "broken homes"

[@jbcatz5]

@@radhiadeedou8286 How is co-parenting a broken home? You don’t need a ceremony, ring and piece of paper to show commitment, sometimes just doing is enough. They are a couple, they are raising their kid.

[@bettercallnadiya]

@@radhiadeedou8286 my parents were together, *i* grew up in a broken home because they hated each other if they hadn’t lived together and had co parented but actually liked each other and were kind, then maybe I wouldn’t have grown up in a broken home. Gosh Parents staying together doesn’t automatically = a big happy family.

[@anthonydelfino6171]

This might not be the answer you're looking for but when you ask how Ann doesn't get the relationship she's always dreamed of and the loving family while one just falls in Ron's lap? Because life isn't fair. As someone who's entering my 40s single and haven't had a relationship make it past 6 months while watching my party friends go out, meet a random one night stand at a bar then end up marrying a year later while I've spent all my 20s and 30s trying to do it the more traditional and boring way... I can confirm that this is a real thing that happens in the world. And that part of making Ann's story more realistic was something I actually liked about the show.

[@Andesitoi]

Real!

[@lazyfrogeyes5949]

Seems like you are the problem.

[@AtypicalAdventurer]

what? Ann is fantastic. Every over-the-top cast needs a straight man character, and Rashida Jones plays it perfectly. She's one of my favourites for sure

[@ScottyMika1]

Just cause she’s one of your favourite characters doesn’t mean she’s a good character, she’s just dull, I feel like everytime I watch her a scene with her it’s either too cringe, or dull and repetitive.

[@hellsjamfleas]

I love P&R and Anne. But her storyline is weird. I suspect the issue is that they changed their mind over her direction, or were just blindly going along. They hint Ann and Chris still have feelings but also make it clear they are bad, it feels like they should have either overcome their charector flaws or walked away from each other. Anne's string of useless boyfriends is one of the weakest parts of the story for me, I expect it was meant to be a learning and growth path for her , but she didn't become a stronger charector or find the sort of man who worked. I think we are supposed to intuit that her relationship with Chris was more balanced than before but that development felt like it happened off screen to me, which is a shame. Loved the vid

[@cubancharlotte]

i thought i was the only one who’s favorite character is ann before I read some of these comments 😭😭 I have never met others

[@manolocorp]

The delivery of the sperm joke at 14:58 and the gross medical story that she tells to Ron and April are my best Ann Perkins moments. You are absolutely right, the writers never knew what to do with the character, but I love her anyways. Btw: Your channel is literally, the best. Keep up the good work!

[@TheBadgerCraft]

Love the "defence of" theme that's going on.

[@sammystoolpigeon]

misspelt.

[@TheBadgerCraft]

@@sammystoolpigeon It's the Canadian spelling!

[@Villion77]

Wait Ann Perkins needs a defense and Jerry, Garry,Larry has to live with his well every thing .

[@mehlover]

Yeah I was confused when they had Ann get back together with one of her exes in the end. Really wish that writers realize they don't need to pair the spares. Amazing defence!

[@xcaluhbration]

WANTING to be a single parent is a crazy person ideal. It's hard enough with a nuclear family and with in-laws/friends nearby to help you shoulder the responsibility. Who are these people?

[@BlueGamingRage]

I guess the types who hear the saying "it takes a village" and interpret it as a challenge

[@xcaluhbration]

@@BlueGamingRage the type that play dark souls with a guitar hero guitar, true. 🤣

[@Unlikely_Pirate]

I haven’t seen all of parks and rec but I remember the first time we met Ann and she was taking care of Andy and didn’t really seem to have any kind of obviously identifiable feelings about it. Sure we could tell she wasn’t thrilled but she didn’t have a strong stance like any other character on the show would have. I never lost that opinion that Ann is the average woman we can use to look come into an unfamiliar environment of strong characters, which is good because almost every show needs a newbie to settle into the world of the show but it’s like they forgot about HER in that process. She was likable I never hated when she was on screen and she had arcs, I just never felt strongly about her like I did with all the others. I agree they did her dirty. It’s not even that her personality was bad, we just needed more of it.

[@afkpavi]

Quality content. surprised to see this level of content from a small channel. i'm sure you'll get big in the future tho

[@absolutvalu]

10/10, would listen to her rant about anything for 23 minutes.

[@DaFro3713]

I mean in defense of ranking Ann lower than Lil’ Sebastian, when you’re compared against a mini horse like that, it’s easy to see everyone else as inferior

[@internetuser5286]

What kind of person would defend Mark Brendanawicz anyway?

[@jbcatz5]

He was a good fit for the identity the show had in season one, but as the show evolved (for the far better, becoming more than The Office in local government) he didn’t evolve with it and as a result got written out with little fanfare and no remembrance. One episode hinges around Leslie getting something no one remembers Mark gifted her in his final appearance.

[@lazyfrogeyes5949]

Mark wasn't a bad guy. Dude just lived a more free lifestyle. He loved women and drinking and was good at his job. Before you call him a womanizer maybe you should look at how donna treated men before bashing him lol

[@humanperson8418]

0:35 - You didn't just say that. This is Li'l Sebastian you're talking about! Show some *God Damn Respect!!!*

[@Taospark]

I feel lifestyle feminism is just the application of those big picture ideals into your individual life which is the ultimate point after all for each person. More than that, people individually pushing in their lanes with the same ideals is how movements gain so much ground in reform between those big public political moments whether it be for gender, racial, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other identity which intersects with that.

[@alyssaq2001]

I think it's also interesting to think about how ann's storyline falls by the waist side and treated like many other black girls in tv shows getting minimal storyline and is not a holistic representation

[@futuristicgirl14]

It’s wayside but yes 100% agree this especially happens to darker skinned black girl characters too I’ve noticed

[@scooby-poo8667]

Black? Oh please, Joe Biden is "blacker" than Rashida Jones. Donna is the only actual black character. Rashida Jones is a white girl with a tan.

[@sarajinki]

Aaah yes!!! I always felt like they didn't give her much and just played with the dating thing poorly. She deserved better definitely!! That was a great analysis!!

[@emmaevans9131]

Oh my god I just barely found your channel today and I absolutely love it!!! I love your video essays about the characters, they’re so in depth and super comprehensive. Keep up there good work lol

[@alexiahetka]

In Ann's defense, I'm also scared of kids/awkward around them and I literally have one lol. But I agree this storyline was messy, it always bothers me how much Leslie is against it

[@bookreport101]

Either I didn’t care or I really can’t tell the difference. I never noticed that the word defense (defence) was even spelled differently 😊

[@martygould5114]

Ruffles is made by Lay's, which basically makes it a Lay's for dipping. So that confused me when they came out with Lay's wavy. Isn't that the same thing? As for Ann Perkins, she is literally the only woman on this series that I would want to date.

[@PRINCESSDEGRASSI]

I loved your in defense video of Sara Lynn and as soon as I saw Ann Perkins I subscribed 💗💗💗

[@rccc5806]

They hated the beautiful woman who had her life together. All right she began with a failed relationship with an immature man but she went out of that. Only to be put in worse and worse positions, with no apparent reason. No, I don't consider a positive the relationship with Chriss as they don't really have any chemistry, no common ideals actually. No surprise that during what she continously, but understandably missread his signals. I'm only on the 3rd season but the switch in the show is still so and so for me. After the season 2 which was pretty solid, they came out with sane out, more zany, but the stories are not in the least far better. Oh, by the way, Mark was also a straight man, even willing to settle at the end of his arc, but the writers were not keen on devising stories for a healthy happy couple. The thing is, it's the writers that can make a thing appear boring or exciting. It was only their choice to act in the detriment of the Ann-Mark story and of us, eventually, of the people wanting a healthy prosperous life.

[@michaelalcaraz6600]

Thanks for making the videos you do. Thank you for being you!!!

[@noizetv4240]

On the low, I didn't recognize "defence" was spelled weird.

[@sbcj9]

I never even watched this show before. But the fact that your talking about is is worth watching this video. Just cause you put out great content. No matter the subject I want to watch and be educated. Love the new set up. And look at that I learned people in Canada spell defence different than how I spell defense.

[@sammystoolpigeon]

In New Zealand, I think they spell it defenze, with a z!

[@sbcj9]

@@sammystoolpigeon really? That's cool. I like how there how different ways to spell it.

[@anniekyles6646]

@@sammystoolpigeon haha, nope! We write "defence" in NZ. Our spelling is mostly the same as the UK.

[@sammystoolpigeon]

@@anniekyles6646 glad you got the joke. I was just fooling around. The U.S. is very defenzive when it comes to the spelling of sertain wurdz.

[@randomstuff6786]

i don't entirely agree with this video but it was still very good!!

[@Webadonify]

She’s actually my favorite character! She is nice, normal, and a really good balance to all the insanity. And very quietly funny.

[@vidsantoro]

That intro immediately made me subscribe

[@dizzylilthing]

Ann is so amazingly lovely she deserved so much more

[@olivernt2667]

Finally someone who pronounces literally as I do

[@brandongordon2392]

I thought she was the most unproblematic character in the cast, alongside Donna and Jerry… I actually liked Ann cause she was the voice of reason, but at the same time a lot of her dialogue and writing was underwhelming and yeah, you do low key look like Ben Schwartz/Jenny Slate’s sister

[@roselogan6589]

I like your work, thanks for making it 🙂

[@blodpudding]

I rewatched the show recently and was struck what nothing character she was. She LITERALLY is "Leslie's friend" and that's it for most of the run, every story she's just third wheeling. By the way: Best female friendship on TV... Abbi and Ilana on Broad City! Produced by Amy Poehler btw.

[@louiseahern3054]

This is great. I've thought this since I first watched the series and still do as I'm watching it right now. I really wanted this topic to be a serious part of the storyline. It was rushed, and fizzled out into a dull, underdeveloped, and unrealistic relationship between Ann and Chris. Very simply and eloquently getting the complex point across. Well done 👍 xxx

[@mulethedonkey2579]

wait who doesn't like anne perkins?

[@arobbo28]

the kitty blinks are top tier

[@pw2160]

This is irrelevant to the content of this video but I've just clocked that little orange tiger toy on the left and it's unlocked childhood memories I forgot I had... Does anyone know the name of it? I'm almost certain I had a blue one and I want to look it up 😅😂

[@ArianaAlexis]

It’s a Neopet toy! I don’t remember the name of the species but that’s the franchise it’s from

[@pw2160]

@@ArianaAlexis oh my gosh, thank you for responding! That helps a lot, I'm going to do some googling 😁😻

[@melodyhaviland9393]

i literally didn’t know people disliked her i really liked her!

[@ScottyMika1]

It’s called an opinion, your opinion on her is positive, you enjoy her, and other people can’t stand her and think she’s dull, it’s just a matter of opinion.

[@alexandracash8106]

I have always seen a lot of myself in Ann. Just in the way of living in a small town, being older and still single, being pretty average. I always loved that she just seemed to be one of the most relatable female characters. PS I know he's pretty vanilla, but I never disliked Mark B.

[@Jim-Stick]

Love your videos Appreciate it

[@paulcooper8818]

Maybe the writers ran out of feminism when it came to Ann Perkins. I was a little shocked realizing, that when I think of P&R don't even think of Ann, even though I liked the character.

[@InternetCuddles]

I mean 1:53 isn't wrong... lol

[@sierraweissman875]

Am I the only person who genuinely likes Ann Perkins???

[@heatherstephenson3559]

Ikr, it makes me a bit sad when people say they don't like Ann, I think she's great and deserved better and more love.

[@willloveless9327]

"thats for you dad" 😂 be nice

[@jennapecor1865]

Ron was married twice before he met Diane.

[@mykaelam9479]

Anne's just a Libra

[@juanitajones6900]

Is that what you're upset about? That Ann and Chris had renewed their relationship? Is that what this whole video is about?

[@ManInQuestion98]

Nobody is going to mention the fact that defense is spelled wrong in the video title AND the video art? Did they not have a word processing app with a spell check? The spelling here implies a neighbor has become agitated by the presence of a misplaced fence and seeks to deconstruct said fence with a strongly worded letter to the City Hall.

[@ArianaAlexis]

Defence is only spelled with an S in the US. In most other countries, including Canada (where I'm from), defence is spelled with a C. So it is spelled correctly! 🙂

[@ManInQuestion98]

@@ArianaAlexis Yeah, that is fair, but it was worth the agitated neighbor joke haha.

[@daredawg3776]

This Christmas, you should do a defense video on donner from Rudolph the red nosed reindeer

[@Sumthinabvegetables]

Ok you’re amazing. How do we get you more views?

[@lukelichtenthal5407]

How could anyone hate Ann. She is a beautiful musk oz!!

[@J-WOT]

I've watch a few of your vids now... Your perspective on feminism is interesting, but I think at some point you will talk about how you view feminism and lose friends.

[@wigglermain]

I dislike ann. I think her comedic timing is really off compared to the rest of the cast, and they spent way too much on that sperm plot in season five like yikes.

[@timekr]

Who dislikes Ann?

[@msaint187]

you spelt wrong

[@wallywallace2184]

I love gravity falls so much and all your references in this video were amazing.

[@moonbinj2109]

I like the idea of her and was scared to watch your video. I’m happy i did though.

[@zenithquasar9623]

What do you mean in defence of?! Ann is a mess and I love that!

[@alexiahetka]

Hey, just thought I'd let you know you spelled defence correctly.

[@chunkystains8950]

It does really suck they didn't give a shout out to single moms, because I'm a single mom and I actually have an easier time raising my kid than literally ALL my friends who have to share custody....a good lesson could've been "what the price of child support actually cost"

[@veronicajaworski2558]

I love Ann Perkins

[@blackspider3839]

She is beautiful smart and kind and Chris is a lucky man

[@K8_bman]

Yo does this chick know she spelled defense wrong?

[@ArianaAlexis]

Defence is spelled with a C in Canada (where I live) and most countries. It’s only spelled with an S in the states

[@K8_bman]

@@ArianaAlexis ma’am I know you said to comment to anyway lol

[@ArianaAlexis]

I forgot what video this was on! Half my defence videos have the disclaimer and the others don’t so it slips my mind which ones I say it on 😅 thank you for the reminder!

[@johnshort9315]

You're fuckin hilarious. I love your videos, keep it up Ben Schwartz

[@xerosfear]

You spelt defense wrong

[@8bitdaydreams]

Ann was boring. But jean-ralphio was my guy 😂😂😂

[@dianastc3710]

If you haven't checked it out watch Angie tribecca Rashida Jones is so good in it

[@ZUGTFO]

RON and APRIL RULE PARKS AND REC!!!! Caps screaming match over. ;)

[@Limp_korn]

I always loved ann perkins even before this vidoe

[@jamie8703]

You spelled Deffencse wrong :/ it's okay bro you'll get it

[@originalangel666]

PAPER JAM JIM

[@sganemccloud1859]

Im american and i spell it "defence"

[@goldilocksguy5170]

The third Saperstein sibling 😇

[@dtquinn100]

you didnt spell defence write

[@stellalittlewood5944]

i spell defence like that too bae

[@Sam-eu3yw]

It would've been cool if they made Ann bi

[@rsand2009]

5:55 is that a South Park Canadian talking ref?

[@ArianaAlexis]

Yes it is!

[@derechte6086]

U kinda look line the guy from the office who said people love hugging/touching me

[@ArianaAlexis]

I agree, I do look like Gabe

[@derechte6086]

@@ArianaAlexis riiight that was the name:D Im glad u read it

[@BKSF1]

oh shit i had that pikachu as a kid whats up pikachu

[@BKSF1]

good vid as well

[@ahelisen7509]

YOU'RE PRETTY

[@rebeccaswihart4291]

"Defence" is fine...but pronouncing "women" like it's the same as "woman"???

[@cyro6900]

americans spell defence with an s ???? what

[@solomonb5990]

you spelt defence correct - an englishman

[@anarchist_parable]

I humbly request in defense of Peggy Hill

[@ArianaAlexis]

I will humbly oblige within the year!

[@dizzylilthing]

I'm in Canada and I spell it defensce because I'm cool like that

[@radhiadeedou8286]

This isn't a defence of Ann, it's a wokish rant

[@ScottyMika1]

Ahh stfu you idiot, rather listen to a “woke rant” than be an ignorant bigot like you.

[@shushunk00]

This is the libbed up popular tv show (Sometimes this show is funny, most of the time it's frustrating with no materialist analysis of the world) 5:40 he is not an "individualist" 😂 He is an annoying libertarian(politically irl it's on the right wing economically)

[@garlicisnice]

You misspelled Defense

[@crabmastaflash]

yuo speeled defense worng