AARP Goes One-on-One with Joyce Kulhawik
Source: AARP.org | November 20, 2007
Joyce Kulhawik is the arts and entertainment anchor for WBZ-TV (CBS). She has been an integral part of the region's cultural landscape since she began reporting for the station in 1981. Covering all aspects of art, entertainment and pop culture, Kulhawik reports weekdays at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. on WBZ. She also anchors the "Joyce's Choices" entertainment report on TV38 at 9 p.m.
The AARP Movies for Grownups Film Festival—which took place in Boston during Life@50+, AARP's National Event & Expo—previewed five major feature films, illustrating the power of boomers at the box office. AARP Massachusetts asked Kulhawik about boomer impact on entertainment.
Q: Nearly half of all movie tickets are bought by people 40 and over. Are boomers altering Hollywood's infatuation with youth?
A: Absolutely! Just look at the recent Oscar and Emmy nominees—Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, Meryl Streep, Sally Field, Susan Sarandon, Diane Keaton, Jodi Foster, Michelle Pfeiffer—and a remake of a film called The Women recently shot in Boston and starring Annette Bening, Meg Ryan, Candice Bergen, Carrie Fisher, among others—suggest that mature women are making progress and being seen in powerful, interesting roles. What Hollywood needs to realize is that boomer women won't necessarily rush to movies on opening weekend. We're busy! But we have expendable income and will get to the movies on our timetable.
Q: Will boomers bust the reality TV boon as more television drama and comedy series feature well-respected older actors and actresses?
A: Just look at the success of Kyra Sedgwick in The Closer and Glenn Close in Damages—and how about Julia Louis-Dreyfus in The New Adventures of Old Christine. That title may be inelegant, but it says a mouthful about what viewers are watching. The Reality TV bubble will burst when it gets too full. I've also been thinking the same is true about TV news. Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric, and Meredith Vieira are the most powerful women in TV News. They're all experienced intelligent women over 40!
Q: Do you have any must-see movie or entertainment tips for boomers as we approach the holiday season - or any early Oscar predictions?
A: See George Clooney—sexiest man alive and over 40—in Michael Clayton. Check out Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Dan In Real Life starring Steve Carell and gorgeous 40ish Juliette Binoche is one of the freshest, funniest, and most heart-warming romantic comedies ever. See Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, and Tom Cruise in Lions for Lambs. It's too early for Oscar predictions, although I did love Casey Affleck in Gone Baby Gone (smartly directed by big brother Ben), and The Assassination of Jesse James—we could be looking at a break out year for Casey. Very exciting!
AARP Massachusetts thanks Joyce Kulhawik for taking the time to answer our questions.
For More Information
This article was originally published in the AARP Massachusetts Update newsletter, Fall 2007.
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