Uploaded August 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This week, we revisit the classic 1980 comedy about sexism in the workplace, 9 to 5. We discuss all the ways in which the film still rings true, the insight with which it depicts women trying to navigate multiple manipulative sexist behaviors of men in positions of power, and how it doesn't lay the blame at the feet of one bad boss but acknowledges that these are systemic issues that necessitate structural change. We also talk about what it's like to watch this film some 40 years after its release, when we seem to have made little progress with addressing these kinds of abuses and power imbalances. At the same time, the film now captures a bygone era of American employment before the days of the gig economy, when it was easier to find jobs that were just jobs and not things we brought home or that absorbed our entire identity. Also, we talk about the one scene that made Ronald Reagan mad.
Time Stamps:
03:00 - 9 to 5
38:00 - What’s Your FREQ-Out: Ebony on The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Carolyn on I Know This Much Is True, Anita on The Games and Online Harassment Hotline and on Jade City by Fonda Lee
Links Mentioned:
The Games and Online Harassment Hotline: gameshotline.org
9 to 5 Turns 35, and It's Still Radical Today: rollingstone.com/music/music-country/9-to-5-turns-35-and-its-still-radical-today-50499
Join Our Podcast Community: patreon.com/femfreq
This week, we revisit the classic 1980 comedy about sexism in the workplace, 9 to 5. We discuss all the ways in which the film still rings true, the insight with which it depicts women trying to navigate multiple manipulative sexist behaviors of men in positions of power, and how it doesn't lay the blame at the feet of one bad boss but acknowledges that these are systemic issues that necessitate structural change. We also talk about what it's like to watch this film some 40 years after its release, when we seem to have made little progress with addressing these kinds of abuses and power imbalances. At the same time, the film now captures a bygone era of American employment before the days of the gig economy, when it was easier to find jobs that were just jobs and not things we brought home or that absorbed our entire identity. Also, we talk about the one scene that made Ronald Reagan mad.
Time Stamps:
03:00 - 9 to 5
38:00 - What’s Your FREQ-Out: Ebony on The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Carolyn on I Know This Much Is True, Anita on The Games and Online Harassment Hotline and on Jade City by Fonda Lee
Links Mentioned:
The Games and Online Harassment Hotline: gameshotline.org
9 to 5 Turns 35, and It's Still Radical Today: rollingstone.com/music/music-country/9-to-5-turns-35-and-its-still-radical-today-50499
Join Our Podcast Community: patreon.com/femfreq
