Hot Old Bald Guys
We had a discussion sometime ago about unconventionally attractive heroes. I maintained that Miguel Ferrer's character on Crossing Jordan and Terry O'Quinn's Locke on Lost would be fabulous heroes. The comments wandered in the direction of, specifically, bald guys. And just a week or so ago Missie joked about how Christopher Meloni was hot in spite of male pattern baldness.
Why do we never read about bald or balding heroes, and the age it connotes? The rebels all have angsty curls falling on their foreheads, the historical warriors usually have the Fabio mane, and the military guys have the buzzcut, but they all have hair. I have to admit, the heroes I've written all have hair. Can a bald guy be considered a romantic hero? Traditional romance aesthetics say no, but I have my doubts. Case in point:
Now, Sean Connery is in a class by himself. Bald or not, he will always be sexy. Women the world over still want crumpets with Connery even though he's 187. (By the way- Crumpets with Connery will probably be a title for me someday, so don't nobody steal it.)
Our friend Anna mentioned Admiral Chegwidden from JAG, and I have to agree. Alpha male to the core. But then again, you guys know how much I love a man in uniform, oh boy, and how.
I'm not sure if I should include this next one- black men shave their heads on purpose and they are entitled. Don't get all weird on me, I'm just saying that generally African American men just have prettier heads than white guys. But I couldn't let a post on bald guys go by without mentioning my favorite.
Avery Brooks was good enough on Star Trek, but his big impression on me was from Spenser for Hire. Remember Hawk? Oh, I lived for the moment he'd growl-whisper "Spen-sahh!" Why is it I tend to think the sidekicks are way more compelling than the leads?
TV Guide did a poll years ago on the sexiest man and woman on television. You could write in any candidate you wanted- the men voted for women, and vice-versa. The sexiest woman? Cindy Crawford. Pretty typical. But with all the hunks and cuties to choose from, who won sexiest man? Go here for the answer. (Gad, I hate Blogger.)
That's right. The hottest old bald guy I know, Patrick Stewart. Sakes alive, we all just shivered when he commanded, "ENGAGE!" And if women specifically wrote in that he was the sexiest man, why don't we see more of that in novels? Do you think we've been cheating ourselves? Ignoring a whole group of potential heroes?
Why do we never read about bald or balding heroes, and the age it connotes? The rebels all have angsty curls falling on their foreheads, the historical warriors usually have the Fabio mane, and the military guys have the buzzcut, but they all have hair. I have to admit, the heroes I've written all have hair. Can a bald guy be considered a romantic hero? Traditional romance aesthetics say no, but I have my doubts. Case in point:
Now, Sean Connery is in a class by himself. Bald or not, he will always be sexy. Women the world over still want crumpets with Connery even though he's 187. (By the way- Crumpets with Connery will probably be a title for me someday, so don't nobody steal it.)
Our friend Anna mentioned Admiral Chegwidden from JAG, and I have to agree. Alpha male to the core. But then again, you guys know how much I love a man in uniform, oh boy, and how.
I'm not sure if I should include this next one- black men shave their heads on purpose and they are entitled. Don't get all weird on me, I'm just saying that generally African American men just have prettier heads than white guys. But I couldn't let a post on bald guys go by without mentioning my favorite.
Avery Brooks was good enough on Star Trek, but his big impression on me was from Spenser for Hire. Remember Hawk? Oh, I lived for the moment he'd growl-whisper "Spen-sahh!" Why is it I tend to think the sidekicks are way more compelling than the leads?
TV Guide did a poll years ago on the sexiest man and woman on television. You could write in any candidate you wanted- the men voted for women, and vice-versa. The sexiest woman? Cindy Crawford. Pretty typical. But with all the hunks and cuties to choose from, who won sexiest man? Go here for the answer. (Gad, I hate Blogger.)
That's right. The hottest old bald guy I know, Patrick Stewart. Sakes alive, we all just shivered when he commanded, "ENGAGE!" And if women specifically wrote in that he was the sexiest man, why don't we see more of that in novels? Do you think we've been cheating ourselves? Ignoring a whole group of potential heroes?
posted by Robyn | 5:07 AM
12 Comments:
Yum, yum...
Make it so, Number One.
Mmm, I was about to yell at you for not mentioning Picard!
I think we don't write bald guys because it's hard to convey the sexiness with the word "bald". Nobody thinks bald men are sexy from reading they're bald, even though we've all seen devastatingly sexy bald men.
I wonder if it has a lot to do with (1) the age thing, and (2) people conditioned by advertising ( do YOU have male pattern baldness?...Get a hair piece,hair plugs, hair-weaving, whatever.)
Maybe the stereotype is too deeply implanted ( choke) with assorted villains and dumb/comic sidekicks presented as bald.
And that is a great title!
Oh, you're right, forgot the Pacifier.
I think you're onto something there, DQ. How do you describe it without sounding, well, bald?
Bernita, I do think age plays a part. I have always preferred a man with mileage on him- no Leonardo DiCaprio/Orlando Bloom boys for me. But maybe when a woman reads the hero is bald, she's automatically thinking, "Dad!"
I really wouldn't have a problem with a bald hero -- and thanks for the Chegwidden picture; that's a great pick me up after a hectic day. Which reminds me about all those military heroes; those regulation haircuts can get close to bald.
For Georgian-era historicals, many men who wore wigs shaved their heads to ensure better fit, so such a hero could have mane or no name, as he wished.
In any era, if it fits the character, why not?
How could we forget to mention the original handsome handsome bald man that made it okay for the rest of the guys to be bald? I'm talkin' me some Michael Jordan. Bare as a baby's butt, but ummm, ummm, good.
I like Mike.
There are bald guys all over the world that are embracing baldness and changing the perception that being bald is not sexy. This is being helped out by several celebrities that are sporting the bald look. Bruce Willis, Michael Jordan, Samuel Jackson, and now Joey Lawrence.
Because of the negative image being bald is getting from these stupid hair replacement and drug companies, I started a site SlyBaldGuys.com to combat this image and perception.
One name: Yul Brynner.
Or am I just beyond weird?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2007 Survey Results released on Female Opinions of Bald Men
97% of women surveyed say bald men can be sexy; 71% oppose bald men getting transplants; a bald man�s confidence is very important to women surveyed.
COON RAPIDS, Minn. (September 17, 2007) The Brotherhood of Bald People Worldwide has released the results of their 2007 survey featuring opinions from women on bald men.
The 23-question survey was presented to women residing in various places within the United States to get their opinions and attitudes toward bald men, their sex appeal, dating, and overall opinions on baldness. Complete survey results are posted on The Brotherhood of Bald People Worldwide�s website at www.brotherhoodofbaldpeople.com.
If If all else fails, there's nothing wrong with going bald.
A great product for protection and nurturing bald heads is, Matte For Men's complete head care lotion. Enjoy its moisturizing
effects while being completely protected from the harsh glare of the sun.
See Today Show clip on "Bald Men: Is it Hot or Not?" that was aired recently. Panelists, including Tiki Barber, come to the conclusion that hot it is.
See Google or msn video and type in the clip title above, or try this link:
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-us&vid=a2cc4021-54c7-4453-86d2-a9112b10be28
I like your post and everything you share with us is current and very informative, I want to bookmark the page so I can return here from you that you have done a fantastic job.
Post a Comment
<< Home