That's the way it is...

"It's a fact of life" is a well-used expression to describe a situation of which we don't approve, but feel is not going to change.  Recently a female chef has complained that there are not enough female chefs on TV, and those that are there have been chosen as much on their looks (dare I say sex-appeal) as for their culinary skills. And she's right, isn't she?  It's a fact of life that male presenters tend to be judged on their ability, but female ones tend to be judged on their looks.  That's not to say that they don't have to be good at their job, but dimples or a nice pair of legs sure help their case along.  It's unfair, but that's the way it's always been and probably ever will be. There are exceptions of course - Two Fat Ladies spring to mind, and Fanny Cradock could hardly have been called a looker - in fact I found her a bit scary.  So is this because those who appear on TV tend to be selected by men?  Or do women executives, in fact, also favour the more attractive members of their sex on the basis that it brings in the viewers? Masterchef was won by an attractive Asian lady - co-incidence?  I've got no answers - it's just a fact of life.