Essay about Soap Opera Genre

It is often said that the media and the arts are an accurate reflection of any given community. This is especially true in American pop-culture, where television shows depict the various stereotypes attributed to men and women and the roles they play in society. House, a highly popular medical drama that revolves around Dr. Gregory House and his diagnostic team, is a particularly good example as it represents the true state of the traditional gender roles in American culture today by, both, redefining and reinforcing them over the course of the show.

Modleski argues that soap operas are crucial in understanding women’s role in today’s culture. She claims that in viewing soap operas, the viewer can identify with each of the characters together, and is able to jump between each of the characters instantly, as she sets herself up emotionally with all of them. In the essay, Modleski states that “the family is, for many women, their only support, and soap operas offer the assurance of its immortality” (Modleski 131). The viewer that Modelski is referencing to is the mother, hence carrying out to all plot improvements and new events, although even in this state of explanation she does not, or cannot, create a particular bias or take an interest in just one of her ‘children’ over another (133). She suggests that being in this position of the ‘good mother’ popular culture can change one’s concept of self and one’s identity. In depicting opposed themes such as good

In the story the author used foreshadowing. The foreshadowing came in when Carolee heard the dogs barking. This foreshadowed that something was found or the dogs found someone so

The quality of American television has become a national disgrace. Young women in America who are displeased with their appearance more likely then not can trace those feelings directly back to images from the mass media on television. The unrealistic representations of women that the mass media bombards young women with indicates that the television has become a source for a distorted understanding of gender roles among adolescent women. These images warp young women’s views of their own gender identity. The mass media on television should in an attempt to provide more positive gender identities for adolescent women depict women on television in more realistic ways, should stop

As society has continued to evolve socially, politically and culturally, so has the persona of television. Societal transformations have shape and reshaped television throughout its history. Programs ranging from ethical series to variety shows to family sitcoms mirrored not only the audience taste of entertainment, but also the change of values within society during the increase in television use. Gender roles and a strong sense of family intimacy were among the most prominently highlighted transformations reflected in television. Women and family contribute significantly when analyzing the antiquity of the television. Television programming was designed to emphasize family togetherness through illuminating the importance of domestic household maintenance. Domestic sitcoms, such as The Donna Reed Show exhibited these liberal roles in which women were expected to subjugate to subordinate statuses and confine their

However, it can be observed and said that they have always lived up to the image of “housewife” material or as a constant collaborator of a male role, instead of being the main character. According to Elasmar, M., Hasegawa, K., & Brain, M, on their essay the portrayal of women in the US prime television, “TV has portrayed females in many ways, studies have shown that women have been underrepresented and stereotyped in TV programs.” Women have been living under that invisible stereotype that has cornered them and does not allow them to grow professionally or socially. TV has been the master-mind behind a stereotype that has left women without the chance of demanding equality or credibility on shows, a stereotype that will always be mentioned and enforce if TV shows do not start producing real-world programs based on true stories or true qualities of

The second pattern that the show demonstrates is the dominance of heterosexuality and heterosextual privilege. All the character in the show are in a heterosexual relationship which are reflected in the nature of the space that they occupy. In the workplace and within the household the representation of heteronormative culture dominates. There is no representation of homonormative spaces or other sexual minorities in the show. The third pattern that the show demonstrates is gender performance. West and Zimmerman refer to gender performance as “doing gender” which will be later discussed in the next section. Due to the strong heteronormative nature of the show, the pattern of explicit gender performances are portrayed through clothing, behaviors, and interactions.These patterns are all related to specific locations in which each of the genders occupies. It is through this segregation of genders that the show perpetuates societal norms that support heteronormative culture and result in gender inequalities.

Previously, in the textual analysis of the E! TV show WAGS, I discussed if the show itself contributed to the idea that women mean more in society if they are in relationships and that women should always be in competition with each other. This theme is very prevalent in my audience analysis as well, but instead it is looking particularly at the audience’s reaction to the series. My specific research question was how does the audience incorporate the WAGS’ relationship goals and dynamics into their relationships, both platonic and romantic? The audience might not at all incorporate these mentalities into their life. This analysis looks into the impact that the show has and if it actually has the power to influence relationships. Specific aspects about the relationships that I researched in WAGS, was the hierarchy of women. The hierarchy stands; wives at the top, following girlfriends (in serious relationships), and dating or single women at the bottom. This analysis looked to see if the hierarchy is played out in actual reality. Through this interview with this WAGS follower, she did not find the show applicable to her life. This audience member views reality shows, such as the Kardashian’s and WAGS, as a pure entertainment instead of a construction of reality due to the basis of the shows being strictly about love and drama.

Although ‘Men Behaving Badly’ is not that much older than ‘Friends’ the more recent episodes of Friends are quite different to the final episodes of M.B.B.

The genre drama is a very broad genre that can go with multiple subgenres; whether the subgenre be romance, sports, or war. But unlike most other films a drama has characters in it that are in realistic situations with the main character or characters that are in a conflict that is taking place in his or her everyday lives. An example of this is Hester Pryne in The Scarlet Letter who becomes pregnant out of wedlock and in turn, is punished for her sin. In Easy A, a modern day remake of The Scarlet Letter, Olive Prenderghast, a normal teenage girl, who describes herself as a typical teenager who is not usually seen becomes the subject of everyone’s attention and conversations within a couple of hours. The setting, hidden meanings, almost like

There are many ways to supplement a story in order to add lucidity. It is done through literary devices and Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" is no different. "The Things They Carried" is a narrative about a soldier at war in Vietnam. However, this story provides multiple layers of meaning through O'Brien's tone and style that help the reader further understand it. Both of these literary devices are embedded in the story and gradually help define it.

It seems that you can’t turn on a television set anymore without a reality show being on. All networks have recently started to pump out reality shows left and right. And why wouldn’t they? Reality shows are highly rated, with three of them being in the top ten on the Nielsen ratings chart. In fact, these shows are becoming more popular than the sitcoms and dramas aired. New sitcoms and dramas struggle to get attention of the public when going against a reality show. Programs such as The Beast and Go Fish, which critics loved and raved about, are victims of the wrath of reality shows. These shows are now cancelled.

Sitcoms have been one of the most popular and influential television genres for years on end. From some of the oldies like I Love Lucy to some of the more recent ones like New Girl , this genre succeeds in appealing to all people through eye catching drama, witty comedy, and lighthearted romance. Almost all viewers are guilty of singing their favorite theme songs or throwing out some popular catchphrases from some of their beloved characters on the show. The television show Friends, which aired in 1994, is still one of the most watched sitcoms in history. Even though the show ended in 2004, reruns still play on T.V and Netflix has even added the show to its database because of its undying popularity. Even a bit older than Friends, Full House aired its first episode in 1987 and its last in 1995. This shows popularity and influence prompted a continuation of the show, Fuller House, that is currently in production more than twenty years later. Both sitcoms of Friends and Full House demonstrate how the sitcom genre, along with the sub-genres associated with it has had and continues to have a tremendous influence on pop culture.

Can you believe that reality television has actually been around since 1948? Most of us may have thought that this idea of real television just came about in the last decade but actually it’s been around for quite some time. In 1948 Candid Camera was the first reality show to be broadcasted on television. Many considered this to be the “granddaddy” of the reality TV genre (History of reality TV). This show actually began in radio broadcasting. Allen Funt was the man in charge of this whole new production. He started by simply taping complaints of men in service and broadcasting them over the Armed Forces Radio. This is what later became known as the television show, Candid Camera. Candid Camera was known for

     There have been many dramatic plays over the centuries. Many of these plays have died in their time, while others have lived on. What makes these plays endure time and continue to be influential over time? Perhaps it is the storyline or the interesting nature of the play is what makes these dramas last. I think that it is the focus on human nature and its essential truths that keep these plays alive. Most of the plays, still enacted in theaters today, deal with social issues that people can learn from and relate to.