Troupe Lists Run Deep and Varied
Many use tropes as a way to develop a premise for shows or episode ideas. Generally, these involve commonalities within our culture--some at first could look like stereotypes to the non-media scholar. However, there are a plethora of choices, combinations, and variations from the diverse number of troupes to draw upon. According to Ott and Mack, Cultural studies scholars address the shortcomings of accurate depictions portrayed in media that "...represent a skewed or partial vision of society in relation to class gender, sexuality, age, disability, and a host of other social constructs." It could be said that troupes are a vehicle used by Creatives to bring together entertaining or thought provoking productions or shows that are relatable or believable premises for entertainment delivered by the means of varying media platforms or mediums.
Earlier in the year, I brought-up what I have parroted by many pundits and others as the attack on the patriarchal family structure or negative portrayal of the father in US sitcoms since the late-eighties--accelerating significantly in the following decades. Professor Drennon responded to my statement by saying, "I think you are referring to troupes rather than stereotypes." She is correct in that there is such a complexity and variation of show premises, for example, yet I have had trouble finding much in the way of what I have observed regarding the father being a bumbling character who does not have much in the way of genuine respect of his opinion and is usually proven to not be right or made to look foolish, oftentimes.
Modern Family has done a pretty good job of portraying Claire's husband, the real estate agent as a quite believable LA suburban middle class character who is far from perfect and funny in his foibles, yet has a great loving relationship with his wife, children, and extended family; all of the characters are a positive and pretty accurate representation of contemporary life in SoCal.
This said, according to Ott and Mack, it still is representative of "...hegemonic ideologies of class of class that convince individuals that capitalism and class standing are 'natural' forms of social existence." The characters are overwhelmingly white, could be considered upper-middle class, across the family--the grandparents certainly in the top ten percent socioeconomically; the representation has all of the trappings of exclusion.
Returning to troupes, Fresh Prince of Bel Air has real problems of assimilation and it could be said that even while Will Smith is Black, the character he plays--unconvincingly--comes across as culturally appropriating black culture of a lower socioeconomic strata. After about a half an hour searching the tropes provided, I have to conclude that what could have been under Race/Fish-out of Water Racial/Family Racial Switch or similar heading is not there, perhaps due to political correctness run-amok.
Happy BECA Graduation,
Drake
Thanks for sharing your opinion on this subject. I was really engaged while reading it and thought it was very critical and thorough. It's very refreshing to hear your point of view, as you brought up some interesting points.
ReplyDeleteI understand where you are coming from and agree that times are changing rapidly and that sometimes the readings just feel like they are reaching, when perhaps it is not necessarily the case. I like to take in the information from the chapters, process it, try to apply them to real-world examples, and then make my own interpretations based on what I've experienced. Not everything is going to be fitting, however, the book does have some pertinent information. I urge you to keep your skepticism as a critical analyzer, but also to challenge yourself to be open-minded when it comes to trying to relate the interesting and important concepts shared.
Modern Family is an interesting show that has some great examples of different ways of living. I think that what is going on now is that networks are trying to make a conscious effort to show different ways of life and to give more visibility to historically disenfranchised groups. I don't necessarily agree that the hapless husband trope is being forced upon necessarily. I think they are showing people being less forceful and more cooperative. I do think there is a place for the commanding male lead. But some of these shows wouldn't work with that trope in the lead. hope you have a great graduation Drake!
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