1. EXAMINE CLASS REPRESENTATIONS FROM AMERICAN TELEVISION'S BEGINNINGS TO TODAY'S SITCOMS. REALITY SHOWS, POLICE DRAMAS AND DAY TIME TALK SHOWS.
During the old days of american television, only the 'white' american will be portrayed. Eventually, other races in american television became more diverse and different, such as the addition of asians and also blacks as actors and actresses. however in most, the white people would be shown as hero's, main characters, protagonists, and the good guys. However, asians or the blacks would be given minor roles or antagonists roles, or would be shown as bad guys and be killed of very fast, giving them little screentime. Today, the world is more modern and we see black people such as Will Smith as the main hero and character in movies such as I am legend, and Men in Black.
2. WHAT IS THE AMERICAN DREAM AND HOW HAS IT BEEN POTRAYED ON TELEVISION? WHO HAS IT EXCLUDED AND WHY??
Taken from the World English Dictionary, the American Dream is defined as the notion that the American social,economic, and political system makes success possible for every individual.
It is where the capitalist system brings joy, perfect health and wealth to every American. It is the thought of having perfection in reality such as a married couple having one son and one daughter. It is shown by the media that to make the American Dream a reality, one must simply work and dedicate themselves to their work as well as their country. If that is achieved then time is the only factor left.
3. HOW DO MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS OF CLASS REFLECT THE LARGER SOCIAL SYSTEM AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY??
The media representations of class as a reflection of the larger social system and social inequality is somewhat true. The only difference is that media tends to over-exaggerate certain points but that is how they make things clear. However, there are times when they portray a form of biasness, such as having the white men having all the power and the minorities such as asians and black people having little to no power.
4. HOW IS THE WORKING CLASS PORTRAYED WHEN IT HAS BEEN REPRESENTED??
The working class are often shown to be struggling not only in their work life but also their social life. They seem as if they are really having trouble making ends meet. stereotypes such as terrible bosses can be seen such as being demanding, unrealistic, cruel and sadistic. Another example would be hot female secretaries working at offices with perfect bodies and beautiful faces . And then we also see working men in roles such as businessmen, lawyers and such, whereas females rarely are seen in those roles.
5. WHAT ARE THE STRUGGLES FACED IN TRYING TO GET A SHOW ABOUT WORKING CLASS PEOPLE ON TELEVISION??
Generally, the idea about portraying real people and real work situations can be very tough not only because of timing issues but as well as not wanting to portray their true selves. One way or another, what you see in reality televisions are somewhat of a fabrication of what they truly are and that is a fact. No one wants to be seen in a bad light, especially on nationwide television broadcasts. For example some of the things we see about working class people might be true, for example, they show the good side such as bright comfy offices, nice bosses, great workmates , an easy and not stressful life at work. However, in reality they do not show the negative sides like horrible bosses, backstabbing workmates, and stressful job situations police and firemen rescue jobs.
6. HOW ARE RACE AND GENDER INTERTWINED WITH CLASS ON TELEVISION?
As for race, the white people are often shown to be rich, high integrity and classy kind of people where as the minorities are often shown to be poor, the evil person and the trashy kind of people.
Minorities would be like asians and black people as usual as seen in movies and tv series. Even if they are not portrayed in bad light, they still do not get as much screen time or lines or roles as compared to their white american or british counterparts.
As for gender, the men are often shown to be the breadwinners, the heroes, the ones in power basically. The women are often shown to be weak, similar functions to a maid and belong in the kitchen. A good example for this would be the TV series shows suits, where the main male characters Harvey and Mike, are high flying, professional and capable lawyers in New york, whereas the female characters like Donna and Rachel are just assistants and a paralegal. However, in the movie, there is also jessica who is the head managing senior partner of the firm which means even Harvey and Mike are below her. So, its true that women are not always given the heroine and powerful roles, but in this Suits series, Jessica is an exception.
