Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Power & Empowerment- Final Blog Post

Character guide

What does it say about the Griffin household when the family dog is the voice of reason. Well, they are a dysfunctional, middle class, suburban family- mocking all aspects of pop culture. Each character; however, is marked my symbolic power or empowerment.

Peter Griffin, the father and head of the Griffin household is shown as an idiot. This is an image of power as far as gender roles go. It is shown that even as "an idiot" or a bad decision maker at the least, a man is still the head of the house hold.

Lois Griffin, once Lois Pewterschmidt, was the daughter of a very wealthy man. When she fell in love with Peter and got married she left her inheritance behind. Lois teaches piano lessons, but mostly takes care of her family. This is an image the take power away. Lois' character shows women putting being hopelessly in love, even if it is with a fool, and keeping the family together. Her character also shows her in the typcial housewife role.

Chris and Meg embody the awkwardness of being a teenager; however gender comes into play by letting Meg receive the brunt of jokes about her looks. Again stressing the importance of physical beauty in female, teenage adolescents.

The list could go on, but each character portrays a stereotype in our society. Pop culture is a source in which truths, satire, and social commentary are mixed together and fed back to an audience. From readings in this course, and class conversations, it is evident that people have a desire to regurgitate and commentate on all aspects of our society.

Family Guy makes references to all types of pop culture aspects and uses satire to make a statement. For exampe in many episodes Lois tries to help Meg be more attractive to the opposite sex. In one particular episode Lois tells Meg a shirt that says "Cum Dumpster" is very becoming on her (haha pun) However, this is a commentary on the way young women are portrayed in our society and parenting. Young women are forced to portray a certain role- attractive, and sexually promiscuous- "being a cum dumpster" will get you a guy? Also that idea of parents being a source of continuing these ideas instead of providing guidance. In this day and age, when the most popular high school graduation gift is plastic surgery ( i saw it on the news this morning) parents are clearly sending a message that physical appearance is an important aspect of who you are, and how others see you.

Wow, Family Guy- that is kind of deep.

buddy blog

digioac2 said...
Blog Buddy Work

1. Where has your Blog buddy shown strong analytical work (be specific—is it a particular post, a type of analysis, a site for analysis that seemed to click more so than others, etc)?

In Jess’ post after the video of the guys in the sex shop she has shown strong analytical work. Her analysis of the objectification of women in the clip seems to be dead on. The shop looks to be for men and men only as shown by the females covering all the magazine covers and all the female sex dolls.

2. How could your Blog buddy use this strength for the final Blog post and presentation?

Jess will be able to use this strength in her final blog post and presentation by doing the post about audiences and understandings. Her accurate analysis of various elements of Family Guy are well thought out and they do make sense but in a show like Family Guy there are going to be disagreements on how certain jokes should be taken.

3. Think about the following statements in relation to your Blog buddy’s Blog and then provide feedback on each area (constructive praise/criticism):

The Blog is on a topic that has been clearly evident in the Blog posts throughout the semester

Most of the posts are related or about a specific episode or clip from an episode of Family Guy so we know exactly what she is talking about.

The Blog is on a topic that seems to interest my Blog buddy

My blog is on Family Guy too so I love her topic!

My Blog buddy’s topic is one that has produced a good set of posts that were analytical used gender as a primary category of analysis

All of her posts were very well done and most of them had a video to accompany her analysis of gender in the show which helped even more. Her post on the guys in the sex shop was particularly effective in analyzing gender.

The posts make analytical arguments. The posts are understandable and each post logically outlines and supports the argument presented. The posts were clear, provided insight, evidence, and analysis to connect the topic with the assignment for each of the posts

All of the posts in Jess’ blog were very well organized and clearly stated her arguments and were supported with evidence to back it up.



The sources cited in each post are relevant to the topic and help to aid the understanding of the argument and/or assisted in proving the argument.

She cited many of the articles we read for class and helped to further support her arguments.

The quotes used illustrate a broad range of course readings throughout the semester.

Quotes used in the blog were relevant and supportive of the topic being discussed

The quotes were clear and succinct; additionally, the material was presented so that I could differentiate the Blog buddy’s ideas from that of the author cited.

4. Finally, complete the following:

I thought it was great when you... used video clips to help people who may not watch the show know exactly what you are talking about in your posts.

I found it confusing when you… everything seemed clear to me

You’re really great at… making it easy for the reader to understand exactly where you are coming from and analyzing the controversial parts of the show.

I wish you could focus (more) on/alter/edit/explain/expand on/etc these three things…
(Basically, when you read the Blog posts, what do you wish your buddy had done differently, more of, etc?) Not too much else in the blog to worry about… great job.

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Buddy Work

Blog Buddy Work

1. Where has your Blog buddy shown strong analytical work (be specific—is it a particular post, a type of analysis, a site for analysis that seemed to click more so than others, etc)?

2. How could your Blog buddy use this strength for the final Blog post and presentation?

3. Think about the following statements in relation to your Blog buddy’s Blog and then provide feedback on each area (constructive praise/criticism):

The Blog is on a topic that has been clearly evident in the Blog posts throughout the semester

The Blog is on a topic that seems to interest my Blog buddy

My Blog buddy’s topic is one that has produced a good set of posts that were analytical used gender as a primary category of analysis

The posts make analytical arguments. The posts are understandable and each post logically outlines and supports the argument presented. The posts were clear, provided insight, evidence, and analysis to connect the topic with the assignment for each of the posts

The sources cited in each post are relevant to the topic and help to aid the understanding of the argument and/or assisted in proving the argument.

The quotes used illustrate a broad range of course readings throughout the semester.

The quotes were clear and succinct; additionally, the material was presented so that I could differentiate the Blog buddy’s ideas from that of the author cited.

4. Finally, complete the following:

I thought it was great when you...

I found it confusing when you…

You’re really great at…

I wish you could focus (more) on/alter/edit/explain/expand on/etc these three things…
(Basically, when you read the Blog posts, what do you wish your buddy had done differently, more of, etc?)

Thursday, April 5, 2007

In the News

Family Guy News Story
More news


This article brings about some interesting discussion. In the articles it is mentioned that Carol Burnett, similarly to "Family Guy", is known for her success based on pop-culture parodies. In the second article it talks about other elements of pop culture that have been made light of on the hit show, however no legal action has been taken.

The way Carol Burnett depicts herself in this action is that it is okay for her to make light of what she chooses, but when the subject matter is her it is a different senerio. Perhaps she did not realize that they were doing something she did so well- her show is a past element of pop culture that was incorporated into the hit show.

This article is interesting in that it shows the way pop culture perpetuates through the years. Carol Burnett made pop culture references as well as Family Guy. In some ways this article shows society's desire to mock aspects of pop culture- things that were popular, celebrities, scandals, and shows are all sources from satirical references, People like to make light of pop culture because it is pushed in our faces, ironically the vehicles used to make these statements are also a part of the universal pop culture conversation.

Friday, March 30, 2007

last one- i promise

Okay so this is the last part of my 3rd blog assignment-



So I like the way this clip is using a pop culture medium to comment on pop culture. The blonde, teenage, skinny, sunbathing, less than articulate girls are supposed to represent that of those that appear on the reality T.V show laguna beach. The way that Peter comments "it isn't easy growing up anywhere" is just another way to show that as a culture we are so consumed by the glamorous celeb-reality T.V shows, are mesmerized by the drama in their lives, and that these teenagers make up the majority of the teenage population




Again "Family Guy" comments on popular culture by referencing Britney Spears' latest tabloid tales. This clip comments on the actions Paris and Britney engage in, as well as playing up the fact that almost ANY American was aware of Britney's antics.

So overall, "Family Guy" confirms certain levels of sexuality in pop culture by portraying them in a satirical way. Those viewers who watch "Family Guy" and are unable to see the elements of satire are in danger of taking the opinion of the one presented to them (Like all the middle school and underaged viewers...) However, in actuality the show comments on many different aspects of pop culture ranging from gender roles to celebrities and perpetuates these ideas through a T.V show watches by thousands of viewers. Not only are these viewers getting THEIR daily dose of popular culture, thanks to the satire of family guy they are getting it twice.

episode analysis 2



This clip has a lot of really interesting things going on. First off, the way Lois claims to be opened minded BUT... While watching this I immediately related this claim to the reading by Moschkovich, "But I Know You American Women." This piece of writing comments on the way Upper Middle Class, white, American, females try to view themselves as open minded. However, in doing so they, more often than not, end up offending minority populations because they do not take a proactive approach in educating themselves and appear ignorant.

When the priest makes the statement that "These issues are too big for man to decided so God made this movie". This is a reference to the way religion plays a role in our society and how people take religion to be absolute and unbending. This part of the clip can relate back to the clip of "Jesus Camp" and the extremes that can result when people let religion solely guide their opinions.

The actual movie clip, within the TV clip, explaining on how to "spot gays" shows the way popular culture comments on homosexuality. This is the part of the analysis where it gets a little sticky because this clip challenges and confirms certain stereotypes. "Spotting Gays" is a way that challenges and confirms stereotypes because although it is crude in its satire it is accurate in the portrayal of people trying to classify others on appearance and preferences. This clip uses liking Madonna and being subhuman as characteristic of homosexual people. In the reading "Homophobia is Straight Men," by Kupers also confirms the way in which homosexuals are portrayed as subhuman.

First episode analysis

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This episode full of hegemonic and counter-hegemonic references. Women, although they may be "only cartoons", are being totally objectified- being seen as only objects. "The greatest dirty book store in town," as Quagmire initially states is accurate enough to have an 18 and over sign on the door, but has no references to males as sexual objects. Interesting. Watch the clip again and pay close attention, even all the videos/ books on the shelves are females. (If someone finds this incorrect, honestly, send a post and let me know). Even when Joe gets upset about the possibilities of naked, all blonde sex dolls staring at him Cleveland lets him know it is a dismissible offense because they are only whores. Apparently, whores are not people too and their opinions don't matter- even if they are inappropriately judging a handicapped man. Joe also shows his reaction in a hegemonic way, through aggression.

An interesting commentary came through with the part of Peter finding a women voting- showing the "vulgar" or "risque"- ness of a women voting. Completing daring and unheard of- thank you satire.

The clip ends with Quagmire's song- my favorite reference being "I do stuff to her face" a clear reference to cumming on a girls face after sex, another objectifying action accepted by society not putting on goofy masks- just in case anyone missed that.

Family Guy and understanding gender

This blog post is dedicated to understanding how "Family Guy" is an important aspect in the analysis of gender and pop culture. This blog site is a tool where I am analyzing gender and popular culture in terms of the show "Family Guy" for a women and gender studies class. In no way am I talking badly about the show- in fact, I happen to be a big fan; however it is interesting to see the ways in which T.V shows perpetuate and mock stereotypes of popular culture.

In case you are not getting your daily dose of pop culture, "Family Guy" is a satirical cartoon. Like all T.V shows, each episode has some type of issue or focus. I will be using different episodes to analyze the way in which the content contributes and challenges areas of popular culture.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Collage time




This collage is made from a bunch of images that show the way sexuality is depicted in popular culture via Family Guy. This collage has a dual purpose in that it shows a pop culture medium illustrating aspects of sexuality and also plays up the stereotypes that are used within our culture. Look to see how the images in this collage actively portray "the slut" or "kinky sex", the way "hot girls" should look, or what a "M.I.L.F is, as well as the "beer drinking-womanising man"or what "gay" images are. It is interesting to see how without any words at all these images portray a strong message. Hope you like it